Anticipatory Set

The students will observe the teacher silently signing the words "See Me Beautiful" (refer to the American Sign Language Web site in bibliography). Repeatedly sign these words (without music). The students will naturally begin signing along out of curiosity. After several times, add the auditory words with each sign. 

• Play the song "See Me Beautiful" by Red Grammer (see Bibliographical References).  Play it while you teach words, motions, and tune. If possible, put the students on risers and use the motions suggested on the Red Grammer Website (see Bibliographical References). 
  
  
• After practicing a few times, "huddle" the students and reflect on the word beautiful.  (Write their ideas on the board.)  What does it mean?  What are ways in which we can feel beautiful?  In what ways can we keep our world beautiful?
  
  
• Explain what sign language is: hand movements that represent letters, words, and ideas, used especially by those who have difficulty hearing.  It is one way people can communicate with the world around them.  Talk about the beauty of the language.
  
  
• Replay small portions of the song and discuss the meaning of the lyrics.  Tell children to listen to the words they are singing and be ready to answer the following questions:  What are you singing about?  What story are you telling the listener?
  
  
• After discussing all the lyrics, go straight through the song two or three times (set the "repeat" program on your CD player).  Students sign on the words "see me beautiful" while they sing along on the entire song.
  
  
• Pair students and have them sing and sign for their partner (mirroring each other) while that repeat button is going.
  
  
• Have students write and draw in their journals responses to the following questions: Why is it important for everyone to feel beautiful?  What does it mean to "see me beautiful"?
  
  

Notes for Teaching: It is suggested that a sensitivity lesson be taught to the class about students who are hearing impaired.

Day Two

• The students share their journal thoughts and pictures with the class, reviewing the concept of beauty and seeing beauty. 
  
  
• With the whole class, sing the Red Grammer song "See Me Beautiful," reviewing the sign language for the three words and the motions throughout the song (optional).  Pair students (different partner from previous day) and have them sing and sign for their partner (mirroring each other) with the repeat button on.  Repeat two or three times.
  
  
• When the students are ready, prepare them for going to another classroom to perform the song.  Talk to them before they go about the idea that they will be sharing something beautiful with the other class.  Ask for volunteers to teach the sign language before they start singing.  The whole class will bring their journals with them for the other class to look at.  The students will walk around the room, showing their art and talking about their thoughts.
  
  
• Go to the other classroom.  Introduce the song, have the volunteers teach the sign language and then have the students perform the song.  Encourage the other class to sign along as they become familiar with the words.
  
  
• The students will come back to their classroom and evaluate with each other how their sharing went with the other class. Discuss the following questions:

1. Do you think the other class learned your message from the performance?
2. Do you think the sign language helped them understand better or pay more attention?
3. Do you think they will sign/sing the song when they go home tonight?
   

Notes for Teaching:  Continue to sort, count and graph the recyclable trash that students bring from home (see Lesson One).

Interactive Parent / Student Homework:

Send home a printout of the lyrics to the song with descriptions of the sign language.  Encourage the students to practice at home for family and in front of the mirror.

• American Sign Language Dictionary http://www.masterstech-home.com/ASLDict.html
  
  
• Grammer, Red. Teaching Peace. Australia: Red Note Records, 1986. Audio CD.ASIN: B000009NGF 
  
  
• Red Grammer Website Includes group movements for song performance http://www.redgrammer.com/  
  
  
• Friends of the Earth.  Songs 4 Teachers www.songs4teachers.com