Wednesday, February 16, 2000
First-graders learn to sign
BY SUE KIESEWETTER
Enquirer Contributor
MASON — The first-graders in Amy Zinnecker's classroom can't wait for Tuesday afternoons.
That's when Sycamore High School junior Nick Huitger comes to their Mason Heights Elementary classroom to teach them sign language.
Since he started his weekly 30-minute visits, the children have learned how to sign the letters of the alphabet, the Pledge of Allegiance and their names. They are learning numbers and spelling words.
“We try to use it as much as we can in the classroom,” said Miss Zinnecker, a first-year teacher and Nick's cousin. “It (sign language) keeps them paying attention because they can use their hands.”
Miss Zinnecker said she asked Nick to begin the weekly lessons in American Sign Language last fall because she wanted her students to get a better understanding of people with disabilities. None of her students is deaf.
“This also gives them another language, more enrichment,” Miss Zinnecker said.
Kaitlyn Smith likes sign language so much that she practices it each day at home.
“I like having Nick come,” said Kaitlyn, 6. “It's really good 'cause you do it with your hands. I like doing the numbers.”
Nick, who learned sign language at Sycamore, said teaching the first-graders keeps him sharp and has made him more confident of his decision to teach sign language after college.
“The first few weeks were tough,” said Nick, 17, who signs instinctively as he talks. “But not now. They've got so much in their heads.”
Miss Zinnecker says she has seen carryover from Nick's work in her classroom. During the day, they use signs to answer or ask simple questions.
Miss Zinnecker had Nick give her a crash course, and she constantly practices just to keep up with her first-graders.
Stadium bill up $14.3M
County bears main blame in stadium fiasco
Stadium a big political problem for Bedinghaus
Who's who on the stadium team
Child alerts take to airwaves
Officer in cruiser shootout retires
Schools get large part of tobacco settlement
City defends support for development group
Collegians find politics and fun can be good mix
Auto Expo opens today at convention center
Drug officers fan out at banks
Hotel-tax hike gains backer
Queen City's moments to shine reflected in book
'Oprah' slips in Tristate ratings
Oscar nominees hold surprises
Complete list of Oscar nominations
GET TO IT
Appeals court OKs peculiar use of jury
Attempted fraud lands 3rd perpetrator in prison
Audience appreciates Cowboy Junkies' pace
Butler chips in $3M to revamp mall
Cathedrals, universities called forces in cities
Clermont County goes all out to mark 200th
Computer technician indicted on porn charges
F. Lee Bailey says Sheppard fought 2
First-graders learn to sign
Insurer backs off cancer payments
Kentucky venture investments possible
Lincoln Heights considers new truck-ban ordinance
Man pleads guilty to child porn
Mason fire chief hurt at rescue scene
Offers made on old toys
Politicking gets cop suspended
School bus drivers defy union
Schools to aid health outreach
Slain man was naked and bound
Track condition stops the train
TRISTATE DIGEST
Victim's family helps killer avoid death
Warren officials question purchases
Woodlawn manager quits
