Clip from Behind The News Specials: AUSLAN in schools

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Rookie reporters from around Australia have contributed to the program's 50 years by doing their own stories for ABC News. We've put some of them together in this very special special.

Behind the News Special: BTN Investigates: Rainbows/Dreams/Video Games/Electricity

Years 3-4, 5-6 Science, Design and technologies, Digital technologies

15:27

You asked and now we have the answers in this special. We investigate rainbows, why we dream, the history of video games and how electricity was invented.

Our focus is on animals, including why whales sometimes beach themselves. We check out a platypus census and see how facial recognition technology is helping the weedy seadragon. Then to Mongolia for some eagle hunting.

Behind the News Special: Focus On Animals

Years 3-4, 5-6 Personal and social capability, Geography

14:59

Our focus is on animals, including why whales sometimes beach themselves. We check out a platypus census and see how facial recognition technology is helping the weedy seadragon. Then to Mongolia for some eagle hunting.

Behind the News Special: Technology

Years 3-4, 5-6 Personal and social capability, Geography

14:58

We're looking at technology and the problems of cyber attacks. There's a robot who can take your place at school, the fine print you are asked to sign up to on social media, and lessons in a virtual classroom.

We present the answers to your questions in this special. We investigate palm oil, how new words make the dictionary, why we sleep, and we try to figure out whether space is infinite.

Behind the News Special: BTN Investigates

Years 3-4, 5-6 Personal and social capability, Geography

16:31

We present the answers to your questions in this special. We investigate palm oil, how new words make the dictionary, why we sleep, and we try to figure out whether space is infinite.

We check out some health issues including what it's like to have epilepsy, whether sunglasses should be compulsory at school, are vitamin supplements necessary, and a kid who made hospital parking affordable.

Behind the News Special: Health Issues

Years 3-4, 5-6 Personal and social capability, Geography

15:01

We check out some health issues including what it's like to have epilepsy, whether sunglasses should be compulsory at school, are vitamin supplements necessary, and a kid who made hospital parking affordable.

A campaign to get parents to behave well when they watch kids' sport. The first AFL women's league launched, plus we find out where Aussie rules started. Then, boys getting into synchronised swimming.

Behind the News Special: Aussie Sport

Years 3-4, 5-6 Personal and social capability, Geography

12:41

A campaign to get parents to behave well when they watch kids' sport. The first AFL women's league launched, plus we find out where Aussie rules started. Then, boys getting into synchronised swimming.

A look at the environmental issues making the news. We check out clean coal and whether it's an effective alternative. Banning balloons from outdoor celebrations, plus a nine-year-old taking on the US government.

Behind the News Special: Environmental Issues

Years 3-4, 5-6 Personal and social capability, Geography

15:27

A look at the environmental issues making the news. We check out clean coal and whether it's an effective alternative. Banning balloons from outdoor celebrations, plus a nine-year-old taking on the US government.

A look at the lives of kids from the country. How they get their education, live with natural disasters and how they contribute to life on a farm. There's also an amazing mural on country wheat silos featuring local students.

Behind the News Special: Country Kids

Years 3-4, 5-6 Personal and social capability, Geography

14:59

A look at the lives of kids from the country. How they get their education, live with natural disasters and how they contribute to life on a farm. There's also an amazing mural on country wheat silos featuring local students.

Behind the News Special: Stargazing Special

Years 3-4, 5-6 News and current affairs

15:28

BTN looks to the outer reaches of the universe in this Stargazing Special. We start by telling you all about the first spacecraft to travel to Pluto and beyond before being amazed by the awesome pictures taken by the Hubble Telescope. Then it's back to earth when we discover that a sacred Aboriginal site could be the oldest astronomical map in the world before amateur Astronomer Joe shows us his incredible home-built telescope.

We're travelling beyond Australia's shores in this BtN Special on 'World Affairs'. We begin by looking at what world leaders are doing to tackle the challenge of climate change. This leads on to the issue of air pollution - why is it such a big problem in the developing world? We also enter the secret world of North Korea and consider the importance of protecting the Antarctic.

Behind the News Special: World Affairs

Years 3-4, 5-6 News and current affairs

15:29

We're travelling beyond Australia's shores in this BtN Special on 'World Affairs'. We begin by looking at what world leaders are doing to tackle the challenge of climate change. This leads on to the issue of air pollution - why is it such a big problem in the developing world? We also enter the secret world of North Korea and consider the importance of protecting the Antarctic.

In this BtN Special on 'Refugees' we ask what is the difference between refugees and migrants. We also look at some of the people now settled in Australia and how a country town has been revitalised since new arrivals moved there. We also meet a couple of girls now living in Nauru even though they want to live in Australia and a refugee girl who loves playing footy.

