Out of Class Assignments
Before you start to look at these assignments, make sure you're looking at your respective class level; these have been divided up into ASL I and ASL II, so don't get them mixed up.
Practice Log:
You should be practicing at least 15 to 20 minutes a day in front of a mirror in order to improve your sign language skill. To keep track of this data, you're supposed to be keeping a practice log, which includes your name, period number, and what class you're in at the top. Then, in the actual log, you write the date, signs that you practiced (optional), and how long you practiced. Your teacher appreciates honesty; if you didn't practice that day, just put a zero. Remember, he'll know if you've been practicing or not!
Sign A Song:
ASL I
This project is due before Spring Break, but it's good to choose a song and start practicing as soon as you can. All you need to do is pick a song, at least two to three minutes long in length, practice it, memorize it, and sign it to the class. You'll either need a CD or iPod/MP3 player, so you can have your song playing in the background.
ASL II
Yours is also due before Christmas Break; it's almost exactly the same as what you did in ASL I. You pick a song that is at least three minutes or more, and sign it to the class. Try to pick a new song, one that you didn't do in ASL I.
News Articles - ASL II:
Every ASL II student, to get an A in the class, needs to do a one minute speech before every 6-week grading period. Not doing it at all, you're stuck with a B at best. Your speeches only need to be one minute long, about a current event that you think would be interesting for the class to hear. After you do your speech, you need to give the teacher the article, and your summary of the article stapled together with your name on it, so he knows you did it. If you don't know a sign, either ask the teacher, or go to the "Helpful Sites" link above. If there are any signs that the class may need to know before you start, tell them what they are before you start doing your speech.
Informative Speech - Semester Two:
ASL I
This speech isn't due until after Spring Break, but it is the biggest speech you have to do. Make sure your topic doesn't double up with something someone else has in your class; your classmates probably don't want to hear the same speech twice. You need to pick a topic that will be helpful, something your classmates might need to know in the future, such as how to buy a car, or how to get into college. A speech on how to make duck calls probably won't be such a good idea. Your speech needs to be 1 to 2 minutes long; well-rehearsed, practiced, make sure you know all your signs, and tell the class any signs you needed to make up.
ASL II
I'm sure you remember this speech from previous years, yours needs to be 2 to 3 minutes in length, and preferably a different topic than what you did the year before. Make sure you practice a lot, and don't procrastinate until the day before its due.
Essays:
Every six weeks, you'll be getting a new essay to write. It needs to be hand written, two pages (front and back of one piece of notebook paper), and should follow the topic given to you. For a list on essay topics, go to the "Essay Topics" link above.
You should be practicing at least 15 to 20 minutes a day in front of a mirror in order to improve your sign language skill. To keep track of this data, you're supposed to be keeping a practice log, which includes your name, period number, and what class you're in at the top. Then, in the actual log, you write the date, signs that you practiced (optional), and how long you practiced. Your teacher appreciates honesty; if you didn't practice that day, just put a zero. Remember, he'll know if you've been practicing or not!
Sign A Song:
ASL I
This project is due before Spring Break, but it's good to choose a song and start practicing as soon as you can. All you need to do is pick a song, at least two to three minutes long in length, practice it, memorize it, and sign it to the class. You'll either need a CD or iPod/MP3 player, so you can have your song playing in the background.
ASL II
Yours is also due before Christmas Break; it's almost exactly the same as what you did in ASL I. You pick a song that is at least three minutes or more, and sign it to the class. Try to pick a new song, one that you didn't do in ASL I.
News Articles - ASL II:
Every ASL II student, to get an A in the class, needs to do a one minute speech before every 6-week grading period. Not doing it at all, you're stuck with a B at best. Your speeches only need to be one minute long, about a current event that you think would be interesting for the class to hear. After you do your speech, you need to give the teacher the article, and your summary of the article stapled together with your name on it, so he knows you did it. If you don't know a sign, either ask the teacher, or go to the "Helpful Sites" link above. If there are any signs that the class may need to know before you start, tell them what they are before you start doing your speech.
Informative Speech - Semester Two:
ASL I
This speech isn't due until after Spring Break, but it is the biggest speech you have to do. Make sure your topic doesn't double up with something someone else has in your class; your classmates probably don't want to hear the same speech twice. You need to pick a topic that will be helpful, something your classmates might need to know in the future, such as how to buy a car, or how to get into college. A speech on how to make duck calls probably won't be such a good idea. Your speech needs to be 1 to 2 minutes long; well-rehearsed, practiced, make sure you know all your signs, and tell the class any signs you needed to make up.
ASL II
I'm sure you remember this speech from previous years, yours needs to be 2 to 3 minutes in length, and preferably a different topic than what you did the year before. Make sure you practice a lot, and don't procrastinate until the day before its due.
Essays:
Every six weeks, you'll be getting a new essay to write. It needs to be hand written, two pages (front and back of one piece of notebook paper), and should follow the topic given to you. For a list on essay topics, go to the "Essay Topics" link above.