"Signing Time" in the Classroom

I've always used sign language with my clients and students to help them communicate, especially in meeting their basic wants and needs. When my daughter, Rachel, was younger, we also started using sign with her. One of our favorite DVD series was (and still is!) Signing Time.

( 2 random bits of information-- I really think that what first drew Rachel into Signing Time was that she shares the same name with the host, Rachel Coleman, and I think it helps her relate. 
Second, for the longest time, Rachel called Signing Time "Hi Hi" because of the main song in the DVD "Nice to Meet You").

During our Circle time, while doing our Rooms of the House theme, we are using the song "My House" from the Signing Time "My House" DVD.

It's a pretty catchy tune that reviews some of the basic vocabulary words for 3 rooms-Bathroom, Kitchen and Family Room.
I made a visual to go along with the the song that uses pictures and the printed lyrics to include a literacy component. The pictures are either clipart or pictures from the fabulous resource, abcteach.

Multi-modal ways of teaching words is a great way to increase vocabulary, bombarding the students with singing, signing, pictures and written word.
I was really excited to be able to use a Signing Time song in our class! The kids are still singing and signing "My House!"
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Winter Music

During our Circle time, we sing a lot of songs or read books related to our vocabulary theme.

During our Winter theme, we have been singing a great song called "Snowman" off of the "Rocking and Talking" CD from Kids' Express Train.
Kids' Express Train is a company that includes a speech-language pathologist named Rachel Arntson. They have lots of CDs that target specific speech and language skills. I LOVE thier CDs and use them quite often! They also have CD ROMs with pictures to accompany the songs.

The song "Snowman" is great to use for developing many speech and language skills:

Word Imitation- Imitation isn't just the sincerest form of flattery, it's also a basic way to help children communicate who don't have much spontaneous language. "Snowman" encourages children to sing along and repeat the simple phrase "snowman."

Pronoun Use- Many children still say "me" instead of "I." The song says "I'm a snowman," giving the kids lots of practice to sing along using "I."

Sequencing- As the song goes through all the items needed to make a snowman, we use the pictures and lyrics sheet from the CD ROM to follow along. Then, we take the activity sheet from the CD ROM and the students put the pieces on in the same order.

Articulation- Many students leave off the /s/ sound in words when it comes with another sound, like saying "noman" instead of "snowman." Since there are oodles and oodles of opportunities for the students to say "snowman," they get lots of practice! I also give them some visual cueing to remind them to use the /s/.

Happy snowman building (and singing!)