Signing Savvy, Your Sign Language Resource

This article is part of our “Signing Children’s Books” series, which highlights children’s books and pairs them with pre-built Signing Savvy word lists to help you get started with learning and signing the vocabulary in the book. Reading and literacy is so important. By sharing these pre-built word lists, we hope to cut down on prep time for families that are just beginning to learn ASL and hope you can find more comfort in sharing literacy with our young deaf children.

Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed is a classic counting nursery rhyme / song that has been turned into a series of books. It's a perfect beginner book for young children and new signers because of it's repetitive nature.

There are many activities you can do along with this book. This is a great story to use finger puppets or toy props with for imaginary play and practicing counting and sequencing. 

Reading the book is also a great time to talk about the bedtime routine. The monkeys take a bath, put on their pajamas, brush their teeth, and say goodnight, all before the jumping starts. If you are telling the story at bedtime and have done all of these things already to get ready for bed, you can ask your little one if they did the activity after signing what the monkeys did. For example, “Five little monkeys brushed their teeth… did you brush your teeth?” There is even a Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed board game you can play with your children (although maybe not at bedtime!) that also has you act out each bedtime routine while playing.

There is a short, 3-minute video on Amazon Prime that tells the story of the Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed.

The author went on to develop a series featuring these same characters, so children can revisit their favorite monkey siblings as they read in bed, bake a birthday cake, sit in a tree, play hide-and-seek, go shopping, wash a car or with nothing to do.

For a great recipe that goes with the theme of this book, see my article Cooking Up Language with Signs: Banana Monkey Bread.

I hope through the Five Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed pre-built word list you will feel confident to share this story with your children.

Word List for Five Little Monkeys Jumping On The Bed

Related Toys and Games: 

Related Video:

Related Books: 

Signing Savvy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking signingsavvy.com to Amazon properties. That means Signing Savvy may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link, your cost will be exactly the same regardless, but Signing Savvy will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps us continue to improve Signing Savvy!

This article is part of our “Signing Children’s Books” series, which highlights children’s books and pairs them with pre-built Signing Savvy word lists to help you get started with learning and signing the vocabulary in the book. Reading and literacy is so important. By sharing these pre-built word lists, we hope to cut down on prep time for families that are just beginning to learn ASL and hope you can find more comfort in sharing literacy with our young deaf children.

Over the years that I have been teaching deaf and hard of hearing children, and even in the years since, I am often approached this time of year by parents or grandparents of young deaf children and asked, “How do you sign The Night Before Christmas?” 

It’s a Christmas classic, but it was written in an Old English format, so the words are difficult to sign. Many struggle with whether to follow the classic words, exactly the way they are written on the page (for fear of not honoring a classic), or to sign it more conceptually correct in signs and terms that are easily understood by young children – it is a struggle anyone who reads the book has to tackle.

I have done this book a few different ways. One approach I took with my upper elementary students that really worked out well was to take the lines from the book, verse by verse. I typed them up on a page or wrote them on the board, one sentence or phrase a day, and really dove into the meaning of what the author was saying. Then together, as a class, we decided how we wanted to sign the verse so that it was clearly understood. This allowed the students to really own the way the story was told. We then went over to the school where the young deaf children were, and did some storytelling with them and told the story through a little signing and acting. The children loved it!

Typically, the rule for words that don’t have signs, is you fingerspell them. For example, in The Night Before Christmas when it talks about “Mama in her 'kerchief,” you would fingerspell K-E-R-C-H-I-E-F. If you want to explain what ‘kerchief is, you could fingerspell K-E-R-C-H-I-E-F and then sign SCARF afterwards (or, however you think is best to describe a kerchief).  By fingerspelling, you aren’t changing the words or details of the original story. After paring the fingerspelling of the word with a sign the first time, you can then use the sign throughout the rest of the story when referencing that word. 

