Sent: Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Subject: Sign Language Classes
Hi Illyssa and members of CLAP,
I homeschooled my son from 3rd through 6th grades, and I am a member
of AAH.
Based on the information that Engela imparted to me, you have a group
of 12 students aged 7 to 9 years old and one hour a week to introduce these
precious young minds to the beauty and depth of a visual gestural language.
Now, I must admit: my lesson plans or curriculum would be tailor made
to suit the needs and the experience of these future signers. If I were
working with an older group or in a pubic school or University setting,
my goals would be quite different.
ASL itself is a language which has a strict grammatical structure and
a use of syntax that is quite different from English. It is not a written
language, but can be "glossed" or written out in English although it is
not actually English. There are as many sign language systems as there
are cultures, for example: BSL, British Sign Language or FSL, French Sign
language and so on. They are all completely different.
My idea for these youngsters is for them to be comfortable using
a kind of physicality that combines motor and lingual aspects of this language.
My goal would be to teach the children enough basic vocabulary to converse
with a Deaf child, their own age. Like any language, it is as much
about learning about a culture and a context as it is learning about a
language per se.
I propose that we combine ASL, the indigenous language of American Deaf,
with some transliteration, which is a system using ASL signs with
English word order, a respected sign system. Most ASL interpreters are
skilled in both transliterating and ASL. A lot of what is interpreted
in educational settings is transliteration. An obvious example of transliteration
is a signed song choir; the children are singing and signing at the same
time. That is not possible to do in ASL.
At first we will learn each other's names, become comfortable together
working as a group. We will do group and individual exercises involving,
pantomime, body language, facial expressions, hand shapes, signing
space , question-response dialogues, conversation, story telling, giving
and taking directions and fingerspelling.
I will provide the children with illustrations of the manual alphabet
and numbers on the first day of class.I will ask the students to practice
the manual alphabet as much as possible, until it becomes second nature.
From there, the sky is the limit.
I will also provide illustrations of new vocabulary, but only after
learning the actual sign itself.
I would also like to include an age appropriate smattering of
Deaf Culture and Deaf History.
Marla Kanoff, Educational Interpreter
Employment History form 1987-2002
Austin Community College, Austin Texas
Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, Ohio
Baldwin Wallace College, Berea, Ohio
Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
Lakeland Community College, Mentor, Ohio
Mentor High School, Mentor, Ohio
Wickliffe Elementary School, Wickliffe, Ohio
Wickliffe Middle School
Beachwood High School, Beachwood, Ohio
Coventry Library, Cleveland, Ohio
The Cleveland Play House ( Interpreting stage plays)
Cleveland East Vocational Educational Consortium
Interpreting for Social Services
The Cleveland Clinic
University Hospital of Cleveland
Cleveland Interpreting Services for the Deaf
Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center
Deaf Services of Cleveland
Services for Independent Living
Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Cleveland, Ohio
Education
The University of Akron, A.A.S. Interpreter Training Program
New York Society for The Deaf, Total Immersion
Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, B.F.A. Dance, Choreography and
Theatre
Thank you for your consideration.
Marla Kanoff
Homeschooling parent
Hello everyone,
Ilyssa had suggessted that I submit a proposal for and art class for
the 7-10 year olds. So here it is... I would like to do a class that focuses
on art techniques and the creative process but in the context of a multi-cultural
perspective. So in a way it
would be a anthropology/ geography class as well.
I was thinking that we could study a few areas of the globe, discuss
his/herstory, food, and music in addition to art. Then we would do an art
project based on what we have learned and utilize a style from that area.
The other thing that I would hope to do in that class is a larger scale,
collaborative project that other parents could be involved in such as a
tiling project or mural. I would use a variety of media for them to experiment
with as well.
I am a potter and musician, classically trained but I most often perform
middle eastern or african based music. Anthropology and ethnomusicology
have been a big focus in my academic life as well as my personal interest.
I have a minor in studio art. I work mainly in clay and more recently in
chalk. I do chalkboards for all the yoga yoga centers. I am facilitating
the mural project in the nursery at First UU as well. I love creating things
and feel that I could create a fun and interesting environment for the
kids to create and learn.
Thanks, Cindy Haws
Homeschooling mother of a co-op member
Again
this semester I’m volunteering to lead team-building workshops for 15 minutes
after lunch as long as I feel the workshops are needed. I feel that
the children and other classes benefited from the workshops last semester.
These workshops include games which illuminate ensemble, focus, creativity,
and trust. The ideas explored relate to self-awareness, setting and
achieving goals, teamwork, and creating in a positive environment.
Each session adapts to the participants.
The reason I do this is to facilitate the new students entering the
class who might find it difficult to break into an already established
group, for returning class members who benefit from additional team building
skills, and because it is fun.
I’ve taught these enjoyable workshops and many other class to both children
and adults. I am the founding Artistic Director of EASY Theatre,
and my resume can be found here: http://EASYtheatre.com/engela.html
Sincerely,
Engela Edwards
Homeschooling mother of a co-op member