Issaquah School District / Issaquah High School
World Language Department

 COURSE SYLLABUS/COURSE DESCRIPTION

 Course Title / ASL I
Room: D-3

Instructor: Rosie Gremmert

Phone: 425-837-6073 (no message)

Email: gremmertr@issaquah.wednet.edu (email is best)

Website: http://www.ihs.issaquah.wednet.edu/Teachers/gremmertr/

 

Description:  American Sign Language (ASL) is the remarkable, complex and naturally existing language used by Deaf people in North America.  ASL I introduces students to this visual/gestural language and the community of people that use it.  You will learn the vocabulary, grammar, and culturally-appropriate uses of ASL through natural, everyday conversational situations.  This course will encourage small and large group activities, using exercises meaningfully related to the conversational topics.

Since ASL is a visual/gestural language, you will need to develop communication skills of which you are not accustomed: using one’s hands, face, body, eyes and space.  In order to progress, it is important that students become comfortable using their bodies and “listening” with their eyes.  To encourage and foster the development of these skills, voicing in the classroom will be avoided.  At the end of each session you will be allowed to use your voice for questions, receive clarification, and announcements, etc.

Course Goals: The overall goals of ASL I are to have you appreciate and respect (1) ASL as a living, unique and wholly naturally-occurring language, and (2) Deaf people as a community with their own set of cultural traditions and values.  In part this will be accomplished by learning the communicative purposes (functions) of Deaf people’s everyday interactions.  Using the Signing Naturally textbook and videotext, the following language functions will be introduced and practiced:

 

                Unit 1     Introducing Oneself                                                            Unit 4     Telling Where You Live

                Unit 2     Exchanging Personal Information                                     Unit 5     Talking About Your Family

                Unit 3     Talking about Surroundings                                              Unit 6     Telling About Activities

                       

In addition, students will be introduced to a core vocabulary and a supplemental vocabulary, fundamental grammatical components and sentence structures, and brief historical perspectives of ASL and the Deaf and Deaf-Blind communities.

Methods of Instructions: The best way to learn a language is to actually use it.  To encourage the development of your ASL skills the students should not be using their voices unless expressly invited to do so.  Much of the classroom activities involve small and large group activities. The instruction and activities will vary widely in format and will include props, miming, pictures, overhead projections, written instructions, etc.  Near the end of each class session, students will be allowed to use their voices to ask questions, receive clarification, etc.  Students will be asked to evaluate themselves and give feedback to their peers.

 

Required Materials:

Each student needs 2 blank RE-WRITABLE CDs.  Please send they to school marked with the students name, class and period.

 

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS:

There are no additional materials required but it is best if each student has a Sign Language Dictionary for home use: There are several sign language dictionaries available at bookstores and libraries.  There is no one complete ASL dictionary and some signs vary from book to book, however I recommend the following:

American Sign Language Dictionary, By Elaine Costello.  (published by Random House Webster) There is a softcover version for about $20.00 or a hardbound edition for about $50.00.  It is gold.  I do not recommend the smaller paperback versions as it is very difficult to see the signs.  You will find it online or at any major bookstore.  If they do not have any in stock, they will order it for you.

STUDENT ASSIGNMENTS

Skill and Knowledge Enhancement Exercises: These in-class activities are designed to help you gain natural use of ASL.  They will be assigned participation points and are graded based on your effort and cooperation.

Fingerspelling, Numbers and Core Vocabulary Review: Constant review of the vocabulary and regular practice of fingerspelling and numbers is critical to your progress in this course.  You will be asked to study your vocabulary regularly. Studying for 20 min. a day will help you retain the information you receive in class.  Practice for 10 minutes in the morning, and 10 minutes in the evening.  Practicing in front of a mirror or with a partner will also help you learn visually and tactilely..

Dialogues:  In class you will be practicing dialogues.  The purpose of this exercise is to develop your grammatical and functional application of the language and give you an opportunity to get feedback on your progress.

Cultural and Grammatical Readings:  Culture and language are highly interwoven with each other.  To fully appreciate any language you must also have a sense of the community that uses the language.  We will begin to explore the Deaf community by reading For Hearing People Only and Train Go Sorry.  You do not need to purchase these books.  In addition you will be given several handouts that partially describe the grammatical components discussed in class.

Class Participation: All classroom instruction and interaction is voice free.  Instruction is delivered in ASL only and all concepts are demonstrated.  Attendance is critical for learning and each day is valued at 5 points toward your participation grade.  This is a college level course and these points can not be made up.  Lack of participation or using your voice results in lost daily points.

ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION

Assessment techniques are often imperfect and arbitrary.  My own perspective is that any opportunity for feedback and evaluation is an opportunity for learning and growth, which I also believe, is more important than an actual grade.  The class is structured so that you will receive feedback continually throughout the year from which to determine your progress.

Late Assignments: We will spend quite a bit of classroom time practicing and playing together.  Keeping up on your assignments and your practice helps you AND your classmates participate in classroom activities.  In addition, I have planned out-of-class time to review and assess your homework assignments and evaluations, but I have little flexibility for adjustments. 

I have e-mail and a 24–hour voice mail.  Use them if you need to.  Any student, who misses an assignment, with an excused absence, will be required to make up the points on their own time.  It will be the student’s responsibility to discuss with me options for making up the points.  They will have 3 days upon their return to establish an assignment whose points are equal to the missing test, and arrange a timeline for completion.  Assignments/tests will not be available for make up if the absence is unexcused.  All activities and assignments will be posted at http://ihs-asl-one-06.blogspot.com/ and a printed copy is available in the classroom.

QUIZZES AND ASSESSMENTS:

Vocabulary, Fingerspelling, and Numbers / Phrases – You will have several quizzes during the year, including a cumulative final exam at the end of each semester.  Fingerspelling quizzes are weekly and each one has the opportunity for 2 points extra credit.  I will drop the worst fingerspelling quiz grade each semester.

Culture and Grammar – You will have several quizzes on your knowledge and understanding of the cultural and grammatical information presented to you in class and from your reading assignments.

Deaf Community Events – Each student in ASL I will be required to attend community events throughout the year.  Without these events, the best grade a student can earn is a 69 %, regardless of scores earned in other categories of the class.  These contacts can be used to apply for college credit through Seattle Central Community College, but are required of every student regardless.

A bulletin board will be located in the classroom with a continuous and changing list of opportunities for Deaf community contacts.  I also maintain a Deaf Culture page on my website.  There may also be a variety of events brought to Issaquah High School through the ASL club for the students and their families to experience Deaf culture. Give me your email for a Deaf events contact list also.

Extra-Curricular Projects (s): Learning really does occur mostly outside of the classroom.  Therefore you will be expected to explore the language and/or the users of the language and share with your peers what you have discovered and learned.  You will receive more information on project guidelines in class.
Enjoy yourself: Using a new language can be intimidating.  Don't let it be.  Relax.  Have fun.  Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.  They are part of the language learning process.  Students should challenge themselves to use as much sign as possible.  Challenging yourself is part of every assignment criteria; you will be graded on what you choose to learn in your individual assignments.
Ask for help: If you fall behind or you are not remembering the new vocabulary, please come to me and ask for help.  I am ready to deal with any struggles students may have with the learning process.

Grades will be determined by the following categories:

Tests 40%             Quizzes 20%          Participation 20%                 Homework 10%                    Final exam 10%

World Language Department Grading Scale:

A             93-100%

A-           90-92%

B+           88-89%

B             83-87%

B-            80-82%

C+           78-79%

C             73-77%  

C-            70-72%

D+           68-69%

D             63-67%

F              0-62