Auslan News

Errol St Campus

From Simone McGenniskin, Senior School Auslan teacher

Plane, Trains and Automobiles

This fortnight in Auslan, students have been learning and practising transport signs including: 

Transport, Plane, Train, Tram, Car, Helicopter, Scooter, Bike, Skateboard and Bus (in the poster below).

Students have also been participating in our interactive “Shopping Centres” roleplay activity. Students are either a customer or a shopkeeper and must communicate using Auslan throughout the game.

This activity also incorporates important Mathematics skills, as students use money to purchase items from shops, count and exchange notes and coins correctly, work out prices and totals, and practise turn-taking, problem-solving and real-life money handling skills.

Customers

• Aim to buy about 10 different items by the end of the class.
• Must line up at the bank to collect money each time they want to purchase something.
• Can only buy one food item at a time.

• Use the cheat sheets at each table to help with signs and communication.

   

Shopkeepers

• Advertise their goods using Auslan signs.
• Sell items at the set prices.
• Encourage clear communication and correct grammar.

Students are reminded to use Auslan to communicate at all times and think carefully about their grammar and signing as I roamed and assessed their progress. Students also had the option to wear headphones if they would like to reduce noise distractions.

Our new “chemist” area was also made available this fortnight for any students who are “feeling unwell”, they can sign what is wrong and get x-rayed, given tablets and ice packs by the pharmacist. 

Early Finishers

Students who finish early and have successfully ordered one of each item may quietly play an Auslan board game with a group at a table. We are very proud of the students’ enthusiasm and growing confidence using Auslan in real-life situations while also applying practical maths skills.

Print and practice: Print and practice this week’s new signs for transport, and quiz your kids on the way to school!