Floating Gardens Deaf Ed Read Aloud Guide
Kindergarten Deaf Ed Adaptation • CKLA Unit 3 Lesson 6
Floating Gardens of Xochimilco
Simplified Read-Aloud & Visual Signing Guide • Story of Torn Wing
Visual Literacy Focus
SVO Grammar + ASL Classifiers
Deaf Ed Kindergarten Instructional Scaffolding
1. SVO Language: Keep spoken/signed sentences short (Subject-Verb-Object). Point directly to the picture while signing.
2. Classifiers & Facial Cues: Use classifier CL:3 (boat), CL:B (raft/garden), and clear non-manual facial grammar (lost vs. happy).
3. Tactile Water Tub Prop: Float a small sponge/twig raft in a shallow water tub. Add dirt and leaves to demonstrate "chinampa".
Target Visual & Sign Vocabulary (Pre-teach Before Story)
Point, Sign, and Mimic
Canoe / Boat Sign: BOAT / PADDLE
Cupped hands form boat moving forward. Mime two-handed paddle stroke: splash, splash!
Floating Garden Sign: WATER + ISLAND
Non-dominant hand flat (water surface). Dominant hand raft rests on top. Fingers sprout up like plants!
Mud / Dirt Sign: DIRT + WET
Rub thumb across fingertips (dirt), then press index/thumb together (wet). Scoop from lake bottom!
Garden Food Sign: CORN / BEANS
Sign CORN (eating across cob) and TOMATO (red + chop). Show tall plants reaching up to the warm sun.
Uncle / Family Sign: 'U' AT TEMPLE
Make handshape 'U' and twist lightly near upper temple (male side). Warm smile for family helper.
Lost & Help Sign: LOST / HELP
LOST: Hands drop open downward with puzzled eyes. HELP: Closed fist rests on flat palm and lifts upward.
Character Sign Names & Visual Identifiers
Torn Wing Young man in canoe Sign: BIRD-WING
Wing Feather Kind Uncle / Farmer Sign: UNCLE + FEATHER
Moon Wish Friendly older lady Sign: MOON + SMILE
Loud Song & Star Two big, strong sons Sign: BIG BROTHERS
Kinder Target: Students identify how Aztecs made floating gardens & who helped Torn Wing.
TEKS K.2.B • K.5.E • K.5.I (Visual & ASL Supported)
PART 1
Torn Wing Journeys to the Floating Gardens
CKLA Flip Book Images 6A-1 to 6A-4
6A-1 Torn Wing Arrives
Look at the lake. A young man sits in a boat. His name is Torn Wing. He paddles: splash, splash! He smells pretty flowers. Look! Islands on the water! People call them floating gardens.
🤟 Sign & Mime: Mime paddling a canoe. Sniff nose + smile (flowers). Sign ISLAND ON WATER.
❓ Point & Check: "Where is Torn Wing?" [Student points to canoe on lake water].
6A-2 Making Chinampas
How did the Aztec make these gardens? First, they tie sticks together to make a flat raft. Next, they scoop heavy mud from the lake and pile it high. Then, tree roots grow down, down to the bottom. Now the island stays in place!
🤟 Sign & Mime: Hands flat like a raft (CL:B). Scoop mud with two hands. Tree roots push down deep (CL:5).
❓ Point & Check: "What is on top of the raft?" [Student signs or points to Mud / Dirt].
6A-3 Yummy Crops
Water touches the dirt every day. The soil is wet and rich. Plants grow BIG! Tall yellow corn. Long green beans. Juicy red tomatoes! There is lots and lots of food for everyone in the Aztec city.
🤟 Sign & Mime: Hands show plants growing tall (GROW-BIG). Sign CORN, BEANS, TOMATO. Rub tummy ("yummy").
❓ Point & Check: "Point to two foods growing in the garden." [Corn / Tomatoes / Beans].
