Since this is a special kind of storytime, I talk (mostly to the grownups) a little about ASL and what our goals are for the day. I always let them know that ASL is its own language with grammar and structure just like any other language (though we don’t learn that in our storytimes, opting to focus on targeted vocabulary instead). I also introduce the Deaf culture who uses the language.
Introduction: I introduce the topic, Transportation, before singing our opening song. Today I did this by asking the question “How did you get to the library?” I had some shy kids this morning, so I decided to give a few examples in ASL signs. I did the signs for car, motorcycle, plane, and boat. The kids laughed at those last two. Then for our opening song, I chose a very simple one, a favorite of mine from Jbrary called Hello Friends.
Song: ABC’s. We start with the classic ABC song to set a foundation. We do this every single ASL storytime to help the kids really get the hang of it. I also typically explain to the grownups that ASL signs will often incorporate the letter signs. For example, the word yellow begins with Y and the ASL sign for yellow uses a Y handshape that wiggles.
Book: I Really Want to See You, Grandma by Taro Gomi
This is a great story for ASL, especially as someone who isn’t fluent in the language, because it’s got some repetition, some humor, and is not overly complicated.
Song: Hurry Hurry, Drive the Fire Truck. Bolded words are the ones we learn the ASL signs.
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!
Repeat with….
Hurry, hurry, turn the corner
Hurry, hurry, climb the ladder
Hurry, hurry, use the fire hose
Slowly, slowly, back to the station
Game: Red Light, Green Light. We learn the signs for Stop and Go (shown below) and then use them to play a round of red light, green light.
Book: Trashy Town by Andrea Zimmerman
Another nice book to use due to repetition and humor is Trashy Town. It has a nice chant on most spreads which really allows the kids to engage with the words and ASL signs.
Song: Zoom, Zoom, Zoom. Such a great song for infants through preschool!
Felt: The Train is Stuck
This is a cumulative story in which a train is stuck and asks for help. Soon, one at a time, a car, bike, motorcycle, and firetruck come along to help. But even with all of them pushing the train, the train is still stuck. Next, a tow truck comes along, but the train still won’t budge. Finally, the conductor remembers that they forgot to take off the brake! I learned this story when I took an ASL class from the ALA, which was taught by Kathy MacMillan (find her at https://storiesbyhand.com/)! I use felt to help me tell this one, but you can also have the kids act it out. Find some of the ASL signs you’ll need for this story below:
Closing: I used the goodbye version of “Hello Friends”.
Other Titles to Explore:
Librarian Ginny 