Monday November 29th: Group Meeting #4: Create a story

Story TIme!

Each group member is to bring 20 signs to your next meeting. These signs are to be taken from the vocabulary that we have learned over the past semester. Write them down on flash cards and review you signs with your group. After all students have completed this, put all the cards in a pile in front of you. You must then each take turns drawing and together work to create a story based on what is drawn!

Be sure to bring your flash cards to class next Monday. We will do something similar to this in class with all of the cards the students created.

The Goals for this assignment:
*Review vocabulary and test your memory
*Be able to think and converse in sign naturally
*Help each other produce correct signs and use correct ASL grammar

Have fun!

Monica

Blog #10: Fairy Tales

It is time for you to begin developing your fairy tales that you will perform for class during week 15. Before you begin, I have selected two stories for you to watch and comment on. Please comment on what you think that these students did well and what they need to improve. What do you think will be easiest and most difficult for you as you develop your stories? What can you do to help yourself?
I would like you to watch these two fairy tales created by ASL students.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8El0YAMWmU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt72ewESdZY&feature=related

Blog #9 :The Influence from the Hearing! Interesting!

This is just really interesting. It discusses the hearing communities influence in ASL. I have explained that since ASL existed that the hearing community has tried to change it or create a completely different method of signing. This clip is discussing the sign, " YOUR WELCOME". Help each other understand. Also, what is your two cents?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl5_xo_wGVg&feature=related

Group Meeting Topic #2

Group Meeting Topic #2: Our Futures

Interview all your group members about their futures. Create 10 questions that you will ask them. This needs to be turned these in to me. Your questions need to be written in ASL. Conduct an interview asking all group members your questions in ASL. After you have completed this, select one group member to discuss in class next week Monday. Summarize the interview (write it in ASL) and share it with us on Monday.

Remember! There should be no talking during your meeting at all.

Each topic will be given on Monday and signed on the following Monday. Be prepared and ready to go at the start of our class meeting.

I will collect: Questions and Summary

Have fun!

Monica

Remember to Study!

Be sure to review the study guide that I passed out this week. We will have our first receptive exam on Monday.

Monica

Feedback and Group Meeting Information

BE ADVISED: I feel like Liam in this picture. I tend to take you all under my wing and try to protect you too much. I give too much at times and it does not help you, it only creates false ideas of what my class is and what learning this language really entitles. I need to help you by challenging you to leave the nest, and letting you fall a bit but then you will soar. Be prepared. I am nudging you all out of my protective arms and nest very soon. But, you are ready. I would not push you out, if I did not think so.



Hello Everyone,

Be sure to respond to our blog post for this week as well.

We are now ready to move on with our agenda now that we have completed our "How-To Midterms". I am glad that they are behind us and we can move on. They took too long and I am happy to start our lessons again.

I did not have a written exam as scheduled on the syllabus because I wanted to allow you to focus on the How-To Midterm. I have decided to do that next week Monday, Nov 15th. I will cover all of the vocabulary and concepts that we have covered with our weekly lessons (Dear Abby, Conflicts, To Inform, Classifiers). Please be sure to review our lists ASAP. You may also study at my home after we have completed our dinner on Sunday night.

I would like to say that I would like to see you push yourselves more and give more to your assignments and exams. This does not mean that I do not think that you are not doing a good job, but I will say I do think many of you can do better. I would like for the class to stay relaxed and comfortable but I need all of us to step it up a notch. This means, I will expect more from you and you can in return expect more from me. If I give you class time, use it and use it wisely. I have agenda I push back when I give you those times. Take the time in class to ask me questions and have me look over your work. I would be happy to do so and I want to HELP you do the best you can. Please be ready for each class meeting. This means that I would like you to enter our classroom in our targeted language and stay in it the entire hour. If we have assignments, please have them out and ready to discuss or hand in.

Your weekly meetings outside of class have begun. Start ASAP. I have listed the directions here.

Group Meeting Topic #1: Where in the World Am I?

Think of a place that you would like to take your group members. Write one paragraph and translate it into ASL. Be sure it is as visual as possible and that you do not omit any small details. Bring this to your meeting but do not show anyone. Sign this to your group. When you have completed, everyone is to guess where they think you are. This is all to happen in ASL. There should be no talking during your meeting at all. Each student is to take their turn. When you have completed, select one to sign to the class on Monday.

