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American Sign Language 2

Mrs. Heymann
aheymann@pasco.k12.fl.us
(813) 794-9400
I am available for calls and return emails from 2-3pm.
Grading System
The following scale will be used to determine report card grades for each quarter:
Grade Percent Range GPA Value Definition
A 90 - 100 4 Outstanding Progress
B 80 - 89 3 Above Average Progress
C 70 - 79 2 Average Progress
D 60 - 69 1 Lowest Acceptable Progress
F 0 59

Textbook
Master ASL! by Jason Z. Zinza Chapters 6-10

Point Worth
Quizzes 50%
Class-work/homework 15%
Presentation 20%
Participation 15%
A peer-tutoring schedule will be developed at the start of school. Tutoring
will take place on Thursdays from 2pm -2:30 and will include ASL 3
students and myself or any help needed.
Extra Credit
Extra credit (5 point) will be given for the following:
Attending a Deaf/Silent Social related event with a short paragraph
explaining the event
Answering a posted extra credit question on a given Monday and turned in
on time (typically within two class dates)

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Course Description
The purpose of this course is to enable students to enhance acquired proficiency
in ASL through a linguistic, communicative and cultural approach to learning.
There is continued emphasis on the development of receptive and expressive
signing skills and on the acquisition of the fundamentals of applied grammar.
Cross-cultural understanding is fostered and real-life applications are
emphasized throughout the course.
Use of technology is strongly encouraged such as Power Points, Voice Threads,
apps, Youtube and Deaf/ASL related websites.
Topics in the textbook include but are not limited to:
Sports and Activities
My Daily Routine
Describing People
My Home and Community
Making Plans
Deaf culture
ASL literature
Objectives
1. Engage in conversations in ASL to express feelings, ideas and opinions.
2. Demonstrate understanding of expressive ASL on a variety of topics.
3. Present information and ideas to an audience through ASL.
4. Demonstrate understanding of social interaction patterns within ASL and
Deaf culture through participation in cultural activities.
5. Apply knowledge of ASL and Deaf culture to further knowledge of other
disciplines.
6. Analyze and use different patterns of communication and social interaction
appropriate to the setting.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of use of ASL within and beyond the school
setting.
8. Increase knowledge of ASL literature
Expectations for the student:
1. The student, while inside the classroom will communicate using ASL or
other forms of Total Communication (writing, mime, drawing, pigeon)
2. While in study groups the instructor expects the students to use their ASL
skills even when not talking about the subject matter. Use of ASL in the
classroom is not only beneficial to the students to increase their
expressive communication, it is culturally appropriate.
3. No Voice policy in the classroom is strongly enforced the first day of
American Sign Language.

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Attendance and Make-up Work
It is the responsibility of each students parent or guardian to explain his/her
students absence within two (2) days upon returning to school. The parent will
be required to justify each absence and that justification will be evaluated based
on criteria listed in the Student Code of Conduct that defines excused and
unexcused absences. Failure to provide requested documentation will result in
unexcused absences. Excused absences guarantee students the right to make
up any and all assignments given on the day(s) of absence at full credit. The
student is responsible for asking the teacher for assignments with in two (2) class
meetings with the teacher. The teacher shall specify a reasonable period of time
for completion of make-up work (excluding tests). In no case shall the time be
less than one full calendar day for each day missed. Work due to be turned in on
the day of the excused absence will be turned in and given full credit. IF YOUR
ABSENCE IS UNEXCUSED, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE-UP THE
WORK.
Missed tests will be given within a reasonable time period according to days
missed. Tests will take place on a laptop in the classroom providing there is an
availability of laptops that day. Because of the nature of this language, the tests
are given manually in ASL. Any test not involving direct ASL communication will
be given in class the next day of returning to class after the test is missed.
Typically there is one written and/or signed assignment a week. Late
assignments are not tolerated. Late homework will be given a zero grade.
Academic Dishonesty
I expect my students to act with integrity; therefore academic dishonesty will not
be tolerated and will be treated as a serious breach to the Code of Student
Conduct. Academic dishonesty occurs when a student uses or attempts to use
someone elses work in taking an exam, or submits as his or her won work
essays. Reports, classwork/homework, notes, or other assignments prepared by
someone else is also academic dishonesty. If this occurs, the teacher will make
a determination of grade and/or academic penalty or the incident can be reported
to the schools administration. The consequences may include, but are not
limited to the following: rewriting of the assignment, completion of another
exam/assignment, a zero percent grade (0%) for the exam or assignment, loss of
class privileges, or in-school suspension.
eSembler
eSembler is a web-based gradebook designed to increase parent involvement by
allowing parents to access their students grades. Although all faculty members
are required to post grades online, parents and students should expect that
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reasonable amount of turn-around time is needed to grade work and post it on
eSembler.
Tardiness
All students are expected to arrive on time for each class period. A student who
is later than five minutes to class is no longer considered tardy, but skipping
unless an excused admit is provided. Students will be subject to classroom and
school-wide disciplinary action as a result of tardiness.
Bathroom Passes
Please make sure the bathroom is used between bells. Passes will be issued for
bathroom use, however abuse of this will be taken away if a pattern has been
established.
Supply List
1. loose leaf paper
2. plastic one inch three ring binder
3. dividers(5)
4. pen/pencil
5. USB specific for ASL class
*You will receive extra points on your first quiz if you have items #1-5 on the list
by the end of the week.
Sign Language Cultural Event Opportunities












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Dear Students and Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to ASL 2. My name is Mrs. Heymann and many of you know me from
last year. This is my fifth year at Land OLakes. I am happy to be returning and
look forward to another great year together. I have been using ASL and total
communication for twenty years and looking forward to continue my teaching you
my love of this beautiful language.
By the end of this course, you should be able to converse in basic sign language,
but this will take some effort from you. You will have to make the effort to get
involved in using the language in the classroom from the moment you step into
the classroom. It is my hope our classroom will simulate an ASL immersion
environment. The only way to learn any language fluently is by using it on a daily
basis.
ASL is a visual language, so do your best not to use your voice. From the very
first day I will be teaching with my voice turned off, so you will do the same. This
is the best way to learn this languagedont be scared!!
Participation is very important in this course. ASL is a visual and gestural
language and your whole body will be engaged in learning this language.
Throughout the semester, we will be doing a number of classroom activities in
groups. These activities will be counted as classroom participation. This is worth
15% of your grade.
You will have presentations to do this year (one per each quarter). These
presentations will have you doing various things (i.e. discussing family,
demonstrating how to create something, signing a song, signing a book, etc).
You will be given a rubric before each project so you will know the expectations.
This is worth 20% of your grade.
Most Fridays will be a quiz/test. Some may be receptive in nature and some may
be on a chapter of a book read. We will review the day before they are given.
Quizzes and tests are 50% of your grade.
If you have any questions, please feel free to talk with me, or parents, you may
email me. We are going to have a wonderful year!
Good luck!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Heymann
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Please sign and return for an additional
5 points on your Friday quiz.

I have read the Syllabus for my ASL 2 class and I am familiar with the
requirements/expectations for the course (grading policy, late work,
make-up work, attendance/participation, rules, etc.).

Students Name (print)
_______________________________________________________
Students Signature
_______________________________________________________
Student Email ___________________________________________

I have received and read a copy of the syllabus for the ASL 2 class
my student is taking.
Parent/Guardians Name (printed)
__________________________________________
Parent/Guardians Signature
_________________________________________________
Email __________________________________________________
Home Telephone ________________________________________
Cell ___________________________________________________
Work Telephone ________________________