Register now for ASL in Storytime eCourse!
American Sign Language with Children in Storytime or in the Classroom: A Practical Guide eCourse
Begins Monday, May 16, 2022 and continues for 6 weeks (Participants will have 12 weeks to complete course materials.) Hosted by ALA eLearning.
Instructor: Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S.
American Sign Language is most commonly used in storytimes for babies, but the applications can go much further. In this 6-week eCourse, programming expert and signing storyteller Kathy MacMillan explores the benefits of signing with all children. In addition to learning basic American Sign Language (ASL) vocabulary appropriate for use with children in library and classroom settings, you will also learn techniques to share stories, songs, and other activities that incorporate ASL. The course will use readings, multimedia resources, online discussion boards, and customized video assignments to provide you with the tools to share ASL in an effective and respectful way in your programs. MacMillan provides you with a linguistic and cultural context to help make your programming more accessible.
More information and registration.
Past attendees say:
“One of the most well-organized and rewarding professional development courses I’ve taken.”
“Kathy is an amazing instructor. She made learning online very easy and comfortable. She replied quickly when students had questions and she responded with feedback with videos to help sign better.”
“I am amazed. It couldn’t have gone better. I came away learning many signs I can use and gained some helpful information for my storytimes.”
Get ready for summer reading!
Get ready for the 2022 Collaborative Summer Reading Theme, Oceans of Possibilities: Océano de Posibilidades, with these 2 webinars from Stories By Hand!
Add some American Sign Language to your storytime toolbox! In these interactive sessions, we’ll focus on basic ASL vocabulary for storytimes. Learn how to incorporate ASL into storytime songs, rhymes, and stories in a respectful and effective way. Registration includes 30 days of recording access. Individual: $40 per webinar. Group rates available.
Little Hands Signing Professional Development Webinar: Ocean Signs: Thursday, May 5, 2022 at 2 PM Eastern/1 PM Central/12 PM Mountain/11 AM Pacific. Register now.
Little Hands Signing Professional Development Webinar: Summer Signs: Thursday, June 2, 2022 at 2 PM Eastern/1 PM Central/12 PM Mountain/11 AM Pacific. Register now.
Don’t miss out on the Little Hands Signing Professional Development Season Pass!
Little Hands Signing Professional Development Series Season Pass
Add some American Sign Language to your storytime toolbox! Learn how to incorporate ASL into storytime songs, rhymes, and stories in a respectful and effective way.
Your Season Pass registration includes access to the 3 remaining live webinars in the series, PLUS extended recording access for all 6 webinars through August 31, 2022!
- Winter Signs: recording access on demand
- Lovey Dovey Signs: recording access on demand
- Spring Signs: recording access on demand
- Weather Signs: Thursday, April 7, 2022, 2-3 PM Eastern plus recording access
- Ocean Signs (Summer Reading Special): Thursday, May 5, 2022, 2-3 Eastern plus recording access
- Summer Signs: Thursday, June 2, 2022, 2-3 PM Eastern plus recording access
Register now for the Little Hands Signing Professional Development Series Season Pass
Register now for popular ALA eCourses!
Registration is now open for upcoming sessions of these popular eCourses through the American Library Association!
- American Sign Language for Library Staff, Level 1 eCourse begins January 24, 2022
- American Sign Language for Library Staff, Level 2 eCourse begins March 21, 2022
- American Sign Language for Children in Storytime or in the Classroom: A Practical Guide eCourse begins May 16, 2022
Purchase all 3 courses as a bundle and save!
All eCourses are asynchronous, meaning that you can work at your own pace, and use a combination of videos, readings, discussion forums, and interactive projects.
Instructor: Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S.
American Sign Language for Library Staff, Level 1
Asynchronous eCourse beginning Monday, January 24, 2022 (6 weeks of lessons; Participants will have a total of 12 weeks to complete course materials)
More information and registration
American Sign Language for Library Staff, Level 2
Asynchronous eCourse beginning Monday, March 214, 2022 (6 weeks of lessons; Participants will have a total of 12 weeks to complete course materials)
More information and registration.
