Suitable for Level 1(Prep)
Simon Says
All stand up. The leader (Simon) signs "S SAID" and does a verb action sign, e.g "THROW". Others does the verb action of throwing. If Simon did not sign "S SAID" but does a verb action sign, if others does the action, they are out of the game (they sit down). This is also a good exercise for Transposition (not mirroring the signs).
Sign-along Story Book
Use a big book with lots of characters and actions. Introduce signs for the most used words in the book, e.g. DOG, BOY, etc. Sign and mime as you "read aloud" the book, and have the children copy you and participate in the characters' actions and signs.
Class Mix and Match Cards
Students sit in a circle. Place sign cards and their matching pictures or words. Students take turns in finding matching pairs and lining them up in the middle of the circle.
Suitable for Levels 1 + 2(Prep - Grade 2)
Hot and Cold
Teach students three signs: WARM, HOT, and COLD. One student waits outside while the others hide an object. When the student returns, the class gives clues using the signs: COLD if they move away from the object, WARM if they move closer, and HOT when they are very close. You can also teach how to add emphasis to the signs.
Whole Class: Arrange in Order
Give each student a sign card. Students arrange themselves in alphabetical order, then take turns signing their word.
Memory
Students work in groups of three or four using Auslan picture sign cards and matching picture cards. All cards are placed face-down and mixed. Students take turns flipping two cards to find matches. If they match, they keep the pair.
Guess What I'm Hiding
After learning signs for various objects, place the objects in a sack. A volunteer secretly removes one object and hides it under a cloth. The class signs their guesses. The volunteer responds with YES or NO.
Dress-Up Competition
Place clothing items (e.g., hat, sunglasses, gumboots, raincoat, jumper, scarf) on a table. Form two teams of six students and number them 1–6. When you sign “HOT… 6,” both students numbered 6 run to the table, find a summer clothing item, and put it on. The first to do so wins. You can vary the instruction by signing “Wear something RED” or signing a specific item such as GLOVES.
Suitable for Levels 3 + 4(Grades 3 - Grade 6)
Auslan Whispers
Divide the class into four lines. The first student in each line faces you, while the others face the opposite direction. Give each front student an Auslan sign or message. They turn, tap the next person on the shoulder, and pass on the message as accurately as possible. This continues until the last student in the line receives it. If the final student signs the message correctly, their line earns a point. Messages can include single signs, facial expressions, mime, alphabet, numbers, or simple instructions.
Countdown Game (Formerly "Hangman")
Draw a picture on the board that has 15 lines or shapes (e.g., a temperature gauge with 15 marks, an iPad battery icon with 15 bars, or a large circle filled with 15 smaller circles). One student chooses a word and draws blank lines to represent each letter. The rest of the class signs random letters of the alphabet. Each time a guessed letter is not in the word, the student erases one line or shape in the picture. When all the lines or shapes are gone, the game is over. Whoever correctly guesses the full word before the picture disappears becomes the next person to choose a word and write on the board.
Pac Man
Students spread out around the room. The Auslan teacher signs or fingerspells a word. Students raise their hands if they know the answer. The first student to answer correctly moves one step closer to the nearest person. The goal is to tap others on the shoulder to eliminate them from the game. Students who are eliminated sit on the ground. The last student remaining wins.
Race to the Table
After students have learned sign categories (e.g. FOOD signs such as APPLE, ORANGE, LUNCH), divide them into four teams. Place picture sign cards on a table some distance away. One student from each team comes to the front. The teacher signs a word, and once the students identify it on a picture chart, they race to the table to find the matching picture sign card. The student who grabs the correct card earns a point for their team.
Word on the Back
Tape a word card onto each student's back. Students move around the room describing and miming the words on each other's backs until everyone has an idea of what their own word might be. Afterwards, each student writes on the board what they think their word is.
