We offer the following as an informal guide to shared learning with your child. The book/DVD/web-tool package does not replace instruction by qualified educators. We are developing state-of-the-art curricula and coursework by Deaf educators and will notify registered families when those products are available.
In the interim, with thanks to Alexander Zernovoj, we are pleased to share with you some results of his research on using media to teach Deaf children. You can read more about the work of Mr. Zernovoj at:
http://personal.gallaudet.edu/alexander.zernovoj . To view Alexander Zernovoj's Flash Presentation Click here
l) Learn the Story:
Start with having your child learn the book in their native language. ASL Tales works as a literacy tool for learning both ASL and English. Deaf children who have a background in a visual language should begin with "ASL Only". Children who have reading proficiency should begin with the captioned version of "Play Story".
2) Follow Your Child:
Our ASL stories are, by design, told in a way that's engaging to fluent ASL users and novice signers. When children are ready, and that is variable with each child, they will be naturally drawn to finding the visual message in the written text.
This is a book that all Deaf children can enjoy. We encourage you to let them enjoy their way into using it as a learning tool.
THE TOOLS:
Play Story: The ASL story is presented with page breaks to link the ASL message to each page of the English text. Children will be able to see how each language tells the same story.
Page by Page: Students studying the book, either to learn English or ASL, can easily target their efforts to a specific page.
Glossary: Vocabulary from the text is taught both as the formal sign and demonstrated in a sentence from the story.
ASL Clues: Video clips from the story highlight specific aspects of ASL grammar or syntax. Find answers and explanations on the website. This section will be very useful to parents to understand the ASL message, and learn important features of ASL grammar and syntax.
ASL Only: The story is told, without page breaks. Color-coded borders anchor readers to a specific page of the story.
Languages: Select English captioning or any of the foreign languages (useful for parents who are not fluent in English).
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