World Languages: ASL: Alphabet and Common Signs
Practice fingerspelling letters and recognizing everyday signs
World Languages: ASL: Alphabet and Common Signs
Practice fingerspelling letters and recognizing everyday signs
World Languages - Grade 2-3
- 1
The ASL alphabet is used for fingerspelling. What can you spell with the ASL alphabet?
Think about words that may not have a sign you know yet.
You can spell names, places, and words with the ASL alphabet. - 2
Look at the handshape for the letter A. Describe what the hand looks like.
The letter A is made with a closed fist and the thumb resting along the side of the hand. - 3
Look at the handshape for the letter B. Describe what the hand looks like.
Look for straight fingers held close together.
The letter B is made with the fingers straight up together and the thumb folded across the palm. - 4
Mia wants to fingerspell her name: M-I-A. How many letters will she sign?
Mia will sign 3 letters because her name has the letters M, I, and A. - 5
Look at the sign for hello. What friendly message does this sign show?
People often use this sign when they meet someone.
The sign for hello shows a friendly greeting. - 6
The sign for thank you starts near the chin and moves outward. When would you use this sign?
You would use the sign for thank you when someone helps you or gives you something. - 7
Circle the sign that means please: a hand waving near the forehead, or a flat hand moving in a circle on the chest. Explain your choice.
The sign for please is made near the chest.
The flat hand moving in a circle on the chest means please. - 8
Look at the sign for yes. What object does the hand movement look like?
The sign for yes looks like a fist nodding up and down, like a head saying yes. - 9
The sign for no uses the first two fingers and thumb coming together. When would you use this sign?
Think about answering a yes or no question.
You would use the sign for no when you want to answer no or disagree politely. - 10
Write one reason it is important to look at a person's face and hands when learning ASL.
It is important to look at a person's face and hands because ASL uses hand signs, facial expressions, and body movement to show meaning. - 11
Sam wants to ask for help in ASL. The sign for help often uses one hand lifting another hand. What does this movement show?
Think about how helping someone can mean giving support.
The movement shows one hand helping or lifting the other hand, which matches the meaning of help. - 12
Choose two common ASL signs from this worksheet and write when you might use each one.
You can choose signs like hello, thank you, please, yes, no, or help.
Answers will vary. A correct answer names two signs and explains when to use them, such as using hello to greet a friend and thank you when someone shares with you.