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Placing the index finger under the nose and jerking the head forward.
Before diving into the specifics of Unit 11, it's important to understand the philosophy behind the entire series. Created by educators Ken Mikos, Cheri Smith, and Ella Mae Lentz, Signing Naturally is the most widely used ASL curriculum in North America, found at "every major college and university in the United States and Canada".
Unit 10 focuses heavily on Specifically, 10.11 dives into the nuances of "Telling a Story About an Accident" or recounting unexpected events in the past tense.
Signing Naturally 1011 is designed for a classroom with a Deaf instructor. However, self-studiers use it successfully with a strict regimen: watching the DVD chapter three times (once for gist, once for detail, once to mimic) and using the workbook answer key sparingly. signing naturally 1011
Signing Naturally curriculum (specifically Units 1–6 and 7–12) is the gold standard for learning American Sign Language (ASL). It shifts away from traditional rote memorization, focusing instead on functional competency and cultural immersion. The Power of "Visual-Gestural" Learning
In Units 1–6, you might get away with a "stone face" while signing. In , your grade depends on your facial expressions.
The curriculum teaches that ASL isn't just in the hands. Eyebrow movements, mouth morphemes, and head tilts act as the "tone of voice." Without these, a signer is effectively "monotone." Deaf Culture Integration: Placing the index finger under the nose and
If you sign near your jaw, it naturally translates to a toothache. If you sign HURT over your abdomen, it means a stomachache. Avoid signing "MY STOMACH HURT" using separate, linear English words. Instead, blend the concept by placing the sign for pain directly over the stomach area. Directionality with Medical Actions
: These use a "twist" motion, combining the number handshape with the dollar sign movement. Key Story: "A Lesson Learned" (10.11) :
Mastering these signs allows you to move beyond basic "yes/no" answers and engage in rich, dynamic conversations, showing how you truly feel about another person's plans. Unit 10 focuses heavily on Specifically, 10
Mastering American Sign Language: The Ultimate Guide to Signing Naturally Units 1-6
ASL is a muscle-memory language. Video-record your assignments, mute the playback, and critique your facial expressions and handshapes.
: Use a slight body twist to "become" a person you are describing. This allows you to show their actions and feelings directly rather than just talking about them. Unit 11: Discussing Plans, Goals, and Reactions
This is the "acting" part of ASL. When telling a story in Unit 12, you don't just say "The doctor told me I was sick." You shift your body to become the doctor, then shift back to become yourself. 4. Tips for Success with Signing Naturally 1011