Grades 2–5
My Fingerspelling Word List
Write ten words you want to fingerspell. Check off each one when you can spell it smoothly.
ASL worksheet · Spell it yourself
Secret Message Decoder
Name every handshape to decode the secret messages.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–5
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Topic
- Spell it yourself
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Fingerspelling names and words, Reading a partner’s fingerspelling, Putting letters in ABC order, Practicing until spelling is smooth
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- Read each secret message. Write it on the line.
Teacher tip
Point out the small gaps between words. In real fingerspelling a short pause shows where one word ends and the next begins.
How to use it
- Model the rhythm: one steady letter after another, with no bounce between letters.
- Keep the hand in one place, near the shoulder, while spelling a word.
- Make every handshape with your own hand as kids work. Your hand is the best model in the room.
Watch for
Spelling too fast too soon. Clear and steady beats fast.
Talk about it
- Which letters in your name were easy? Which were tricky?
- How is your hand different from the picture? What would you change?
Take it further
Let kids fingerspell their name when they answer roll call.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More spell it yourself worksheets
Grades 1–3
Fingerspell Your Name
Write your name, find each letter on the chart and practice spelling it with your hand.
Grades 2–5
Partner Spelling Game
Take turns. One partner fingerspells a word from the list and the other writes what they read.
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