Ethan Says “Hello.”

Illustration of Ethan waving outside of Golden Hill School.

Written by Suzanne Emmi, Brian MacDonald, Jody Plourde, and Kelli Shea from the Golden Hill School in Haverhill, MA

Illustrated by Amy Ingalls

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Dedicated to all children and the many ways they communicate.

 

 

 

Special thanks to the Massachusetts Department of Education whose funding supported teachers and parents in the development of this story.   © CAST, 2006
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Illustration of Mia's classroom.

“Hi! My name is Mia. This is my class.”

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Illustration of Ms. Duval talking to Mia.
My Teacher, Ms. Duval, told me there is a new boy in my class.  He started yesterday.  I was home sick so I did not meet him.
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Illustration of Mia walking toward Ethan.
I went over to meet him.
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Illustration of Mia meeting Ethan.
I said, “Hi, my name is Mia.  What is your name?”
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Illustration of Ethan smiling and moving his hands.
He smiled and moved his hands.
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Illustration of Mia asking Ms. Duval a question.
I asked Ms. Duval why he did not answer me.
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Illustration of Ms. Duval and Mia.
“He did answer you,” she said.  “He used sign language.  That means he used his hands to tell you his name.  Let’s go see Ethan so he can teach you.”
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Illustration of Ethan and Ms. Duval signing with their hands.
Ms. Duval and Ethan showed me how to sign, “Hi, my name is…”
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Illustration of Ms. Duval, Ethan, and Mia.
Ms. Duval said that the sign for each person is special.  Ethan signs “E”, the first letter of his name and something special about himself.  He likes music.
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Illustration of Ethan signing with his hands.
Ethan signed his name.  First he signed the letter “E” and then he made the sign for music.”
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Illustration of Ms. Duval signing with her hands.
Ms. Duval showed me how to sign my name too!  My name is Mia and I like kitty cats.
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Illustration of Mia signing her sign name.
This is MY sign name!  First, I sign “M” for Mia and then I make the sign for cat.
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Illustration of Mia signing to Ethan.
The next day, I walked up to Ethan.  I signed, “Hi! My name is Mia.”  Then I said, “What is your name?”
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Illustration of Ethan signing his name.
Ethan smiled.  He signed his name.
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Illustration of Ethan signing.
Then he signed a different sign and pointed at the toys.
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Illustration of Mia and Ethan playing.
I thought Ethan wanted to play!
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Illustration of Ethan and Mia playing.
I was right and we built a castle with the blocks.
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Illustration of Ethan and Mia playing.
I was so happy that I had a new friend and I liked using my hands to talk!
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Sign language chart.
Find the first letter of your name and practice the sign!
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The End!
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