Courses of Study

Communication
Interpersonal Mode
American Sign Language (2017)
Grade(s): K - 8
Novice Mid Proficiency Range
All Resources: 2
Classroom Resources: 2
1) Exchange simple information using American Sign Language.

a. Communicate on very familiar topics using a variety of words and phrases.

b. Make simple statements in a conversation.

c. Ask simple questions.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Communication
Modes Of Communication:
Interpersonal Mode
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • contribute to a conversation on a very familiar topic.
  • ask and answer questions about likes and dislikes of familiar topics.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • vocabulary for commenting in a conversation on a very familiar topic using brief phrases.
  • vocabulary for stating an opinion of liking or not liking a familiar topic.
  • vocabulary and grammatical structures to ask and answer simple questions.
  • rules for use of the correct non-manual marker for a question.
Skills:
Students are able to:
  • ask and answer who, what, where questions about a very familiar topic.
  • use the appropriate NMM for a y/n or wh question.
  • state if they like or do not like a familiar topic.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • effective communication requires knowing how when and why to say what to whom.
  • the purpose of language study is to communicate so one can understand others and be understood.
  • other understandings will depend on the theme being taught.
Interpretive Mode
American Sign Language (2017)
Grade(s): K - 8
Novice Mid Proficiency Range
All Resources: 1
Classroom Resources: 1
2) Demonstrate an understanding of simple American Sign Language presented through live and recorded resources on familiar topics.

a. Recognize everyday words and phrases on topics related to personal experiences.

b. Identify handshapes.

c. Categorize vocabulary in predictable topic areas.

d.Differentiate between statements and questions, including corresponding non-manual markers.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Communication
Modes Of Communication:
Interpretive Mode
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • recognize learned vocabulary words and phrases while viewing ASL.
  • identify handshapes from viewed ASL.
  • differentiate between statements and questions in viewed ASL.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • rules for viewing signing.
  • meanings of viewed signs from taught vocabulary.
  • rules to interpret simple non-manual markers for grammatical meaning.
Skills:
Students are able to:
  • understand meaning from viewing signed words and phrases.
  • understand when a statement is made in ASL.
  • understand when a y/n question is asked in ASL.
  • understand when a WH question is asked in ASL.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • effective communication requires knowing how when and why to say what to whom.
  • the purpose of language study is to communicate so one can understand others and be understood.
  • other understandings will depend on the theme being taught.
    • handshapes carry meaning.
Presentational Mode
American Sign Language (2017)
Grade(s): K - 8
Novice Mid Proficiency Range
All Resources: 0
3) Present information to an audience of viewers in American Sign Language.

a. Present information about selves using a variety of words and phrases.

b. Create recordings in ASL about daily activities.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Communication
Modes Of Communication:
Presentational Mode
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • present information about themselves using a variety of learned words and phrases in ASL to an audience of viewers.
  • can create a recording in ASL using learned words and phrases about daily activities.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • vocabulary to talk about themselves.
  • vocabulary to talk about their daily activities.
  • procedures for using recording equipment.
Skills:
Students are able to:
  • present to an audience of ASL viewers memorized phrases of information about themselves and their daily activities.
  • maintain eye gaze appropriate for presentations.
  • use recording equipment.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • effective communication requires knowing how when and why to say what to whom.
  • the purpose of language study is to communicate so one can understand others and be understood.
  • other understandings will depend on the theme being taught.
  • sharing information is an important part of Deaf culture they can use ASL to share information about themselves.
Cultures
American Sign Language (2017)
Grade(s): K - 8
Novice Mid Proficiency Range
All Resources: 0
4) Investigate, explain, and reflect on the relationship among the products, practices, and perspectives of the Deaf culture.

a. Name practices observed in festivals, holidays or daily life.

b. Identify landmarks and symbols of the Deaf culture.

c. Identify similarities and differences between the Deaf and hearing cultures.