Fingerspelling all the words that don’t have signs, like kerchief, would mean fingerspelling much of this book. It would also be a more accurate and direct translation of the book. However, before you decide how this classic should be handled and how things will be signed, you first need to think about who your audience is (both who is telling the story and who is observing). My audience for this book has typically been young children, let’s say 1 year to 10 years old. My opinion is that these young children are more interested in the story and good storytelling than in receiving an accurate, direct translation. Therefore, I tend to focus on selecting signs that help deliver the main message, rather than staying razer-focused on providing a direct translation. It’s also important to remember that sometimes it is parents or grandparents with limited sign vocabulary or experience that want to sign this book. The goal is to share this Christmas classic with our young deaf children. Focus on the message of the story and have fun with it!

People may have different opinions of how they would want to sign the story, and that is fine. You can change things up based on your audience and your signing skills. Below is the Night Before Christmas in English word order using ASL signs.
 

The Night Before Christmas
NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house…
NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS HAPPEN ALL AROUND HOUSE

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
NOTHING MOVING MOUSE NOTHING

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
SOCKS HANG NEAR CHIMNEY

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
HOPE  SOON  SANTA ARRIVE

The children were nestled all snug in their bed,
CHILDREN ALL SLEEP IN BED

While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads,
DREAMING SWEETS CANDY

And Mama in her kerchief, and I in my cap,
MOM SCARF DAD HAT

Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap—
JUST LAY BED SLEEP

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
SUDDENLY HAPPEN OUTSIDE LOUD NOISE

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter,
I JUMP OUT BED SEE WHAT WRONG

Away to the window I flew like a flash,
QUICK GO WINDOW

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash
OPEN (but both hands) OPEN-THE-WINDOW

The Moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
MOON SHINE NEW SNOW

Gave the luster of midday to objects below,
SHINE BRIGHT SAME DAYTIME

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, 
HAPPEN APPEAR SEE

But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,
SMALL SLEIGH AND EIGHT TINY REINDEER

With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
WITH SHORT OLD DRIVE EXCITED QUICK KNEW SANTA MUST

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
FAST SAME BIRDS REINDEER CAME

And he whistled, and shouted, and called by name:
SANTA WHISTLE SHOUT SAID NAME:

“Now Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! On Comet! On, Cupid! On Donder and Blitzen!”
(you will need to fingerspell each name here unless you have pre-established sign names for each reindeer) NOW D-A-S-H-E-R NOW D-A-N-C-E-R NOW P-R-A-N-C-E-R NOW V-I-X-E-N GO C-O-M-E-T GO D-O-N-D-E-R ONWARD B-L-I-T-Z-E-N

“To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!”
GO TOP PORCH WALL

“Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”
GO GO GO

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly
SAME DRY LEAVES WIND BLOW LIKE HURRICANE

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky
THEY REINDEER FLY THROUGH SKY

So up to the housetop the coursers they flew,
UP TOP HOUSE REINDEER FLY

With a sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas, too.
SLEIGH FULL TOYS  SANTA TOO

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
HAPPEN I HEAR ON ROOF

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
REINDEER then gesture like reindeer lifting up and down their feet

As I drew my head and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
HEAD MINE TURN LOOK SANTA COME DOWN CHIMNEY

He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot,
SANTA DRESSED COMPLETE FUR

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
CLOTHES SANTA DIRTY  spell A-S-H-E-S spell S-O-O-T

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
BIG BAG TOYS ON BACK

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
LOOK-SAME OLD-MAN OPEN BAG

His eye, how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
EYES HIS TWINKLE (point to cheek to show where dimple is) MERRY

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
CHEEK SAME ROSE, NOSE SAME CHERRY

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
LITTLE MOUTH SMILE

And the beard on his chin was white as the snow.
BEARD HIS COLOR WHITE SAME SNOW

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath.
PIPE (bite down) TEETH, SMOKE (going around your head) SAME WREATH

He had a broad face and a little round belly that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
SANTA FACE WIDE, ROUND BELLY SHAKE (this would be better acted out like a big belly out the front and then shaking it up and down)

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, 
SANTA FAT HAPPY OLD ELF

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
I LAUGH HAPPEN I SAW HIM

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
SANTA WINK (turn your head) I KNOW SAFE FEAR NONE

He spoke not a word, but went straight to work,
SANTA SAY NOTHING STARTED WORK WORK WORK

And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk,
FILL SOCKS QUICK (gesture like turning around)

And laying his finger aside of his nose, And gave a nod, up the chimney he rose.
(Touch your nose, nod head) UP CHIMNEY SANTA GO

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
SANTA IN SLEIGH JUMP, WHISTLE TO REINDEER, AWAY THEY GO

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight---“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
BUT I HEAR SANTA SAY, MERRY-CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO  ALL A GOOD NIGHT!
 

I hope that through this The Night Before Christmas pre-built word list you will feel confident to share this classic with your children.

Word List for The Night Before Christmas

Signing Savvy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking signingsavvy.com to Amazon properties. That means Signing Savvy may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link, your cost will be exactly the same regardless, but Signing Savvy will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps us continue to improve Signing Savvy!

This article is part of our “Cooking Up Language With Signs” series, which features a recipe and accompanying sign language word list to get you started on an interactive cooking activity that is great for spicing up language learning at home or in the classroom.
 

What’s cookin’?

Today I’m cooking up "Homemade" Double Chocolate, Candy Cane Cookies. These cookies look like a million bucks and taste even better, yet they are so easy to make (you start with a cookie mix from a bag). They are fun to create with your kiddos as a gift for parents, teachers etc..

Betty Crocker makes a great tasting Double Chocolate Chunk cookie mix that comes in a bag and are very easy to make with just limited ingredients to add. You can find the cookie mix at many grocery stores. After making the cookies, I dip them in white chocolate / crème and crushed candy canes to transform them into an irresistible holiday treat that everyone loves.

Recipe

Enjoy making these quick and easy holiday treats. Use the pre-built word list created to go along with the recipe to help you as you make this tasty recipe.

 "Homemade" Double Chocolate, Candy Cane Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of Betty Crocker Double Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 2 Tablespoons Water
• 1 egg
• white chocolate (also called crème or cream)
• candy canes

Tools:

• oven (preheat to 350 degrees)
• microwave
• mixing bowl
• spoon or spatula for mixing
• Ziplock plastic bag
• cookie sheet / pan
• small hammer or rolling pin

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Follow the directions on the package for the Betty Crocker Double Chocolate Chunk Mix and make the cookies. (The directions say to stir the cookie mix, oil, water, and egg in a medium bowl. Roll the cookie dough into round balls and then put in the oven and bake.)
2. Once done baking, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool. Remove the cookies from the pan and set aside.
3. Unwrap candy canes and place in a Ziplock plastic bag (sometimes it helps to use 2 Ziplock plastic bags together so if you get a hole in the bag, the pieces won’t fall out). Crush the candy canes with a small hammer, or roll with a rolling pin.
4. Melt white chocolate / crème in the microwave as directed on the package and dip the cooled cookies ½ way in. Lay the cookies on waxed paper or tin foil.  Before the chocolate cools completely, sprinkle with the candy cane pieces.
5. Once all cooled, stack the cookies and tie them up with ribbon and a bow for a great looking gift!

Word List for “Homemade” Double Chocolate, Candy Cane Cookies

Signing Savvy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking signingsavvy.com to Amazon properties. That means Signing Savvy may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link, your cost will be exactly the same regardless, but Signing Savvy will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps us continue to improve Signing Savvy!

This article is part of our “Signing Children’s Books” series, which highlights children’s books and pairs them with pre-built Signing Savvy word lists to help you get started with learning and signing the vocabulary in the book. Reading and literacy is so important. By sharing these pre-built word lists, we hope to cut down on prep time for families that are just beginning to learn ASL and hope you can find more comfort in sharing literacy with our young deaf children.

This is another holiday classic! Frosty the Snowman is a song that was developed into a book and animated movie, that is shown on TV every year during the holiday season.

See Frosty the Snowman signed:

The first time you introduce the jolly snowman, you must fingerspell his name, but after that, you can set him up in space OR create an assigned sign name for him. You can discuss with the children what would be a good assigned sign name. I personally have used a right F handshape on the left side of the chest over the heart.

