Descriptive Signs: Adjectives

Grade Level

9-12

Duration

45 minutes

Unit

Foundations of American Sign Language (Lesson 7 of 30)

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Learning Objectives

Aligned with Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects (Grades 9-12):

• I can understand and use descriptive adjectives in American Sign Language to describe people and objects effectively.
• I can identify and apply at least 10 common ASL adjectives within signed sentences.
• I can demonstrate comprehension by interpreting signed descriptive phrases involving adjectives.

CCSS Alignment:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings.
• 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.9-10.4: Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 9–10 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.

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Success Criteria

• Students confidently sign at least 10 adjectives to describe different people and objects.
• Students accurately interpret peers’ signed adjective descriptions.
• Students construct simple descriptive signed sentences using adjectives that convey clear meaning.

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Materials

• Flashcards with ASL signs for common adjectives (bright, big, small, happy, sad, young, old, fast, slow, cold, hot)
• Visual aids/photos of people and objects for description
• Video clips demonstrating descriptive adjectives in ASL
• Whiteboard and markers
• Student journals or paper for reflection

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Lesson Procedures

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

• Begin with a brief warm-up questioning: “What are some words that describe people or things?”
• Introduce the objective using “I can” statements and share success criteria.
• Show a short video clip demonstrating descriptive ASL adjective signs. Emphasize facial expressions with adjectives for clarity.

2. Direct Instruction (10 minutes)

• Present flashcards with each adjective sign one by one: fingerspelling and sign demonstration.
• Model using adjectives in context by signing simple sentences praising or describing objects/people shown in photos.
• Discuss how facial expressions and body language emphasize adjective meaning in ASL.

3. Guided Practice (15 minutes)

• Activity 1: In pairs, students practice signing adjectives using the flashcards and pictures, describing assigned images (one person/object each). Rotate pairs to expose students to different vocabulary and perspectives.
• Instructor circulates, provides immediate feedback, and models corrections if needed.
• Encourage students to use facial grammar to express the adjectives vividly.

4. Independent Practice (10 minutes)

• Students individually pick a photo and write (in English) three adjectives they want to sign to describe it.
• Then, they sign those descriptions to a small group (3-4 students), who guess which adjectives were used and provide peer feedback.
• Teacher observes and takes notes on student signing accuracy and comprehension.

5. Closure & Reflection (5 minutes)

• Recap the importance of descriptive adjectives in communication and ASL.
• Ask students to share one new adjective they learned and how they would use it to describe a friend or object.
• Assign a brief journal prompt to write or sign a short description of a family member using at least three adjectives learned today (to be completed for homework).

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Differentiation Strategies

• For students with limited ASL experience:
  Provide additional one-on-one practice time and simplified adjective choices. Use video modeling and repeated demonstration.

• For students with hearing impairments or auditory processing challenges:
  Use visual aids exclusively and incorporate written adjective glosses beneath the signs.

• For English Language Learners (ELL):
  Pair students with peers who are fluent in ASL or provide bilingual adjective vocabulary lists (English/ASL gloss).

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Extension Activities (for advanced learners)

• Challenge students to create descriptive signed narratives combining multiple adjectives to describe a complex scene or person, including abstract adjectives (e.g., confident, curious).
• Assign students to research and present on regional variations or cultural nuances of descriptive signs in ASL.
• Encourage students to film themselves signing a descriptive paragraph that incorporates at least 15 adjectives and present it to the class next lesson.

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Assessment

• Formative assessment through observation of partner and group sign practice.
• Peer feedback on signed adjective descriptions during independent practice.
• Journal prompt evaluated for accurate use of adjectives in English or ASL gloss.
• Teacher anecdotal notes to plan future instruction targeting any misunderstood adjectives.

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This lesson plan embraces multisensory ASL learning combined with linguistic rigor and aligns closely with Common Core standards to develop sophisticated language comprehension and production skills beyond traditional spoken English modalities.