Emotions and Feelings

Grade Level

9-12

Duration

45 minutes

Unit

Foundations of American Sign Language (Lesson 12 of 30)

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Lesson Overview

Students will learn and practice American Sign Language (ASL) signs for a variety of emotions and feelings. This lesson promotes expressive communication skills in ASL and encourages students to explore emotional vocabulary through interactive activities that reinforce comprehension and usage.

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Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Alignment

Speaking and Listening Standards (SL)

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1: Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions, expressing thoughts clearly and persuasively.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically.

Language Standards (L)

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.9-10.6: Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.11-12.6: Acquire and use accurately general academic and specialized vocabulary, including signs and expressions used in ASL communication about emotions and feelings.

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Learning Objectives

I can...

• Identify and sign at least 10 different emotions and feelings in ASL accurately.
• Express my personal feelings using ASL in simple sentences.
• Understand classmates’ signed expressions of feelings during discussions.

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Success Criteria

• I can demonstrate correct handshapes, movements, and facial expressions for emotion signs.
• I can understand peers’ signed expressions of feelings during partner or group activities.
• I can use emotion signs to express at least 3 sentences about how I or someone else feels.

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Materials Needed

• Emotion sign vocabulary handouts (with illustrations)
• Flashcards with emotion words and corresponding ASL signs
• Video clips demonstrating correct signs and facial expressions for emotions
• Whiteboard and markers
• Mirrors for self-practice of facial expressions

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Lesson Procedures

1. Introduction & Warm-Up (5 minutes)

• Greet students in ASL.
• Brief discussion: “Why is it important to express emotions clearly?” (Use visuals or write key ideas)
• Quick review: Ask students to recall last lesson signs to activate prior knowledge.

2. Direct Instruction: Teach New Emotion Signs (10 minutes)

• Introduce 10 target emotion signs (e.g., happy, sad, angry, surprised, nervous, tired, excited, scared, confused, calm).
• Use video clips and live modeling to demonstrate signs including facial expressions.
• Students watch and mimic signs, paying special attention to non-manual signals (facial expression, body language).
• Allow students to practice each sign individually using mirrors.

3. Guided Practice: Partner Emotion Conversations (15 minutes)

• Pair students and distribute emotion flashcards.
• Students take turns signing a flashcard emotion, then signing a sentence explaining when they feel that emotion (e.g., “I feel happy when I play sports.”).
• Partners must respond by signing back a similar or different emotion with a sentence.
• Teacher circulates, providing feedback on signing clarity and expression.

4. Group Activity: Emotion Charades (10 minutes)

• Divide class into groups of four or five.
• Each student picks an emotion flashcard without showing the group and signs the emotion.
• Group guesses the emotion based on the sign and facial expression.
• Rotate turns so each student practices signing and guessing.

5. Wrap-Up & Reflection (5 minutes)

• Whole-class discussion: “Which emotion signs were easiest or most challenging? Why?”
• Students share one new emotion sign they learned and one fact about using facial expressions with ASL signs.
• Teacher previews next lesson topic.

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Differentiation Strategies

Learner Type	Strategy
English Language Learners	Use visuals and video clips; pairing with fluent peers; allow extra practice time.
Students with Hearing Loss	Provide clear, close-up demonstrations; reduce background noise; allow use of visual aids like mirrors and videos.
Students with Motor Difficulties	Use simplified signing alternatives where possible; provide assistive tools or allow expressive alternatives (e.g., pointing to symbols).
Advanced Learners	Challenge students to create mini-dialogues using multiple emotions; explore idiomatic ASL emotional expressions.

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Extension Activities

• Emotion Storytelling: Students create and sign a short story describing an emotional experience using at least five different emotion signs.
• ASL Emotion Journal: Begin a daily or weekly journal in ASL where students reflect on their emotions using video recordings.
• Explore Cultural Nuances: Research and present on how emotional expressions vary in ASL across different Deaf communities.

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Assessment

• Observation of students’ signing accuracy and facial expressions during partner work and group charades.
• Informal formative checks via questioning during class discussion.
• Use a quick exit slip where students sign and write one phrase including an emotion learned in class.

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Notes for Teachers

• Emphasize the importance of non-manual markers (facial expressions, body language) as integral to conveying emotions in ASL.
• Praise students frequently, encourage peer support to build confidence.
• Incorporate brief movement breaks if students become fatigued from continuous signing.

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This lesson integrates ASL communication skills with expressive language development aligned to the Common Core speaking, listening, and language standards, providing students with the tools to understand and express emotions in a vibrant, visual language.