School Supplies
This is something students carry their books and notebooks to school in.
Bookbag - You form both hands into “S” handshapes (or sometimes flat hands depending on region), then place them on your shoulders like you are holding backpack straps. After that, you pull your hands slightly down and back on your shoulders, like you are adjusting or lifting backpack straps into place.
This is a class that studies wars and things that happened in the past.
History - Both hands use “H” handshapes and move in a circular or alternating motion around each other to show events moving through time/history.
This is a large vehicle that picks up students and takes them to and from school.
Bus - Both hands form “C” handshapes and move forward together in a straight path in front of the body, representing the shape and movement of a bus.
This is a large room in a school where students gather for assemblies, performances, or special events.
Auditorium - Both hands use “A” handshapes, starting near the sides of the body and moving outward in a slight arc to represent a large gathering space or hall.
This is the person in charge of the school.
Principal - The dominant hand forms a “P” handshape, placed near the shoulder or upper chest and moved slightly forward, representing the leader or head of the school.
This is something made of lead that students use to write.
Pencil - Take your dominant hand and form the H handshape (index and middle fingers together, extended straight; thumb and other fingers tucked). Hold it in front of you like you’re gripping a pencil.Then move your hand slightly forward in small writing motions, like you are writing on paper.
This is a class where students read books, write essays, and learn about grammar.
English - The dominant hand in an “E” handshape is shaken or moved slightly in front of the body near the mouth/chin area to represent language or English.
This is how you travel by moving on your feet instead of riding in a vehicle.
Walk - Both hands form “U” handshapes and alternate moving forward in front of the body, showing the motion of legs walking.
This is a place in a school where students go to eat breakfast or lunch.
Cafeteria - The dominant hand forms a “C” handshape, moves to the mouth, then repeats a small eating motion, representing eating in a designated place.
This is a school employee who helps students practice and improve in sports.
Coach - The dominant hand forms a “C” handshape and moves in a small forward motion near the body, often repeating, representing guiding or training in sports.
This is something made from trees that has lines on it and students write on it.
Notebook Paper - Use both hands in flat handshapes (B hands). Hold them in front of you, one slightly above the other like you’re showing a sheet or stack of paper. Then slide or move the top hand over the bottom hand, or make a small flipping/turning motion, like turning pages in a notebook. Some people also use a simpler version: just the dominant flat hand sliding across the non-dominant palm, showing a page of paper.
This is a class where students solve problems using numbers, equations, and formulas.
Math - Both hands in “X” or index-finger handshapes tap or move alternately in front of the body to represent calculation or numbers being worked out.
This is a small vehicle that people drive to get from one place to another.
Car - Both hands form “A” handshapes and move forward together while slightly turning side to side, as if holding and steering a car.
This is a place in a school where the principal or staff work and handle paperwork or phone calls.
Office - The dominant hand forms an “O” handshape and taps or moves forward in front of the body at chest level, representing an official work space.
This is a school employee who gives lessons and helps students learn in the classroom.
Teacher - Both hands form “flat B handshapes”, starting near the mouth and moving outward toward the student, showing the idea of giving knowledge or teaching.
This can be in a stick or a bottle and is used to stick things together.
Glue - Hold both hands in flat handshapes (B hands) or slightly curved flat hands. Place your hands in front of you with a small space between them. Then bring the hands together and press them firmly, as if you are sticking two things together. Sometimes people hold the hands together and slightly “wiggle” or press to show that it is sticking.
This is a class where students learn how to communicate using hand signs instead of spoken language.
ASL - Both hands form “A” handshapes and move in a circular motion around each other in front of the body to represent American Sign Language.
This means to get to a place or reach your destination.
Arrive - Both hands start with fingertips pointing forward, then move inward toward the body and stop, showing the idea of coming to a place and settling there.
This is a place in a school where students sit at desks and learn from a teacher.
Classroom - Both hands use “C” handshapes, moving slightly forward in front of the body to indicate a structured learning space or room.
This is a school employee who helps students with problems, schedules, and future plans.
Guidance Counselor - The dominant hand forms a “C” handshape and moves from the side of the head outward in a guiding motion, representing giving advice or direction.
These are used to draw or color and usually come in a box with many colors.
Crayon - Use your dominant hand in a H handshape (index and middle fingers together, straight; thumb and other fingers tucked). Hold it in front of you like you are gripping a crayon. Then move your hand in short, controlled motions, like you are coloring on paper (back-and-forth or small scribbling movements).
This is a class where students perform plays and act out characters on stage.
Both hands in “T” handshapes move outward from the face (like opening a curtain), representing performance or acting on a stage.
This means to go away from a place.
Leave - Both hands start near the body with fingertips pointing inward, then move outward away from the body, showing movement away from a location.
This is a place where students go to read books, check out materials, and study quietly.
Library - The non-dominant hand forms a flat “B” handshape (book) while the dominant hand forms a flat hand and moves across it in a page-turning motion, representing books and reading in a place.
This is a school employee who cleans and takes care of the building.
Janitor - Both hands form “J” handshapes, moving in a downward or sweeping motion in front of the body, representing cleaning or sweeping a space.