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