Week 5 – We were finally able to add to our repertoire of feelings today. So far, all we have been able to say is “I’m fine.” Well, today we added a bunch of different feelings, and one of students, who shall remain unnamed, was able to say how she really feels “I’m hungry!!” We learned that we could be sad, happy, excited, angry, hungry, “okay” or even wonderful.
Here are the notes from our discussion.
Week 4 – Today we learned that position and expression are so very important to learning sign language. You can’t be a deadpan kind of person and successfully communicate with a deaf person (unless you are mimic-ing a deadpan person…right?). You have to get over yourself if you are going to be a good signer. You can’t be self conscious…..it doesn’t mean you’re overemphasizing-as in the old Greek times, when the actors were performing for hundreds of people…most of the time, you will be within a few feet of the person you are conversing with, so I encourage you to practice appropriate expression to match the story or thought that you are conveying.
We are getting closer to learning all the numbers. We reviewed up to 50 and then added 60,70,80 and 90. Woo Hooo!!
Time was another concept that was introduced. We have “time” on a clock and there is also the concept of “time” as in an epoch-a period or chunk of time. Review the differences and practice telling time in sign language to someone in your family.
Here’s a look at a verse from the Bible that uses “In the beginning”…..that would be considered a chunk of time. So would “A long, long time ago” or “Once upon a time”
Here are the notes from class.
Week Three – Now we’re really starting to learn some signs. That’s fun, right? Today we learned that signs above the line of the nose are male in orientation (man, brother, uncle, husband, etc…) and below the nose (around the chin) are the signs that are female (wife, sister, aunt, mom, etc.) Think about how men are generally taller than a woman to help yourself remember the locations for these signs.
We moved on with our numbers-moving our way into the “tens” 20,30,40, up to 50. There is a pattern. Review the numbers if you need to and I will be happy to help you in class next week. We always spend the first few minutes reviewing, so make sure and ask questions.
Today we also learned what I call “courtesies” like please and thank you, excuse me, forgive me, I’m sorry and You’re welcome. Here’s the video to review:
Sometimes it’s just easier to watch a video on learning the ASL alphabet than looking at a flat piece of paper. I hope it helps you.
Numbers:
American Sign Language - Joy's way 