Skip to main content
DistrictCampus
CAMPUS
  2. ASL I Syllabus

ASL I Syllabus

 

West Monroe High School

ASL I

2024-2025 Syllabus

Instructor:  Dr. Lorra Pettit

 E-mail: lorra.pettit@opsb.net

                        Room 2208   

 

CLASSROOM TEXTS/RESOURCES:

 

  1. Main Texts/Curriculum: 

 

Smith et al (2008).  Signing Naturally Units 1-6.  DawnSignPress.

 

Zinza J. E. (2006).  Master ASL!- Fingerspelling, Numbers, and Glossing. Sign Media, Inc.

 

  1. *Supplemental Texts: Various supplemental materials will be used in the school classroom and/or Google Classroom. The following are supplemental texts used:

 

Humpries, et al (1994). A Basic Course in American Sign Language. T.J. Publishers, Inc.

     

Stewart and Stewart (2021). Barron’s American Sign Language- A

  Comprehensive Guide to ASL 1 and ASL 2.  Kaplan, INc., d/b/a Barron’s

  Educational Series.

 

Texts are not to leave the classroom.  If you need a workbook for use outside the classroom, you must check it out with the teacher and return it the next day upon arrival to class.   

YOU will be RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACEMENT COSTS if you do not return the workbook or you lose it.  

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will focus on your development of basic expressive and receptive communication in American Sign Language (ASL).  This course will include an introduction to the history of ASL, Deaf culture, ASL as an independent  language vs. manual methods of English (Signed English, Cued Speech, e.g.), and an understanding of Deaf vs. deaf.  Interactive activities will be incorporated into daily lessons and on homework assignments to allow you to rehearse what you have learned in class.  Evaluations, in various forms, will be administered  to monitor your progress.  




 

COURSE OUTLINE:  The following is an outline of the unit topics that are  covered in this course.  Deaf culture and history are incorporated throughout the units as well as additional topics and vocabulary.

August - April:

Back to School / Pre-Unit

  • Getting to Know You

  • Syllabus Review to include quiz / Demographics quiz

  • Review of school and class rules, and procedures / Review of student handbook

  • Safety rules/procedures

  • Benchmark Testing (may include Pre-Unit activities)

Pre-Unit (some topics may be incorporated into Unit 1 and 2)

Introduction to ASL I: ASL alphabet, Numbers, days of the week, months, greetings,

 Emotions; Foundation: ASL History, ASL components, Name, Manual Methods vs. ASL

Unit 1:  Getting to Know You

Unit 2:  Exchanging Personal Information

Unit 3:  Discussing Living situations

Unit 4:  Talking about Family

Unit 5:  Talking about Activities

Unit 6:  Storytelling

Mid April - End of May - Projects/Presentations, Review, and Finals 

 

SUPPLY LIST AND CLASS FEE:  No ragged or torn out paper pages will be accepted.  You are responsible for keeping up with your supplies.

 

  • Binder to hold your Unit packets and other materials

  • Pocket folder/s to hold assignments and other materials

  • Loose leaf paper for your binder

  • Pens/pencils

  • Flash cards and colored pencils and/or felt tip markers 

  • Dry erase markers (classroom whiteboard will be used or small boards will be provided)

  • One box of kleenex

  • Class fee- The class fee for ASL I is $3 and is due by Friday August 23, 2024

.

GRADES:  Your grade is EARNED not given.  Extra credit is not given to increase grades.  You are responsible for the grade you achieve in this class.

 

Tests/Quizzes/Assignments/Projects:

 

  1. Tests and quizzes: Tests and quizzes (comprehension checks / pop quizzes) will be administered throughout each nine weeks.  Weekly quizzes and unannounced pop quizzes may occur.  Information from any classroom activity, handout, reading, assignment, etc. may appear on tests and/or quizzes.  Any previous topics, vocabulary, learned concepts/skills will also appear on assessments. 

  2. Assignments / Projects: Regular homework assignments are to be expected as well as expressive assignments/projects. Reading assignments are also given.

  3.  Pre-Benchmark Testing: This will be given at the beginning of school to assess any prior knowledge you have of ASL.  The grade you receive will not penalize you.

  4. Expressive Evaluations:  Expressive evaluations (YOU signing) will be scheduled throughout the year.  The purpose of these evaluations is to assess your progress and assist you in becoming more confident in your signing skills and communicating with others.

  5. Mid-term Research and Presentation

  6. Mid-term Evaluation:   A comprehensive receptive and/or expressive  evaluation of material covered from the beginning of school to mid-term may be given.  

