West Monroe High School
ASL II
2024-2025 Syllabus
Instructor: Dr. Lorra Pettit
E-mail: lorra.pettit@opsb.net
Room 2208
CLASSROOM TEXTS/RESOURCES:
Main Texts/Curriculum:
Smith et al (2008). Signing Naturally Units 7-12. DawnSignPress.
Zinza J. E. (2006). Master ASL!- Fingerspelling, Numbers, and Glossing. Sign Media, Inc.
*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 reviews of the vocabulary and grammar studied in ASL I and continues with increasing knowledge and use of vocabulary and grammar skills. Receptive and expressive signing skills as well as understanding of glossing will be further developed. Students will continue to study ASL history and Deaf culture as well as receive further instruction on ASL as a language vs. manual methods of English (Signed English, Cued Speech, e.g.) and Deaf vs. deaf (including a review of ear anatomy/disorders/disease) . Interactive activities will be incorporated into daily lessons and on homework assignments to allow for rehearsal of skills. Evaluations, in various forms, will be administered to monitor student 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)
ASL I Review and Introduction to ASL II
Unit 7: Describing People and Things
Unit 8: Making Requests and Asking for Advice
Unit 9: Describing Places- Neighborhoods
Unit 10: Giving Opinions About Others
Unit 11: Discussing Plans and Goals
Unit 12: 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 II 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:
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.
Assignments / Projects: Regular homework assignments are to be expected as well as expressive assignments/projects. Reading assignments are also given.
Pre-Benchmark Testing: This will be given at the beginning of school to assess any prior knowledge you have of concepts / vocabulary at the level of an ASL II course. The grade you receive will not penalize you.
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.
Mid-term Research and Presentation
Mid-term Evaluation: A comprehensive receptive and/or expressive evaluation of material covered from the beginning of school to mid-term may be given.
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.
Post Benchmark: A post-benchmark test will be given to assess your knowledge of ASL II vocabulary and concepts presented in this class which will be compared to the pre-benchmark test taken at the beginning of school.
Final Evaluation - Final exams are given. Exemptions will depend upon administration guidelines.
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/assignments will differ from the original. Students may not make-up work if missed work is a result of skipping class.
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
Behavior 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:
Excused and Unexcused Absences:
Refer to the WMHS Student Handbook at gorebs.org or click this link: https://westmonroehigh.opsb.net/223460_2
Graded missed work will not be accepted. PBIS points may be deducted.
Tardies:
Refer to the WMHS Student Handbook at gorebs.org or click this link https://westmonroehigh.opsb.net/223460_2
Graded missed work will not be accepted.
CONFIRMATION OF READING AND UNDERSTANDING OF
ASL II 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?
_______________________________________________________________________
My signature below is confirmation that I (parent/guardian) have read the ASL II 2024-2025 Syllabus and I understand that it is subject to change.
My signature below is confirmation that I (parent/guardian) have read the WMHS 2024-2025 Student Handbook.
My signature below is confirmation that I (parent/guardian) completed the Demographic section above.
__________________________
Parent/Legal Guardian Printed Name
__________________________ _________________________
Parent/Legal Guardian Signature Date