Auslan News
LOOK WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN AUSLAN AT MPHPS
Hello everyone,
Welcome to Term 4 in the Auslan classroom! We have an exciting term ahead, filled with new vocabulary, engaging activities and opportunities for students to build on the signing skills they have developed throughout the year. As we continue our Auslan journey, students will revisit familiar signs, explore new topics and strengthen their confidence in communicating through this beautiful visual language. We will also continue to celebrate Deaf culture and the importance of inclusion, respect and understanding within our community. I look forward to another wonderful term of learning, signing and discovering together!
SIGNS OF THE WEEK
Don’t forget to ask your child to show you some of the Auslan signs they have been learning. Over the past fortnight, we have been revising many of the signs that we have learnt to strengthen students’ confidence and recall.
Our Signs of the Week are ‘body’, ‘eyes’, and 'hair’ We encourage you to practise these at home together!
IN THE CLASSROOM
Year 3 – Students will consolidate their knowledge of Auslan signs related to animals while expanding their vocabulary by learning signs associated with the seasons. They will explore how to identify and describe the four seasons, making connections between seasonal changes, weather conditions and the world around them.
Year 4 – Students will continue to strengthen their understanding of Auslan vocabulary and short sentences related to directions, practising how to give and follow simple instructions. They will also explore signs related to parts of the body, learning to identify and sign different body parts while developing their ability to describe and communicate information clearly.
Year 5 – Students will continue to deepen their understanding of Auslan and Deaf culture by reflecting on the visit from Naomi, our Deaf presenter, who joined us at school at the beginning of Term 4. Students will revisit what they learned from Naomi’s presentation, discussing her experiences as a Deaf person and the role Auslan plays in everyday communication. They will explore the importance of understanding and respecting Deaf culture, recognising the value of inclusive communication and considering how we can help create a more welcoming and accessible community for everyone.
Year 6 – Students will focus on expanding their Auslan vocabulary by learning descriptive signs related to their favourite animals. They will explore how to describe an animal’s appearance, size, colour, features and characteristics using appropriate signs, facial expressions and non-manual features to communicate meaning clearly. Students will have opportunities to combine familiar vocabulary with newly learned descriptive signs to create short descriptions of their chosen animals.
Naomi, our Deaf presenter, shared how she taught her cat to communicate with her by gently tapping her leg to let her know it was time to eat, rather than relying on sounds or meowing.
