Description

In this one-time class learners will learn how to sign about family members and numbers in American Sign Language. This lesson will start with a warm welcome where everyone can introduce themselves and explain why they are interested in ASL. 

Learners will learn how to say the following signs:
- family, mom, dad, brother, sister, aunt uncle, niece, nephew, cousins, dog, cat, have, yes, no, you , I, how many, 1-10

(NOTE: NO ages or names of family members will be shared in this class or other identifiable information!!)

And this dialogue:
How many brothers and sisters do you have? 
I have __ brothers and sisters, and you?
I have __ brothers and sisters.
Do you have any nieces or nephews? 
Yes/no / I have ___ nieces and nephews, and you?
Yes I have __ nieces and nephews… or no
How many cousins do you have?
I have__ cousins…..
How many dogs/cats do you have?
I have ___.

-- Getting started --
Step by step learners will first learn the vocabulary needed for each phrase. They will be guided through the hand shapes of each sign and given fun and creative mnemonic tips to help them remember these signs. Mnemonics are devices such as patterns, ideas, or associations that assist in remembering something. Once the vocabulary is practiced for a phrase, the learners will then practice signing the phrase accurately. This will give them a taste of basic ASL grammar and how it differs from English. As the learners gather more phrases, we will be able to start using them in a dialogue form! 

I will ask a learner in ASL "How many brothers and sisters do you have?" expecting them inreturn to sign "I have__ brothers and sisters and you" or “none.” Taking turns using the phrases that we have learned, I will ask each student. When the learners are ready they will practice signing about their family with each other as I guide and help them along this new experience.  

The class will wrap up with a few facts about the history of ASL and Deaf culture. Learners will then be free to ask any lingering questions or express comments before saying goodbye.

*Some previous experience is recommended such as knowing basic signs or knowing how to introduce yourself in ASL, but is not required. 

Teaching Methodology:
Learning a language in traditional schools often ends up with teaching vocab and grammar comparatively more than the pragmatics(learning to use the language in context or real scenarios). Dialogue practice requires relevant vocab, grammar and pragmatics to be learned simultaneously -so the learner does not practice extensive vocab or grammar that is not needed for that current time. 

The goal is to familiarize themselves with how to sign about family and numbers in dialogue form; learning the vocabulary straight from the dialogue then practicing sentences with the vocab. Then forming dialogue with the sentences. This not only encourages the student to use ASL right away, but reinforces the vocabulary, basic grammar and the confidence to communicate in a foreign language.