Auslan Report

Grade Prep

In weeks 5 and 6 of Term 3, Grade Preps will learn about HOLM + NMF and Feelings. When learning about HOLM + NMF students will practise the flat handshape. They will also look at the orientation (direction of the fingers and palm), location (where the hands are near the face or body) and movement (e.g. push it up or down, wave them, turn them side to side, tap them together or on another body part). The aim of the lesson is for the students to understand HOLM through a ‘hands on’ approach in the ways our hands can be shaped, positioned and moved.

In the Feelings lesson, Grade Preps will focus on the three feelings signs - smiley, sleepy and upset by playing a guessing game. This will involve asking the question ‘How Are you?’ and students responding with one of the feelings signs. Grade Preps will work in pairs or small groups with an Emoji picture sheet each and take turns making facial expressions and guessing the sign.

Grade 1

In weeks 5 and 6 of Term 3, Grade 1’s will learn about Conversation and Planning a Holiday. In the Conversation lesson, students will work on the importance of a conversation between two deaf people. They will also participate in a conversation role play activity where students will talk about a topic suggested by the teacher. As students practise their conversations the teacher will provide feedback on good examples of communication. Students will be encouraged to focus on gaining attention to start a conversation and using eye contact.

When learning about Planning a Holiday, students will play a game of ‘Pass the Teddy’ (like pass the parcel). Students will pass the teddy around in a circle and when the music stops, the student holding the teddy will sign one of the lesson signs. Students watching will need to identify the sign they saw relating to planning a holiday.

Grades 2-6

In weeks 5 and 6 of Term 3, Grades 2-6 will learn the topics Use of Space and My Australian Holiday - Tasmania. In the Use of Space lesson, Grade Two’s will do mime/constructed action that involves viewer space. The example used will be getting a drink from the fridge in the kitchen. Students will need to imagine what they are doing and create a visual scene. The steps they will need to consider are: walk to the fridge, open the fridge door, look in and take out a can or bottle of drink, shut the fridge door, place the bottle on the bench, get a glass/cup. Open the can or bottle (it will be different for a can or bottle) and pour into the glass/cup. Take a drink. Grade 3/4 ‘s viewer of space topic will be ‘borrowing a book from the school library’ and 5/6 ‘s topic will be ‘painting at an easel’.

When learning about My Australian Holiday - Tasmania, Grade Two students will do a Constructed Action Story where the class is divided into groups and given a scenario to do with their Tasmanian holiday (e.g. Traveling to Tasmania - signs: water, boat, Tas, cold. Students will act it out using mime and constructed action. Grade 3/4 students will play a Spaceman/Spaceship Game (a version of Hangman) where a student selects a Tasmanian Holiday related word from the jar and students will need to guess the word by fingerspelling. Grade 5/6 students will play a game called Climb the Ladder where students are arranged into groups and the team leader will read the last word (moving up the ladder) and that first person in line will do the sign. This activity will encourage all signs in this lesson to be practised and learnt.

Keep updated on learning Auslan each fortnight in our Partners in Learning Newsletter during Term 3.

Mrs Jessica Pfister