American Sign Language 3

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
Signing Naturally Level 2 & 3
We will also be utilizing laptops, iPads and other supplementary texts in the
classroom. Textbooks may be checked out for over night use, but must be
returned the next day.
Point Worth
Quizzes 50%
Class work/homework 15%
Projects/Presentation 20%
Participation 15%
A peer-tutoring schedule will be developed at the start of school. Level 3
students may attend to help an ASL 1 student. Community service hours
will be issued for the 30 minutes of tutoring on the given day. Service
hours can also be issued for giving a make-up test to an ASL 1 and/or
ASL 2 student.
Extra Credit
Extra credit (5 point) will be given for the following:
Attending a Deaf related event with a short paragraph explaining the event
Answering a posted extra credit question on a given Monday and turned in
on time(within two class dates)
Course Description
The purpose of this course is to enable students to begin to acquire proficiency
and continued fluency in ASL through a linguistic, communicative and cultural
approach to learning. Emphasis placed 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.

Topics in the textbook include but are not limited to:
Making requests
Narrations and storytelling
Sharing facts in conversation
Explaining rules
Deaf culture and its history

Below is a general overview of our calendar of topics:

August-September
Animals and food
Cooking demo in sign
National anthem

October-November
Classifiers
Narrative and presentation on topic TBD
December
Unit 10 of textbook
January-February
Unit 19 textbook
March-April
Unit 20
Presentation and project with theme TBD
May-June
Unit 21 if time permit
Medical signs
Presentation with theme TBD

Technology
Use of technology is strongly encouraged such as Power Points, Voice
Threads, apps, Youtube and Deaf/ASL related websites. Smart phones are a
valuable asset in our classroom and will be used for educational purposes
only. It Is not necessary to have one, but will be beneficial.
Students can access vocabulary videos through my Connect web site at
http://connect.pasco.k12.fl.us/aheymann
Currently I am working on CANVAS, Pascos newest tool to integrate
classroom learning online. Stay tuned for more info!

Objectives
1. Engage in in-depth conversations in ASL to express feelings, ideas and
opinions.
2. Demonstrate competency in voicing, expressive and receptive skills.
3. Demonstrate understanding of social interaction patterns within ASL and
Deaf culture through participation in cultural activities.
4. Apply knowledge of ASL and Deaf culture to further knowledge of other
disciplines.
5. Analyze and use different patterns of communication and social interaction
appropriate to the setting.

6. Demonstrate proficient knowledge of ASL within and beyond the school
setting.
7. Demonstrate ASL narratives which is an important component culturally
as well as linguistically.

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.
3. Promote the use of ASL to beginning level students and show a respect of
the culture to native users.


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.
**Any project not completed on given date, will have 20 points taken off per
late day. (change in policy from last year)

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.
Another expectation under academic dishonesty is plagiarism. Plagiarism is the
"wrongful appropriation" and "purloining and publication" of another author's
"language, thoughts, ideas, or expressions," and the representation of them as
one's own original work. It is important that passages/sections used in any paper
or project are quoted and cited correctly to avoid teacher or administrative
consequence.
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
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. flash-drive specific for ASL class
6. email account
*You will receive extra points on your first quiz if you have items #1-7 on the list
by the end of the week.
Sign Language Cultural Event Opportunities
I will post Deaf related events for students to attend.
American Sign Language Honor Society (ASLHS) members will organize one
silent dinner per semester.

ASL Honor Society
At the third year of ASL, eligible students are invited to participate in the ASL
Honor Society. This is a national honor society and students will graduate with
academic recognition with appropriate cords and/medals. There is a fee for the
Honor Society.
Eligible students must:
1. Possesses an overall grade point average of 3.5 / B+ inhis / her ASL
coursework;
2. Possesses an overall grade point average of 3.2 / B in all other subjects;
3. Completion of at least five (5) hours of communityservice that benefits the
Deaf community.











Dear Students and Parents,
Welcome to ASL 3. My name is Mrs. Heymann and many of you know me
already. This is my fourth year at Land OLakes. I have been using ASL and
total communication for twenty years and looking forward to continue teaching
my love of this beautiful language.
By the end of this course, you should have the confidence to converse in sign
language and learn more about the Deaf World and its culture. Continue to get
involved in the Deaf community. 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. ASL
3 students should be proficient enough to communicate at this level.
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.
Sign Language narratives are going to be a large part of this class. Students will
be expected to present a narrative or dialogue several times each quarter. A
rubric will always be given to show students the highest expectation of work. New
this year will be an active account on Voice Thread. This is a free application
and many public, private schools and universities are using this wonderful
educational application.
While there will be quizzes, most assignments will be projects requiring use of
ASL in various situations.
ASL 3 students will be invited to join the American Sign Language Honor Society
based on last years grades. This is a wonderful opportunity for ASL students to
be eligible for high academic achievement. There will be a one-time fee to cover
all future cords and medals for this honor at graduation.
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!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Heymann

Please sign and return for an additional
5 points on your Friday quiz.

I have read the Syllabus for my ASL 3 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 3 class
my student is taking.
Parent/Guardians Name (printed)
__________________________________________
Parent/Guardians Signature
_________________________________________________
Email
_______________________________________________________
Home Telephone _____________________________ Cell ________
Work Telephone _____________________________