SW curriculum

[James Shepard-Kegl, Esq.]

My observation is that kids learn to read SW through a "whole word" process,
the same way that most hearing kids learn writing systems like English.
Consequently, for purposes of reading (not writing), recognition of a word
is not dependent upon the word's complexity.  In fact, a particularly
difficult to write sign (like "milk") might be easier to recognize because
of its complexity.

In my opinion, SW, properly taught, requires a building block approach so
that children are taught to analyze each word -- thereby developing
important decoding skills.

Also, written composition requires a familiarity with the language itself,
or you end up with an awkward product.  Reading material can be developed in
the classroom by having everyone participate in a story adaptation --
writing sentences on the board and analyzing the grammar of each sentence.
It is a painstakingly slow process, but a great way to develop sign language
metalinguistic skills -- and, as a byproduct, the next generation is left
with a developed literature of sorts.

-- James