U-32 Learning Plan Date last updated: 9/23/23

1) Fill out 2 parts of this plan within the first week of your project. Talk with your advisor about which parts to focus on.
Get started.
2) By the end of September, have 3 parts of this plan filled out with significant progress made on your first goals and
questions.
3) Finalize this plan by the end of October–complete all five parts if you and your advisor determine they are necessary.

PART 1 – PROJECT IDEAS

What do you want to study, in a sentence:

I plan to study basic ASL and how Sign Language changes internationally.

What do you already know about this topic?

I know close to nothing, at this point I know how to sign my name and how to ask: “What is your name?”, but (so far)
that is all.

Make a list of questions that you hope to be able to answer, or questions that are driving your
study.
Very important, Qs guide your study.

● How do you sign the Alphabet in ASL?

● How is ASL different from Sign Language?
● How do you take notes on ASL? What is the best method?
● What are the best ways to memorize a new language?
● What are the basics of ASL?
● Why is ASL so important? How is it used? What are misconceptions about this language?

What are you most excited about knowing how to do at the end of the project?
Consider hands on know-how and research.

To be able to communicate basic ASL with my family, my mom in particular.

What is the biggest overall challenge you anticipate in this project work?

The memorization aspects of learning a new language. Memorization for me has always been super challenging since I
got Lymes when I was 11. So I anticipate this being a frustrating aspect of the process, but I’m ready to figure it out.

Document your ideas for your project by making a mind map or other lists/plans. Put a link to those
maps/plans here (or a photo of your mind map):
 Mind Map (Above). I am definitely going to redo it, but that was draft #1.

Some brainstorming I have done so far includes:

● Teaching my mom what I learn with my mentor (Helps with memorization + is the main reason of my study)
● To print out pictures, make stickers and make videos for taking notes
● I have three sources I have found so far to help guide my study before (and even during when) I have a mentor
- ASL Bloom (App)
- Bill Vicars (YouTube)
- SignSchool.com

PART 2 – PLANS

As you shape your goals, remember that you are expected to work on this project a minimum of 3 hours/week.

Goals & Questions Action Steps Documentation

Be specific and concise as possible. How will you accomplish this? How much or how many?
Step 1, 2, 3… What will you get done?

1. Research of U.S Poets associated ● Research poets from the civil

FOR EXAMPLE, you could wonder…
How has poetry been used in
activist messaging?
with activist movements rights movement, LGBTQ rights
2. Write poems that utilize the same movements, women’s rights
style as those used in activist movements
movements ● Write 3 poems for each
3. Consolidate knowledge into a movement - 12 total
paper ● Edit and revise poems and
create a book with final edits
● Write a 1500 word essay on
findings using 3 sources (short
essay)

Learn the basics of first year ASL. 1. Work with my mentor to learn ● Emily
(ASL 1) the basics (alphabet, numbers, ● Use Books
days of the week, common ● Use Apps

How does ASL differ from Sign
Language internationally?
How are different ways that ASL can
be used in the world?
PART 3 – SUPPORT & WORKING WITH A MENTOR
What do you need to get going?
Connections and a designated time/flexibility for scheduling!
How could a mentor benefit you in this study? What help do you need from a mentor to accomplish
your goals?
phrases, ect.)
2. Learn how to have
conversations in sign language
3. Learn how to interpret
books/poems/songs/movies
4. Teach my mom what I learn
from my mentor and other
sources I find
1. Research sign language culture
on each continent
2. Compare how the languages
differ
3. Research the history of the
language in each place
4. Respond to your research with
a paper and/or a slideshow
comparison to incorporate all
the learning
1. Research job opportunities
regarding ASL
2. Research how it has been used
in the past/in the present
3. Find books, articles and
documentaries relating to ASL
as examples
4. Find organizations and schools
that prioritize ASL and show
how it is used in social settings
5. Read “ASL Literature” to find
out what it is about and how it
is different/similar to other
literature
● Deaf events
● Journal
entries/documentation
● A final project where I can
interpret a picture
book/movie clip or song to
show how much I have
gathered and how I can keep
pace
● Write a paper comparing three
different countries and their
sign language culture
● Take notes in my journal of
new and interesting
information I gather
● A slideshow presentation
incorporating components of
different cultures and the ways
they use sign language
● Going to deaf
events/communicating with
the deaf community
● Teaching my mom/my family
what I learn about
● Try and find a professional
interpreter to interview/talk
to and take notes
● Write a 1,500 word summary
of the information I find that
I can talk about at the end of
my study
 Learning a language is always ten times easier with someone in person able to teach you and answer your questions. A
mentor would help me stay motivated/on top of my study as well as engaging and learning new content at a
comfortable pace.