American Sign Language for Children in Storytime or in the Classroom: A Practical Guide eCourse
Asynchronous eCourse beginning Monday, May 16, 2020 and continuing for 6 weeks (Participants will have 12 weeks to complete course materials.)
More information and registration.
Past attendees say:
“This course has been invaluable to me. I have spent countless hours reviewing all of the video, re-reading the lessons, and just generally trying to absorb as much knowledge as I could. The instructor was a gem in the way that she provided comprehensive answers to questions, feedback, tips and resources.”
“While I had taken ASL many years ago, this class has expanded my vocabulary and boosted my confidence in my abilities. I think it helped that this class specifically addressed situations I might encounter here at work.”
“This class was interesting, informative, and entertaining. It opened my eyes to a variety of ideas and concepts that can only make me a better librarian as well as a better person. I thought things were well organized and presented in an ordered and logical fashion, each lesson building on the one before.”
“One of the most well-organized and rewarding professional development courses I’ve taken.”
“Kathy is an amazing instructor. She made learning online very easy and comfortable. She replied quickly when students had questions and she responded with feedback with videos to help sign better.”
“I am amazed. It couldn’t have gone better. I came away learning many signs I can use and gained some helpful information for my storytimes.”
“The instructor was phenomenal, and I am already incorporating course work into everyday interactions in the library. Everything in the course is relevant and beneficial.”
Register now for Little Hands Signing Professional Development Season Pass
Little Hands Signing Professional Development Series Season Pass
Add some American Sign Language to your storytime toolbox! Learn how to incorporate ASL into storytime songs, rhymes, and stories in a respectful and effective way.
Your Season Pass registration includes access to the 6 live webinars listed below, PLUS extended recording access for all webinars through August 31, 2022!
- Winter Signs: Tuesday, January 4, 2022, 2-3 PM Eastern
- Lovey Dovey Signs: Tuesday, February 1, 2022, 2-3 PM Eastern
- Spring Signs: Tuesday, March 1, 2022, 2-3 PM Eastern
- Weather Signs: Thursday, April 7, 2022, 2-3 PM Eastern
- Ocean Signs (Summer Reading Special): Thursday, May 5, 2022, 2-3 Eastern
- Summer Signs: Thursday, June 2, 2022, 2-3 PM Eastern
Register now for the Little Hands Signing Professional Development Series Season Pass
Learn celebration signs for storytime or the classroom!
Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Celebration Signs
Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 2 PM Eastern
1 hour, Online via Zoom
Add some American Sign Language to your storytime toolbox! In this interactive session, we’ll focus on basic ASL vocabulary for families and family gatherings. Learn how to incorporate ASL into storytime songs, rhymes, and stories in a respectful and effective way.
Certificate of completion available upon request with successful completion of post-test.
Pricing:
- Individual: $40 (includes live webinar and recording access for 30 days after the live event)
- Group rates available for groups of 10 or more. Contact us for more information.
- Optional Add-on: Individualized video feedback: $25. Submit a video (up to 10 min) demonstrating your planned signing activities for storytime and receive individualized feedback on sign choices, production, and more from Kathy MacMillan via return video within 14 days. Must be used within 6 months of purchase.
About the Instructor:
Kathy MacMillan is a nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter, librarian, and storyteller. She is the author of the Little Hands Signing series from Familius Press, Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together (Huron Street Press) as well as many other books for children, teens, librarians, and educators.
Get live feedback on your signing storytime activities!
Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Group Coaching Session
Wednesday, September 15, 2021, 2:00-3:15 PM Eastern/1:00-2:15 PM Central/12:00-1:15 PM Mountain/11:00AM-12:15PM Pacific. 1 hour and 15 minutes, Online via Zoom.
Here’s your chance to get live feedback on your storytime activities using American Sign Language! In this interactive small-group session, each participant will demonstrate a story, song, rhyme or other activity they plan to use with signs in storytime, and storyteller and nationally certified ASL interpreter Kathy MacMillan will give live feedback on vocabulary choices, sign production, presentation, and introducing ASL vocabulary in context. Expand your storytime toolbox with ideas from your peers and enhance your storytime confidence!
