Grade Level

9th Grade

Duration

45 minutes

Unit

Expressing Colors in ASL (Lesson 2 of 12)

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Learning Objectives

• I can sign at least ten colors in American Sign Language (ASL), including at least three shades or variations of colors.
• I can recognize and differentiate between basic colors and their shades in ASL.
• I can collaborate with a peer to practice and refine my ASL color vocabulary skills.

Common Core State Standards Alignment

While ASL is not explicitly addressed in Common Core, this lesson integrates Language Arts and Speaking & Listening standards adapted for ASL context:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1
  Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions, expressing ideas clearly and persuasively in ASL.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.9-10.6
  Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific vocabulary (in this case, colors and shades in ASL), sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening in the content area.

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.4
  Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically (via ASL), demonstrating command of the appropriate mode of expression.

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Materials Needed

• Visual aids showing ASL signs for colors and their shades (posters or slides)
• Video clips demonstrating color signs and shades in ASL
• Colored cards or objects representing various colors and shades
• Worksheet for peer quiz and self-assessment
• Notebook or journal for notes and reflections

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Success Criteria

• Students can independently produce the signs for at least ten colors, including three specific shades (e.g., light blue, dark red, bright yellow).
• Students demonstrate understanding by successfully identifying shades in a peer quiz.
• Students can explain at least one cultural significance of a color in ASL culture during an extension activity.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Peer Pairing: Pair students strategically, matching students who are more proficient with those who need extra support for peer tutoring.
• Visual Support: Use images and videos to support students who benefit from multimodal learning approaches.
• Chunking: Break down the list of colors/shades into smaller groups for students who need more processing time.
• Repetition and Modeling: Provide frequent repetition, modeling by teacher, and opportunities for practice throughout the lesson.

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Extension Activities

• Students who quickly master the ten colors and shades will research one color’s cultural significance in Deaf culture or other communities and present a short ASL report to the class in a future session.
• Create a mini ASL “color story” or poem, incorporating the signs learned for creative expression.

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Lesson Procedure

1. Introduction & Review (5 minutes)

• Greet students and briefly review the basic ASL colors learned in Lesson 1.
• Use “I can” statements on board:
  “I can sign basic colors in ASL.”
• Quick 2-minute question session: “Who can sign red, blue, or green?” (call on volunteers).

2. Presentation: Introducing Shades of Colors (10 minutes)

• Show visuals and videos demonstrating ASL signs for shades (e.g., light blue, dark green, bright yellow).
• Explain how shades modify the base color sign by using specific movements or facial expressions (model repeatedly).
• Use colored objects/cards to associate each sign with a tangible color shade.

3. Guided Practice in Pairs (15 minutes)

• Pair students and assign them 5 colors with 2 shades each from the list to practice signing together.
• Circulate and monitor pairs, giving corrective feedback and modeling when necessary.
• Encourage students to quiz each other, asking for the color sign or shade sign.

4. Independent Practice: Quick Quiz (7 minutes)

• Each student receives a worksheet with color/shade names in English, and must write the corresponding ASL sign description or sketch handshape/position (to reinforce learning through multi-modal output).
• Alternatively, use colored cards or images; students sign the color/shade independently then self-check with answers provided.

5. Wrap-Up and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Ask students to share one color or shade sign they felt confident with.
• Write “I can” statement for today’s lesson on the board:
  “I can sign at least ten colors in ASL, including their shades.”
• Explain the extension opportunity: researching and presenting the cultural significance of a color in ASL or Deaf culture for extra credit or future class presentation.

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Assessment

• Formative: Observation during pair practice, teacher checklist of signs correctly produced.
• Summative: Quick quiz worksheet evaluating recall of color and shade signs.
• Informal: Student sharing during wrap-up.

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Color Vocabulary Examples

1. Red
2. Blue
3. Green
4. Yellow
5. Black
6. White
7. Orange
8. Purple
9. Brown
10. Pink

Shades examples:

• Light Blue
• Dark Green
• Bright Yellow

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Teacher Notes

• Encourage expressive facial expressions to emphasize shades and variations when signing; this mirrors natural ASL grammar.
• Promote respect for Deaf culture by discussing the importance of colors in signs and potential cultural meanings as homework or extension research.
• Keep energy high by mixing visual, kinesthetic, and interpersonal approaches for diverse learners.

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By integrating collaborative practice, multimodal input, and cultural extension, this lesson not only builds ASL color vocabulary but also supports mastery of Common Core language and speaking standards tailored to a Deaf language context.