  7. End of Year Presentation,  Receptive and Expressive Evaluations: You will have a final project or presentation to sign in ASL (this is not the semester final and may not be exempted).  You may be administered a comprehensive receptive and expressive evaluation.

  8. Post Benchmark: A post-benchmark test will be given to assess your knowledge of ASL presented in this class which will be compared to the pre-benchmark test taken at the beginning of school.

  9. Final Evaluation - Final exams are given.  Exemptions will depend upon administration guidelines. 

  10. Make-up work policy:  Make-up tests/quizzes/assignments may differ in format from the original.  Please refer to the OPSB / WMHS student handbook regarding test and assignment make-up policies at  gorebs.org or opsb.net ((https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-6uhY3JeDSDuDOhF2PdTeVIJXv0iq7XW/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=105197668154823640173&rtpof=true&sd=true) . Make-up tests/quizzes will differ in format from the original. Students may not make-up work if missed work is a result of skipping class.

  11. Late assignments (homework, presentations, etc),  are subject to a 20% deduction for each day it is late (including not turned in within the allotted time after an absence). 

 

GRADING SCALE: 

 

A  100-93

B  92-85

C  84-75

D  74-67

F  66-0

      

CLASS RULES AND CONSEQUENCES (including for Minor and Major Offenses):

 

Class Rules:

 

  • Be respectful to the teacher and your classmates.  Respect one another regardless of differing viewpoints.   Be kind and encouraging to your classmates.

  • Be punctual to class. Tardiness is a write-up.

  • You are to attend your bathroom needs prior to class.  Leaving class for the bathroom will be allowed for urgent and/or medical reasons.  Medical reasons must be documented with the school.   

  • No cell phones.  Cell phones must be off and out of sight.  This includes any electronic devices such as iPad, smart watch, airpods, etc.

  • No hoodies, hats, caps, beanies, do rags etc.  Follow the OPSB and WMHS Dress Code.   

  • Keep your area clean. Throw your trash away.  Pick up after yourself, put classroom books/supplies/other materials etc. back in their proper place.

  • Follow teacher directions and remain seated and quiet while the teacher is teaching/giving instructions.  Disruptive behavior will result in a call to your parent / guardian and behavior write-up.  

  • Only administration may call you out of class.  If a teacher/coach needs you, this will be confirmed with the teacher/coach and only approved for urgent/excused matters.  

 

WMHS Rebel Rules:

 

  • Respect Yourself  

  • Respect Others  

  • Take Responsibility for Your Actions

 

Behavioral Consequences: 

 

  • Minor offenses (PBIS):

    • 1st : Conference with Student

    • 2nd: Minor Infraction Assignment/Parent Contact

    • 3rd: Office referral

  • Major offenses: Major offenses will automatically be an office referral  

 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:  Cheating and plagiarism will NOT be tolerated inside or outside of the classroom (including online).  Cheating includes copying another person’s work. If cheating or plagiarism occurs, you will receive a grade of a ZERO, a call to your parent/guardian, and a REFERRAL to your administrator.   

 

ATTENDANCE and TARDIES:

 

 

 





 

CONFIRMATION OF READING AND UNDERSTANDING OF

ASL I 2024-2025  SYLLABUS and WMHS STUDENT HANDBOOK  

Copy of Syllabus given to student and posted in Google Classroom


 

Please read and have your parent/legal guardian read the syllabus, complete the Demographic section below, and sign at the bottom of this page.  Return to the teacher no later than Friday August 16, 2024.   

 

 

Demographics

 

This form is to be completed and signed by the student and parent/s or legal guardian/s.  Return this form to Dr. Pettit by Friday August 23, 2024

 

1.  Student’s full name:________________________________________________________

 

     Name by which student prefers to be addressed:_____________________________________

 

2.  What is your school issued email address? ________________________________________

 

3.  What is the best email address by which to reach your parent/s or legal guardian/s? 

 

________________________________________________________________________

 

4.  What is the best phone number/s by which to reach your parent/s or legal guardian/s?

 

________________________________________________________________________


 

  1. My signature below is confirmation that I (parent/guardian) have read the  ASL I 2024-2025 Syllabus and I understand that it is subject to change.

 

  1. My signature below is confirmation that I (parent/guardian) have read  the WMHS 2024-2025  Student Handbook.

 

  1. My signature below is confirmation that I (parent/guardian) completed the Demographic section above.

 

 

__________________________

Parent/Legal Guardian Printed Name


 

__________________________ _________________________

Parent/Legal Guardian Signature Date