Picture on the Back
Tape a picture card onto each student's back. Students describe the pictures on each other's backs until everyone has an idea of what their own picture might be. Afterwards, each student draws on the board what they think their picture looks like.
Wise Man: Fingerspelling and Sign
Divide the class into two teams and have them line up. Fingerspell a word to the two students at the front. The first student to point to the correct picture on the chart stays in the game and moves to the back of their line. The other student is out. Continue until only one student remains.
Wise Man: Fingerspelling and Marker
Divide the class into two teams and have them line up. Fingerspell a word to the two students at the front. The first student to run to the whiteboard and write the word correctly earns a point. This activity works well for words without signs, such as names, places, or initialisations (e.g., KK = kitchen).
Who Began?
Students sit in a circle and play a mirror-style game. One student signs a rhythmic pattern and everyone copies. Once the class understands the game, a volunteer leaves the room while a leader is chosen. The leader changes the rhythmic signs while others follow. The volunteer returns and tries to identify who the leader is.
Human Battleships
Groups of students stand around their tables (their "ships"). Student A chooses Student B from another ship and fingerspells a word. If Student B signs the correct answer, Student A sits down. When all students at a table are sitting, that ship is considered sunk.
Go Fish
Use two sets of picture cards. Students play in pairs or groups of three, each starting with seven cards. Student A asks Student B, "YOU HAVE MOTHER?" If Student B does not have the card, they sign "NONE" and Student A picks up a card from the pile. Then Student B asks Student C, "YOU HAVE SISTER" and so on. When a student makes a matching pair, they place it on the table.
Guesstures
Divide the class into four groups. One student from each group is shown a picture card. They return to their group and mime the picture. The first group to guess correctly earns a point. Students take turns being the mime.
Speedy Revision
Pairs sit facing each other with pen and paper. Choose a category (e.g. FOOD). For one minute, one student fingerspells and signs as many words as possible while their partner writes them down. Count the total signs. Switch roles and repeat. Add both scores. The pair with the highest total wins.
Productive and Receptive Fingerspelling
Students create their own list of ten words. Working in pairs, one student fingerspells while the other writes the words down, then they swap roles. Afterwards, students check and correct their answers together.
Brainstorm Iconic Signs
In groups, students are given a category and brainstorm iconic signs. They then share their signs with the class. Categories may include SPORTS, HOUSE, ANIMALS, MUSIC, OCCUPATION, and more.
Group Mime Story
Each group receives a short story and uses mime to act it out. They may mime together in unison or assign individual roles to show the events of the story.
Class Survey
Students gather information from classmates in Auslan, then create a graph to display their results. They present their findings using relevant signs such as numbers, BOYS, GIRLS, and other related vocabulary.
Secret Club
Choose a secret "password" sign. Students try to enter the club by guessing signs. Only those who use signs with the same feature (e.g. "B" handshape) are allowed in. Other password themes could be school-related signs such as BOOK, HAT, LIBRARY, etc.
Read Back Skills
Fingerspell or sign words from a list while students write them down. Afterwards, write the correct answers on the board so students can check and correct their own or their partner's work.
Guess the Object
Students sit in a circle. A volunteer describes an object using depicting signs to show shape, size, and texture. Others guess what the object is and sign their answer. The volunteer nods and signs "YES" or shakes their head and signs "NO" to confirm.
Match Pictures with Signs
Students work in pairs. One student has a list of words, and the other has matching pictures. The student with the word list signs each word, and the partner finds the correct picture and places it in the correct order.
Suitable for Level 4(Grade 6)
Clap and Click
Students sit in a circle and choose their favourite signs. Go through each student's chosen sign. Create a repeating rhythm together - clap on lap, clap hands, then click fingers. Once students are confident with the rhythm, sign one student's sign on the click beat (e.g., TURTLE). The student with the TURTLE sign must quickly sign another student's sign on the next click while keeping the rhythm with the rest of the class.
Charades (Who Am I?)
