(Fall 2023) American Sign Language: Level 1, Part 1 with Marlana Weber

ASL is the third most commonly used language in the United States. Sign up for this course to improve your communications skills, learn about deaf culture, and earn a great addition to any college or job application.

How to get the most out of American Sign Language: Level 1, Part 1 with Marlana Weber:

  • First, read the course materials below before the first class meeting.

  • Then have a notebook ready and available for class notes each live session.

  • Read assignments before class meetings

  • Watch that week’s recording if you need to revisit information from our live session.

  • Do the assignments, quizzes, and any extra work assigned for that week.

  • Once the course is completed to the parent's and professor’s satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records.

Special Notes: This is Part One of a two-part course. Students are expected to also register for Part Two in the spring.

Students must have a working web camera and permission from parents to appear on the class recordings.

Total classes: 13

Duration per class: 55 minutes

Prerequisite: None

Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th grade

Suggested credit: One semester ASL or Foreign Language. Note: ASL meets many states’ requirements for foreign language. Part One and Part Two of this course combined are the equivalent of one full year of foreign language.

Instructor: Marlana Weber

Instructor Email: mweber@homeschoolconnections.com 

Course Description: This is a first year course for those who would like a foundation in communicating with American Sign Language (ASL). We will follow the format of Dawn Sign Press’s “Signing Naturally” series. Topics revolve around sharing information about ourselves and our environment. Grammar is introduced in context, with an emphasis on developing question and answer skills. You will learn strategies to help you maintain a conversation. Interactive activities will reinforce what you’ve learned. A conversational curriculum requires you to be an active learner. Come prepared to sign with the instructor and your classmates. Fall Semester will cover Units 1, 2, & 4. 

Course outline: 

Week 1 Basics of ASL, Alphabet & Numbers

Week 2 Getting to Know You, Basics Continued

Week 3 Introductions, Numbers

Week 4 Asking "Wh" Questions

Week 5 Giving Commands

Week 6 Giving Information

Week 7 Identifying Locations, Numbers

Week 8 Leisure Activities, Culture Highlights

Week 9 Identifying People

Week 10 Asking for Signs, Numbers

Week 11 Immediate Family & Siblings

Week 12 Extended Family

Week 13 Family Variations & Descriptions

Course Materials: Signing Naturally Units 1-6, Student Set ISBN: 978-1-58121-210-5 

https://www.dawnsign.com/products/details/signing-naturally-units-1-6-student-set 

(12-month Video Library access is included with the purchase of every set.)

Try BookFinder.com for a used copy. The textbook is not required but highly recommended and will be used for the full year.

Homework: Weekly practice of the signs and conversations covered in the course, watching online videos of signing (one to three hours per week), automated quizzes, and optional homework practice from Student Workbook.