​PUBLISHER WEBSITE: TREEHOUSE VIDEO​​

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This DVD provides students with an assortment of lessons that allows them to learn how to interact appropriately within the Deaf community. Scenarios are given in American Sign Language so that students are exposed to cultural norms of the Deaf community in a way that contextualizes the language they are learning through exposure to cultural interactions. There is a student workbook that is included, which has a variety of questions and worksheets that help students to focus on the appropriate ways to assimilate into Deaf culture and to develop the “right” attitude. ​

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This DVD also has students evaluate their own experiences that may influence their pre existing opinions or stereotypes about the Deaf Community. It provides them with good attitude choices and contrasts those with less desirable options. While this DVD focuses mainly on the cultural aspect of the Deaf Community, it does provide language exposure that can assist students’ recognition of language analysis that includes various features of ASL. Some of the features emphasized are: listing, fingerspelling, repetition and back channel feedback.​

ASL POETRY

​PUBLISHER WEBSITE: DAWN SIGN PRESS

ASL Poetry, comprised of over twenty ASL poems created by Clayton Valli, exemplifies a passion for ASL as a medium for self-expression. This is a resource that is intent on educating its viewers about the capacity, diversity and comprehensiveness of ASL Poetry. Performed by people with diverse and varied signing backgrounds and styles, the DVD is organized and easy to navigate through. In addition to the clips of Deaf individuals illustrating the power of poetry in their native language, this DVD includes narration throughout which is designed to provide its audience with a more thorough understanding of ASL poetry.

ASL Poetry is best suited for levels three or four L2 ASL students. It would also be beneficial to L1 language learners of various ages. It could be introduced as early as K- 2nd grade to introduce ABC or Number Stories and for grades 3rd – 12th for more advanced ASL poetry learning activities. In order for L2 students to appreciate and gain an expansive understanding of ASL Poetry, they must have a solid knowledge base of the basic foundation of American Sign Language. To that point, this resource would not be appropriate for level one or level two students. While the video does provide closed captions and voice over, I feel that in order for students to learn how to produce ASL poetry, they must first be able to produce it with fluency.

ASLIZED!

WEBSITE: ASLIZED!

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ASLized! fosters the integration of American Sign Language (ASL) educational research into visual media and literacy. The main objective is to produce teaching and learning materials in ASL with two focuses: 1.) ASL literature, preserving culture and history and 2.) ASL Linguistics, promoting a better understanding of the complex structure and use of sign languages. This is a fantastic resource for both ASL teachers and students.

Bird of a Different Feather &
For a Decent Living

​PUBLISHER WEBSITE: DAWN SIGN PRESS

This resource is designed to provide a unique method to study and appreciate the oral-based literary works of the Deaf community in America. The signed stories will enhance your understanding and appreciation of ASL literature. It will also expose you to an unparalleled insight into the Deaf experience. (Supalla & Bahan, 1994)

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The workbook, along with the DVD or VHS, allows students to methodically study the narratives, as it is divided into structural units: strophes, topic units, chapters, and parts. Students are required to complete different activities in and outside the classroom, including: comprehension check, language notes, background, literary questions, retelling, and anecdotes.

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