6A-4 Uncle's Invite
Torn Wing remembers his uncle, Wing Feather. Uncle said, "Come live with me! Help me grow food on the floating gardens. We will be a family." Torn Wing smiled and said, "Yes, Uncle! I will come!"
🤟 Sign & Mime: Sign UNCLE. Beckon hand: COME-WITH-ME. Hug chest for FAMILY.
❓ Point & Check: "Who asked Torn Wing to come live with him?" [Uncle Wing Feather].
Turn page for Scenes 5–8 (Lost in Xochimilco & Finding Friends) Page 2 of 4
PART 2
Lost in the Water Roads & Finding Friends
CKLA Flip Book Images 6A-5 to 6A-8
6A-5 Torn Wing Lost
Torn Wing paddles into the lake. Wow! So many water roads! Go left? Go right? Oh no! Torn Wing is lost. He cannot find Uncle's house. Torn Wing stops his canoe. He feels worried.
🤟 Sign & Mime: Look left and right with furrowed brow. Hands drop down open for LOST. Place hand on heart (worried).
❓ Point & Check: "How does Torn Wing feel?" [Show emotion card: Worried / Lost vs. Happy].
6A-6 Moon Wish
A kind woman smiles from her boat. Her name is Moon Wish. She asks, "Are you lost? I can help you!" Torn Wing smiles. "Yes! I am looking for my uncle, Wing Feather." Moon Wish says, "I know him! He is our good friend."
🤟 Sign & Mime: Big warm smile! Sign WOMAN + HELP. Fist rests on palm, pushing up. Torn Wing nods with relief.
❓ Point & Check: "Is Moon Wish nice or mean?" [Student gives Thumbs Up / Signs GOOD].
6A-7 Two Big Sons
Moon Wish calls out: "Sons, come here!" Two huge, strong men step out from the green plants! Their names are Star Web and Loud Song. They are tall! They smile and say, "Hello, friend! We will help you."
🤟 Sign & Mime: Contrast tiny mother vs. HUGE sons: stretch arms up high (TALL/STRONG). Sign FRIEND + HELP.
❓ Point & Check: "Are the sons big or little?" [Student gestures BIG / TALL].
6A-8 Follow to Uncle
Loud Song gets into his canoe. "Follow me!" he signs. Torn Wing paddles fast right behind him. He is not tired anymore. He is happy! Torn Wing thinks: "This is my beautiful new home!"
🤟 Sign & Mime: Directional sign: FOLLOW-ME (dominant thumb leads, non-dominant follows). Paddle fast with big joyful smile!
❓ Point & Check: "Where is Loud Song taking Torn Wing?" [To Uncle Wing Feather's home].
Turn page for Interactive Student Retell & Comprehension Sheet Page 3 of 4
Student Retell & Check
Floating Gardens Story Map
Name: ____________________ Date: ________
1. Retell the Story: Point, Sign, or Number in Order (1, 2, 3, 4)
Teacher: Guide with ASL prompts
?
Torn Wing is LOST in the water roads.
Sign: LOST
?
Aztecs make rafts and pile lake MUD.
Sign: RAFT + MUD
?
Torn Wing PADDLES canoe to lake.
Sign: BOAT PADDLE
?
Friends HELP him find his Uncle!
Sign: FOLLOW HELP
2. Visual Comprehension Check (Circle or Sign YES / NO)
1 Did the gardens float away across the lake?
YES NO (Roots hold tight!)
2 Did Aztec farmers grow corn and tomatoes?
YES (Lots of food!) NO
3 Was Moon Wish mean or helpful?
HELPFUL MEAN
Classroom Signing & Movement Rhythm (Circle Time TPR)
Pair movement with visual rhythm
Paddle, Paddle! Mime paddle stroke left & right
Mud on Raft! Scoop mud, pat down flat
Tall Corn Grows! Reach hands high up to the sun
Follow Home! Big wave & follow friend
Early American Civilizations: The Aztec (Xochimilco) • Adapted for Deaf/HH Early Literacy Page 4 of 4
