Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Classes

Firework

Learn and perform Auslan (Australian Sign Language) to the song 'Firework'

Student music resource developed by The Arts Unit

Kindergarten to Year 8 music

What will I learn?

You will:

  • learn to communicate using basic Auslan

  • develop coordination skills through movement and actions

  • perform while following actions and instructions.

Welcome to the class

Zoe Blaikie-West and Josie WoodsNepean Creative and Performing Arts High SchoolDuration: 00:47

Before you begin

Are you ready to learn a new way to communicate?

In this lesson, we are going to learn some Auslan signs.

Sign languages use hand shapes, movements and facial expression to communicate. They are primarily used to communicate with people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

In Australia we use Auslan, which stands for Australian Sign Language. Auslan is uniquely Australian. Just like different countries speak different languages, people who are Deaf use different sign languages depending on where they come from.

To help you with this lesson, you will need:

  • space to work safely

  • a camera or recording device for the activities.

Watch

Watch the fantastic signing choir from Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School perform Firework by Katy Perry.

A special shout out to their videographer Ethan Friedler - Year 10, for his amazing video footage.

Learn

Now it is your turn to learn some sign language.

Watch the instructional videos as students from Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School together with their teacher Rhonda Hughes break down the Auslan inspired sign language for you to the song Firework by Katy Perry.

Each video breaks down a small section of the song so you can learn step-by-step. Each section comes with an instructional video as well as a demonstration of the signing in real time with music.

You may choose to learn only the chorus and bridge, or take up the challenge to learn the whole song!

Practise with your classmates so you know it well and be sure to share your performance with your school community.

You could also follow the 'Firework' lyrics while you are signing.

Verse 1

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag

Drifting through the wind

Wanting to start again?

Do you ever feel, feel so paper-thin

Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?

Verse 2

Do you ever feel already buried deep

Six feet under screams but no one seems to hear a thing

Do you know that there's still a chance for you

'Cause there's a spark in you?

Chorus

You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine

Just own the night like the 4th of July

'Cause, baby, you're a firework

Come on, show 'em what you're worth

Make 'em go, "Ah, ah, ah"

As you shoot across the sky

Baby, you're a firework

Come on, let your colors burst

Make 'em go, "Ah, ah, ah"

You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe

Verse 3

You don't have to feel like a wasted space

You're original, cannot be replaced

If you only knew what the future holds

After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Verse 4

Maybe a reason why all the doors are closed

So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road

Like a lightning bolt your heart will glow

And when it's time you'll know

Chorus

You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine

Just own the night like the 4th of July

'Cause, baby, you're a firework

Come on, show 'em what you're worth

Make 'em go, "Ah, ah, ah"

As you shoot across the sky

Baby, you're a firework

Come on, let your colors burst

Make 'em go, "Ah, ah, ah"

You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe

Bridge

Boom, boom, boom

Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon

It's always been inside of you, you, you

And now it's time to let it through, -ough, -ough

Chorus

'Cause, baby, you're a firework

Come on, show 'em what you're worth

Make 'em go, "Ah, ah, ah"

As you shoot across the sky

Baby, you're a firework

Come on, let your colors burst

Make 'em go, "Ah, ah, ah"

You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe

Bridge

Boom, boom, boom

Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon

Boom, boom, boom

Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon


Firework - Chorus

Watch the following 2 videos to learn the Auslan inspired signs for the chorus of Firework.

Firework - Chorus - Signing instructional video

Josie WoodsNepean Creative and Performing Arts High SchoolDuration: 05:29

Firework - Chorus - Real time signing with music

Jacob Rushton, Josie Woods and Janvi BhagiraithNepean Creative and Performing Arts High SchoolDuration: 01:09

Firework - Verse 1 and 2

Watch the following 2 videos to learn the Auslan inspired signs for verse 1 and 2 of Firework.

Firework - Verse 1 and 2 - Signing instructional video

Janvi BhagiraithNepean Creative and Performing Arts High SchoolDuration: 04:25

Firework - Verse 1 and 2 - Real time signing with music

Janvi Bhagiraith and Zoe Blaikie-WestNepean Creative and Performing Arts High SchoolDuration: 00:57

Firework - Verse 3

Watch the following 2 videos to learn the Auslan inspired signs for verse 3 of Firework.

Firework - Verse 3 - Signing instructional video

Zoe Blaikie-WestNepean Creative and Performing Arts High SchoolDuration: 02:40

Firework - Verse 3 - Real time signing with music

Jacob Rushton and Zoe Blaikie-WestNepean Creative and Performing Arts High SchoolDuration: 00:39

Firework - Verse 4

Watch the following 2 videos to learn the Auslan inspired signs for verse 4 of Firework.

Firework - Verse 4 - Signing instructional video

Angeline ChettyNepean Creative and Performing Arts High SchoolDuration: 02:54

Firework - Verse 4 - Real time signing with music

Angeline Chetty, Jacob Rushton and Janvi Bhagiraith Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High SchoolDuration: 00:24

Firework - Bridge

Watch the following 2 videos to learn the Auslan inspired signs for the bridge of Firework.

Firework - Bridge - Signing instructional video

Jacob RushtonNepean Creative and Performing Arts High SchoolDuration: 02:33

Firework - Bridge - Real time signing with music

Angeline Chetty, Jacob Rushton and Josie WoodsNepean Creative and Performing Arts High SchoolDuration: 00:31

Perform and record

Are you ready to perform?

Play the video Firework - Performance and perform together with the Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School Signing Choir.

Record a video of your performance and share it with your school community.

You might like to teach someone in your family your new sign language skills and perform together!

Extension activity

Are you interested in learning more about Auslan?

Watch 'Learn the Auslan Alphabet'.

Practise all of the alphabet in sign language.

Learn the Auslan Alphabet

Duration: 03:26

Congratulations!

We hope you enjoyed learning a new way to communicate.

You have completed this Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Class.


You might also like to explore these Digital @ The Arts Unit Creative Classes.

Select to go to Spectacular choralography - Kindergarten to Year 8 music resource



Select to go to Creative Class - Let's sign - I See Stars

Third-party content attributions

  • Firework lyrics - Composers: Katy Perry / Tor Erik Hermansen / Sandy Julien Wilhelm / Mikkel Storleer Eriksen / Esther Renay Dean / Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson.