Significant Signs: Beginners American Sign Language Part 1
This course introduces the fundamentals of ASL, Deaf culture, & deaf history. The class will focus on expressive and receptive skills in ASL along with an introduction to American Deaf culture and deaf history. No prior knowledge needed. #Academic
Jacqueline L.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(120)
What's included
6 live meetings
6 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. Learners will have homework after every class, anywhere from 30 min to an hour a week. It is essential that the learners complete the assigned homework because the next class builds on the material covered. If an issue arises with an assignment please have the learner to contact me early so I may have a sufficient amount of time to help them.Class Experience
The learners will learn the basic fundamentals of ASL, Deaf culture, and deaf history. Class Overview: Deaf Culture and History are integrated into the instruction of the basics of ASL grammar and syntax, vocabulary, fingerspelling, numbers, and visual-manual communication. Skill-building activities, technology, and games, as well as interactive communication, will be used to enhance and enrich developing expressive and receptive skills in the target language. Classroom Participation: All learners will be expected to participate daily with their cameras on. ASL cannot be learned without actively participating in the class. Every learner is expected to participate. Often the learners will be expected to enter "ASL Zone" or “voice-off” which means we don’t use our voices. This allows the brain to effectively translate English into ASL. Also, Deaf culture expectations will be used in the classroom. Learners will learn how to maintain eye-contact while maintaining the appropriate signing space with the speaker/signer in addition to using appropriate facial grammar while signing. Learners will be signing regularly with a partner, in a small group, and in front (spotlighted) of the class. However, don’t fret, learners will always have plenty of practice beforehand. Tests/Quizzes: Quizzes & test will be used to assess the learners progress. Digital Portfolios: We will be using Flip for the digital portfolio. Throughout the week learners will be recording themselves signing various assignments and they will save them to their Seesaw digital journal (I will help the learners set this up in class). Deaf Culture & History resources will come from the Signing Naturally & Master ASL curriculum and the following: Linguistics of American Sign Language 4th edition by Clayton Valli Understanding Deaf Culture by Paddy Ladd A Journey into the Deaf World by Harlan Lane ** Students are not required to purchase these books. I will scan the material to them as needed.** Materials: Learners will need to come prepared to class with pens/pencils and paper. (Learners should have something to drink nearby just in case they need it.) During this 6 week class learners will learn the following: Week 1: Foundations and Introductions • Get acquainted with fellow learners and establish class rules • Break the ice with fun activities • Learn to utilize Flipgrid for interactive learning • Master the Manual Alphabet for spelling and basic communication Week 2: Fingerspelling and ASL Parameters • Dive into the nuances of double letters in fingerspelling • Understand the essential rules governing fingerspelling • Explore ASL parameters for accurate sign production • Gain proficiency in utilizing signing space effectively • Build your vocabulary with fundamental signs Week 3: Mastering Cardinal Numbers (1-100) • Develop fluency in expressing cardinal numbers in ASL • Practice numerical communication for various contexts Week 4: Ordinal & Nominal Numbers, Bingo, and Vocabulary Expansion • Learn how to convey ordinal and nominal numbers in ASL • ASL Bingo for a hands-on learning experience • Expand your vocabulary with essential signs for everyday communication Week 5: Non-Manual Markers and WH Questions • Discover the importance of non-manual markers in ASL • Engage in exercises focusing on WH questions for effective conversation • Practice forming yes and no questions for dynamic interaction Week 6: ASL Sentence Structure and Deaf Culture • Understand the foundational structure of ASL sentences • Immerse yourself in the rich Deaf culture with a spotlight on Alice Cogswell • Test your knowledge with an interactive Kahoot/Nearpod Quiz for reinforcement
Learning Goals
Learners will use American Sign Language (ASL) and written English to communicate effectively with diverse audiences on very familiar topics using a variety of words in phrases. In addition, learners will understand deaf identities along the interrelations within and among diverse cultures groups.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
During this 6-week class, your learner will use the app Flip, and Signing Savvy dictionary to complete homework & practice their ASL skills.
Flip and Signing Savvy does not require the learners to set up an account.
We will be using the app Flip to complete homework and for vocabulary review. For Flip usage, I will issue a Flip code badge for the learner to have access prior to their first class.
https://web.seesaw.me
Signing Savvy is a free ASL dictionary. Account sign-up is not necessary for usage.
https://www.signingsavvy.com
Supply List
Paper Pencil or Pen Crayons, Colored Pencils, or Markers I will provide all handouts and reading material. Please have something to drink nearby to help prevent having to leave class to often.
1 file available upon enrollment
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined June, 2020
5.0
120reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Bachelor's Degree from Troy University
Associate's Degree in Foreign Language from Troy Univiesity
I have 22 years of experience being involved and being a part of the deaf community. In addition, I have 42 years of experience being a part of the hearing community. Although I have this experience, each person's journey is unique. Therefore we will learn about Deaf Culture & Deaf History from the Signing Naturally & Master ASL curriculum and the following resources:
Linguistics of American Sign Language 4th edition by Clayton Valli
Understanding Deaf Culture by Paddy Ladd
A Journey into the Deaf World by Harlan Lane
**None of the following material will contain sensitive or high risk topics.**Reviews
Live Group Class
$125
for 6 classes1x per week, 6 weeks
60 min
Completed by 40 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
4-10 learners per class
