Basic Greetings & Introductions

Grade Level

9-12

Duration

45 minutes

Class Size

20 students

Unit Overview

This is Lesson 3 of 30 in the unit Foundations of American Sign Language. Students will learn, practice, and demonstrate proficiency in basic ASL greetings and self-introductions, laying a strong foundation for interpersonal communication.

Common Core State Standards Alignment

While American Sign Language is not explicitly included in Common Core standards, this lesson supports cross-disciplinary skills under ELA standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1
Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grades 9–10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.4
Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.9-10.6
Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal precise actions, emotions, or states of being.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Demonstrate three common ASL greetings (e.g., "Hello," "Good Morning," "How are you?") using correct handshapes and non-manual markers.
Introduce themselves in ASL using fingerspelling and basic phrases (e.g., "My name is ___").
Initiate and respond to basic conversational exchanges in ASL with a peer.
Reflect on cultural significance and non-verbal cues in ASL greetings.

Materials Needed

Visual flashcards with ASL signs depicting greetings
Video clips of native ASL signers performing greetings and introductions
Whiteboard and markers
Printed vocabulary sheets for fingerspelling practice
Name tags for role-play activities
Smartphone or tablet for recording practice (optional)

Lesson Breakdown

1. Warm-Up & Engagement (5 minutes)

Greet students using ASL signs for "Hello" and "Good Morning."
Briefly review Lesson 2 content (fingerspelling alphabet).
Ask students to fingerspell their first names to a partner to refresh memory.
Objective: Activate prior knowledge and set context for today’s new phrases.

2. Introduction to Basic ASL Greetings (10 minutes)

Teacher models three greetings: "Hello," "Good Morning," "How are you?" alongside proper facial expressions/non-manual markers.
Use close-up video clips to highlight handshapes, movement, and facial expression details.
Students echo each gesture simultaneously.
Partner practice: In pairs, students exchange the three greetings at a conversational pace.
Objective: Build muscle memory and reinforce non-verbal communication cues.

3. Practice: Self-Introductions in ASL (15 minutes)

Teacher demonstrates "My name is ___" using fingerspelling plus the ASL possessive sign for "my."
Students practice fingerspelling their names slowly, then at conversational speed.
Role-play activity: Each student introduces themselves using ASL to a partner. Encourage use of eye contact, appropriate facial expressions, and signing space.
Teacher circulates, providing corrective feedback and encouragement.
Optional: Students record their introduction on tablets for self-review and peer feedback.
Objective: Achieve fluid introductory dialogues integrating fingerspelling and greetings.

4. Cultural Context & Reflection (5 minutes)

Brief discussion about the cultural importance of greetings in Deaf community and how facial expressions reflect emotions/state in ASL.
Students reflect in writing or share verbally: How do greetings in ASL compare with spoken English greetings?
Objective: Promote cultural awareness and deeper appreciation for ASL as a language.

5. Formative Assessment: Quick Sign Quiz (7 minutes)

Individual task: Teacher calls out each greeting and introduction phrase, students sign back correctly.
Peer assessment: Students pair up and evaluate each other’s signing against a checklist (accuracy of handshape, movement, facial expression).
Teacher collects feedback and notes to tailor upcoming lessons.
Objective: Gauge individual mastery and identify areas needing reinforcement.

6. Closure & Homework Assignment (3 minutes)

Review key terms from the lesson.
Assign homework: Students practice greetings and introductions at home by teaching one family member or friend. Write a short reflection about the experience and bring it to the next class.
Announce next lesson: "Numbers and Basic Questions in ASL."
Objective: Extend learning beyond classroom and foster consistent practice.

Differentiation Strategies

Visual learners benefit from video and flashcard demonstrations.
Kinesthetic learners reinforced through role-play and signing exercises.
Provide extra practice sheets for students struggling with fingerspelling.
Encourage advanced students to create their own greeting dialogues to perform.

Reflection for Teachers

Did students maintain eye contact and use appropriate facial expressions?
Were students able to fingerspell their names with correct handshapes?
What modifications improved student participation?
Plan for incorporating technology (recordings) in future lessons to support self-assessment.

This lesson plan integrates language acquisition standards with ASL cultural literacy, encouraging interactive, student-centered learning experiences for high school learners new to American Sign Language.

Teaching Instructions