What qualities and/or information would your ideal mentor possess?

Someone who knows ASL really well, is open to teaching a beginning and giving feedback and someone that has time
to answer questions and provide new information. Also, ideally, someone who can meet once a week.

Is there a way you would like to give back to the community through your project work?

If I could brainstorm possibilities with my mentor and with Karen, totally! I would always be open to that. A lot of my
study incorporates teaching what I learn with my mentor (and on my own) to my mom, so that we can communicate. I
think that is a super important piece and maybe that could be something I could extend upon in order to give back to
the community through my ASL Study. But as of right now, I am not sure what that would look like.

PART 4 – PROFICIENCIES
First, complete the Real-world Skills Self-Assessment. The self-assessment will help you gauge what
social/emotional and practical life skills you may already be strong in and which others you find challenging. At
the end of the assessment you will choose 2-3 skills you would like to work on during your study.

In the space below, write each skill you chose on the left, and the specific action steps you will work on to
practice and develop that skill during your experiential learning study. You will complete the right hand
column of Transferable Skills with your Advisor.

WHAT REAL WORLD SKILL WILL YOU HOW YOU WILL DO IT WHAT TRANSFERABLE SKILL DOES
WORK ON DEVELOPING THIS ADDRESS
(Do this section with your Advisor
using this list of Transferable Skills )

Example: Example: Example:

Skill you Chose - How will you practice and use this What transferable skill does your skill
skill during your study? align with and address?
Time Management
- I will set aside 1 hour every - Self-Awareness and
Friday afternoon to work on this Self-Direction
class and to do a bit of work for
each assignment (time log, etc.)
- Working Independently and
- I will remain after my individual
meeting to do 20 minutes of
Collaboratively
work, while things are fresh in
my mind.
- I will update my time log each
Friday afternoon so I am making
sure I am putting enough time
into this class.

Motivation How will you practice and develop this - Self awareness and Self
 skill during your study? direction

- Pick lessons that engage interest

(Music videos/concerts with
interpreters signing to still
engage with the study)
- Different forms of acquiring
information about my study
(books, videos, websites,
mentor time)
- Practice with other people (My
mom! Teaching is a motivator!)

Stress Management How will you practice and develop this - Self awareness and Self
skill during your study? direction

- Create my checklist for the

week during my meeting time
with Karen on Monday during
Band 4
- Have a designated time to get
work done (example: after
school on Wednesday’s)
- Communicate with Karen and
my mentor about resources I
might need to help manage
stress throughout the study
- Keep a planner, to remember
meeting times and when I need
to do certain assignments

Here are the Transferable Skills that we assess at U32. Which ones connect best to your study, or the skills you
want to work on through this process? Every study gives you a chance to show TS 6, Self Awareness and Self
Direction. Pick one other (delete the others).
WHAT YOU WILL GAIN PROFICIENCY IN HOW YOU WILL DO IT

Transferable Skills

TS 6 Self Awareness and Self Direction (ALL Motivation + Stress Management (See above)
BRANCHING OUT STUDIES)

Pick at least one other TS that feels relevant to your study:

TS 3 Engaged Citizenship Going to deaf events with my mentor and interacting with
the deaf community

TS 4 Working Independently and Collaboratively Teaching my mom what I learn through my study, working
with my mentor
PART 5 – BIBLIOGRAPHY

Create a list of resources that will help guide your study. Show that you can gather resources that are relevant to
your study, from reputable sources, that are helping you gain a broader perspective on the topics you will study.

Sources - in print and online Author(s) Publication date

ASL.ms - Website for practicing Bill Vicars N/A

interpreting sentence spelling

Signschool.com - Website where you Sign School Technologies LLC 2023

can access lessons on ASL and learn
new phrases

American Sign Language the Easy David Stewart 2003

Way (Book)

People / Mentors: 1. Emily Keys 2.

Approval: Plans need to be approved by the following people, please sign below once plans are approved
Program Advisor

Committee Advisor

Mentor

Parent/Guardian