From Simone, Junior school Auslan teacher

Zoo Animals & Clothing consolidation

It has been a wonderful few weeks in Auslan with our Prep–2 students showing great enthusiasm and engagement in their learning. This past week, we began exploring the topic of zoo animals, and the excitement among students has been clear to see!

This fortnight, students have been working diligently to learn and practise a variety of zoo animal signs. From lions and monkeys to giraffes and elephants, the classroom has been buzzing with animal-themed Auslan vocabulary. At Molesworth Street, one particular highlight was revisiting a familiar favourite—our “Do Not Peek” game from earlier in the year, now with a zoo animal twist! In this version, students had to rely solely on their Auslan skills and memory, as they took turns signing animals behind a visual barrier, while their peers guessed what was being signed without seeing the prompt. It was a fantastic way to reinforce vocabulary while also sharpening receptive and expressive skills in a high-energy, supportive environment.

How to play: Using a shoebox with a flip-up lid (pictured left with 1D), students secretly selected a zoo animal flashcard or toy and their table group have to guess what they picked out. Students can ask questions in sign or ask for the first letter of the animal to be fingerspelled.

The year 2 classes managed to play this with their voices-off as we continue to work towards completely silent classes (an ambitious goal, yes!).

In week 6, classes that finished early enjoyed an Auslan interpreted book on YouTube "Who is at the zoo?". This video helps build students' exposure to Auslan and helps them recognise familiar animal signs in high-speed conversation. You are welcome to watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIc6Kx2dFpo

Due to the extensive vocabulary of Zoo Animals, students learned the vocabulary over 2 weeks, learning 11 signs a week (pictured right).

This term, we’ve been focusing on improving accuracy by paying close attention to the key building blocks of Auslan—HOLM (Handshape, Orientation, Location, and Movement) and NMF (Non-Manual Features like facial expressions).

It’s been great to see students becoming more aware of these elements and starting to refine their signing. For example, the difference between moth and butterfly is minimal, requiring students to remember their hand orientation without altering the movement, handshape or movement. It’s been so encouraging to see students begin to understand how facial expressions help bring their communication to life, with signs like “hippopotamus” requiring them to blow up their cheeks!

How can I help?

‘Sally and Possum’ is a free YouTube resource that is wonderful for Auslan exposure. We are watching season 2 in class so feel free to jump ahead to season 6 if you would like your kids to wind down with something educational! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MAw0xEOUao

Lastly, our Auslan Student of the Week awards celebrate students who demonstrate exceptional effort, creativity, or improvement in their Auslan learning. This fortnight's winners are:

Where are they now?...NMPS alumnus