Woah...SOLD OUT of the "Sign Me Up!" text.
Sorry about that...Can't believe I've sold all 3,000 of those. Hey, now I've got to go through and get rid of all those links to this page.
ASL University is supported by sales of a book, "Sign Me Up!" which was developed from the very best discussions, artwork, handouts, and worksheets from the early days of ASL U. Material was chosen from hundreds of hours of chat-room ASL coursework and many thousands of hours of adjunct/college-level classroom teaching experiences with thousands of students. It is not a typical ASL text. See details below.
"Sign Me Up!"
ASL Guide and Activity Book
William G. Vicars, Ph.D.
There has never been a sign language book like this one.
You'll feel like you've been transported into a live ASL class!
You'll get to know your fellow classmates as they ask questions that draw insightful, honest answers from a veteran ASL instructor.
You'll find yourself thinking, "Yeah! That's what I wanted to know!" because the answers in this book are to real questions asked by real students, just like you.
So dive in and enjoy. You'll be surrounded by some of the best ASL artwork ever created, awesome games and activities, suggestions for setting up your own sign language club, and even tests to see how much you've learned! But that's not all! You'll even find incredible web sites, online support and more...!
Title: Sign Me Up!
ISBN: 0-9749543-0-6
Binding or Format: Softcover
Publication Date: 1998
Publisher: Lifeprint.comPaperback. 212 pages.
Ten and a half inches by 8 inches.
The outside cover is plastic laminated for durability.
The inside pages are thick newsprint.
* Deaf Culture
* Deaf History
* Hundreds of signs
* Games
* Practice Dialogs
* Classifiers
* Lexicalized (formerly called "loan") Signs
* Practice Tests
* Terminology Explanations
* Sign Language Club Activity Planning Sheets
* Teacher Evaluation Forms
* Fingerspelling Activities
-- and much more!
Artwork by acclaimed artist David O'Neil
<< Subj:What a Neat Book!!
Date:8/31 7:23:39 AM Central Daylight Time
From:eddieinvt@_______.com
To:billvicars
Sent from the InternetHey Bill:
(FYI) I received my book "Sign Me Up" on Thursday 8/29 after placing my order on Sunday 8/25. Thought that was pretty good service. It was shipped to Vermont.
... After an initial glance I was impressed with the "sign phrases" and fingerspelling activities and layout. It will be fun to go through them and find cities states movies etc using signs.
What was reinforcing to me was that I was able to do some of them already, since I have learned the alphabet. That was kind of neat!! As you are aware, there are some great helpful sites on the web.
This weekend, I'm looking forward to finding a nice quite spot in a Vermont field with a nice view, your book, a grinder, bag of chips and a Coke. Life don't get much better!
One final question for now if you don't mind...How do you "erase/backspace" (like that explanation?) when I fingerspell and make an error? ie) sign "e" when I meant "t."
Have a great day Bill enjoyed reading your Bio. and oh, can I get your online class without using AOL (America On Line)?
Regards,
Ed >>Hello Ed,
I'm glad you like the book. In response to your question, I put together an addition to my fingerspelling pages. Here's the link: "Fingerspelling."
Regarding the online class. I used to use AOL's chatrooms to teach when I was first starting out. That's where much of the book "Sign Me Up!" comes from. Now I'm focusing my efforts on building up ASL University as a self-study site, and developing the ASLU curriculum.Bill
For more products, visit the ASLU bookstore:
<< Subj: Sign Me Up!
Date: 12/1 6:12:16 AM Central Standard Time
From: JATazelaar@_______.com (Tazelaar, J.)
To: billvicars@aol.com ('billvicars@aol.com')
I started reviewing your book last night. I think I enjoy the book more now than when I first received it, because I know more signs and can distinguish the alphabet much better than I could back then. I especially like the activities in the back of the book -- these are exactly what I need right now. And now I can create some of my own since you sent me the font! I really appreciate your assistance.
Have a great weekend! J_____>>
Bill,
Yes, I did receive the book. It is easier to learn from it than previous ASL books that I have used. Thanks for asking.