Each topic will be given on Monday and signed on the following Monday. Be prepared and ready to go at the start of our class meeting.

Assigned Groups:

The Pinkie Plus Two: Emily, Amanda, Josie

The Drag Queen and Her Ladies: Jared, Morgan, Hilary

The Hots, Not Colds: Halie, Jazmine, Jeff

Best!

Monica

Blog #8:Drop ASL/Deaf friends for some time to improve in English?!

Please watch this clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ybmS5OKhTU

What are your thoughts? Share with each other. Do you think this would hinder or be helpful? Why or why not. Also, ask any questions you may have here about the clip and seek help from you classmates.

Enjoy!

Monica

Classifier Website

http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-layout/classifiers.htm

Blog #7: ASLfilms

Please view
http://aslfilms.com/

ASL Films is an independent, deaf owned and operated production company for all feature film media. Founded in 2005 by partners Mark Wood and Mindy Moore, ASL Films is committed to creating sophisticated entertainment with an appeal that both inspires and rewards sponsors and audiences alike. At its inception the company made its first mark producing a feature length film, Forget Me Not which was a huge success that earned many raves and encores from all over the country.

ASL Films has recently produced another feature length film, Wrong Game that gave ASL Films the reputation of producing cutting edge films in ASL specifically tailored for audiences that shares the common language.

The company is currently preparing for another production, The Legend of The Mountain Man, a family adventure and drama that follows children from a dysfunctional family that were sent away to their grandparents and there, they encounter a unknown creature. The film will make its debut in Fall 2008.


These films are completely signed in ASL! They look amazing and I would love the opportunity to watch one in class. Please view the trailers for all of the ASLfilms and comment on which one you would like to see in class and why. Browse around and comment on what you learn.

Cool huh?

I cannot wait to see what you pick!

Monica

Vocab List part 1

Conflict Vocabulary

1. Dr. Kevorkian
2. Dr. Death
3. Suicide=kill self
4. Assisted
5. Chronic Pain =cont. pain
6. Consent/Permission
7. Desperate =beg/want
8. Humane =suffer stop
9. Terminally Ill =will die
10. Suffer
11. Euthanasia =death injection
12. Murder
13. Oregon
14. Patient
15. Mentally Sound = decision able
16. Drugs
17. Event = (Happen)
18. Prepared=plan
19. Law
20. Constitution/Unconstitutional =law with “C”
21. Right (as in choice, it is my right)

Vocab:
FOREST =tree plural
DESTROY
CUT =trees cut down ++++
USE
FUEL =gas
RELEASE
OXYGEN =abb.
CARBON DIOXIDE =abb
WOOD
FARMING
WAR
URBANIZATION =city development
GROWTH
GLOBAL WARMING
CLIMATE =weather
LOCAL
PLANTS
ANIMALS
FLOOD
SOIL EROSION
RECYCLE
LAW

VOCAB.

birth control=BC medicine or prevents pregnancy
condom
school (HS)
college
nurse
sex
safe
STD's = sex disease spread
promote =support
teen =ta on face


Vocab.

Business
Caught in the act!
Command =order
Company owner =”CO” have er
Company/organization
Decision
Depend
Employee =work er
Failure
Follow
Government
Honest
Illegal
Important
Issue/conflict
Judgment
Law
Major
Manager= control er
Moral
Profit =benefits
Refuse = reject thumbs down
Regulation/rule
Responsibility
Safe
Use


Vocab.
Capital Punishment/Death Penalty
Live
Die
Law
Crime =steal or wrong do
Murder
Prison/Jail
Execution
Lethal Injection
Electric Chair =chair electric zap
Deterrent = learn from exposure
Rehabilitation =looks like help with an “R”
Heinous=awful
Morality
Conservatives
Liberals =”L” free
Justice =equal
Controversial =conflict

WORDS
Abortion
Baby
Legal
Illegal
Personal rights
Right
Wrong
Liberal
Conservative
Protest
Support
Adoption
Moral
Acceptance
Murder
Religion
Fetus =before baby born
Conception =become pregnant

Conflict Assignment

FOR FRIDAY:

• HAVE A LIST OF YOUR IMPORTANT VOCAB. READY TO TEACH. LIST IT ON THE BLOG.
• HAVE AN OVERVIEW OF YOUR CONFLICT ON THE BLOG AND BE READY TO DISCUSS WITH THE CLASS ON FRIDAY OR MONDAY
o BE SURE TO INCORPORATE:
 CONJUNCTIONS
 TENSES
 RH QUESTIONS
 TOPICS

Weekly Agenda #6 & Feedback

Hello Everyone! This is my sister and my niece. My sister wrote and illustrated the book she is signing to my niece! Amazing what you can do with Sigh Language!

