American Sign Language

Level 1
Ginny Moorefield
vmoorefield@eastwakeacademy.org
BA: American Sign Language, Gardner-Webb University
919-404-0444
RID:CI
HS
ASLTA:Professional
NCITLB - 2005281

Room 153,

Revised 6/16

I.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to introduce students to American Sign Language as well as the Deaf Culture,
Community and history. Students will learn to use the linguistic structure of American Sign Language (ASL)
both receptively and expressively. Students will also be exposed to Deaf Culture by having discussions on
issues affecting the Deaf with various members of the Deaf Community. Upon completion of th is course,
students will be able to participate in basic conversations in American Sign Language.
II.

STUDENT OBJECTIVES:

Completion of this course will result in the student:

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Using the target language to engage in interpersonal communication

Understanding words and concepts presented in the target language
Using the language to present information to an audience
Comparing and contrasting the students culture with the target culture
Demonstrating an appreciation for Diversity

** Students are prohibited from using this language inappropriately (IE interpreting in ANY situation as it
is illegal in NC to interpret without a license, using signs to cheat in or disrupt another class, using
inappropriate signs, or using the language in any way other than clear and open communication)
III.
STUDENT MATERIALS:
Group me This is a free app for the iPhone and Android that will allow students to stay connected
and text when they need help with anything. They can collaborate with each other in smaller
groups or with the class as a whole. We will do this on the first day of class REQUIRED

www.schoology.com (a free app is also available for iPhone and Android) REQUIRED

Access Code - 5DV62-F2NGR

Students are required to check Schoology as assignments, reminders and notes will be
posted DAILY. Students are responsible for all assignments posted on Schoology up until
5:00 pm. Any assignment posted after this time will not be due the next day. Parents are
also welcome to become members of this site to see what their students are doing in class,
however all requests for membership must be verified by the teacher. The site is

o
o

restricted to members of the ASL class and their parent/guardian. Please email Mrs.
Moorefield for your parent access code
Most homework assignments are REQUIRED to be posted to Schoology for grading.
Assignments will NOT be accepted through email, or any other means unless prior
approval is given
Most class sessions will be posted to YouTube (channel EWAASL) for any student who is
absent or who needs extra help

Consistent and dependable access to the internet and video recording/posting for daily assignments
and information REQUIRED
o

IV.

Students are required to have consistent access to either a smart phone or computer with
webcam and recording capabilities. Assignments will be given in which the student must
record themselves signing and post the video file to Schoology. Video recording is the only
way these assignments can be turned in. If a student does not have these capabilities,
he/she must make arrangements to borrow a device for all assignments. Late work is not
accepted for any reason unless prior approval has been given.

CLASSROOM RULES:

Students are expected to adhere to ALL of the following:

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
V.

Follow ALL school policies this includes uniforms

Take ownership of your own education
Respect Mrs. Moorefield, each other and yourself
Participation is mandatory
No food or drink (water in a CLEAR bottle with lid is acceptable) in the classroom
No talking/texting or anything other than paying attention in class
Respect the language and the people who use it
Dishonesty of ANY kind will not be tolerated (see Student Handbook)
Conduct yourself in a fashion that represents the values of East Wake Academy at all times
GRADING POLICIES:

Student grades will be based on the following

scale and criteria:
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = 59 or below

QUARTERLY GRADE:
Daily Participation 10%
Interpretive (receptive) 20%
Presentational (expressive) 20%
Grammar 20%
Cultural 20%
Project 10%
Final Exam 25% of TOTAL Grade

Proficiency
Level
Advanced
Proficient
Developing
Emerging
Beginning

No Attempt

Description

Grade

You add your own ideas, perspective, and style into what you do. You
are confident and have proved mastery in a particular skill
You are comfortable with the skill being taught and have almost
mastered the skill
You can meet the target proficiency level in familiar tasks and situations

90-100
A
80-89
B
70-79
C
60-69
D
59 and
below
F
0

You know what to do to meet the target proficiency level, but you need a
little extra help
You know what the target proficiency level is, but you are confused and
probably frustrated. You need some help to get started
You miss opportunities to demonstrate what you can do because you are
distracted or not participating

