Auslan Workshop Kit for Children ~Beginners~

Auslan Workshop Kit for Children ~Beginners~

Forward This is the second, revised edition of our workshop kit. It has been designed to help run simple, entertaining Auslan workshops for children without any prior knowledge of Auslan. They can be run in isolation, as a short session, or as part of an extended session, or program. Over the past few years we have received innumerable request to expand and update the old workshop kit. Many schools contacted us requesting a simple introduction series they could run over a 9-10 week school term. Thus this edition has been expanded to include more sessions than the first; and to include colour based handouts for the children. These handouts can be scanned and /or copied. Many of these sections are extracts from, or a abridged versions of sub-topics from the Auslan LOTE Teaching Guide Stage 1. Wherever possible care has been taken to cater to regional sign variations. We apologise if we neglected to include a sign variation you use and would appreciate it if you let us know so that corrections can be made for future editions. As always this kit would not have been possible without the assistance, guidance and editorial support of many many people across the country. To all the interpreters, teachers, TOD s, Speech therapists, OT s, CODA s and members of he Deaf community, young and old; we thank you all. V{Ü á U Äuç chris@bilby.net Chris Bilby

C ontents Page No About This Pack... 6 A Word On Workshops Finding a Venue.. Fundraising..... Other Support..... Workshop Plans Introducing Auslan.. Animals ~ Pets Numbers 1 to 10.. Colours. Clothes.. Fruit.... Alphabet... 7 9 15 29 47 53 57 61 What We Did..... 69 Making an Auslan Book..... 73 Going Further.... 79 Happy Birthday Song..... 80 Contents 5

I ntroducing Auslan Introduction This Workshop Plan is designed to be stage 1. It introduces the idea of Auslan, and the people who use it. It is designed to be less about learning Auslan and more about discussing Auslan in a conversation setting; and through story (depending on age groups). Where to start It is always a good idea to begin by going around in a circle or similar and briefly get to know the children. While we do not recommend attempting to begin by teaching children finger spelling (signed alphabet), if you are a confident signer, by finger spelling names and sign translating the children s answers your group will begin to get a feel for sign language before you try to teach it to them. Suggested Questions : What is your name? How old are you? These are great because they give you the option of repeating names after children say them and fingerspelling them. You can also sign the child s age. Age Appropriate Expectations 2-4 year olds : Try and make sure you know their names and ages, as they may not communicate them. 5-8 year olds : Encourage children to copy you and sign the first letter of their name and their age. 8-12 year olds : Encourage children to copy you and sign their initials and age. 12+ year olds : Encourage children to copy you and sign their initials and age in sentences. (E.g. My name is fingerspell name, I am number(age) ) You could make up name stickers for each student before hand using the sign language font available at www.signplanet.net Simply type each childs name in word (or similar) using the fonts capital letters and print on sticker paper. Then cut each name out before the class. With young children I have often done this with the first letter, or initials in a different colour. EG: Continuing the conversation Why are you here? Why learn sign? Who uses sign? As further discussion you could ask the children why they are there. Do they know anyone who signs etc. You may wish to explain to the children that signing people are everywhere. That Introducing Auslan 9

A nimals ~ Pets Introduction We often choose to teach animal signs first, with children, as: Animals are of interest to most children and easily definable by image alone. Animals are often signed by acting the animals primary characteristic, which makes the signs easy for children to understand. We recommend dividing animals into small sub categories (Eg : Farm Animals, pets, birds etc) and introducing them to children one category at a time. We have started with Pets. Pets make up a wonderful little topic for young children. The sign list is reasonably short and many of the signs are self evident and thus make sense to children and make them easy to remember. For example, to sign Dog you pat the side of your leg with your hand, like you would to call a dog over to you. When teaching the signs, point out the links between the signs and the animals to help children remember the signs. There are more hints on the subsequent dictionary pages for you to use as a guide. You could also start by showing the children dog and explaining the hint and then asking the children to guess the sign for cockatoo, duck rabbit and so on, starting with the more obvious examples. At The Pet Shop ~ song You will find a song sheet within this section including the At The Pet Shop song. With hearing and deaf children alike, I sit the children in a circle and sing/sign this simple song to rhythm generated by clapping hands on knees and then together. The clapping action simultaneously provides hearing children an audiological rhythm and deaf children a visual rhythm. The words are very simple: I went to the pet shop, and what did I see, I saw a pet looking at me You could go around the circle and get each child to sign (and say if appropriate) a pet from the topic. As it is a small topic you may need to allow repeats. If you sit in the circle you can sign the ones the children forget when it is your turn. If you want to you could sign all (or a selection of) the words to this little song. There is a sheet on the following pages that details all the words and reiterates the above instructions. For more advanced children, you could also get one child to sign I went to the Pet Shop then everyone else signs what did you see then the first child signs I saw a pet looking at me. Working your way around the circle in this way. Other Games, Songs and Activity sheets You will also find the following worksheets : Find-A-Sign Pets 1 Find-A-Sign Pets 2 Match up Pets 1 Match up Pets 2 Circle the Pet sheets (2) You can use the worksheets as an assessment task or simple as a revision and entertainment task. Animals ~ Pets 15

Answers to Worksheets 16 Animals ~ Pets

Animals ~ Pets 17

18 Animals ~ Pets

Animals ~ Pets 19

24 Animals ~ Pets

At The Pet Shop? I went to the pet shop And what did I see... I saw a pet looking at me Teacher Notes : Sit the children in a circle and sing this simple song to a rhythm generated my clapping hands on knees and then together. You could go around the circle and get each child to sign (and say if appropriate) a pet. As this is a small topic you may need to allow repeats. If you sit in the circle you can sign the ones the children forget when it is your turn. If you want to you could sign all (or a selection of) the words to this little song, or just the pet signs. Signs: I (me) Touch your chest with the tip of your pointer finger. went (to go) Start with both thumbs up and move hands forward with pointer fingers extended. pet Stroke the back of your upright hand (palm towards you) twice, gently. Shop With thumb extended sideways from fist, tap hand onto the palm of your other hand twice. what With pointer finger pointing upwards, palm forward, and hand out to side, shake hand left and right. 26 Animals ~ Pets I (me) Touch your chest with the tip of your pointer finger. see Start with pointer fingertip near eye and draw hand

I (me) Touch your chest with the tip of your pointer finger. Saw (see) With extended forefinger, point to your cheekbone just below the eye and then in the direction of the thing you're seeing Looking (watching me) Form a V with pointer and middle finger and bring towards eyes. Pet Signs: bird budgerigar cat chicken cockatoo dog duck fish frog guinea pig horse lizard mouse parrot rabbit snake turtle Animals ~ Pets 27