Here is this weeks agenda.

For Wednesday:

_-you are to select a topic that is controversial and meaningful to you. You need to bring a list of vocabulary that you need to know in order to discuss your topic. I will cover general vocabulary for conflicts and review some key grammar components.

Conflicting Vocabulary:

conflict
agree
disagree
thoughts
knowledge
ideas
opinions
preach
important
factual
right
wrong
argue
discuss
values
oppression
norms
religion
needs
current
world
family
workplace
global
personal
personality
international
hypocrite
increase
decrease
resolution



-The grammar component that you will want to use here would be (but not limited to) conjunctions, tenses and topics. Think about how you can incorporate find, happen, wrong, hit, or frustrate into your discussion. Also, think about how you will introduce your topic to use. You will want to present the topic and then go in logic order when explaining your topic.

For Friday and Monday:

-you will teach us your vocabulary and then present both sides or your conflict.

For Next week:

You will need to select something you wish to present to the class for your How-to Midterm. Directions will be handed out soon. You may do anything you would like. In the past I have had students show us how to: carve pumpkins, make cookies, ride a horse and more. What you will present about needs to be decided by next week Monday. Presentations will take place week 8.

Blog #6: Deaf Culture vs. American Culture

Please watch this clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7MlcjGH7os


What are your thoughts and feelings in regards to this? How can Deaf people embrace their culture and the American Culture without conflicting the other?

Blog #5:No Blog This Week!

No Blog this week. I apologize for this. I do not have internet access at my home this week and have been home with sick children.

Weekly Agenda #4 & Feedback

BE SURE TO READ THE WEEKLY BLOG TOO!

Nuamin is trying so hard to get a drink of water. It reminds me how hard all of you are all working and how you must feel right now. Feel like you are never quite going to get it? You will, honest. I do know how hard this is and I want you to know I appreciate how hard you are working. Thank you!


I know what we are doing is not easy and takes a lot of time and effort but your efforts will pay off in the end. Conversing naturally, as we are trying to do through these activities will help your fluency. I can already see improvements! Thank you for giving me the freedom to make this class as conversational as possible. I know it can sometime seem a bit too informal, but conversing is the key and to learn to converse, you just have to do it. I know that there is not a lot I can give you to help you translate your assignments, except guidance. Please just remember to look for the concepts of your words and sentences and ask me when necessary. I would be more than happy to help you. Please never hesitate to ask me. You get assignment points in the beginning but you are not being penalized for right or wrong just yet. I will let you know when that is the case.

Feedback to each of you....Can you guess who you are? I believe that positive feedback should be shared publicly. That way we can all see what how each other is doing and learn from it.

Make-up artist..very clear and crisp signing and good pronoun placement. Your style is easy to watch and has a nice smooth quality to it.

Interpreter in Training...I know you were having problems with the vocabulary last week but this week your signs were executed very well. Confidence in self will do wonders.

Future Social Studies Teacher of the Year...Good body shifting when narrating your letter, vocab. is growing. Nice casual style to signing.

Cat Eyes..your signs are becoming clearer each day. You did a good job translating your first Dear Abby letter.

Pretty in Pink..wealth of vocabulary and clear signs. The complexity of your letter was challenging but you did a good job. It is apparent you are signing outside of class!

Banker Boy...Your ability to remember signs is helping you create good translations. Willingness to learn and enjoying the class makes your signing good.

Fisherwoman...Your translations were very good, sign vocab is building nicely. Asking questions is a great way to learn...keep it up and keep them coming.

Newcomer...Catching on very fast! Good signing and nice translations, vocab is increasing daily. Your willingness to accept another Instructor and embracing differences will only enhance your signing!

I Like Them Tall...very good attentiveness, signs are produced very clear and vocab continues to grow, translations good. Your dedication in class is really paying off..you have come a long way already!



I had this schedule in class on the board but I wanted to put it here for you as well.

