This week I finally decided that my free inquiry project would focus on the use of American Sign Language (ASL) in Elementary School Classrooms. My inquiry question is the following: “How might we incorporate ASL into Elementary Classrooms and why is it important for students to learn?” I was inspired to pursue this area of inquiry-based on my experience in ASL 100A last year. Throughout this course, I learned a variety of basic conversation skills that are applicable to everyday life such as the following: the alphabet, numbers, colours, and greetings. Within this inquiry project, I would like to further my own understanding of ASL as I would eventually like to implement it into my own class. 

Furthermore, I also learned about deaf culture in my course, and the importance of creating an inclusive environment for people who are deaf. This is what I want to explore further with my inquiry project and learn about how to make an inclusive experience for deaf students within a classroom. With any language, it is easier for children to begin learning at a younger age as their minds are young and flexible. In an ideal classroom scenario, I would want to teach students a basic level ASL that they can take forward with them throughout their lives. I believe that teaching students ASL will not only support a deaf student in the class but also demonstrate the importance of inclusion and acceptance to all the students. 

Here is a video of deaf people answering questions and breaking the stereotypes that society has formed around the deaf community.

-Ms. G 🙂