Intermediate Phase
Grade 4
Going to the Audiologist
Almost every school-going deaf child has his/her own story (or indeed stories) of their ‘visit/s to the audiologist’. Given that learners can thus strongly associate with undergoing hearing tests, it is important for them to also understand the meaning of the processes involved, as well as the vocabulary that it entails.
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The Athletics Day +
(Poem included)
The school week could barely end better for Bongi: with her birthday which has just passed and the athletics day lying ahead, her spirits are high. Until her birthday present gets the better of her and she learns a costly lesson from it…
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A Drama Festival Nightmare
Sabelo is initially very excited about the upcoming drama festival. This feeling, however, changes with a bad dream…
A short story about fears and how they influence our actions.
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Nelson Mandela
South Africa is proud of the influence and remarkable legacy of Madiba, the Father of Democracy in our country. Deaf learners should also have an understanding of this legend. A brief version of his life story is told here.
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A Rainy Day
Dave and George are keeping busy indoors on a cold, rainy winter’s day. When Dad comes home, each is given a chore. Find out which of the two boys helps diligently and who is lazy.
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Sifiso’s Magic Power
The story of Sifiso begins on a down-cast tone, but is eventually resolved in a surprising manner. Familiar vocabulary is supplemented with new words in this imaginative story.
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Bruno and The Bone Thief
This text teaches learners how to follow, execute and give instructions, in the form of directions. First, an imaginative tale is provided and, thereafter, a short instructional text (in the form of a dialogue) that relates content-wise to the tale.
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The Boys
This story is about a group of boys whose desire to play soccer almost lands them in big trouble –the only thing that saves them is a kind-hearted adult who is prepared to consider the reasons why the boys acted the way they did. Learners should find the element of surprise in this truly South African story enjoyable.
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A Visit to the Library
The text centres around a brother and a sister who know on what amazing journeys of imagination stories can take one. They visit the town library with their mom, and every book that they open takes them on a new adventure. This text requires the readers to use their imagination and to join the journey to the unknown and unexpected.
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Serapana
This story is about a keen gardener, Serapana, who grows vegetables with her animal friends. The themes addressed are friendship, team work, hard work and problem solving.
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Helen Keller
The remarkable life story of deaf-blind Helen Keller remains inspiring and hope-filled, not only for the Deaf and the blind, but also for hearing and seeing people. Deaf learners will be able to identify with some of the challenges Helen had to face, and develop perspective regarding barriers to learning which exist beyond their immediate context.
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You are Deaf like Me
This poem is about a Deaf parent’s view on his/her Deaf child. Some families find it difficult to accept the fact that their child is Deaf, whereas other families feel proud of having a Deaf child. And, at times, one person can experience both these emotions…
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Deaf Child in a Hearing Family
Reasons for deafness are varied and it is important for Deaf children to be knowledgeable about their deafness. In this regard the family of the Deaf child plays an important role. Different Deaf children may experience their life at home in different ways. This becomes very apparent when comparing the experiences of a Deaf child from a hearing family to that of a Deaf child from a Deaf family.
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The New Baby
This drama is about a young girl sharing her excitement about the future arrival of her baby brother/sister, and a classmate’s unexpected reaction towards what she shares with him. The theme of meanness by means of verbal bullying is indirectly addressed, but the main theme is empathy.
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The Weather Forecast
In this lesson, learners are exposed to the specific literary conventions used in an information text. It is important for learners to be knowledgeable about both the geography of our country and the visual language used in a weather forecast recording.
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How to make a Vegetable Soup
Through this text, learners are taught how to prepare a meal in a practical step-by-step manner. By carefully following the instructions in the recipe provided, the whole class can enjoy this warm, nutritious autumn dish.
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How to make a beaded bracelet
A text on how to bead a simple bracelet by using the necessary items and following instructions correctly. The instructions can also easily be followed by learners in class so that each child can create their own bracelet.
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Handmade Bird Feeder
This text contains instructions for making a bird feeder. The steps are clear and simple, and the DVD can be used as an example for learners to create their own instructions for a different craft activity. The fact that the bird feeder is made by using a milk carton also offers opportunities to discuss recycling in and around the home.
