Project Based Learning Electives provided by the Berrien Springs Virtual Academy
​Sign Language             

​American Sign Language                                                     Spring 2018           
Location: Niles Partnership Building,  111 Spruce Street, Niles MI 49120                                       
Instructor: Tim Bond
#574-606-9841
​Email: tj42bond@yahoo.com

**Additional registration at location is required.

Beginning ASL (Elementary)
Mondays from 9:00 – 10:00 AM            Class begins January 22nd - May 7th
Ages 5-11 years
Description: Welcome to beginning ASL! This course is open to students under 12 years old, including parents. In addition, students must be able to have basic reading skills. Throughout the semester, we will learn a variety of material, which will allow the students to introduce themselves fully in ASL. There are no materials needed for the course, though additional resources may be recommended if the students wish to pursue ASL past the classroom.
If there is an issue with the meeting time but you are still interested in signing up, please contact Mr. Bond with the information provided above as soon as possible.
Syllabus

Beginning ASL (MS-HS)
Mondays from 10:00 -11:00 AM            Class begins January 22nd - May 7th
Ages 12+
​Description: Welcome to beginning ASL! This course is open to students at least 12 years old, including parents. Throughout the semester, we will learn a variety of material, which will allow the students to introduce themselves fully in ASL. There are no materials needed for the course, though additional resources may be recommended if the students wish to pursue ASL past the classroom.
If there is an issue with the meeting time but you are still interested in signing up, please contact Mr. Bond with the information provided above as soon as possible
Syllabus

Continuing ASL (Elementary)
Thursdays from 9:00 – 10:00 AM            Class begins January 25th - May 10th
Ages 5-11
Description: In order to sign up for this course, you must have taken at least one other ASL course from Mr. Bond and be under 12 years old. If you have taken a course elsewhere and would like to register, contact Mr. Bond to determine eligibility. If the time is an issue, but you are still interested, please contact Mr. Bond.
This course will continue the growth and learning of ASL in a variety of ways. In this course, the bar is much higher and grammar will be a much bigger focus. In addition, there will be more visual tools used to help view and practice harder reception of the language.
Syllabus

​Continuing ASL (MS-HS)
Thursdays from 10:00 – 11:00 AM            Class begins January 25th - May 10th
Ages 12+
Description: In order to sign up for this course, you must have taken at least one other ASL course from Mr. Bond and be at least 12 years old. If you have taken a course elsewhere and would like to register, contact Mr. Bond to determine eligibility. If the time is an issue, but you are still interested, please contact Mr. Bond.
This course will continue the growth and learning of ASL in a variety of ways. In this course, the bar is much higher and grammar will be a much bigger focus. In addition, there will be more visual tools used to help view and practice harder reception of the language.
​Syllabus

Conversational Sign Language 1b                                                Spring 2018
Instructor: Tara Behrman  behrmanacademy@gmail.com
Phone: 269-423-9001
Location: TBD
Mondays 10:45 AM -12:15 PM       Class begins January 29 - April 23
Grades 3+
Prerequisite: Must have passed Conversational Sign Language 1a previously

**Additional registration at location is required.

Description: In Conversational Sign Language 1b you will continue to learn and practice proper sign positions, and build a solid vocabulary foundation to begin conversing in sign among peers. Deaf culture will be introduced and understanding of differences between deaf, Deaf, and hard-of-Hearing ‘labels’ covered. A basic understanding of ASL, SEE, and Pidgin Sign will be explained pertaining to d/Deaf culture. Knowledge and growth will be charted each class through quizzes/worksheets, a midterm signing project, and a final project of a student chosen song/poem performed in ASL. A required pre-test and post-test will also be given.
 
This class is a pass/fail class. Students are expected to attend at least 80% of classes and participate fully in video/live performances. Students must show basic skill in forming signs (expressive) and being signed to (receptive). Missing a class will cause student to fall behind.

Course Materials:  "Joy of Signing" text provided, one per family unit.
Syllabus


*Please note: it is important to make as informed a decision as possible when choosing your student's Community Resource classes. Most locations will allow a student to drop a class after one meeting, at no charge if it wasn't a good fit for the student, but not all. Some classes plan ahead based on the number that have signed up and have purchased materials, hired teachers, etc. and there might be a fee for class time or materials given to the student if the student drops after one or two meetings. The school cannot pay for classes that students do not complete, so choose wisely; if you do not take the class off of your student's schedule by the deadline, you may be asked to pay for the class time incurred prior to dropping the class.
 
Teacher of Record: Rebecca Halcombe: rhalcombe@shamrocks.us K-8 and Mark Ring: mring@shamrocks.us 9-12