Manny
Martin
American Sign Language Program Director
Voice: (401) 222-7433
mannyteach2005@yahoo.com
AMERICAN
SIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES FOR HOMESCHOOLERS
American Sign Language is the fourth most
used language in the U.S. It is recognized for foreign language
credit by more than thirty states, including Rhode Island
and Massachusetts.
Friends of Rhode Island School for the Deaf
American Sign Language program is pleased to offer courses
for elementary age students (age 6 and up) and Middle /
High School age students (age 11 and up). Parents of students
are also welcome to attend any course. Additional family
members (from the same address) can register for
1/2 price.
The
instructor for these courses is Manuel Martin. Manny has
been teaching ASL since 1994 to students from pre-school
age to college. The courses are taught with the goal of
promoting the students natural interest and curiousity about
this unique, moving, three-dimensional language.
In
2005, the first homeschool class was formed and in January,
2006, a second one was added. For 2006 - 2007, we had an
elementary age class in Peace Dale, another in Providence
and a middle / high school age class that is continued its
second year of learning. For 2007 - 2008, we have and elementary
class in Exeter, RI, a year 2 elementary class in Exeter,
RI, a year 3 middle/HS class in Providence, an elementary
class and a Middle/HS class in Hyannis, Ma. and we hope
to add a class in Attleboro, Ma.
Homeschooling has provided an advantage to some in learning.
Two or three individuals from one family practiced together.
Friendships were formed. Students assisted each other by
carpooling. All aspects listed in the course description
were covered, but at a pace that was comfortable for all.
There has been a lot of laughter and a lot of learning.
THE MIDDLE/HS
CLASS YEAR 3 (30 weeks) WILL MEET IN PROVIDENCE
(RI SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF) ON FRIDAYS FROM 10:00 - 11:55 AM
COURSE
DATES:
SEPT 27 / OCT 4, 11, 18, 25 / NOV 1, 8, 15, 29 / DEC 6,
13 / JAN 10, 17, 24, 31 /
FEB 7, 14, 28 / MAR 6, 13, 20, 27 / APRIL 3, 10, 24 / MAY
1, 8, 15, 22, 29 /
JUNE 5, 2008
(There are 31 dates listed in case of a cancellation.
If there are no cancellations, the course will end on May
29)
The
30 week
course for MIDDLE/HS
students is $240.00 and 120.00 for each additional
family member, payable in six installments.
Course
description for the MIDDLE/HS class year 3
(30 weeks):
Students
will cover levels 5, 6, 7, and part of 8. They will learn
to describe a wall of their house, then a room with multiple
objects, their house, their yard, and finally will open
a store in our ASL village. They will expand their vocabulary,
learn much more about spatial referencing, use of space,
and classifiers.
_________________________
4
This 10 week course
for elementary
age students and parents is $60.00, and
$35.00 for each additional family member from the same address.
This is payable in two installments.
Course
description for the Elementary class level 1B
(10 weeks - for beginners)
Students will review: the manual alphabet
and fingerspelling; numbers 1 - 20; telling time, age; signs
for colors, animals, foods, family, verbs, and feelings,
and days of the week and add to their vocabulary.
Students will practice what they have learned
in sentences. Students will be exposed to signing through
classroom interaction and demonstration.
Homeschooled students and parents, and up
may register for the Elementary course. Age 6 and up if
with a parent. Age 8 and up if the child is registered alone.
The 10 week course for Middle/HS is $100.00,
and $50.00 for each additional family member, payable by
check or cash, in two installments.
Course
description for the Middle / HS class
level 2 (10 weeks - for beginners)
Students will learn the four parameters
of an ASL sign - handshape, palm position, location, and
movement. They will learn all of the handshapes necessary
to construct ASL signs. Vocabulary will be practiced in
sentences to provide meaningful contexts.
Vocabulary will include: The manual alphabet
(fingerspelling); family; animals; numbers
1 - 99; colors; basic verbs; common nouns; simple pronouns;
foods; emotions; pronouns; plural pronouns; days of the
week, and months of the year; telling time; telling age;
and more.
Three basic sentence structures will be
learned: Affirmation, Negation, and Topic/Comment, with
students using the grammatical features to express these
sentence types clearly.
Grammatical features such as: the agent
marker, contrastive structure, spatial referencing, personal
pronouns, pronoun referents, plural pronouns, will be learned.
These are presented in a comfortable, conversational
style - by using what is being learned, not by memorizing
rules.
During the course, students will produce
two narratives - the first of about 20 sentences and the
second of about 35 sentences. Expressive comprehension will
be developed through classroom instruction, demonstration,
and videotapes.
Students will also be exposed to the historical
development of the language, from Spain to France to America.
They will gain an awareness of issues facing the Deaf community
today and career options for those with the goal of developing
full fluency.
There will be some homework and outside
reading. This is not a graded course. Assessments (not formal
testing) will be done throughout the course to ensure students
are developing the targeted skills.
The course is packed with content but
is presented in a non-intimidating style, encouraging students
while providing clear feedback to help students sign with
confidence.
Materials:
All materials needed for the course will
be supplied. Students will receive a binder for handouts.
Texts from our ASL library / language lab will be
used in class. Additional reading materials will be provided.
Supplemental materials will be available for purchase if
students want additional reinforcement and practice. These
are not required for the course.
Who is eligible to register?
Homeschooled students and parents, age 11
and up, may register for the Middle / HS course.
____________________________________________________________
6
???? (THE
NEXT AREA.....) ELEMENTARY AGE CLASS......
The cost is $60.00 for the first family
member and $35.00 for each additional family member from
the same address. We are now accepting registrations for
our January class. Call 401 222 7433 for a registration
form.