Cultural Expression through Sign

Year Level

Year 7

Duration

70 minutes

Class Size

25 students

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Unit Context

This lesson is Lesson 11 of 20 in the unit "Deaf Gain in Auslan Culture". Students will explore cultural expression in Auslan by discussing traditional stories and community expressions related to Deaf Gain.

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Australian Curriculum Alignment (Languages - Auslan, Years 7 and 8)

Content Descriptions Addressed

Interpret and analyse information, ideas and opinions in a range of signed, visual and multimodal texts, and respond appropriately to cultural context, purpose and audience (AC9L1AU8C03)

Recognise how identity is shaped by language(s), culture(s), attitudes, beliefs and values (AC9L1AU8EU04)

Create and present signed, visual and multimodal, informative and imaginative texts, manipulating language to suit context, purpose and audience (AC9L1AU8C05)

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify and explain how cultural expression is demonstrated through Auslan stories and performances within Deaf communities.
2. Analyse traditional Deaf stories or community expressions as examples of Deaf Gain.
3. Demonstrate understanding of Deaf culture's values and identity through Auslan by engaging with signed narratives or skits.
4. Create a short signed presentation highlighting a cultural aspect of the Deaf community.

These align with the Australian Curriculum v9 for Auslan in Years 7 and 8, focusing on cultural understanding, identity, and expressive skills in Auslan language use.

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Resources Needed

• Video examples of traditional Auslan stories and Deaf community events (preferably Australian Deaf storytellers)
• Class projector/screen or interactive whiteboard
• Auslan dictionaries or glossaries for reference
• Worksheets with key vocabulary and discussion questions about Deaf Gain and cultural expressions
• Whiteboard and markers
• Video recording device or tablets (for student presentation recording)

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Lesson Outline

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Set context: Briefly revisit the concept of Deaf Gain and Deaf culture explored in previous lessons.
• Introduce topic: Explain that today's focus is on cultural expression in Auslan, particularly through traditional stories and community expressions.
• Show a short video clip (3-4 minutes) of a traditional Deaf story performed in Auslan by an Australian Deaf storyteller.
• Prompt initial thoughts: Ask students what cultural elements or values they noticed in the storytelling (e.g. use of space, facial expressions, storytelling techniques).

2. Vocabulary and Concepts (10 minutes)

• Present key Auslan vocabulary related to cultural expression, such as "culture," "community," "tradition," "story," "identity," and "Deaf Gain". Use fingerspelling, lexical signs, and non-manual features.
• Use visual aids and support from Auslan dictionaries/glossaries.
• Conduct a brief interactive activity where students practise signing these terms to a partner.
• Discuss how cultural meaning in Auslan often relies on non-verbal features and spatial use.

3. Exploring Deaf Cultural Stories (15 minutes)

• Divide students into small groups (4-5 per group).
• Provide each group with a signed narrative or written gloss of a traditional Deaf story or cultural expression relevant to Deaf Gain (could be an example of Deaf humour, community ceremony, or Deaf art form).
• Each group views a video of the story or reads the provided gloss.
• Groups discuss the story's cultural significance, values expressed, and how the story reflects Deaf identity and community.
• Circulate to support groups in identifying Auslan features such as constructed action (CA), depicting signs (DSs), and non-manual features (NMFs).

4. Group Presentations - Cultural Expression in Auslan (20 minutes)

• Each group summarises their assigned story and cultural insights.
• Groups create and rehearse a short signed presentation (2-3 minutes) that either retells the story or highlights important cultural elements discovered.
• Encourage inclusion of storytelling techniques seen in the video example, such as effective use of space, facial expression (NMF), and role shifting.
• Groups present to the class with peer feedback on cultural expression and signing clarity.

5. Reflection and Discussion (10 minutes)

• Whole-class reflection on the significance of cultural expression through Auslan.
• Discuss how Deaf Gain enriches not only Deaf people but society's understanding of identity, culture, and communication.
• Pose reflective questions:
  • How does sign language show culture differently than spoken language?
  • What did you learn about Deaf culture from these stories?
  • Why is it important to preserve and share these traditions?

6. Wrap-up and Assessment Overview (5 minutes)

• Summarise key lesson points.
• Explain homework or ongoing unit assessment: Students will be preparing for a project on Deaf Gain cultural expressions, continuing to collect and create signed cultural texts.
• Encourage students to keep an observation journal of any Auslan performances or community events they see, noting cultural expressions used.

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Assessment Suggestions

• Formative: Observation of group discussions, signed presentations, and participation in vocabulary activities.
• Summative: Signed presentation or creative project on a cultural expression related to Deaf Gain, assessed for use of Auslan features (CA, DSs, NMFs), cultural understanding, and expressive clarity according to AC9L1AU8C05 criteria.

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Differentiation and Extensions

• Support: Provide scaffolded glossed texts and allow use of Auslan dictionaries. Pair advanced signers with less confident peers for peer support.
• Extension: Interested students may research an Australian Deaf artist or community leader and prepare a bilingual Auslan-English digital presentation on their contribution to Deaf culture.

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Cross-curriculum Priorities and Capabilities

• Cross-curriculum priorities: Inclusion of First Nations Australians’ language and culture by comparing Deaf cultural narratives with First Nations oral traditions to enhance cultural awareness.
• General capabilities: Literacy (in Auslan and English captions), critical and creative thinking through analysis and presentation of stories; personal and social capability via group collaboration and cultural reflection.

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This lesson plan capitalises on the multimodal and visual strength of Auslan while developing cultural literacy and expressive skills consistent with the Australian Curriculum v9 for Languages - Auslan learning area for Year 7 students.