Student Responsibilities:
Students will be responsible for:
A. Daily Participation ASL ONLY will be used during class time. There is no voicing allowed during
class time unless it is a discussion day. Students will follow ALL classroom rules and policies as
outlined in the Student Contract. (see attached). Any talking, texting, or anything other than active
listening will result in a grade of 50 for the day on the first warning and a 0 for the day after the
second warning. Sleeping for any length of time is not permitted and will result in a 0 for the day.
Students are welcomed to stand at the back of the class to help them pay attention if needed.
B. Interpretive (Receptive) Activities, worksheets, assignments that will assess the students
ability to understand what is being signed to them.
C. Presentational (Expressive) Activities, video recordings, assignments that will assess the
students ability to express themselves in the target language. For all presentational assignments,
PLEASE WEAR SOLID COLORS NO SOLID WHITE, STRIPES OR PATTERNS. Please do not
record in front of windows or major light sources. These will make the video portion difficult to read
and could result in a grading error. Also, while recording at home, please be dressed fully and
appropriately.
D. Grammar Activities, worksheets, assessments that will assess the students understanding of the
grammar of ASL
E. Cultural Activities, readings, assignments that will require the student to explore the Deaf
culture/history/technology etc and compare it with their own
F. Projects students will be given the opportunity to express creativity and knowledge of various indepth topics within the Deaf Community/Culture/Language.
G. Substitute days In the event that Mrs. Moorefield is absent, students will be given an
assignment to complete and turn in by the end of class. Students are held to the highest of
expectations on days when supervised by a substitute or other faculty member.
H. If a student is absent, it is their responsibility to find out what was covered and make up work
that was missed. The goal is to be able to record and post all lessons to YouTube so that students
can review or catch up on what was missed
**NO ASSIGNMENT WILL BE ACCEPTED LATE UNLESS AN ARRANGMENT HAS BEEN MADE WITH MRS.
MOOREFIELD PRIOR TO THE DUE DATE OR UNLESS THE STUDENT WAS ABSENT**

*Extra Credit is NOT given on an individual basis. There will be many opportunities for Extra Credit
throughout the semester and it is up to the student to take advantage of them*

VI.

PROJECTED CLASS SCHEDULE

Topics to be covered:

Basic Grammar structures in ASL FLIP

Deaf/ASL History in America
Culturally appropriate Greetings, Introductions and Farewells
Sign Names FLIP
Negotiating the Signed Environment FLIP
WH and Y/N questions and Rhetorical Questions FLIP
Giving opinions
Plural Pronouns
Describing people (Classifiers)
Ranking and Listing/Age
Contrastive structure
Deaf Art (PROJECT)
MIDTERM PROJECT Its all about me
Time
Types of Verbs
Giving and receiving Directions FLIP
Address Numbers
Seasons (classifiers)

Mrs. Moorefield reserves the right to change, modify, or reschedule any of the assignments or policies of
this class should a legitimate need arise.

VII.

SOCIAL MEDIA

My personal Facebook page is just that PERSONAL. NO student will be admitted onto that page at any
time while they are a student at East Wake Academy. I ask any parent who may already be Friends or
who may know any of my Friends to please respect my privacy.
Students ARE allowed to follow my Twitter or Instagram if they wish. I do not follow students unless they
ask me to. I ask students to be responsible and respectful when using Social Media of any type. I am
always bound by ethics and law to report bullying, illegal activity and potentially harmful comments at any
time.

@herawesomenss9

@mrsmoorefield

VIII. PICTURES and VIDEO

During the course of this class, pictures will be taken of student work and antics to build community in the
classroom. Video recording is also used for grading purposes. Students are asked to respect their peers,
as well as myself, and ask permission before taking/uploading any pictures.

Any parent who does not wish for their child to be photographed or videoed for any non- essential pictures
or recording is asked to please contact me at vmoorefield@eastwakeacademy.org and make sure that your
student is aware of your wishes.
Parents are asked to fill out the Student/Parent ASL Contract and return it to me for my records. By signing
and returning this contract, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree with all policies
associated with this American Sign Language course. This also counts as your students first
Participation assignment.

IX. POWERSCHOOL
Parents/Guardians, please make sure that you email address and contact information is
correct in Powerschool. This is how I will communicate with you about your student. This information is
also used in the event of an emergency. If your email or contact information changes at any time, please
let me know so that I will have correct information for you in the event of an emergency or if I need to
contact you about your childs progress