Learn How to Sign @ HOME
Introduction
This week we’ll be covering some of the most important building blocks of American Sign Language. First, you’ll learn essential signs like thank you, more, bathroom, and finished, which will help you begin communicating right away. You’ll also be introduced to fingerspelling through the ASL alphabet, learning to recognize and produce each letter clearly. In grammar and culture, we’ll explore what to do with your hands in ASL and what makes it a complete visual language by looking at the five parameters of a sign. You’ll find a range of activities available depending on the age and level of the student. This week builds a strong foundation to support everything you’ll learn going forward.
Vocabulary
This week’s vocabulary section focuses on everyday signs that help students begin expressing basic needs and ideas in ASL. Words like thank you, eat, more, bathroom, and finished are practical and commonly used, making them a great starting point for building confidence and fluency. Students in Levels 1 and 2 are encouraged to focus on the core vocabulary list, while Level 3 learners will also be introduced to two additional signs that expand on this week’s theme. These optional signs are available for anyone who wants to challenge themselves, but they will be required and tested for Level 3 students during Week 5’s vocabulary assessment.
First Signs
Vocabulary List (23)
I/Me • You • My • Your • Yes • No • Thank • Sorry • Please • ASL • Bathroom • Eat • Drink • Sleep • Work • Play • Come • Go • Water • More • School • Home • Finished
First Signs (Additional)
Vocabulary List (2)
Pronouns (Possessive) • Pronouns (Personal)
Vocabulary Review
The Vocabulary Review section gives you a chance to practice the signs you just learned using a digital flashcard set through Quizlet. These flashcards are a great way to reinforce your memory and check your understanding. Don’t forget that you can change the “Study Mode” on Quizlet to review the signs in different ways, including matching games, flashcards, or a multiple choice test. Use this tool throughout the week to build confidence and prepare for upcoming assessments.
Grammar and Culture
This week in grammar, we’re starting with the basics: what do I do with my hands? We learn how your dominant and non-dominant hands work together in ASL, why keeping a natural rest position matters, and how finger names, handshapes, and the five parameters help create clear signs. By practicing these basics, you’ll build confidence and make your signing easier for others to understand.
What do I do with my Hands?
This lesson teaches how to use your dominant hand, maintain a clear rest position, recognize finger names and handshapes, and understand the five parameters of ASL to make your signs clear, consistent, and easy to understand.
Quick Reference Notes
INTRODUCTION
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ASL is a visual language
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Our hands do a lot of the talking
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Big question: What do I do with my hands?
1. Dominant vs. Non-Dominant Hand
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Everyone has a dominant hand — the hand you write or throw with
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Dominant hand leads the signs
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Non-dominant hand supports but doesn’t lead
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Example: I wear my watch on my non-dominant (left) hand
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Left-handed signers mirror the signs — but stay consistent with your dominant hand
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Consistency helps signs stay clear and easy to read
2. Rest Position
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Hands should rest naturally when not signing
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Relaxed at your sides or lightly in front of your body
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Why?
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ASL is always visual
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Random hand shapes or fidgeting can be confusing
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As you learn, you’ll also pick up natural feedback signs (like nodding or showing understanding)
3. Finger Names & Handshapes
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Finger Names:
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Index Finger – pointer
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Middle Finger – tallest (“feeler finger” in ASL)
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Ring Finger – for rings
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Pinky – smallest
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Thumb – sticks out
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Example: “Two index fingers” = point both index fingers
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Handshapes describe how your hand looks
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Y hand = thumb and pinky out
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5 hand = all fingers spread
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Handshapes are used all the time in ASL
4. The Five Parameters of ASL
(Think of them as building blocks of every sign)
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Handshape – What your hand looks like
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Palm Orientation – Which way your palm faces
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Location – Where the sign happens (on/near the body)
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Movement – How the hand moves
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Non-Manual Signals – Facial expressions, head movements, body language
Example: PLAY
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Handshape: Y hands
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Palm Orientation: Facing each other
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Location: In front of the chest
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Movement: Small outward flick
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Non-manual: Neutral face
Key Point:
Change one parameter, and you can change the sign’s meaning
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Example: MOM vs. DAD — same handshape/movement, but different location
5. Practice & Remember
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It may feel like a lot at first — that’s okay!
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Practice helps it feel more natural over time
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Focus on:
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Using your dominant hand consistently
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Keeping a calm rest position
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Knowing your fingers and handshapes
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Watching for the five parameters in every sign
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Fingerspelling and Numbers
This week’s fingerspelling lesson focuses on the ASL alphabet. Students will learn how to form each letter clearly and accurately, using consistent handshapes and movements. The video breaks the alphabet down into small, manageable groups to help with memorization and flow. Mastering the alphabet is a key step in learning how to fingerspell names, places, and words that don’t have their own sign, so this is a foundational skill you’ll use often.
