Sign Language Songs

Overview

A 60-minute interactive language lesson introducing Year 6 students in New Zealand to fundamental New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) signs, with a practice session linking the signs to Māori and Christian songs. This lesson supports the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum's emphasis on learning additional languages, supporting oral language skills including NZSL as a method of communication, and engaging with diverse Aotearoa New Zealand perspectives.

Curriculum Alignment

Learning Area: Learning Languages

Vision: Students learn to communicate in an additional language, developing capacity to further languages and exploring different world views in relation to their own.
Achievement Objective: Students communicate in an additional language to exchange information and knowledge, express and share ideas and experiences, and participate in social and cultural contexts (Y6 level) .

Key Competencies

Using language, symbols, and texts: Students work with and make meaning of codes in which knowledge is expressed—here, NZSL as a visual-gestural language system .
Relating to others: Students develop respectful communication and cultural empathy through the shared cultural practice of NZSL and Māori/Christian songs .
Participating and contributing: Actively engaging in learning and community through language and song .

Oral Language Strand (English Learning Area)

NZSL is acknowledged as part of oral language in the refreshed curriculum. Develop students' communication and presentation skills including gestures and non-verbal codes .
Support positive identities by connecting students to their languages and cultures including NZSL and Māori viewpoints .

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

Understand NZSL as a recognised language of New Zealand and its cultural significance.
Learn and perform basic NZSL signs relevant to Māori and Christian themes (e.g., greetings, family, God, peace).
Practice signing along with selected Māori and Christian songs, demonstrating comprehension and expressive skill.
Reflect on the role of NZSL in communication and cultural inclusion in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Materials Needed

Visual aids/posters showing selected NZSL signs (from official NZSL teaching resources).
Audio equipment for playing Māori and Christian songs.
Lyrics and NZSL sign videos/demonstrations for selected songs (prepared by teacher).
Open classroom space for movement and signing practice.
Clipboards or notebooks for student reflections.

Lesson Plan

Introduction (10 mins)

Briefly introduce NZSL as one of New Zealand's official languages and its importance in communication and culture.
Show a short video or slideshow of basic NZSL vocabulary and greetings relevant for Year 6 students (e.g., hello, thank you, family, God, peace).
Encourage discussion about students' prior knowledge and experiences with NZSL or other languages.

Explicit Teaching of Signs (15 mins)

Teach 6-8 core signs that relate to themes in Māori and Christian songs (e.g., waiata). Examples include:
- Greetings (Hello / Kia ora)
- Family (Whānau)
- Love (Aroha)
- God (Atua)
- Peace (Rangimārie)
- Song (Waiata)
Use modelling, repetition, and paired practice to reinforce learning.
Scaffold with visual aids and key vocabulary to ensure comprehension.

Guided Practice with Songs (20 mins)

Play a well-known Māori waiata or simple Christian hymn familiar to students. Suggested songs could be "E Pari Rā" or "Amazing Grace".
Provide lyrics and demonstrate the signs alongside the song.
Break down verses and chorus, practising signs in small chunks.
Engage the whole class in signing along with the music to promote fluency and enjoyment.
Use peer support and group work to help all students participate.

Reflection and Discussion (10 mins)

Facilitate a class discussion on how signing with songs helps communication and inclusion, especially for Deaf or hard-of-hearing people.
Ask students how it felt to learn and use NZSL.
Connect the learning to wider cultural understanding and respect for the languages of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Wrap-Up (5 mins)

Recap main signs learned today.
Set a challenge for students to teach family or friends one NZSL sign.
Provide encouragement to explore more NZSL resources or learn other languages.

Assessment and Feedback

Formative Assessment: Observe students’ signing accuracy and participation during guided practice. Use verbal feedback to correct and encourage.
Anecdotal Notes: Record students who show enthusiasm or require additional support.
Reflection Writing: Optional written or illustrated response to what they learnt about NZSL and its importance.
Peer Feedback: Encourage students to share signs with partners and provide supportive feedback.

Teaching Considerations

Recognise and value the diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds in the classroom.
Use inclusive teaching strategies ensuring all students can access learning regardless of ability (e.g., visual cues, differentiated support).
Link NZSL learning to students’ identities and local communities.
Be mindful of the cognitive load; keep new vocabulary manageable for Year 6 learners.
Integrate key competencies by promoting active participation and respectful collaboration.

Extension Ideas

Use digital tools or apps for NZSL to extend practice beyond the classroom.
Collaborate with local Deaf community members or NZSL tutors for authentic learning experiences.
Develop a class performance using NZSL and song for a school assembly or community event, fostering confidence and celebration of NZSL as a living language.

This lesson plan honours the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum’s directives for languages learning, oral language including NZSL, and fostering inclusive, culturally responsive education in Years 0-6 . It integrates vocabulary, cultural exploration, communication skills practice, and reflection, engaging 30 Year 6 students in both language acquisition and cultural understanding within a 60-minute timeframe.

Teaching Instructions