Week Schedule #4

*For Wednesday's assignment you need to bring a newpaper article to class. Make sure it is brief and not too complex. THIS DOES NOT NEED TO BE TRANSLATED. This assignment is not to be translated as our letters where. Instead, we will read them and inform each other what our article is about by paraphrasing.
*Respond to the Blog every Tuesday at 12:00am and Thursday at 12:00am
*Will learn news related vocabulary on Wednesday.
*Friday is a workday. Work on your music video. The final draft is Due the following Friday (Oct. 8th) NOT Monday Oct. 4th.
*Inform the class about your article on Monday Oct. 4)

Check this out on aslpro. It shows how some English phrases are translated into ASL.
http://www.aslpro.com/cgi-bin/aslpro/phrases.cgi

Blog #4: For Years, Deaf Boys Tried to Tell of Priest’s Abuse

This is a horrible reality of how deaf children are often taken advantage of. Please read and watch the information that I have included. I would like you to do some research on this problem in the Deaf Community and post your findings and comments here. What can be done?


http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/27/us/27wisconsin.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_6lMoiD5B8

Dear Abby Assignment

Cherie is so thrilled you are continuing to learn sign she asked me to include this picture!

Hello All,

Be sure to bring the Dear Abby Letter to class that we worked on today to sign on Friday.

You also need to bring a NEW Dear Abby letter that is ASL translated and ready to be signed to the class for Friday. Please use your ASL book from last year to help you write in ASL. Use the format that the book uses. There is an ASL book in the Language Center or on my desk.

For correct grammar order remember:

* Look for tenses
* Look for topics
* Look for object subject verbs
* Look for where you can place rhetorical questions (eyebrows raised with WH sign) in the place of, because
* Decide if ASL conjunctions are necessary
* Consider what the concepts are
* Decide if you should incorporate the use of very
* Pronouns placed properly? How will you discuss each person? Where will you place them?
* Would a classifier be a better choice then several unnecessary English words?

Be sure to look over your Dear Abby vocabulary list again and be sure you know all of the vocabulary. If you have trouble remembering, I would go to aslpro for assistance.

We will have a full class discussion on your letters and offer advise in the correct grammatical order on Friday. Remember advice signs first!

Please ask for help here. Feel free to ask your fellow classmates about questions you have. Some questions you may have would include: What sign should I use here? How can I set this up and stay the narrater, How do I structure the sentence?

I am looking forward to it!

Monica

Blog #2: Have a Ball!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOoIcuA-0A4&feature=related

Ben Bahn is an incredible storyteller. He produces stories that are incredibly entertaining as well as rich in ASL structure and grammar. In class I have been stressing the importance of placement. Placement and how we use space in ASL is crucial for the receivers to understand who or what you are discussing. I have selected a clip that uses several classifiers and placement. I also want you to notice eye gaze, body language, body shift, facial expressions, and vocabulary. All of these things together will help you become more fluent. Additionally, all of these things will help you with our Dear Abby unit and in creating your music video.

Please answer the following questions.

1. What did you notice about how the space was used in the story? How did he use space?
2. How did Ben shift from character to character?
3. What facial expressions were used and what did they mean?
4. What vocabulary was used?
5. What did this teach you?

Assignment Reminder!

Reminders!


Post your comments by 12:00am tonight on "Have a Ball".

Be sure to bring a Dear Abby article to class to translate and sign for Wednesday.

Continue to work on your ASL music video

Blog #1: Meet RosaLee

Hello and Welcome! Please be sure to download a picture of you so that we may see who is commenting. Thanks!

I cannot wait to begin our vlog/blog journey and learn together! Each week we will come together through vlogging/blogging to increase our exposure to several different signers. Each Deaf person is unique and has a distinct way of signing. It is crucial that you expose yourself to this. This will increase your signing "bank" and allow you to understand a very diverse population of people.

Lets begin!


Does someone just plain inspire you! RosaLee inspires me and I cannot wait for you to watch her. You are in for a real treat! She is amazing and her story telling and music interpretation leaves you wanting more.

RosaLee is an incredible performer in the Deaf Community. She travels all over the United States and performs her one woman show (this is a dream of mine! Can you imagine?). She is Deaf and was born into a Deaf family. She is amazing to watch and captivates her audience with her incredible energy and unique insight into the Deaf world. I have selected her for this weeks vlog/blog for you to enjoy and share your feeling about her and comment on the message she is working hard to portray.