Learn the ASL Alphabet
This video breaks the ASL alphabet down into small, manageable groups to help with memorization and flow. You’ll learn how to sign letters A – Z and even have the opportunity to practice fingerspelling at the end. If you don’t learn it on the first pass, watch it again. The alphabet is a foundational part of ASL that you’ll build on in the future.
ASL Alphabet Review
This review section gives you a chance to practice the signs you just learned using a digital flashcard set through Quizlet. These flashcards are a great way to reinforce your memory and check your understanding. Don’t forget that you can change the “Study Mode” on Quizlet to review the signs in different ways, including matching games, flashcards, or a multiple choice test. Use this tool throughout the week to build confidence and prepare for upcoming assessments.
Activities
Level 1 (Suggested for Grades K-2)
Playdough Alphabet Handshapes: Flatten out playdough and form the letter ‘A’ with your hand. Press it into the playdough to create an imprint of the handshape. Continue this process with the entire alphabet to visualize and reinforce each letter. Use the “ASL ABCs Chart” for additional support. Download PDF
Level 2 (Suggested for Grades 3-5)
Alphabet Matching Activity: Match the English letter with the ASL letter by drawing a line in-between the two. Download PDF
Level 3 (Suggested for Grades 6-8)
Parameters Activity: Let’s look at the parameters you just learned this week. Download and print the PDF. Write-down each of the 5 parameters that make up each of these 5 signs. Download PDF
- Ex. YES
- Handshape: S-hand
- Palm-Orientation: Facing out and down
- Location: Side of head
- Movement: Up and down
- Non-manual signals: Head nod
Related Resources
This section includes optional materials that complement the topics covered in this week’s lessons. While not part of the required curriculum, these curated videos, activities, and past course content are a great way to deepen your learning and explore ASL even further, all in one convenient place.
Learn The Alphabet (ABCs) with Kate
Learn the ASL alphabet with Meredith and Kate. Also learn about putting those letters together to spell words. The alphabet is so important because fingerspelling is used all the time in sign language.
Sign Language for Beginners | 10 Tips to Start ASL
This video provides crucial tips to get started with ASL, from learning strategies to cultural etiquette, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of the language.
Fingerspelling Names Activity
Practice fingerspelling your name and others. Do it in front of a mirror or on camera so you can see your signing from someone else’s perspective.
Learn How to Sign @ HOME
Learn How to Sign with our new and improved Homeschool Curriculum
Our goal is to make learning ASL fun and stress-free. We’ve done all the planning so you can focus on enjoying educational time with your kids. It’s flexible, comprehensive, and perfect for any homeschool family looking to add ASL to their learning journey.
About
the curriculum
Our ASL curriculum is carefully crafted to provide a comprehensive and engaging learning experience, structured to progressively build you and your child’s signing skills and cultural understanding. Each lesson is designed to be interactive and accessible, ensuring learners of all ages can effectively participate and grow.
This curriculum blends traditional learning methods with innovative educational tools, fostering both the technical skills needed for ASL proficiency and a deep appreciation for Deaf culture. Through a variety of formats including video lessons, interactive activities, and community interactions, students gain a well-rounded education.
This new curriculum features regular assessments so you can measure your students progress.
What's Inside?
Gain ASL proficiency with structured, easy-to-follow video lessons that cater to all learning levels.
Engage learners of all ages with activities from coloring pages to projects that reinforce ASL concepts.
Enhance your understanding of the Deaf community with rich cultural content integrated into each unit.
Every 5th week there is a review and assessment for everything that your student has learned in that unit. There are 3 different levels of assessment based on your child’s learning level.
Unlock comprehensive resources, exclusive discounts, and community features through the Accelerated membership, enriching your ASL learning journey.
Join Meredith weekly for live Q&A sessions where she answers your ASL questions and teaches new lessons, enhancing your understanding of ASL concepts, signs and culture.
What people are saying about LHTS
My daughter is having a wonderful experience with LHTS. We are so pleased with the quality of teaching, the amazing community and professional curriculum. We can’t recommend the courses enough!!
Patty K
I have also taken a beginner ASL course elsewhere and learned basic ASL. However, after I discovered LHTS I learned so much more. The live intensive courses are amazing, my two boys and I love the Homeschool Program. I love being an Accelerated Member and being part of the LHTS family has brought so much joy to our ASL learning journey.
Rose S
When we started homeschool we knew we wanted to continue sign language and were thrilled to find the LHTS had a homeschool program! We bought it immediately and have been enthralled with it. The learning style is perfect for younger learners (and older ones like me). The signs and directions are clear and Meredith does a wonderful job explaining the regional/evolutionary variations on signs while still making them easy to understand.
Kendra S
