Signing Fluency Practice

Year Level

Year 5

Duration

60 minutes

Class Size

30 students

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Learning Area

Languages - Auslan (Southern dialect)

Curriculum Alignment

Western Australian Curriculum:

• AC9L1AU6U01: Apply knowledge of signs, pace and signing space to develop fluency in familiar contexts
• AC9L1AU4C05: Create and present informative and imaginative signed, visual, and multimodal texts using fingerspelling, lexical signs, depicting signs, non-manual features (NMFs), signing space, formulaic expressions, and modelled textual conventions

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Learning Objectives

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

1. Demonstrate accurate execution of familiar Auslan signs using correct handshape, movement and placement in signing space.
2. Use appropriate non-manual features (facial expressions, eye gaze) to enhance meaning.
3. Increase signing fluency by controlling pace and rhythm, showing anticipation of signs.
4. Complete an independent worksheet applying learned signs and interpreting signed prompts.
5. Participate collaboratively in an engaging game reinforcing Auslan vocabulary and usage.

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Materials Needed

• Computer and projector for PowerPoint presentation
• PowerPoint slides with Auslan signs demonstration
• Printed worksheets with Auslan practice activities
• Name cards or tokens for game activity
• Open space/desks arranged for partner/group signing practice

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Lesson Plan Outline

1. Introduction and Engagement (10 minutes)

• Welcome and briefly refresh previous learning about Auslan basics.
• Explain today’s focus on fluency and signing familiar vocabulary properly with correct pace and space.
• Show PowerPoint overview of the lesson steps with learning goals.

2. PowerPoint Demonstration of Signs (15 minutes)

• Present 8-10 key Auslan signs relevant to Year 5 students’ context (e.g., school, animals, feelings).
• For each sign:
  • Show video or animated demonstration of the sign with correct handshape, location, movement, and NMFs.
  • Explain spatial usage, referencing established locations in space where signs are made (neutral space, face, above head, torso) to align with AC9L1AU6U01 of using signing space.
  • Highlight pace and rhythm, demonstrating fluent signing and varying speed to build anticipation (AC9L1AU6U01_E6).
  • Invite students to watch first, then mimic the signs as a whole group.
• Emphasise non-manual features demonstrated, such as eyebrow movements for questions or urgency.

3. Student Practice in Pairs/Small Groups (15 minutes)

• Organise students into pairs or groups of three.
• Assign each group 2-3 signs from the demonstration set.
• Students practice signing to each other with focus on:
  • Correct hand shapes and motion
  • Using appropriate signing space and location
  • Controlled pace and natural rhythm
  • Facial expressions and body language (NMFs)
• Teacher circulates to give individual feedback and support fluency and accuracy.

4. Independent Worksheet Activity (10 minutes)

• Hand out worksheets with visual prompts to:
  • Identify the correct Auslan sign from pictures or descriptions
  • Match signs to English words or phrases
  • Fill-in-the-blanks exercises using illustrations for contextual clues
  • Short signing transcription practice where they label signs with handshape or NMF notes, applying metalanguage simply (handshape, pace, location) as per curriculum

5. Closing Game: "Auslan Relay" (10 minutes)

• Arrange students in two teams standing in line.
• The first student in each line receives a cue card with an English word from the lesson signs.
• They must sign it fluently to the next student without speaking or mouthing the word.
• The next student guesses the word and signs the next card.
• Continue until all students have participated.
• Winning team is the one to complete the relay correctly and fluently first.

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Assessment Criteria

• Observation of signing accuracy and fluency during pair practice (using criteria: correct handshape, location, movement, pace, and NMFs) aligned to AC9L1AU6U01.
• Correct responses and completion of worksheet activities (matching, transcription) reflecting understanding of signing concepts from AC9L1AU4C05.
• Participation and effective use of signs in group game enhancing communicative competence.

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Differentiation / Support

• Provide visual cue cards and handshape charts for students needing support.
• Allow extended practice time or peer modelling for students new to Auslan.
• Challenge advanced students by encouraging use of constructed actions (CAs) or role-shifts briefly during practice.

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Reflection and Follow-up

• Encourage students to reflect on which signs they found easiest/hardest to sign fluently and why.
• Suggest continuation of fluency practice with peers or family.
• Consider recording short videos of students signing fluency to demonstrate progress in later lessons.

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End of plan.

This detailed structured lesson incorporates the Western Australian Curriculum's emphasis on fluency, signing space, non-manual features, pace, and student creation and reception of Auslan texts to engage Year 5 learners meaningfully within a 60-minute lesson framework .