Hello Everyone,

I am Susan, and I am the librarian at The Washington Market School! I love being able to share my love of children’s literature with all of your children, embracing a whole book approach.

About 15 years ago, I completed an American Sign Language course at Bank Street College. During my years as a classroom teacher, I wove ASL into the curriculum as a second language. It was during the pandemic over Zoom, that I realized that ASL was a powerful way to engage my students.

At WMS, I meet with each class from Duane and Hudson once a week. We begin and end each class with ASL through the songs ‘The More We Get Together’ and ‘Goodbye Friends.’ Additionally, the children learn 1-2 signs that are connected to literature each week. Over the course of the school year, the children are learning 50+ ASL signs.

Being introduced to ASL at an early age offers a myriad of benefits. In addition to helping children develop finger dexterity, eye-hand, coordination, sequencing, and motor planning, ASL provides a wonderful opportunity for our children to develop cultural awareness and an appreciation for diversity.