Summarize Your Learning about the Deaf Community
Create a short illustrated poster summarizing what you learned about the Deaf community, including basic signs, accessibility tips, and respectful communication.
About this activity
Create a short illustrated poster summarizing what you learned about the Deaf community, including basic signs, accessibility tips, and respectful communication.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all your materials and find a quiet table to work on.
- 2
Step 2
Read three short facts about the Deaf community from your reference images or book.
- 3
Step 3
Learn and practice at least five basic signs such as hello thank you please yes and no.
- 4
Step 4
Choose a clear title for your poster and write it at the top in big letters.
- 5
Step 5
Use your ruler to draw a box labeled "Basic Signs" on one side of the paper.
- 6
Step 6
Draw a simple person showing each of the five signs with the handshapes and arrows for movement.
- 7
Step 7
Write a one-sentence caption under each sign explaining when to use it.
- 8
Step 8
Draw a box labeled "Accessibility Tips" and list four short tips with a small icon next to each tip.
- 9
Step 9
Draw a box labeled "Respectful Communication" and write three short rules about how to be respectful when interacting with Deaf people.
- 10
Step 10
Outline your drawings and words with the black marker and then color the poster to make it bright and easy to read.
- 11
Step 11
Share your finished poster on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I guide my child to create a short illustrated poster summarizing what they learned about the Deaf community?
To make the poster, first review what your child learned and pick 3–5 key points: basic signs, accessibility tips, and respectful communication. Sketch a simple layout with sections for signs (draw and label each), accessibility tips, short facts, and illustrations. Have the child draw or paste images, write short captions, and use clear, large lettering. Finish by checking facts with reliable Deaf-led resources and encourage the child to present the poster to family or class.
What materials do I need to make an illustrated poster about the Deaf community?
You'll need a large sheet of paper or poster board, pencils, erasers, colored markers or crayons, glue, scissors (child-safe), printed sign guides or reference images, sticky notes for captions, and optional stickers or magazine cutouts. For classroom displays, laminate sheets or clear contact paper helps durability. If doing a digital poster, use a tablet or computer with simple design tools. Supervise cutting and printing to keep the activity safe.
What ages is this activity suitable for?
This activity suits ages about 5–14 with adult support varying by age. Preschoolers (4–6) can make simple drawings and label one or two signs with help. Elementary children (6–10) can add short captions, basic accessibility tips, and neat sign illustrations. Tweens and teens (11–14+) can research, write concise facts, and create more polished layouts. Adjust expectations, provide templates for younger kids, and encourage deeper research for older children.
What are the benefits of making a poster about the Deaf community?
Making a poster builds empathy, awareness, and respectful communication skills. It teaches basic sign vocabulary, highlights accessibility needs like captions and seating, and encourages inclusive thinking. The activity strengthens research, planning, drawing, and presentation skills while promoting respectful representation when using Deaf-led sources. Remind children to avoid stereotypes, verify facts, and, if possible, consult a Deaf person or Deaf-created resources to ensure accuracy and aut
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have a ruler, black marker, or reference book?
If you don't have a ruler, use the straight edge of a book or cereal box to draw the "Basic Signs" box, use a dark pen for outlining instead of a black marker, and view ASL photos or videos on a smartphone in place of the reference images or book.
My drawings of the five signs don't look right — how can we fix them?
Practice by photographing or tracing your own hands using the reference images, sketch the five sign drawings lightly in pencil first, and then add arrows for movement before outlining with the black marker as the instructions say.
How can this activity be changed for younger or older kids?
For younger children, simplify by learning three signs, using handprint tracings and stickers inside the "Basic Signs" box, while older kids can learn additional signs, add short research notes from the reference book under "Accessibility Tips", and record a practice video of the signs.
How can we extend or personalize the poster after finishing it?
Enhance your poster by laminating it, adding a QR code linking to short videos of each sign, listing local Deaf community resources in the "Accessibility Tips" box, and uploading a signing demo when you share your finished poster on DIY.org.