American Sign Language

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Course Overview

In this ASL course, students will start by learning the basics like the five parameters of signing and the alphabet. They'll practice fingerspelling and get familiar with common greetings and colors. As they progress, they'll dive into more complex topics such as family relationships, emotions, and everyday activities. Each unit builds on what they've learned before, with plenty of opportunities for practice and review. By the end of the course, students will be able to converse in ASL on a wide range of topics, from talking about their families to discussing the weather or shopping. They'll also gain insight into Deaf culture and history, understanding how ASL is used in everyday life and its significance to the Deaf community. With these skills, students will be well-equipped to communicate effectively in ASL at the novice level and engage respectfully with Deaf individuals and communities.

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Sample Lesson - Introduction to ASL

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This course was developed by the International Academy of Science. Learn More

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Scope and Sequence

Unit 1: Greetings & Colors In this introductory unit, students will delve into the world of American Sign Language (ASL). They'll start by understanding the fundamentals, including the five parameters of signing and how to use them effectively. They'll master the basics of fingerspelling, become familiar with the ASL alphabet, and learn to sign common greetings. Alongside, they'll explore the vibrant world of colors, from the rainbow spectrum to more nuanced shades. By the end of this unit, students will be able to initiate conversations, introduce themselves, and describe basic visual concepts confidently. Unit 2: Family & Feelings Building on their foundation, students will delve into personal connections and emotions. They'll learn to sign numbers and family relationships, expanding their vocabulary to include kinship terms and expressions for feelings. Through interactive exercises, they'll practice describing family structures and expressing emotions accurately. By the conclusion of this unit, students will have the skills to discuss family dynamics and articulate their emotions effectively in ASL. Unit 3: Foods in the Kitchen In this unit, students will explore the culinary world through ASL. From fruits to vegetables, they'll learn to sign a variety of food items and describe mealtime routines. Through engaging activities, they'll develop the vocabulary to discuss recipes, ingredients, and cooking methods. By mastering the art of signing food-related concepts, students will be able to navigate kitchen conversations with ease and confidence. Unit 4: Money & Shopping Money matters take center stage in this unit as students learn to discuss financial transactions and shopping experiences in ASL. From understanding currency to expressing cost and explaining wages, they'll acquire the vocabulary and skills necessary for financial literacy. Unit 5: Seasons & Weather Transitioning to the natural world, students will explore seasonal changes and weather phenomena. They'll learn to describe weather conditions, seasonal activities, and environmental elements in ASL. By mastering the vocabulary for different seasons and weather patterns, students will be able to engage in conversations about nature and outdoor activities with fluency and precision. Unit 6: Activities & Sports This unit immerses students in the realm of leisure and physical activity. From sports to outdoor pursuits, they'll learn to sign a variety of activities and describe sports events. Through interactive exercises, they'll develop the vocabulary to discuss hobbies, pastimes, and recreational interests confidently. By the conclusion of this unit, students will be able to engage in conversations about leisure activities and sporting events with ease, as well as be introduced to the aspects of storytelling in ASL. Unit 7: Home & Neighborhood Exploring the concept of home and community, students will focus on describing living spaces and local environments. They'll learn to sign rooms in the house, neighborhood landmarks, and daily routines. Through interactive activities, they'll develop the vocabulary to discuss household chores, neighborhood places, and community workers such as first responders. By mastering the art of signing about home and neighborhood life, students will be able to navigate social interactions with fluency and cultural sensitivity. Unit 8: Describing People In this unit, students will delve into the art of describing individuals and physical attributes. From ethnicity to clothing, they'll learn to sign descriptive phrases and express personal characteristics. Through interactive exercises, they'll develop the vocabulary to discuss appearances, identities, and fashion styles. By mastering the art of signing about people and their attributes, students will be able to engage in nuanced conversations about identity and diversity. Unit 9: Time Time becomes the focal point in this unit as students learn to express temporal concepts and chronological sequences in ASL. From telling time to discussing holidays and events, they'll acquire the vocabulary and skills necessary for temporal communication. Additionally, they'll explore cultural aspects related to time, enhancing their understanding of temporal concepts within the Deaf community. Unit 10: Animals & Nature In the final unit, students will explore the wonders of the natural world through ASL. From animals to landforms, they'll learn to sign a variety of nature-related concepts and describe environmental phenomena. Through interactive exercises, they'll develop the vocabulary to discuss wildlife, ecosystems, and natural landscapes confidently. By mastering the art of signing about animals and nature, students will be able to engage in conversations about environmental conservation and ecological awareness.