Note: "Signing Naturally" is a popular curriculum for American Sign Language (ASL). "Homework 911" often refers to a specific unit (Unit 9, Lesson 11) or a student's cry for help regarding a tricky translation exercise.
Title: ASL SOS: Surviving the Signing Naturally Homework 911 Meltdown
We have all been there. You’re sitting at your desk, coffee has gone cold, and you are staring at a static image of a signer in a blue shirt. You have replayed the DVD chapter twelve times, but the handshape still looks like a blurry bird flapping in a hurricane.
Welcome to the dreaded Signing Naturally Homework 911.
If you are taking an ASL class right now, you know exactly what I’m talking about. Unit 9, Lesson 11 (often abbreviated as 9:11 or nicknamed "911" by frustrated students) is notorious for being the turning point where ASL goes from "fun vocabulary" to "legitimate brain twister."
Why is this homework so hard?
First, let’s give credit where it’s due. Signing Naturally is an amazing curriculum because it forces you to think in sign rather than translate word-for-word from English. But Homework 911 typically focuses on:
The 911 Emergency Kit (How to actually finish the assignment)
Before you throw your textbook across the room, here is your rescue plan:
1. Watch the "Snapshot" First, Not the Questions Most students hit play and immediately try to answer question #1. Stop. Watch the entire narrative once without writing anything. Just absorb the visual context.
2. Rewind and Slow Down (Literally) If you are using the DVD or online portal, slow the playback speed to 0.75x. Watch the signer’s non-dominant hand. Often, the answer to "Homework 911" lies in what the other hand is doing (location mapping).
3. Write the "Gist," Not the Gloss Don't worry about writing perfect ASL gloss (e.g., "CAR CL:V GO FAST"). Write the English story down first. Once you know the plot, you can go back and figure out the grammar.
4. The 10-Minute Rule If you have been stuck on the same question for 10 minutes, stop. You are no longer learning; you are panicking. Take a walk, watch a silent vlog, or ask a classmate. Fresh eyes see signs better.
The Bottom Line
Homework 911 isn't designed to fail you; it’s designed to make you realize that ASL is a real, complex language with syntax and physics. The panic you feel ("911, I need help!") is actually the sound of your brain rewiring itself for visual-spatial learning. signing naturally homework 911
So, take a deep breath. Turn off the music. Watch the hands, not the face (for now). You’ve got this.
Have you survived the Signing Naturally 911 homework? Or are you currently crying over a classifier for a winding road? Drop your ASL war stories in the comments below. 👇🫶
In Unit 9.11 of Signing Naturally, the homework focus is on Giving Directions: Perspective Shift. You are typically asked to watch a video where signers give directions to various businesses and record both the location name and the reason for the visit. Homework 9.11 Answer Key
Based on the standard curriculum, here are the 10 locations and their corresponding reasons for visiting: Business Name Reason for Going 1 Macy's Needs to buy an umbrella 2 Sam's Deli Wants to get a sandwich 3 ReMax Looking for a house to buy 4 Curves Needs to exercise to stay slim/skinny 5 City Hall Daughter needs a birth certificate 6 Ace Hardware Wall socket is broken; needs parts 7 AT&T Needs to get a new cell phone 8 Courthouse Got a ticket for speeding 9 Hyatt Needs a hotel room (previous one was full) 10 Parking Looking for cheap parking Key Concept: Perspective Shift
This lesson teaches you to give directions from the point of view of looking down a street. When a signer describes a turn, they shift their perspective so the new street is directly in front of them for the next set of instructions.
For additional study materials, you can find practice cards on Quizlet or view detailed homework breakdowns on Studocu.
Master Your ASL Skills: A Guide to Completing Signing Naturally Homework 9.11
For students immersed in American Sign Language (ASL), the Signing Naturally curriculum is the gold standard. However, as you progress into Unit 9, the complexity of spatial agreement and non-manual markers (NMMs) begins to ramp up. Specifically, Homework 9.11 often presents a challenge because it asks you to synthesize several advanced concepts at once.
If you’re staring at your workbook or video platform wondering how to tackle this section, this guide will break down the core objectives and help you master the material. What is the Focus of Homework 9.11?
Unit 9 focuses on "Sighting and Elaborating," and by the time you reach 9.11, the emphasis is on describing places and giving directions. Unlike English, which relies on prepositions (left, right, behind), ASL uses Signer’s Perspective and Spatial Mapping. In Homework 9.11, you are typically tasked with:
Identifying Locations: Recognizing specific rooms or landmarks based on a signer’s description.
Spatial Agreement: Ensuring your signs "point" to where the objects or rooms actually exist in your mental map.
Non-Manual Markers: Using your eyes and head tilts to indicate distance and specific turns. Key Concepts to Review Before Starting
To get the most out of your 9.11 practice, keep these three pillars of ASL grammar in mind: 1. Signer’s Perspective Note: "Signing Naturally" is a popular curriculum for
This is the most common pitfall for students. When the signer on the video says a door is "on the right," it is on their right. When you replicate it, you must maintain that perspective. Imagine you are standing in the signer's shoes looking at the same hallway. 2. The "Point of Reference"
In 9.11, directions usually start from a common point (like a lobby or a front door). Watch for how the signer establishes this "home base" before moving through the virtual space. 3. Distance NMMs Pay close attention to the signer’s face.
