2024-2025 School Year

American Sign Language 1 Honors GVL

Course Description

This is an introductory course in American Sign Language as developed and used by the Deaf community in most areas of North America. It consists of a preparatory phase to attune students to communication in the manual-visual mode, followed by instruction and practice in the alphabet, vocabulary, sentence structure, and elementary conversation. In addition, the course will address the Deaf culture and provide opportunities for the students to experience the Deaf community.

To be successful in this class:

Students must be able to maintain the atmosphere of a “silent classroom” (quiet with very little speaking) and devote time each day at home to practice the language and do homework. (Approximately 2 hours of homework each week outside of co-op).

Grades: 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade

Fees: $465

Course Credit: 1 foreign language (honors)

Honors Addendum Summary

All honors students will complete:

1. Extra homework assignments

2. Extra Test Questions

3.  An additional short presentation signing in front of the class

4. One assignment each semester from a list provided by the teacher.  Possible assignments include biographical paper, oral presentation, job shadowing and write reflection paper, view a movie and write reflection paper, and field trip to a deaf event and write reflection paper.

Specific assignments and details for honors work will be provided by the teacher.