Next of Kin - A Compassionate, Interdisciplinary Science Curriculum
Lesson - It's All Greek to Me!

Washoe

This sample lesson is also available as a printable PDF file.

THEME ACTIVITY:

Grade level: 6-9

Time needed: 1-2 class periods

Subject Areas: Science, Language

Objectives: To learn about what prevents chimpanzees from speaking vocally and how sign language is so applicable to their culture. To introduce students to some signs that are used by the chimpanzees at CHCI.

Materials: "Chimpanzee Language"

Activity:

Read the handout in class. To check for comprehension, ask the following discussion questions:

• What is one difference specified between chimpanzees and humans?
  (chimpanzees can't speak vocally)
• Why were Viki’s words hard to understand?
  (she had a heavy chimpanzee accent: guttural, voiceless sounds)
• How do chimpanzees and humans express their emotions vocally?
  (food bark for chimps, saying "ouch" when hurt)
• What were some observations that led researchers to believe that sign language would be more applicable for chimpanzees?
  (gestured naturally in the wild, natural behaviors of chimpanzees complimented sign language)
• What is an example of signs that were put together to represent something new?
  (BIRD-MEAT/turkey, NUT-BERRY-PAPER/fruit leather, WATER-BIRD/swan, and CRY-HURT-FOOD/radish)

Review some signs from the Sign Language sheets. Have students practice them as a class and then in partners.

Have students try a sign in front of a small group and have students identify what word is being signed.

Extension:

Learn more sign language through sign language instructional books! Have student’s practice carrying on conversations in sign language.

Try another sample lesson: CHIMPANZEE OR HUMAN?

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