ASL worksheet · Deaf culture and manners
Ways We Communicate
Deaf and hard of hearing people communicate in many ways. Match each tool to what it does.
- Grade level
- Grades 1–4
- Time
- About 15 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Knowing that ASL is its own language, Polite ways to get attention, Understanding name signs, Respecting the many ways people communicate
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- Deaf and hard of hearing people choose what works for them, and many use more than one of these.
- Draw a line from each tool to what it does.
Words on this sheet
Hearing aidCochlear implantVideo phonelouderFlashing doorbell
Teacher tip
Stress that each person chooses what works for them. A Deaf person who uses ASL may also use captions, texting or a video phone.
How to use it
- Practice the polite attention-getters in class before kids try them with each other.
- Keep the tone respectful: Deaf culture is a culture, not a problem to fix.
- Make every handshape with your own hand as kids work. Your hand is the best model in the room.
Watch for
Calling ASL a code for English. It is a full language with its own grammar.
Talk about it
- Why is it important that name signs come from the Deaf community?
- Which letters look almost the same? How do you tell them apart?
Take it further
Practice a silent lunch or a silent game where everyone uses gestures and fingerspelling.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More deaf culture and manners worksheets
Grades 1–4
Getting Someone’s Attention
Sort the ways to get a Deaf person’s attention into polite and not polite.
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