Students and parents:
You are asked to read and sign this note because of the importance of teacher, student and parent(s) working cooperatively to make this a successful class! The three key ingredients for success are atmosphere, attendance and practice.
It is my plan to provide a positive, comfortable learning atmosphere where students can feel pride, as they grow in ability to communicate in a new language. Please be patient with the process as it takes between two and three years for students to advance past the beginner stage in a new language.
Regular class attendance is a major factor in students' progress, since outside of class English speakers constantly surround them. They need to be in class to practice signing. Absences from class will have a negative impact on learning. Absences should be RARE!
Out-of-class practice is another important key in learning American Sign Language (ASL) while living in an English-speaking environment. Students are encouraged to practice with a partner who is also taking ASL, or is a native signer.
Thank you for taking time to review this page as well as the student responsibilities on the reverse side. I know all students learned to speak one language, and I expect that through our cooperative effort they will get off to a successful start in learning a second one. I look forward to working with your son/daughter during this new school year. Please sign below to indicate your understanding of our combined expectations for the year and return policy to teacher.
TEACHER RESPONSIBILITY:
PARENT (S) RESPONSIBILITY:
Date ___________________
STUDENTS RESPONSIBILITY:
Date ___________________
You are asked to read and sign this note because of the importance of teacher, student and parent(s) working cooperatively to make this a successful class! The three key ingredients for success are atmosphere, attendance and practice.
It is my plan to provide a positive, comfortable learning atmosphere where students can feel pride, as they grow in ability to communicate in a new language. Please be patient with the process as it takes between two and three years for students to advance past the beginner stage in a new language.
Regular class attendance is a major factor in students' progress, since outside of class English speakers constantly surround them. They need to be in class to practice signing. Absences from class will have a negative impact on learning. Absences should be RARE!
Out-of-class practice is another important key in learning American Sign Language (ASL) while living in an English-speaking environment. Students are encouraged to practice with a partner who is also taking ASL, or is a native signer.
Thank you for taking time to review this page as well as the student responsibilities on the reverse side. I know all students learned to speak one language, and I expect that through our cooperative effort they will get off to a successful start in learning a second one. I look forward to working with your son/daughter during this new school year. Please sign below to indicate your understanding of our combined expectations for the year and return policy to teacher.
TEACHER RESPONSIBILITY:
- TELL EACH STUDENT WHAT THEY ARE EXPECTED TO LEARN by the end of each lesson.
- PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRACTICE in sign language with each new lesson.
- PROVIDE TIME FOR QUESTIONS IN CLASS, and before and after school.
- CONTACT PARENTS IF PROBLEMS OCCUR with incomplete work, with frequent absence from class, or with inappropriate classroom behavior.
PARENT (S) RESPONSIBILITY:
- EXPECT YOUR CHILD TO ATTEND SCHOOL EVERY DAY! If your child absolutely must miss school, remind him/her of his/her responsibility to make up missed activities or tests.
- PROVIDE POSITIVE SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT!
- CONTACT THE SIGN LANGUAGE TEACHER if a problem or concern arises.
Date ___________________
STUDENTS RESPONSIBILITY:
- DISPLAY A POSITIVE, COOPERATIVE ATTITUDE toward teacher and other students in classroom.
- BELIEVE IN YOUR ABILITY TO LEARN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE.
- AVOID USING VOICE DURING ACTIVITIES as much as possible.
- EXPECT TO SEE AND USE AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE as much as possible within the classroom
- PRACTICE OUTSIDE OF CLASS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE with a friend or family member during your normal activities.
- ASK QUESTIONS DURING QUESTION AND ANSWER TIMES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. There are NO dumb questions. When you don't ask a question about something you don't understand you will not learn.
- PARTICIPATION IN THE DAILY ACTIVITIES IS CRUCIAL to learning a new language. All activities help build toward your successfully learning ASL.
- REGULAR ATTENDANCE IS CRUCIAL to learning a new language. One day's lesson builds on what was learned the day before. Being in class everyday is very important.
- USE YOUR AGENDA BOOK to keep track of assignments and test due dates as well as extra credit opportunities which will be provided.
- MAKE UP/LATE WORK (INCLUDING TESTS) must be completed within four days of the date it was done in class if you wish to receive credit for the activity/test. Any work not completed by the end of the fourth day will become a 0 in the grade book. It is YOUR responsibility to contact the teacher and set up a time to get caught up.
- MOST WORK WILL OCCUR WITHIN THE CLASSROOM. There will be very little homework other than articles to read and to study for tests.
- CHEATING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Cheating on a test or paper of any kind will result in a permanent 0 in the grade book. This grade cannot be changed in any circumstance. There is NO excuse for cheating.
Date ___________________