Students in Mrs. Nichole Murray’s 10th grade Pre-AP class learned sign language and used it during presentations August 28^th and 31^st.

Why don’t more teachers use sign language? The interest is there. It’s a useful skill, and Bob Jones is all about providing life skills to students.

“During Enrichment Day last year I taught a sign language class, and forty kids showed up,” says Mrs. Murray. “Also, elementary schools want our class to go to them for Thanksgiving and teach kindergarten, first, second, and third grades sign language.”

Mrs. Sheila Hadden, the Freshman Composition and ACT Prep teacher, weighed in on the topic. She wished that she could use sign language in her classes, but she was worried that it would distract from the lesson and lead to conversations across the classroom.

Sign language could give shy students a way to talk without raising their voice. ASL, or American Sign Language, is fairly easy to learn.

Bethany Rodriguez, a sophomore who is proficient in ASL, wishes that sign language was an accepted part of her classes. “If I was called on, I wouldn’t have to talk. I could just sign.”

Sign language can even be used to communicate with babies before they can talk. The local library has several baby sign language sessions.

So, back to Mrs. Murray’s class. When asked if using sign language was fun, Mrs. Murray’s class responded with a resounding “YES!”