Please watch her video that explains what she is all about.

http://rosaleeshow.com/about/

After you watch her introduction video, please watch her music videos. RosaLee puts a unique spin on her translations. See if you can get the message and comment on each video. What is she is expressing? How is her translation different from the words, but still on target with the message of the song. Be patient and watch these videos several times. Feel free to ask each other for help as well.

http://rosaleeshow.com/tag/video/

Happy Watching!

Monica

What Would You Do?

Watch this clip on Joey's ASL vlog and comment on his question.

http://www.joeybaer.com/?p=183

ASL Teacher or Robot Teacher?

Please watch and comment on our dear Toby's discussion. What do you think of what he has to say? How do you think ASL should be taught? With the very small Deaf Community here in Duluth, what can I do to help you be more involved? (I have invited speakers but all are working and cannot attend class).

Also notice now he uses pronouns and location/space set up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff_PaPpQohI&feature=related

No Blog this week

Hello Everyone,

Please just work on your presentation and study for your exam this week.

Monica

Deafhope: End Domestic Violence

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SQPp7UTyIE

A poem about domestic violence

DeafHope is a nonprofit organization, established for and by Deaf women in January 2003. Their mission at DeafHope is to end domestic and sexual violence against Deaf women and children through empowerment, education, and services.

This mission will be achieved on three levels-by providing services to Deaf women and children who are survivors of domestic and sexual violence; by educating our community and service providers about domestic and sexual violence; and by providing statewide training and technical assistance to establish more Deaf-run services for Deaf survivors.

At DeafHope they rely on the empowerment model. They believe that Deaf women and children are not responsible for violence and they have a right to live in a healthy environment. They believe that Deaf survivors have the ability and right to make their own choices toward living independently and safely. As advocates, they provide support and information, working with her strengths, and only the survivor can make the best choices for her and her family.

Comment on the poetry and what is meant to you. Also discuss how the poetry can be compared to English poetry.

Deaf Jokes!

Humor is a huge part of Deaf Culture. Here are some popular jokes in the Deaf Community.

Watch the following videos and comment on your understanding of them. Which did you like the best and why? What was hard for you to understand? What is the underlying message in all of these jokes?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znP-va5KbCg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AjM3CNnaCg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqQIW1yrwx0&feature=related

Country Signs

http://www.aslresource.net/CountrySigns.html

I have found an incredible resource for all of you. It is a website that not only shows you a variety of country signs but it also demonstrates them as well. I thought this would be a great opportunity for you to learn country signs and lead us to a world discuss this week!

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Monica

Name Signs

Hello All,
Last week I gave all of you name signs. Be aware that this is not something to be taken lightly and having a name sign holds special responisbility. A name sign is to be cherished. You must earn your name sign. I have never before given my students name signs. Now that you have a name sign you must become more active in the Deaf Community and earn your place there. I believe that this class will do just that. But, I am asking you now, what will you do to earn your name sign? How will you become involved and remain involved with the community? Discuss with your classmates what you need to do to live up to your name sign.

I really want you to understand the importance of what I have given you. Please watch these two clips and comment on the information presented. What have these clips shown you about name signs?
On youtube please access these clips.

"A Open Letter For President Obama"

"Handing Out Name Signs"

Bells in ASL classrooms??? HUH?

As all of you know, students have a very difficult time not speaking during ASL class. In reality, this is considered very rude and disrespectful to Deaf people. I have struggled with this since I began teaching in 1998. I have always worked hard to make my students feel comfortable and at ease in my classroom and outside of it. Part of this is out of habit. Daily, I need to accommodate the hearing world and make them more comfortable with me. I want students to feel free to ask me anything and everything and by forcing them to sign only, students do not come to me. However, this is an ASL classroom and I am Deaf! Students should be able to give an hour of themselves three days a week when Deaf people are often forced to fit into the hearing world 24/7. Furthermore, they should be signing so that when they need to communicate with other Deaf people they are ready to do so. This vlog that I am going to have you watch and comment on is one idea a Deaf instructor uses in his classroom. I want you to comment on your thoughts and other ideas you have that may help students get the message. I also would like to hear your comments on how I can work to establish this all sign rule and still have students coming to me when they need to talk to me about personal things or class concerns.

Here is the address of Carl Schroeder' blog called Kalalau's Corner.

Enjoy!

http://carl-schroeder.blogspot.com/2007/02/table-bells-in-asl-classes.html