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Download the PDFs required for this lesson plan Situation Cards The Game Instructions

By taking a look at some of the instances noted in their journals, we are able to see that non-verbal communication was invaluable to Lewis and Clark. By attempting to convey their messages without the use of spoken language, we are able to better understand the difficulties that both the explorers and their Indian hosts faced. We learn how to effectively communicate with people with whom we do not share a common language.

As you take your students through this activity we hope they will discover that sign language was invaluable but other basic means of communication came into play as well. The context of the situation, drawing, gesturing, facial expressions and body language all contributed to the clarity of communications.

We offer the students a chance to learn some basic sign language from native "speakers" as well as a whole class game where the students use their new sign language skills to communicate. Then we debrief and change the rules of the game giving students the opportunity to add other means of communication.

• Internet connected computer
• Projected computer image or best yet a computer lab with individual computers
• High School Situation cards printed from the computer and cut apart (there should be a complete set of 12 cards for every 2 students)
• Markers (1 per student)
• Chart paper (1 sheet per 2 students)

Anticipatory Set (Schema): Have you ever traveled to a foreign country where the native language was NOT English? What was difficult about that situation? How did you cope?

1. Plan to have your students use a computer lab or set up a computer viewing for the entire class. The first portion of this lesson offers students a chance to learn some traditional sign language. The lesson can be effective without the tutorial.
2. Open the online activity called Challenge to Communicate. Instruct the students to follow the directions for the Sign Language Primer keeping in mind that the goal will be a Lewis and Clark game using the sign language as the only means of communication. Be sure students have time to practice their new-found language.
3. After an appropriate amount of sign language practice time, play the game. If time allows, plan to play the game numerous times with a debriefing session between rounds adding other discovered strategies for communicating more effectively.