Behind the News Special: Refugees

Years 3-4, 5-6 News and current affairs

16:59

In this BtN Special on 'Refugees' we ask what is the difference between refugees and migrants. We also look at some of the people now settled in Australia and how a country town has been revitalised since new arrivals moved there. We also meet a couple of girls now living in Nauru even though they want to live in Australia and a refugee girl who loves playing footy.

This BtN Special takes a look at some of the kids doing pretty amazing things in the science and technology area. We meet some award winning young inventors with big ideas, as well as an 11 year old boy heading overseas after developing some amazing apps. Then there's the primary school kids competing with high school kids after building hi tech underwater robots!

Behind the News Special: STEM Kids

Years 3-4, 5-6 News and current affairs

13:28

This BtN Special takes a look at some of the kids doing pretty amazing things in the science and technology area. We meet some award winning young inventors with big ideas, as well as an 11 year old boy heading overseas after developing some amazing apps. Then there's the primary school kids competing with high school kids after building hi tech underwater robots!

It's all about Australia's past in this BtN Special. We take on the biggest project ever undertaken in Australian history with the Snowy Mountain Scheme. We remember two significant wars and learn about the crucial battle of Long Tan in the Vietnam War. And after 100 years, we learn wy Sir Douglas Mawson is still considered the greatest Australian Antarctic Explorer.

Behind the News Special: Australia's Past

Years 3-4, 5-6 News and current affairs

21:02

It's all about Australia's past in this BtN Special. We take on the biggest project ever undertaken in Australian history with the Snowy Mountain Scheme. We remember two significant wars and learn about the crucial battle of Long Tan in the Vietnam War. And after 100 years, we learn wy Sir Douglas Mawson is still considered the greatest Australian Antarctic Explorer.

Animal Ethics is a BtN Special looking at some of the moral issues around keeping animals. Should tourists be riding elephants and patting tigers if the animals aren't being treated well? Then we ask if when we buy pets such as cats and dogs should they only come from certain breeders and not pet shops? And finally, we look at the shark net debate. Some argue that we shouldn't use nets because they harm and kill marine life.

Behind the News Special: Animal Ethics

Years 3-4, 5-6 News and current affairs

15:59

Animal Ethics is a BtN Special looking at some of the moral issues around keeping animals. Should tourists be riding elephants and patting tigers if the animals aren't being treated well? Then we ask if when we buy pets such as cats and dogs should they only come from certain breeders and not pet shops? And finally, we look at the shark net debate. Some argue that we shouldn't use nets because they harm and kill marine life.

In this 'Indigenous Connections' BtN Special we begin with the remarkable story of the indigenous kids who learn of their unique connection with the people of Nagasaki in Japan. We meet some outback kids trying to make it into an indigenous choir and we ask if an ancient Aboriginal site could be the oldest astronomical map in the world.

Behind the News Special: Indigenous Connections

Years 3-4, 5-6 News and current affairs

14:07

In this 'Indigenous Connections' BtN Special we begin with the remarkable story of the indigenous kids who learn of their unique connection with the people of Nagasaki in Japan. We meet some outback kids trying to make it into an indigenous choir and we ask if an ancient Aboriginal site could be the oldest astronomical map in the world.

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Emma Alberici takes to the Story Time couch to read Sam McBratney's timeless story Guess How Much I Love You, beautifully illustrated by Anita Jeram. Don't miss the story that has captured the hearts of both kids and adults.

Play School Story Time: Emma Alberici: Guess How Much I Love You

Years F, 1-2 English, Literature, Languages

5:19

Emma Alberici takes to the Story Time couch to read Sam McBratney's timeless story Guess How Much I Love You, beautifully illustrated by Anita Jeram. Don't miss the story that has captured the hearts of both kids and adults.

Don't miss Casey Donovan on Story Time as she reads The Rabbit-Hole Golf Course by Ella Mulvey, illustrated by Karen Briggs. A warm and funny story about a unique Australian experience.

Play School Story Time: Casey Donovan: The Rabbit Hole Golf Course

Years F, 1-2 English, Literature, Languages

7:15

Don't miss Casey Donovan on Story Time as she reads The Rabbit-Hole Golf Course by Ella Mulvey, illustrated by Karen Briggs. A warm and funny story about a unique Australian experience.

A very romantic comedy on the edge of the abyss: in the middle of the deepest life crisis, the Holocaust researcher Toto is assigned an assistant for the congress preparation - Zazie, of Jewish origin and with pronounced Teuto-phobia. The star guest of the congress, a famous actress, suddenly withdraws the promise and between Totos and Zazie's biographies bizarre connections emerge. Original title: Die Blumen Von Gestern. In German.

