Family Signs Vocabulary

Grade Level: 9-12

Duration: 45 minutes

Class Size: 20 students

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Unit: Foundations of American Sign Language

Lesson 5 of 30

Lesson Title: Family Signs

Lesson Description:

Students will learn and practice ASL vocabulary related to family members and develop skills to sign their own family trees.

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Learning Objectives (Aligned to Common Core State 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 and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1
Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions on topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.

ASL-Specific Standards (Alignment with National Standards for Deaf Education - NCDE)

• Vocabulary Acquisition: Competently produce and recognize basic family-related vocabulary signs.
• Expressive Language: Use learned signs to construct sentences describing family relationships.

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"I Can..." Statements

• I can identify and sign common family members in ASL.
• I can describe my family tree using ASL signs.
• I can participate in a conversation about families using ASL vocabulary.

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Success Criteria

• Correctly produce 10+ family-related ASL signs (e.g., mother, father, sibling, cousin).
• Demonstrate understanding by signing a simple family tree with 3-5 family members.
• Actively engage in small-group signing activities, using appropriate facial expressions and signing space.

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Materials Needed

• Visual ASL vocabulary cards with family signs
• Whiteboard and markers
• Blank family tree handouts (with simple templates)
• Video clips demonstrating family signs (embedded within the presentation, teacher-led)
• iPads/tablets with ASL dictionary apps (optional for self-paced exploration)

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Lesson Procedures

1. Warm-Up & Review (5 minutes)

• Begin with a quick review of previously learned ASL vocabulary (review common greetings or colors).
• Teacher models the signs, and students mirror the signs.
• Use the whiteboard to write down the focus vocabulary for today – family members.

2. Introduction to Family Signs Vocabulary (10 minutes)

• Introduce and demonstrate 10 family-related ASL signs: mother, father, brother, sister, grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, cousin, child.
• Show visual ASL cards and model signs with clear facial expressions.
• Students practice milling around the room, paired up, signing the family member word to each other.
• Teacher circulates to provide immediate feedback.

3. Guided Practice: Signing a Family Tree (15 minutes)

• Pass out blank family tree templates.
• Teacher models signing their own family tree while drawing structure on the whiteboard, labeling members with signs demonstrated earlier.
• Students fill in their own family tree on paper and sign each family member with a partner or small group.
• Encourage students to use facial expressions and spatial referencing to show relationships.

4. Peer Interaction & Collaborative Activity (10 minutes)

• In groups of 4-5, students take turns signing their family trees to the group.
• Peers ask simple questions in ASL about each other’s family trees (e.g., “Who is this?” or “Is that your brother?”).
• Teacher supports with scaffolding questions and ensures student participation.

5. Closure and Review (5 minutes)

• Quick group debrief: Students share one new sign they learned.
• Teacher revisits “I can” statements and success criteria orally.
• Assign a simple take-home task: Practice signing family signs with family members or friends at home.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Visual Learners: Use clear pictures and ASL cards; access to video demonstrations.
• Kinesthetic Learners: Incorporate movement by walking around and signing to peers.
• Students with Hearing/Visual Impairments: Use tactile support for signs; provide large clear visuals and real objects (family photo cutouts).
• English Language Learners (ELLs): Pair visuals with English words and repeated modeling; use peer buddies fluent in ASL.

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Extension Activities for Advanced Learners

• Research and present family-related signs from other signed languages (e.g., British Sign Language, Mexican Sign Language).
• Create a short signed story or dialogue involving family members using the new vocabulary.
• Write a reflective journal in ASL gloss or English describing your family's culture and history related to your family signs.

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Assessment

• Observe and note accuracy and fluency during small group family tree presentations.
• Formative assessment through teacher observation during partner practice.
• Exit ticket: One student signs one family member and explains their signed relationship using facial expression and spatial referencing.

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Reflection for Teachers

• Did students meet the “I can” statements?
• Were students engaged and comfortable signing to peers?
• Which students need additional support or enrichment?
• How did the spatial and expressive elements of ASL come through in student signing?

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This lesson plan blends ASL language acquisition with Common Core’s emphasis on collaborative communication and presentation skills, guaranteeing meaningful, accessible learning that respects the richness of American Sign Language.