Thank You!

Thank you for following my blog throughout this process. I enjoyed learning sign language, especially when Caleb joined me. After everything, I learned the alphabet, many words, and some sentences. Thanks!

My Speech

Nathan Vaughan

20% Time Speech

The Unheard Language

            My name is Nathan Vaughan. We, as a class, started 20% time in November. I chose sign language, which I have always been interested in, but never had the time to try it. I realized it would be difficult learning a whole new language, but I was eager to begin. When Mrs. Browning said that it wouldn’t be graded, it took a lot of pressure off of me because I realized that even if I didn’t complete it, I wouldn’t be hurt by a bad grade. This helped me slow it down and pace myself better.

            I had made a plan for my 20% time project, but I fell short of completing it. I enjoyed the process though. My original plan had me starting sentences in February, but by that time, I hadn’t learned enough words to formulate sentences. I got somewhat discouraged when I realized I was so far behind, but I kept going.

            By December, I had the alphabet down pat, and had already started on some simple words. Learning the words was the hardest part of the process because after you learn the words, making sentences is easy, and the alphabet is just 26 letters. It consumed so much time that I couldn’t start simple sentences until late March.

            Around that time, my friend Caleb, who was doing basketball skills for his project, decided to switch to sign language. We partnered up, but he had a lot of catching up to do. I helped him learn the alphabet and a few simple words. After a while we started doing simple sentences. It did slow down my progression because I had to back track and help Caleb out, but in the end it was worth it.

            Since November, I have come to realize that 20% time isn’t necessarily about learning a new skill, it is about having fun and enjoying it. It was even more fun when Caleb joined me because I had a great friend to do the work with. So, if I am asked if all of the hard work was worth it even though I didn’t complete my goal, it’s a definite yes.

Almost there!

We are one week from our presentation. My friend Caleb has joined me. Today we start on our poster board.  Almost there!

Progress Report

I am starting to learn complete sentences now and I have learned, "Are you a teacher?", "Where did you learn sign?" and some other sentences. Within the next couple of months I should be able to speak enough sentences to have a basic, short conversation.

Progress Report

I have learned many basic words, and will start to progress to more advanced words. It won't be long until I can speak sentences in sign language.

Project Proposal

          20% Time Project Proposal

Name: Nathan Vaughan

Project Title: Learning Sign Language

Project Start Date: November 7, 2014

Project Completion Date: May 15, 2015

Mentor’s Name: Mrs. Browning

Brief Description: I will be learning sign language for my 20% Time Project. This is a useful skill that I have always found very interesting.

Overview of Project Proposal

1) Project Objective: To learn sign language so that I will eventually become fluent, and be able to communicate with people who are deaf and use sign language. Learning sign language will be a major turning point in my life.

2) Project Rationale: I will learn sign language because it will be useful when trying to talk with deaf people.

3) Project Steps:

First, I will learn the sign language alphabet until I am fluent with that.

·         Next, I will start with simple words.

·         Once I have those down, I will start focusing on more advanced words.

·         Then I will start forming sentences with what I have learned.

·         Soon I will be fluent in sign language.

4) Timeline of Activities:

·         December- by December I will hope to have the alphabet down fluently.

·         January/February- in January I will start doing full words, and in February I will do more and more of those.

·         March- I will start doing more advanced words and sentences.

·         April- I will be forming sentences.

·         May- I will be fluently speaking sign language.

5) Available Human and Material Resources:

·         TED Talks

·         Youtube Videos on sign language

6) Possible Road Blocks: Not learning sign language quick enough, or getting wrong information on how to do words or letters.

7) Research Questions:

·         What are the benefits of learning sign language?

·         How long does it take the average person to learn sign language?

·         How will it help me in life?

Progress Report

I am now nearly perfect with  the sign language alphabet. It will take a bit more practice but I will soon be able to do it fluently. The next step after that is learning full words.