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The News
A fictional news report in Sign Language. Topics touched on may be familiar to learners. The formal and neutral language mode can be focussed on, as well as the usage of facts and information-rich sentences.
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Two Oceans Aquarium
The Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town not only boasts very informative and interactive displays, but is also designed in a child- and family friendly manner. As an introduction to the aquarium and some of the life kept within it, learners will be reminded of the precious fauna and flora that our country...
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An Energy Drink
Energy drinks are associated with sport and adventure. Nevertheless, these products present various dangers to one’s health. This lesson can be applied to investigate these harms. In addition, learners are exposed to the specific conventions associated with marketing texts.
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The Memory Tree
When Thembi and Thulani’s grandfather passes away, they experience a lot of different emotions. This beautiful story deals with the death of a loved one in a sensitive, age-appropriate way and shares a special way to remember and celebrate a loved one who has passed away.
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Lucas Radebe
In this text the learners are introduced to soccer legend Lucas Radebe. Lucas grew up on the dusty streets of a township, in the middle of the apartheid years. His talent, hard work and perseverance led him to become one of the best soccer players in the world. Lucas’s story should inspire learners to dream again and to have hope for their own future.
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The Cheese Adventure
This delightful story features three animal characters: Coco the Bunny, Lulu the Cat and Pippa the Mouse. They all live on a farm with Ella, who is Deaf, and have managed to learn some sign language from her. This comes in handy when Coco and Pippa get into a tricky situation.
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Andrew Foster
This text tells the story of Andrew Foster, a black, Deaf man, who grew up in the USA at a time when there was discrimination against black people and against Deaf people. Against all odds, Andrew kept on pursuing education, and then set out to ensure education for Deaf
people in Africa, establishing 32 schools for the Deaf in 13 African countries.
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The Big Five
In this poem, the poet is on an exciting game drive and looking out for all the animals on her list: lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard.
Will she manage to see all five of them? The poet’s detailed descriptions and enthusiastic presentation will make learners feel as if they themselves are on the game drive.
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Patience
This simple poem is about a mommy bird who is brooding, waiting for her eggs to hatch. The emphasis is on how long she has to wait for this to happen. The poem reminds us that some things are worth waiting for.
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Just Wait and See
Learners get to experience the life cycle of a butterfly in the form of a beautiful poem, which reminds us that we are all constantly growing, developing and changing, and that we should be patient with ourselves at each stage.
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The Wonder of Eggs
This information text is about something that is enjoyed on a regular basis in almost every household in South Africa, and the world - eggs. Learners learn about the eggs of different birds, the different ways in which eggs can be prepared, and other fun facts.
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Endangered Animals
Learners are introduced to concepts such as ‘endangered’ and ‘global warming’, in a simple, age-appropriate way. They learn about the
dodo, that became extinct, and about animals who are currently endangered, as well as what we can do to help preserve our planet’s
beautiful animal kingdom.
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How Technology Changes Our World
This text explains what technology is, looks back at the development of the television and the phone, and introduces learners to exciting new inventions, including some that are specifically designed for Deaf people.
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How to make a Bubble Worm
Learners watch simple instructions on how to make a magical bubble worm: a fun activity that is explained step by step. The fact that
recyclable products are used, makes it easy to link the text to a class discussion about recycling.
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How to make a Hot Chocolate
This text gives learners step-by-step instructions for making a mug of hot chocolate. In addition to teaching learners a useful, practical skill, it also exposes them to the format and specific type of language used for instructions.
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Deaflympics
This magazine item deals with the Deaflympics, the Olympic Games for Deaf athletes from all over the world. Learners learn something about the history of the Games and meet Matt Klotz, Terence Parkin, and the team that represented South Africa at the Games in 2022. The athletes’ stories show them that there is a world full of opportunities out there.
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Sports Day at School
This text is an advertisement for a sports day. References to soccer and real players should catch learners’ attention, while they are exposed to the format and content of an advertisement, as well as techniques used
to catch people’s attention and to attract them.
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