Dan
(dseugling1@_______)
XtraJoyful: I am really glad I ordered your sign language book! It is a great tool -- for me and others
XtraJoyful: >>sorry to disturb you - just wanted to say THANKS!! <<
BillVicars: Hey, thanks for the feedback!
Would you PLEASE autograph my book? It is not everyday a student gets to take a class from a celebrity.
Lisa. Firmin, (Beaumont, TX)Lisa,
Heh. Yah, right.
Bill
"Having searched for a great comprehensive text to teach ASL basics, Deaf Culture and etc., I believe your work exemplifies this. I have used SIGNING NATURALLY (has its good points, but adult learners become impatient with it, and feel that it is too juvenile; it doesn't take into account the acquisition of the language adult learners already have), and LEARNING AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE (again, fair, but so incomplete)... both are extremely limiting.
Your book provides a WEALTH of resources. I only wish I found your website a couple of months ago, so I could have processed my book order with your text and videos for ASL III and IV (yes, sadly, much of what you exemplify in your ASL I and II, students have not demonstrated a knowledge or mastery of, by the time they complete ASL I and II in our local colleges... we have some 30 classes, and I see students who are lacking in the basics in both my ASL III and ASL IV classes, and feel I have to do a lot of "catch up" because of their lack of success elsewhere.
We are going to have a curriculum meeting (all of the ASL teachers at my college), at which I will be recommending your textbook and videos or CDs.
Keep up the wonderful work!
-- Mark C______
CSC/RID &NAD/MstrV
Certified American Sign Language Interpreter, CART/Real-Time Captioner,
Instructor (ASL III, IV)
In a message dated 8/3/2003 12:07:53 PM Central Daylight Time, gallagher.family@erols.com writes:
Hi!
I'm interested in finding more age-appropriate ASL book for 2nd to 5th grades and maybe 6th grade to 12th as well. I am also interested in finding the best ASL dictionary to go with the book for their learning benefits.
The book I've taught a few times is mixed PSE/ASL which most students have taken so it is with a desire to help start the early generation based on ASL teaching only, not PSE mixed for better awareness or pictural understanding.
The class(es) will start early this month which is kinda time-constraint for me so your quick response would be greatly appreciated.
Your Sign Me Up! book sounds fantastic - would it be an appropriate teaching/learning tool book for these age-groups? If it is, will I be given a discount for ordering in bulk (maybe 12, or 15 or perhaps, 20)?
I plan to give the students surprise ASL material-related initiation for their effort so any ideas or suggestions will also be helpful. : )
Thanks so much &God bless,
Vicki, ASL teacher
Hi Vicki,
The kids would certainly enjoy the fingerspelling and number activities in the book. It isn't a "children's" book though. I put it together as a general introduction to deaf studies/ASL/fingerspelling for my community ed classes.
My suggestion would be to purchase one book then if you like it you can buy more for your students. If you feel the book isn't something you want to buy a bunch of but simply want to use a few of the handouts in the book I give you permission to make copies of the various handouts to use in your class as long as you don't charge the students any more than you paid for the copies.
If you decide to order 20 or more books let me know and I'll throw in some free CDs, an electronic copy of all the practice sheets, and a copy of my "How to Make a Decent Living Teaching ASL.".
Keep this email and include it in any further correspondence.
Bill Vicars
Lifeprint.com
Dedication:
The book "Sign Me Up!" and the Lifeprint website is dedicated to Sarah Vicars.
Words alone cannot express my love for this child.
Proceeds from this book help keep this site going.
My youngest child, Sarah, was born with Aperts Syndrome. Aperts is a rare chromosomal disorder that results some major pain and challenges for this sweet child: (cranio-facial deformities, fused-fingers, cleft palate, hard of hearing, etc.) In-between surgeries, she has a wonderful smile, a ready laugh, and enjoys giving (and receiving) hugs. Want to know more about craniofacial issues? Visit: http://www.ccakids.org/
Please submit all questions and comments to (contact info)
