Bridging Hands Together: NZSL Journey

Learning New Zealand Sign Language Year 7 Languages 60 minutes of discovery and teamwork

Whakawhanaungatanga - Building Connections

Tēnā koutou katoa - Greetings to you all Acknowledging mana whenua (local iwi/hapū) NZSL as an official language of Aotearoa Reflecting biculturalism and inclusion Question: Why is learning different ways of communication important in New Zealand?

NZSL Basics: Greetings, Alphabet & Numbers

NZSL Relay Challenge

Teams of 4-5 students Each team receives flashcards (greetings, alphabet, numbers) Team members take turns signing for teammates to guess Race to correctly identify all cards first Focus on supportive teamwork and respect

Student-Led Sharing

Share your favourite NZSL greeting or number Why do you think it's important? How does NZSL connect to Māori values? What did you learn about NZSL's place in New Zealand culture?

Review and Reflection

{"left":"How does learning NZSL help us include more people in our community?\nWhat surprised you about NZSL or its cultural importance today?","right":"How did working in a team help your learning?\nWhat connections can you make between NZSL and Māori values?"}

Māori Cultural Integration

Mihi and acknowledgment of tangata whenua Tēnā koutou katoa - respectful greetings Manaakitanga - hospitality and inclusion Whakaute - showing respect in communication NZSL within Aotearoa's bicultural framework Whanaungatanga - building relationships through language

Assessment and Moving Forward

"E kore au e ngaro, he kākano i ruia mai i Rangiātea" - I will never be lost, for I am a seed sown in Rangiātea Demonstrate 3 basic greetings and fingerspell 5 letters or sign numbers 1-10 Express understanding of NZSL's cultural role Continue team learning and student-led exploration Build inclusive communication skills for our diverse community