Ask Your Friends and Family if they know ASL
Interview friends and family about American Sign Language knowledge, practice asking respectful questions, record responses, and learn one basic ASL sign together.
About this activity
Interview friends and family about American Sign Language knowledge, practice asking respectful questions, record responses, and learn one basic ASL sign together.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather your Paper Pencil Notebook and ASL picture chart or cheat sheet so everything is ready.
- 2
Step 2
Choose three friends or family members you want to interview about ASL.
- 3
Step 3
Write three short respectful questions about ASL in your Notebook like "Do you know any ASL signs?" or "Would you like to learn a sign with me?"
- 4
Step 4
Practice asking your three questions out loud one or two times so you sound clear and polite.
- 5
Step 5
Go to the first person and ask for permission to interview them about ASL.
- 6
Step 6
Ask your three questions clearly to that person.
- 7
Step 7
Write down their answers in your Notebook right after they tell you.
- 8
Step 8
Ask that person if they can teach you one basic ASL sign or if they want to learn one with you from the chart.
- 9
Step 9
Watch the sign carefully and copy the movements until you can do it smoothly.
- 10
Step 10
Draw the sign in your Notebook so you can remember how it looks.
- 11
Step 11
Write the word the sign means under your drawing.
- 12
Step 12
Repeat Steps 5 through 11 with each remaining person you chose.
- 13
Step 13
Use Optional coloring materials to decorate your Notebook page with the drawings and notes.
- 14
Step 14
Share your finished creation on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I run an activity where my child interviews friends and family about ASL?
Start by explaining the goal: learn about ASL and practice respectful interviewing. Work with your child to write simple, polite questions (e.g., “Do you know any ASL?”) and a short consent script. Role-play interviews at home, then visit or call friends and family to ask questions, record answers with a notebook or phone, and finish by teaching one easy sign like “hello” or “thank you.” Debrief together and reflect on what you learned.
What materials do I need to do an ASL interview activity with my child?
You'll need a notebook and pen for notes, a phone or tablet to audio- or video-record (with permission), a simple printed or digital graphic showing the chosen ASL sign, a prepared list of respectful questions, and a short consent script. Optional items: camera for photos, timer, hand sanitizer for in-person visits, and links to beginner ASL videos. Keep everything age-appropriate and remember to ask permission before recording or sharing responses.
What ages is this Ask Friends and Family about ASL activity suitable for?
This activity suits ages 5–17 with adult guidance. Preschoolers (5–6) need heavy adult support to ask questions and record answers; use role-play and simple scripts. Elementary kids (7–11) can lead short interviews with prompts and learn a sign together. Tweens and teens (12–17) can research, craft deeper questions, and handle consent logistics. Always supervise younger children, model respectful behavior, and tailor complexity to your child’s maturity and communication skills.
What are the benefits and safety tips for interviewing friends and family about ASL, and are there variations?
Benefits include building empathy, communication skills, cultural awareness, fine motor practice, and confidence. For safety, get consent before interviewing or recording, respect privacy, avoid pressuring anyone, and debrief with your child. Variations: do virtual interviews, turn responses into a family poster or short report, learn a different sign each session, or invite a local deaf organization to teach. Emphasize curiosity and respectful listening throughout.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can I use if I don't have an ASL picture chart or cheat sheet?
Use a free ASL chart or how-to videos from a library, website, or app, or make your own cheat sheet by drawing key signs on your Paper with your Pencil and Notebook to use during Step 8.
I can't copy the sign movements smoothly—how can I fix that?
Practice in front of a mirror, ask the person to demonstrate slowly and break the sign into smaller parts, and record the demonstration on a phone so you can replay it while you practice before drawing it in your Notebook as in Step 10.
How can I adapt this activity for younger or older kids?
For younger children, pick one familiar family member, ask one simple question and let them trace or sticker the sign drawing from Steps 2–4 and 12, while older kids can interview more people, video the taught signs, and add dates and reflections to the Notebook for a mini research project.
How can we extend or personalize the finished Notebook?
Turn your Notebook drawings into illustrated flashcards, add color-coded labels and the name/date of who taught each sign, film short teaching clips to share on DIY.org, or organize a mini-class to teach the signs you learned using Steps 9–12 and the sharing step.