d. Describe tangible products from the Deaf culture.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Cultures
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • name a festival or a special day observed in Deaf culture.
  • name a landmark or symbol important in Deaf culture.
  • state similarities and differences between Deaf and hearing cultures.
  • describe tangible products from the Deaf culture.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • certain days and events are important in Deaf culture.
  • certain landmarks and symbols are important in Deaf culture.
  • Deaf culture produces tangible products.
Skills:
Students are able to:
  • name a festival or a special day observed in Deaf culture.
  • name a landmark or symbol important in Deaf culture.
  • state similarities and differences between Deaf and hearing cultures.
  • describe tangible products from the Deaf culture.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • an ability to communicate in ASL fosters a better.
  • understanding of the Deaf culture and his/her own language and culture.
  • custom and tradition vary within Deaf cultures.
  • Deaf culture differs from hearing culture in many ways.
  • Deaf culture is similar to hearing culture in many ways.
    • certain days are celebrated or observed by people in the Deaf culture.
  • Deaf culture produces tangible products.
Connections
American Sign Language (2017)
Grade(s): K - 8
Novice Mid Proficiency Range
All Resources: 0
5) Link American Sign Language and other subject areas to acquire information and develop diverse cultural perspectives.

a. Acquire and expand vocabulary related to age-appropriate school content.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Connections
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • use ASL language skills to investigate areas beyond the ASL classroom.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • ASL is used daily by many Deaf and hearing people in America and other places in the world.
Skills:
Students are able to:
  • use ASL language skills to investigate areas beyond the ASL classroom.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • proficiency in ASL is a vehicle to gaining knowledge that can only be acquired through that language and its culture.
  • ASL can be used to learn all school subjects.
Comparisons
American Sign Language (2017)
Grade(s): K - 8
Novice Mid Proficiency Range
All Resources: 0
6) Investigate, analyze, and reflect on similarities and differences between American Sign Language and English.

a. Use examples of personal and possessive pronouns in ASL.

b. Compare word order of English and American Sign Language.

c. Compare and discuss gestures used by hearing people that are also used in ASL.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Comparisons
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • investigate personal pronouns in ASL.
  • compare word order of English and ASL.
  • discuss gestures used by hearing people that are also used in ASL.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • indexing/pointing is used for personal pronouns in ASL.
  • personal pronouns in ASL are gender neutral.
  • ASL has word order that can be different than English word order.
  • some gestures used by hearing people are a part of ASL.
Skills:
Students are able to:
  • use indexing for personal pronouns in ASL.
  • recognize some examples ASL word order.
  • recognize some gestures used by hearing people that are a part of ASL.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
    • by learning another language one can better understand how the native language works.
    • ASL uses indexing for personal pronouns.
    • ASL has various acceptable word order formats; some similar to and some different from English.
    • Deaf people understand and use gestures that are common in hearing culture.
American Sign Language (2017)
Grade(s): K - 8
Novice Mid Proficiency Range
All Resources: 0
7) Investigate, analyze, and reflect on similarities and differences between the Deaf and hearing cultures.

a. Compare and contrast intangible products (poems, rhymes, stories, jokes) of the hearing and Deaf cultures.

b. Analyze the daily routines and celebrations (holidays) of the hearing and Deaf cultures.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Comparisons
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • compare intangible products of the hearing and Deaf cultures.
  • discuss daily routines of hearing and Deaf cultures.
  • discuss celebrations of hearing and Deaf cultures.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • Deaf culture has poetry, story-telling, and jokes in ASL.
  • Deaf culture celebrates certain days/events that the hearing culture at large does not recognize.
Skills:
Students are able to:
  • name a Deaf culture celebration.
  • explain/show a simple ASL poem, story, or joke.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • custom and tradition vary within the Deaf culture, as well as between Deaf and hearing cultures.
  • by studying another culture, one can better understand and appreciate their own.
  • other understanding will depend on theme being taught.
  • there are products specifically designed for Deaf people.
  • Deaf culture has poetry, story-telling, and jokes in ASL.
  • Deaf culture celebrates certain days/events that the hearing culture at large does not recognize.
Communities
American Sign Language (2017)
Grade(s): K - 8
Novice Mid Proficiency Range
All Resources: 0
8) Acquire the ability to interact in the Deaf culture beyond the classroom and set goals for life-long learning.

Examples: Interact with speakers of American Sign Language in person or virtually.

Unpacked Content
Goals:
Communities
Evidence Of Student Attainment:
Students:
  • acquire the ability to interact in the Deaf culture beyond the classroom.
Performance Descriptors:
Knowledge:
Students know:
  • there are places where Deaf people and hearing signers meet for social interaction.
Skills:
Students are able to:
  • identify date/time/place where Deaf people and hearing signers meet for social interaction.
Understanding:
Students understand that:
  • ASL is used daily by Deaf people as their primary and preferred mode of communication across all parts of their lives.
  • ASL can help one better understand the world around them.
    • the study of ASL expands one's opportunities.
  • ASL is a tool to connect with the world.
  • there are places in their community where they can use ASL language skills to interact with others.