NDCS Fingerspellathon

This year NDCS aims to raise £40,000 with the help of teachers and pupils all over the UK. This will help us continue our vital work with deaf children and their families.

Fingerspelling can help all children to improve their spelling and enables non-signing children to learn a bit about British Sign Language (BSL). Not only is it a fantastic interactive lesson for pupils, it is also a creative fundraising event.

What is a Fingerspellathon?
Fingerspellathon is a sponsored spelling event for schools in aid of NDCS.

Why organise a Fingerspellathon?

• Fingerspellathon is a great way for your pupils to interact with one another and learn a useful new skill – BSL.

• Fingerspellathon educates pupils about childhood deafness – this is likely to have a knock-on effect and raise awareness amongst parents and donors. It is important that all involved understand that not all deaf children use British Sign Language.

• From 2010, it will be a compulsory part of the national curriculum for children from the age of 7 to 14 to study a second modern language (BSL could be one of these), as the government attempts "to put languages at the heart of learning". The government has stated: "The earlier you start learning a language the better. Making language study compulsory from 7 to 14 will give pupils seven years to build their knowledge, confidence and experience."

• Pupils learn most easily when they are totally involved – i.e. when they're physically active. As you are aware, this is known as kinaesthetic learning.

When to organise a Fingerspellathon

• A Fingerspellathon can be held during an English lesson, extracurricular activity lesson or even during a school assembly.

• Remember to check that other activities or events aren’t taking place on the same day.

Themed autumn dates:

• 8 September 2009 – International Literacy Day

• 26 September 2009 – European Day of Languages

• Last week of September 2009 – International Week of Deaf People

• October 2009 – International School Library Month

• 5-11 October 2009 – Learn to Sign Week

• 6-12 October 2009 – National Children’s Book Week

• 17-21 November 2009 – National Anti-bullying Week

Themed spring dates:

• 31 January – 7 February 2010 - National Storytelling Week

• 21 February 2010 – International Mother Language Day

• 4 March 2010 – World Book Day

• Early May 2010 – Deaf Awareness Week

• 11-17 May 2010 – Children's Book Week

Regsitering will give you unlimited access to fundraising resources and ideas for your Fingerspellathon!

How did it go last year?
Last year, NDCS was contacted by 200 schools about our first Fingerspellathon. All those who took part are eager to take part again this year!

How will it go this year?

Once you have registered with NDCS, you will have full access to our helpful fundraising tips, event planning advice, a PowerPoint presentation, word lists, downloadable fundraising materials and lots, lots more!

NDCS's Media Relations team will be available to help you get local press coverage and always point you in the right direction.

Organising your fingerspellathon (52 kb)

Your fundraising tips (68 kb)

and receive plenty of fundraising ideas and lots of tips on how to organise and run your Fingerspellathon!