"La-la-la" or "Far": Eyes squinted, mouth slightly open, arm fully extended. "Mm" or "Moderate": Pursed lips, arm at a mid-range.
"Cs" or "Near": Cheek-to-shoulder, teeth clenched, arm kept close to the body. Strategies for Success
Watch the Video Three TimesDon't try to answer the questions on your first viewing.
First pass: Just watch for the "flow" of the building or room being described.
Second pass: Focus on the specific vocabulary (e.g., OFFICE, LAB, STAIRS, ELEVATOR). Third pass: Match the signs to the layout in your workbook.
Sketch It OutIf you’re struggling to keep the layout in your head, grab a scratchpad. Draw a rough "birds-eye view" map as the signer describes the turns. This makes it much easier to identify the final destination requested in the homework.
Focus on the EyesIn ASL directions, the eyes lead the hands. If the signer looks to the left before signing "door," they are telling you exactly where that door is located in the hallway. Common Vocabulary in Unit 9.11 THROUGH: Passing through a door or hallway. NEXT-TO: Spatial arrangement of rooms. ACROSS-FROM: Facing rooms. CORNER: Essential for hallway navigation. BEHIND/IN-FRONT-OF: Establishing depth. Final Thoughts
Homework 9.11 isn't just about getting the right answer; it’s about training your brain to think in three dimensions. By mastering these spatial descriptions, you’re moving away from "signed English" and toward true ASL fluency.
If you get stuck, rewind the video and look specifically at the signer's eye gaze—it is almost always the "cheat code" to understanding where they are pointing in space.
This report provides a comprehensive guide to Signing Naturally Unit 9.11
, specifically focusing on the homework assignment titled "Giving Directions: Perspective Shift". CliffsNotes Overview: Unit 9.11 Homework The primary objective of this lesson is to master perspective shifting spatial agreement
when giving directions in American Sign Language (ASL). Unlike spoken English, ASL directions require the signer to describe the path from their own vantage point as if they are navigating through the space in real-time. Part 1: Key Businesses and Reasons for Visiting Title: ASL SOS: Surviving the Signing Naturally Homework
In the standard "Signing Naturally" Level 2 workbook, Unit 9.11 features a video exercise where ten different locations are described. Below are the businesses identified in the video and the corresponding "reason for going" frequently required for this homework: Business Name Reason for Going Needs an umbrella Sam's Deli Wants a sandwich Looking for a house to buy Exercise to stay slim/skinny Daughter needs a birth certificate Ace Hardware Wall socket is broken Needs a new cell phone Courthouse Got a ticket for speeding Needs a hotel (original choice was full) Looking for cheap parking Part 2: Core ASL Concepts in Unit 9.11
To complete this assignment successfully, you must demonstrate the following linguistic skills:
I’ll assume you mean the song “Signing Naturally: Student Workbook” (or materials) and a homework item labeled “911” — but that’s ambiguous. I’ll provide a concise, structured report covering two likely interpretations and actionable steps:
If neither interpretation matches your intent, say which of these you meant or give one short clarifying detail (e.g., “textbook homework,” “song by Lady Gaga,” or paste the assignment).
Unit 9 focuses heavily on Temporal Aspects (Time), specifically distinguishing between Continuous, Habitual, and Infinitive forms of verbs. It also covers semantic categories like "Countries."
Below is a detailed breakdown of the concepts, grammar, and vocabulary typically covered in Signing Naturally Homework 9:11.
Don't just watch the homework. Stand up. Face a mirror. Re-enact the signer's role shift. Move your body left for Person A and right for Person B. Your body remembers what your eyes miss.
Can't identify a sign in your homework? Describe it:
Use Handspeak or Lifeprint (Bill Vicars' site) as a reverse ASL dictionary.
The phrase "911" in this context is an urgent distress call. Students search for this keyword for three primary reasons:
Here is the hard truth: There is no official public answer key. DawnSignPress (the publisher) restricts instructor answer keys. However, you can master the material without failing your performance exams.
Don't try to answer all 20 questions from memory. For each video prompt:
Unit 11 introduces conditional statements ("If it rains, then I will stay home"). This requires complex syntax and shoulder-shifting for two different scenarios.
The Assignment: The final assignment in Unit 9 often involves a narrative about getting a flat tire on the freeway and asking for help. Why it’s a 911: This story uses Classifier (CL) handshapes extensively. The signer uses a CL:3 (vehicle) to show the car swerving, then a CL:B (flat object) for the tire. If you haven't mastered classifiers, the story looks like wild hand-flailing. The Fix: Don't watch for words. Watch for shape changes. When the handshape changes from a "3" to a "B," that is the moment the tire goes flat.
English translation of what you’d sign:
"I’ll tell you about an interesting feature in my city: the Whispering Wall.
It’s an old, curved stone wall in the park.
The shape: long, curved, about 8 feet tall. Smooth surface.
Here’s the cool part: If one person stands at one end of the wall and whispers, another person at the far end can hear perfectly. The curved shape carries the sound.
I went there with a friend. We tested it. I stood here, she stood far there. I whispered 'hello,' and she heard it. Amazing.
Tourists love it. You can find it behind the library, next to the fountain."