How the SRP Works
The Shared Reading Project is designed to teach parents and other
caregivers how to read to their deaf children using American Sign
Language and how to use strategies to make book sharing most effective.
Culturally diverse Deaf readers were videotaped as they used American
Sign Language to read fun, predictable children's books. Because
children love seeing these books read over and over again, the parents
have repeated opportunities to practice. Deaf tutors visit the home
to demonstrate how to sign the stories, and provide instant feedback
to family members. The family uses the videotapes of deaf readers
signing the story to reinforce the new signs after the tutor has
left.
1. Once a week, a deaf tutor visits each home. The visits are
scheduled at a time convenient for each family, with most taking
place evenings or weekends. The tutor demonstrates how to sign
a popular children's storybook.
2. Family members practice signing the story. The tutor gives needed
feedback to family members.
3. The family members read the story to the deaf child. The tutor
watches and gives helpful hints.
4. The tutor leaves a "family book bag" with the family
for a week. The bag contains a copy of the book, a videotape for
practice, a bookmark with tips for reading to deaf children, and
a guide containing activities to do with the child after reading
the story.
  
5. During the week, family members read the story to the child
again and again. If family members forget some signs, they can look
at the videotape, which has a deaf signer reading the story, to
reinforce what the tutor previously taught.
6. Family members make note of the number of times they read the
story. They also jot down questions for the next tutoring session.
The following week the tutor brings a new book, and the process
begins again.
 top
|