One student sits at the front of the class with their back to the whiteboard. Write the name of a well-known person on the board above them. The rest of the class mimes the famous person until the student correctly guesses who it is.
Relay Races
Divide the class into four teams and have them line up a distance from the board. Give a HOLM+NMF category, such as HANDSHAPE #1. One student from each team races to the board and writes a word that uses that handshape (e.g. BOY), then runs back and hands the marker to the next teammate. Continue until everyone has a turn or until one team reaches ten correct words.
Class Mime and Sign Drama
The whole class works together to prepare a mime and sign drama to perform for younger students.
Directions
Hide an object in the room. Use Auslan directional signs to guide a partner to the hidden object without pointing or giving it away (e.g. LEFT-TURN, STRAIGHT). Students work in pairs, taking turns hiding the object and giving directions.
Fluency of ABC's and Names
Students practise improving the fluency of their fingerspelled ABCs. They also practise fingerspelling their names smoothly and clearly. Demonstrate how vowels work by lifting the fingers of the non-dominant hand and pointing to each vowel position. Write a list of words on the board for pairs to practise, helping them develop accuracy and fluency.
Handshapes Stories
Groups of four choose three specific handshapes and use them to create a short sign or mime story. Afterwards, groups share their stories with the class.
Suitable for All Levels(Prep - Grade 6)
Bingo
Each student has a bingo chart and tokens. The Auslan teacher draws a picture or word card from a container and signs it to the class. Students who have the matching picture place a token on their bingo chart. Display an A3 poster with all the bingo pictures for students who need help remembering what the signs represent. The first student to complete a straight line on their chart stands up and signs PAH! The round ends, students swap bingo charts, and the game begins again.
Time Your Alphabet
Students work in pairs to time how quickly they can fingerspell the alphabet. They record their times and try to improve with practice.
Octopus
Line students up at one end of the court. Each student chooses a vocabulary sign from a specific category (or handshape, location, etc.). Two students stand in the middle and sign a vocabulary item. Anyone on the line with the same vocabulary (or handshape, location, etc.) must dodge across to the other end. Continue until everyone has run. Students who are tagged must stay in place and become "octopus" tagging others without moving from their spot.
Wise Man Sign and Point
Divide the class into two teams and have them line up. Sign a word to the two students at the front. The first student to point to the correct picture on the chart stays in the game and moves to the back of their line. The other student is out. Continue until only one student remains.
What's Missing?
Place various items on a table and teach students the signs for each one. Ask students to close their eyes while you remove and hide one item. Stomp on the floor to signal them to look. Students try to identify and sign the missing item.
Painting Handshapes
Students choose an animal and paint it using the animal's Auslan handshape prints as the basis for the artwork.
Emotion Mirrors
Students work in pairs and mirror each other's facial expressions, gestures, and emotions. They may create a short dramatic scene to perform for the class afterwards.
Guess This Sign
Write a list of words on the board. After learning their signs, a volunteer comes to the front, chooses a word from the board, and signs it to the class. The class tries to guess the correct word. When a word is guessed correctly, erase it from the board. Continue until all the words are gone.
Iconic Signs
Write iconic signs on the board and have students describe the sign. Examples include DOOR, STAIRS, BANANA, and other iconic signs.
Inflect the Verb
Write several verbs on the board and ask students to show how to modify each one to express different meanings such as excited, bored, tiring, slow, or fast. Use this activity to explain how facial expression, intensity, speed, and size change the meaning of signs.
HOLM+NMF Group Photos
Groups choose signs that share a common handshape and take photos of these signs. They create a poster displaying their handshape group. Other groups do the same for orientation, location, movement, or non-manual features. Display the posters on the wall for classroom reference.
Translate Poems
Ask the classroom teacher for the students' favourite poems. Print the poem on A3 paper and have students brainstorm how to translate it visually into Auslan. Afterwards, record students signing the poem.