Week 1: Ideal High School ASL Classroom

My ideal classroom will be one that is a safe and inviting environment. There are many ways I plan to get it that way. Beginning with the physical arrangement of the classroom, I will organize students' desks in a large "U" shape around the room, rather than rows. Because this is an ASL classroom, the U shape would allow everyone to have an equal opportunity to see one another as we all communicate visually with our hands. If there were rows, the front row would have a difficult time seeing the back row, and vice versa. It will also be clean and organized, so there will be fewer distractions. Student work, ASL posters, and class rules will also be displayed on the walls, etc.

The personalities of colleagues, my students, and their parents would also be a crucial part of my ideal classroom. As colleagues, we would support each other in any way we could. This would include lesson ideas, classroom management ideas, and anything else that may come up. We are a team! My ideal students would come to my class ready to learn and participate. Attitude is everything! We will respect each other, learn from each other, and work together to make the year a great one for everyone. Asking questions, asking for help, and being prepared would happen on a regular basis and as needed. Their parents would be supportive of them and communicate with me when needed. Parent involvment, including homework help and encouragement, and a positive attitude about the class would help my students greatly, as the most effective learning can not be limited to only the classroom.

I will do my best to involve my students and help keep their interest during class. I will do this by using teaching techniques involving hands-on activities, group work and discussions, educational games, and a variety of assessment tools (not just pen and paper tests). Technology will be a strong tool in my classroom. I will record students signing stories and assignments, we will watch clips of different signers, I will have visual aids (i.e. PowerPoint) for any kind of lectures, and we will utilize the internet for a variety of learning resources.

I will be excited about teaching ASL and Deaf culture, and my ideal students would take that enthusiasm and run with it. Excitement of learning and discovery will spread like wildfire through my class. Everyone will feel safe and confident because class rules and expectations would include respect and honesty. There should be no belittling or making fun. We are all learning together and should help pull each other along, not pull them down. I hope that by the end of my class, my students will have met the standards for their level of ASL production, ASL comprehension, cultural knowledge and awareness, and love of learning.

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