ASL I, II & III McKinney Boyd High School

Welcome! I’m so glad you are here! FRONT:  name & what you go by  grade level (fr, soph, jr, sr)  any sports or hobbies you are involved in  names of the people you live with & their relation to you  anything else you want me to know about you BACK:  write your fall and spring schedule (separate sides of card)  Raise your hand when you are done and I will pick them up!

Before we begin… I’m so glad you’re here I love my job, and I love students! I look forward to getting to know you I have HIGH expectations for each of you This class is challenging, but a lot of fun! I will not talk too much this year. Seriously. You are expected to do the same! You will learn more. When I sign and tell you voice off, it means no talking or mouthing anything. Questions after class using your voice are fine! But do not speak during no voice activities. If you do, your grades will suffer and I may give you a disciple referral (for repeat offenders).

More… This is a performance-based class… that means you will be in front of people WEEKLY. –everyone gets nervous to speak in front of people so it is expected that everyone gives each other respect. If you have stage fright, sorry! I want you to enjoy this class. I want you to want to come! –realize this is NOT an easy A. You must complete your work everyday to learn how to communicate in ASL and earn a good grade. There is not another ASL teacher…you are stuck with me. ;) So let’s start the year off right! Pay attention, practice, be patient, eye contact is a must, and most importantly, participate!

Daily Expectations Always come to class with a cooperative attitude Be prepared (bring materials needed for class) when you walk in the door Take accountability for your actions –You are the only person responsible for how you act Treat me AND your peers with respect –Making fun of anyone will not be tolerated (automatic detention)

What do you do when you walk in…. When you come into this classroom, please check the board(s) Look for: Objectives-what you can expect today to learn in class & expect to do Calendar-look on your calendar that I am giving you today in your syllabus. Check and see what is there before you ask me! Get your spiral journal out of the milk crate & your ASL 3-ring binder Be ready to chat IN ASL about your day, weekend, life events, etc.

I want you to TRY to communicate in ASL. If that means fingerspelling & ask me how to sign something. That is fine. When I give you the sign, Sign the sentence again, correctly without the fingerspelled word. 5. Be ready for MANY activities. Rarely will you do 2 things. 6. At the end of class be ready to answer questions from me about What you learned today and any other questions you may still have About the days’ topic(s). 8. Be open minded. Be flexible. Be creative & be considerate of others Trying to learn and take the class seriously.

School Supplies Needed *A 1.5 in. 3-ring binder for only my classroom *1 box of Kleenexes or hand sanitizer *1 1-subject spiral notebook-wide ruled (to be kept in C108) *Multiple colored pens, highlighter, pencils & paper everyday!) *One package of note cards-(flash cards). **Later in the year you will need to buy posters for projects.** ASL II only-ear plugs-one set. ASL III only: the novel “A Loss For Words”

Syllabus Please read the syllabus, sign it, and share it with your parent(s)/gaurdian(s) Please make sure you understand EACH policy. Let’s clarify: If you are absent: Come before/after school to talk to me. Do not come talk to me about it during class OR between classes. Tutoring is on Tuesday and Thursdays after school. If you need to meet another day of the week, see me before/after school to set up a time

Tutoring is on Tuesday and Friday after school. If you want to meet another day of the week, please sign up ahead of time. I do not accept late work. If it is due Tuesday then make sure I get it that day. If you do not give it to me, it is a ZERO. Why? That is how it is in college. I want to prepare you for college classes. So don’t slack off and think that I will give you an extension. When I have a sub, you must do the work. It will ALWAYS be counted in the gradebook and MULTIPLE times. Do not test this and do zilch the day I am out.

CLASSROOM CLIMATE This year, my goal is for us to be supportive and have fun learning. We need to all strive to RESTIST SARCASM. It won’t be allowed. You will also need to remember NOT to use cell phones OR IPods. I WILL turn them into the principal the first time I see you using it. Treat others as you want to be treated. Respect others and value their opinions and work. How can you show this, by not talking when I talk or one of your peers is signing or teaching.

No Voice Important aspect of learning ASL Expected that students will resist speaking to communicate and rely only on learned ASL skills It will be challenging but well worth the effort! No Voicing means no one talking and you are trying to communicate in ASL only. If you cannot commit to trying to keep your voice OFF, please go to your counselor soon and let them know that ASL, a silent language, is not for you. ;) If you do not follow these procedures, you will face consequences.

Assessments I will sign a word/sentence in ASL (2-3 times) and you will translate into English. Some tests will include both receptive (I sign you write it down) and expressive (you sign & I write it down) components Tests can also include culture questions, journal work, etc.

Projects Graded according to corresponding rubric Some will be weighted more than others Appropriate use of ASL vocabulary and grammar will be a major factor in determining project grade. If you do not use facial expressions, you will possibly not pass!  You will have a mini-project or a full project with EVERY unit. That means a minimum of TWO every 9 weeks.

Daily Grades Participation in daily activities/class assignments Cooperation with group members No Voice Applying ASL vocabulary/skills to communicate When I have a sub, you must do the work. It will ALWAYS be counted in the gradebook & multiple times! ** I do not accept late work. – you may turn it in the day you return if you are out sick I will not give you an extension nor take off 30 points. If I tell you it is THAT day or else, I mean it.

Life happens –If something comes up that has you distracted or upset, please let me know before class starts –If you cannot get all or some of the school supplies, please come talk to me privately before/after school so we can work it out FYI

Final Thoughts Don’t be nervous –Remember, I have been in your shoes… I know it’s hard! Most important: be patient and respect the process, it’s not going to happen overnight. If you don’t understand, it’s OKAY, but you must speak up and tell me. You are responsible for what you learn in ASL.

Contact Please remember to check out the new website for answers to many of your questions: Please contact me via school e- mail or have your parents call me. All contact must be through your parent/guardian per MISD regulations.