Music can connect and inspire people in many ways. This week’s primary school assembly and classroom discussion focuses on the remarkable story of Big Ocean, a new K-pop band from South Korea with a unique approach to making music. Introducing Big Ocean: K-pop Through a New Lens Big Ocean is not your typical K-pop band. All three members are deaf or have hearing loss, yet they have taken the music world by storm. Instead of relying solely on sound, they use vibrations, flashing lights, and Korean Sign Language to perform and connect with their fans. Big Ocean works hard to stay in time with each other, using movement and facial expressions to share emotions during their performances. The Power of Inclusive Communication in Music Big Ocean wants to raise awareness about deaf culture by making K-pop more inclusive. They achieve this by incorporating Korean Sign Language directly into their performances, helping both deaf and hearing fans enjoy the music together. Technology also plays a big role, as the band uses visual cues and equipment that help them follow the beat and perform as a group. The Role of Technology and Sign Language Technology allows Big Ocean to experience and share music differently. Vibrations help them keep rhythm, while flashing lights provide visual cues. Sign language bridges any communication gaps, ensuring emotions and stories are conveyed to their audience. Discussion Ideas for the Classroom Reflecting on Big Ocean’s journey presents a fantastic opportunity to explore how we all communicate in different ways. Use these questions to guide assembly or classroom discussions: What challenges might the band have faced, and how have they overcome them? Have you ever struggled to communicate, like being in a noisy place or speaking a different language? How did you manage? What types of communication do you use most—talking, writing, gesturing, or something else? Have you ever used pictures, signs, or actions to share information? Why is it important to understand and respect the ways others communicate? Learning from Big Ocean Reflecting on different ways of expressing ourselves helps us become better listeners, friends, and classmates. Communication isn’t just about words. It can include facial expressions, gestures, pictures, emojis, and more. Exploring Sign Language Sign language uses the hands, face, and body to communicate ideas and feelings. Practicing basic signs together can be a fun and valuable experience. It not only helps us communicate with more people but also helps everyone feel included. Classroom Activities and Ideas Braille Messages Experience communication in new ways by making Braille messages. Use small items like lentils or beads to create a short word on a card, following a Braille alphabet template. Try reading the message with your eyes shut for a new perspective on how others might read and write. Communications Poster Create posters to raise awareness about diverse ways to communicate. Include examples like sign language, Braille, pictures, speech, and technology. Share your work with the class and discuss why each method is important. Sign Language Dice Game Make a dice with different signs you’ve learned (e.g., ‘Hello’, ‘How are you?’, ‘Goodbye’). Take turns rolling and demonstrating a sign, practising full sentences for extra fun and learning. Reflection: Why Diverse Communication Matters Understanding a range of communication methods helps us appreciate everyone’s unique experiences. Supporting each other in different ways, such as learning sign language or using non-verbal cues, helps make our world more inclusive. Remember, being deaf doesn’t mean missing out—it means experiencing life and music differently. Explore the latest Picture News resources here: https://picture-news.co.uk/free-sample Join our latest discussion here: https://picture-news.co.uk/discuss Explore our recent events and training here: https://picture-news.co.uk/training