Each session is capped at 12 participants, so register now!
Pricing:
- Individual: $40 (includes live webinar and recording access for 30 days after the live event)
- Group rates available for groups of 10 or more. Contact me for details.
- Optional Add-on: Individualized video feedback: $25. Submit a video (up to 10 min) demonstrating your planned signing activities for storytime and receive individualized feedback on sign choices, production, and more from Kathy MacMillan via return video within 14 days. Must be used within 6 months of purchase.
Register for Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Group Coaching Session
About the Instructor:
Kathy MacMillan is a nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter, librarian, and storyteller. She is the author of the Little Hands Signing series from Familius Press, Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together (Huron Street Press) as well as many other books for children, teens, librarians, and educators.
Interested in a session just for your library? Find out more about booking a private webinar for your group here!
Learn Autumn Signs for Storytimes!
Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Autumn Signs
Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 2-3 PM Eastern/1-2 PM Central/12-1 PM Mountain/11 AM-12 PM Pacific. 1 hour, Online via Zoom
Add some American Sign Language to your storytime toolbox! In this interactive session, we’ll focus on basic ASL vocabulary for autumn sights and activities. Learn how to incorporate ASL into storytime songs, rhymes, and stories in a respectful and effective way. Certificate of completion available upon request with successful completion of post-test.
Pricing:
- Individual: $40 (includes live webinar and recording access for 30 days after the live event)
- Group rates available for groups of 10 or more. Contact presenter for details.
- Optional Add-on: Individualized video feedback: $25. Submit a video (up to 10 min) demonstrating your planned signing activities for storytime and receive individualized feedback on sign choices, production, and more from Kathy MacMillan via return video within 14 days. Must be used within 6 months of purchase.
About the Instructor:
Kathy MacMillan is a nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter, librarian, and storyteller. She is the author of the Little Hands Signing series from Familius Press, Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together (Huron Street Press) as well as many other books for children, teens, librarians, and educators.
Register for Little Hands Signing Professional Development: Autumn Signs.
Interested in a session just for your library? Find out more about booking a private webinar for your group here!
25% off webinars when you register by August 31!
Get 25% off any of the following webinars and webinar series when you register by August 31 using coupon code EARLYBIRD! Group rates also available! Contact us for details. Click on the graphics below for more information and registration. 
Interested in a session just for your library? Find out more about booking a private webinar for your group here!
Signing with Children eCourse begins August 23! Register now!
Sign Language for Children in Storytime or in the Classroom: A Practical Guide eCourse
Asynchronous eCourse beginning Monday, August 23, 2021 (6 weeks of lessons; Participants will have a total of 12 weeks to complete course materials)
Instructor: Kathy MacMillan, NIC, M.L.S.
Cost: $250.00 (discounts available for American Library Association members and bulk registrations); Estimated Hours of Learning: 30
American Sign Language is most commonly used in storytimes for babies, but the applications can go much further. In this 6-week eCourse, expert Kathy MacMillan explores the benefits of signing with all children. In addition to learning basic American Sign Language (ASL) vocabulary appropriate for use with children in library and classroom settings, you will also learn to teach stories, songs, and other activities that incorporate ASL. MacMillan provides you with a linguistic and cultural context to help make your programming more accessible.
A few of your assignments will be to create videos of yourself signing, so that you can get direct feedback from the instructor.
Reviews
“Sign Language for Children in Storytime or in the Classroom: A Practical Guide is one of the most well-organized and rewarding professional development courses I’ve taken. I really appreciated the topics covered and all the additional tips the instructor contributed to the discussion forums.”
“Your methods for teaching, quizzing, and giving feedback for assignments were more responsive than any ecourse I’ve taken so far (on this site or in grad school!)”
“Kathy MacMillan was an outstanding teacher, and I would highly recommend this class to my colleagues.”
“This course was appropriately named. It was practical and extremely informative.”
Storytime Stuff 