Don't hesistate to take some creative licensing with the "thumpetty, thump, thumps," and don't let it scare you that there isn't necessarily a sign for it, just have fun with it and think of Big Frosty running through the snow covered hills with the children.

I hope that through this Frosty the Snowman pre-built word list you will feel confident to share this classic with your children and experience the magic of Frosty together!

Word List for Frosty the Snowman

Signing Savvy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking signingsavvy.com to Amazon properties. That means Signing Savvy may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link, your cost will be exactly the same regardless, but Signing Savvy will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps us continue to improve Signing Savvy!

This article is part of our “Cooking Up Language With Signs” series, which features a recipe and accompanying sign language word list to get you started on an interactive cooking activity that is great for spicing up language learning at home or in the classroom.

What’s cookin’?

Today I’m cooking up "Frosty The Snowman" Oreo Truffles. These are some of the easiest no-bake treats I make, and every time I take them anywhere, people go nuts over them! You can make them for any occasion, but you’ll see here how I’ve turned them into snowmen for the perfect holiday treat.

This recipe is great to go along with the Frosty the Snowman book or song. I’ve also created an article and word list for the Frosty the Snowman book.

The recipe is simple. Have the kiddo’s crush up the Oreos, either in bowl or in a doubled up Ziplock plastic bag, until they are nice and crushed. Mix together in a bowl with the cream cheese.

Roll into balls and place in the freezer for an hour.

Once nice and frozen, melt your white chocolate (I believe they are calling it crème or cream now). This can be tricky because it goes from good to overcooked really fast, so watch it as you are melting it and only start with 60 seconds, then add like 10-15 seconds at a time. Once melted, just dunk the balls in and set them on a pan with waxed paper or tin foil that you will be placing back in the refrigerator. 

Once the outer cream shell has hardened, decorate to look like Frosty with his eyes, button (or carrot) nose, and his big smile! Top him off with a mini Oreo top hat.  I chose the ones that were covered in chocolate here but again that is totally up to you! (I’ve even made them with a Rolo candy on top of the mini Oreo to really make him look fancy!)

Don’t worry if your balls don’t come out perfectly round or the faces look a little silly as the kids are decorating… maybe Frosty is melting... it is pretty warm in the kitchen! Melted or not, round or lopsided - they still taste delicious with a cup of hot cocoa!

Recipe

Enjoy making treats that look like Frosty the Snowman. Use the pre-built word list created to go along with the recipe to help you as you make this tasty recipe.

Frosty The Snowman Oreo Truffles

Ingredients:

• 1 bag of Oreo cookies (the originals… if you get the double stuff, it can get too creamy.)
• 1 8 oz block of softened cream cheese
• white chocolate (also called crème or cream)
• black, blue, and orange gel frosting (for eyes, nose, and mouth)
• mini Oreo cookies and/or Rolo candy (for top hat)

Tools:

• bowl
• doubled up Ziplock plastic bag (optional)
• spoon or spatula for mixing
• cookie sheet / pan

Directions:

1. Crush up the Oreo cookies either in a bowl or in a doubled up Ziplock plastic bag until they are nice and crushed.
2. Mix the crushed Oreo cookies together in a bowl with the cream cheese.
3. Roll mixture into balls and place in the freezer for an hour or until frozen / hard.
4. Once balls are frozen, melt your white chocolate (also called crème or cream) in the microwave.
5. Dunk the frozen Oreo balls in the melted white chocolate and set them on a pan with waxed paper or tin foil.
6. Place the tray of white chocolate covered Oreo balls back in the refrigerator.
7. Once the outer white chocolate shell has hardened, use gel frosting to decorate them to look like Frosty with his eyes, button (or carrot) nose, and his big smile!
8. Top him off with a mini Oreo cookies and/or Rolo candy top hat.  

Word List for Frosty the Snowman Oreo Truffles

Signing Savvy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking signingsavvy.com to Amazon properties. That means Signing Savvy may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link, your cost will be exactly the same regardless, but Signing Savvy will automatically receive a small commission. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps us continue to improve Signing Savvy!