How to sign the alphabet in American Sign 6th Grade Language English class

Cultural Unit

By Kristen Goracy

American Sign Language

American sign language is a visual spatial language that uses hand gestures and hand shapes to communicate in the deaf community In this lesson you will learn the ASL alphabet!

Navigation
Select this button at any time to move to the next slide Select this button a any time to move back to the main menu

Select this button at any time to move to the previous slide

Main Menu
A-L
Learn Letters A-L

M-Z
Learn Letters M-Z

Practice
Practice your new skills

Quiz
Test your new skills

Letters A-L
The next slides will show a picture of each letter and a brief explanation.
Each slide contains two letters Look at the picture and read the explanation. Make the sign with your own hand When you feel comfortable with the two letters on the slide you may click the forward button to the next two letters

A closed fist, all fingers folded against the palm, thumb is straight, alongside the index finger

All fingers are straight. Thumb is folded across palm

Hand is turned slightly to the left so viewer can see backward "C" shape formed by thumb and index finger.

Hand is turned slightly so viewer can see "d" shape formed by thumb, middle and index fingers

All fingers are partially folded with the tips of index, middle and ring fingers touching the thumb between the knuckle and the tip.

Tip of index finger is touching tip of thumb. Middle, ring and little fingers are straight and slightly spread

Index finger and thumb make a pinching shape. Palm faces towards you.

Ring and pinky finger fold against your palm with your thumb over it. Index and middle point straight out .

Index, middle and ring fingers are folded against palm. Thumb is folded across index middle and ring fingers. Pinky finger is straight.

Hand shape is the same as letter I, but pinky moves to draw the letter J

Ring and Middle finger make a peace sign. Thumb sticks between the ring and middle finger

Thumb and index finger form a 90 degree angle in an L position. All other fingers are down

Great Job!
You have completed the lessons on letters A-L of the American Sign language Alphabet

If you feel ready to move on to letters M-Z click to the next slide
If you are uncomfortable with any of the letters A-L click back to the previous slides

Letters M-Z
The next slides will show a picture of each letter and a brief explanation. Each slide contains two letters

Look at the picture and read the explanation.

Make the sign with your own hand When you feel comfortable with the two letters on the slide you may click the forward button to the next two letters

Make a fist with your thumb underneath your index, middle, and pinky finger

Make a fist with your thumb underneath only your middle and pinky finger

All fingers come together and touch at finger tips, forming an O shape

Index and middle finger create a 90 degree angle facing down. Thumb touches middle finger

Make the same hand shape as letter G and then tilt it so your pointer and thumb are facing the floor

Cross your pointer and middle finger, the others bend against palm

Make a fist with your thumb in front resting on your other fingers

Make a fist shape with your thumb in between your pointer and middle finger facing up

Pointer and middle finger point up the rest stay against palm

Same handshape as letter U, but pointr and middle finger spread apart and form a v shape

Index, middle, and ring finger point straight up. Pinky and thumb stay against palm

All fingers stay in a fist shape except the pointer finger which makes an arch shape.

Pointer, middle, and ring finger fold on palm. Thumb and pinky stick straight out.

Point with your index finger and draw a z in the air.

Great Job!
You have completed the lessons on the alphabetical letters of the American Sign Language! Now you can spell your name, your parents names, and your friends names!

Now you should practice your new skills by clicking to the next slide

Practice makes perfect!

Click on the button that says alphabet video This button will bring you to a website that has a video of someone signing the alphabet Watch once, and play it a second time and try to sign along

Alphabet Video

Practice!
Sign your name four times using the ASL alphabet Sign your best friends name four times

More Practice
Click the practice website button
Practice Website

When the website opens, click slow speed and maximum of 3 letters On the website someone will sign a word and you are to type in what they spelled Do ten words

Great Job Practicing!

You now have completed the practice section of the ASL alphabet lesson

If you feel you are not comfortable with the whole alphabet return to the previous practice slides
If you are comfortable with the alphabet click to the next slide for a 3 question quiz

QUIZ Question #1
What letter is being shown? S L M

Quiz Question #2
What name does this spell?

Bob Rob Bill

Question #3
What two letters in the American Sign Language Alphabet have movement to them?
L and B J and Z K and P

Sorry that is the wrong answer

Click the Try Again button
Try Again

Correct!
This is letter M!
Click the Question#2 button to return to the quiz

Question #2

Sorry that is the wrong answer

Click the try again button
Try Again

Correct!
The letters are B-O-B

This spells Bob!

Click the Question #3 button to go back to the quiz

Question #3

Sorry that is the wrong answer

Click the try again button
Try Again

Correct!
J and Z both have movement to them!
Click the forward arrow to see what is next

Congratulations!
You have completed the lessons, practice, and quiz on the American Sign Language alphabet! Now you know the ASL alphabet and can sign numerous words!
Click the arrow button to return to the beginning of the lesson