Weaving

As I was reading through my information I stuck post-it notes next to ideas I thought were important. I often use post-its with my students because they are easy to move around. Once I had stuck the last post-it in place, I knew it was time to look at the important points of each resource and combine all of my information. Both Lamb and the BIG6 model recommend using graphic organizers to synthesize the information.

I created a graphic organizer on word and decided to focus on the benefits of teaching sign language, since I had not read one that stated anything negative about teaching young children to sign. Looking over my post-it notes, I decided to write down any benefit that was mentioned in three different resources. I usually use three as a magic number to verify information. Kind of like graphing points to make a line, two is not enough but if you add a third you are sure where the line is going. After sifting through all of my articles here are the main benefits I came up with (I tried to attach a picture of my web, but I could not get it to work)

Larger Vocabularies

Decreases Frustration between parent/caregiver and child

Stimulates both sides of the brain since motor and language skills are working at the same time

May boost IQ

Builds bond between parent/caregiver and child

Helps verbal communication

Since I now know that there are significant benefits I want to learn more. I am moving back to the wondering stage. How do you teach sign language? At what age should you start? I am now back to Webbing and Wiggling to find more information. I really think I want my final project to deal with how to teach sign language.