Grades 1–4
Ways We Communicate
Deaf and hard of hearing people communicate in many ways. Match each tool to what it does.
ASL worksheet · Deaf culture and manners
What Is a Name Sign?
Read about name signs and who gives them, then answer the questions.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–5
- Time
- About 20 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:
- Many people in the Deaf community have a name sign. A name sign is a short sign that stands for one person, so friends do not have to fingerspell the whole name every time.
- In Deaf culture, a name sign is given to you by a Deaf person who knows you. You do not make up your own. Until someone gives you one, you fingerspell your name.
- Some name signs use the first letter of the person’s name, made in a special place or with a special movement. Others show something about the person, like curly hair or a big smile.
- Who gives you a name sign?
- What do you do until you have a name sign?
- Name two kinds of name signs.
- Why are name signs handy?
Teacher tip
If you have a Deaf guest or video, ask about their name sign and how they got it. A real story makes this page come alive.
How to use it
- Keep the tone respectful: Deaf culture is a culture, not a problem to fix.
- Read the passage aloud together and stop to talk about each idea.
- Make every handshape with your own hand as kids work. Your hand is the best model in the room.
Watch for
Kids making up name signs for each other. Explain that name signs are given by Deaf people.
Talk about it
- How would you get a friend’s attention without your voice?
- Why do you think ASL is its own language and not English on the hands?
Take it further
Turn on captions for every video you show in class.
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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