The Bloom of Yesterday

Years 11-12 Media arts, Languages

2:00:35

A very romantic comedy on the edge of the abyss: in the middle of the deepest life crisis, the Holocaust researcher Toto is assigned an assistant for the congress preparation - Zazie, of Jewish origin and with pronounced Teuto-phobia. The star guest of the congress, a famous actress, suddenly withdraws the promise and between Totos and Zazie's biographies bizarre connections emerge. Original title: Die Blumen Von Gestern. In German.

This epic film retells an episode of Taiwanese history not known to many. Between 1895 and 1945, Taiwan was a Japanese colony, but small groups of the original indigenous tribes remained scattered around the island. In 1930 Mouna Rudo, the leader of the Seediq tribe, settled around Mount Chilai, forged a coalition with other Seediq tribal leaders and plotted a rebellion against their Japanese colonial masters. Their battle would be initially successful, but how could they match the Japanese military aircraft and poison gas? Original title: Sai De Ke Ba Lai: Tai Yang Gi. In Japanese.

Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale I

Years 11-12 Media arts, Languages

2:28:22

This epic film retells an episode of Taiwanese history not known to many. Between 1895 and 1945, Taiwan was a Japanese colony, but small groups of the original indigenous tribes remained scattered around the island. In 1930 Mouna Rudo, the leader of the Seediq tribe, settled around Mount Chilai, forged a coalition with other Seediq tribal leaders and plotted a rebellion against their Japanese colonial masters. Their battle would be initially successful, but how could they match the Japanese military aircraft and poison gas? Original title: Sai De Ke Ba Lai: Tai Yang Gi. In Japanese.

In 1945 Poland, a young French Red Cross doctor who is sent to assist the survivors of the German camps discovers several nuns in advanced states of pregnancy during a visit to a nearby convent. Original title: Les Innocentes. In French.

The Innocents

Years 11-12 Media arts, Languages

1:50:52

In 1945 Poland, a young French Red Cross doctor who is sent to assist the survivors of the German camps discovers several nuns in advanced states of pregnancy during a visit to a nearby convent. Original title: Les Innocentes. In French.

Possum kicks his ball up a tree and climbs up to get it. Meanwhile, Sally is inside washing up her many-shaped kitchen storage containers. Possum spots shapes in the clouds from the top of his tree. Presented in Auslan and English.

Sally and Possum: Finding Shapes

Years F, 1-2 Languages

18:13

Possum kicks his ball up a tree and climbs up to get it. Meanwhile, Sally is inside washing up her many-shaped kitchen storage containers. Possum spots shapes in the clouds from the top of his tree. Presented in Auslan and English.

Sally's waiting for her new fridge. Jay the deliveryman arrives at Sally's door with the fridge but she cannot hear him knocking. Meanwhile, Possum takes the fridge. Presented in Auslan and English.

Sally and Possum: The Case of the Missing Fridge

Years F, 1-2 Languages

12:34

Sally's waiting for her new fridge. Jay the deliveryman arrives at Sally's door with the fridge but she cannot hear him knocking. Meanwhile, Possum takes the fridge. Presented in Auslan and English.

In November 1939, Georg Elser's attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler fails, and he is arrested. During his confinement, he recalls the events leading up to his plot and his reasons for deciding to take such drastic action. In German.

13 Minutes

Years 11-12 Media arts, Languages

1:49:20

In November 1939, Georg Elser's attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler fails, and he is arrested. During his confinement, he recalls the events leading up to his plot and his reasons for deciding to take such drastic action. In German.

It's 1947, a time of sensuality, extravagance, humour and endless expectation. Ivan Heinz, a good-looking fop and witty agitator, is just 19 years old. While putting together his first collection of poetry, Ivan rushes headlong into a destructive romance with the exquisite and bisexual Jana. The new communist regime demands absolute obedience. The clash comes. After a few weeks of starvation, with absolutely no money and with police repressions, Ivan and Jana plan their escape to Paris. But Ivan has to scrape up at least some money for their escape. He accepts an offer to smuggle penicillin over the Czech-Austrian borders. The borders are unexpectedly sealed. Yet Ivan always has some crazy plan up his sleeve. The screenplay for this electrifying film was inspired by the youthful memoirs of Egon Bondy, one of the most important figures of the Czechoslovak literary scene. In Czech.

Three Seasons In Hell

Years 11-12 Media arts, Languages

1:51:03

It's 1947, a time of sensuality, extravagance, humour and endless expectation. Ivan Heinz, a good-looking fop and witty agitator, is just 19 years old. While putting together his first collection of poetry, Ivan rushes headlong into a destructive romance with the exquisite and bisexual Jana. The new communist regime demands absolute obedience. The clash comes. After a few weeks of starvation, with absolutely no money and with police repressions, Ivan and Jana plan their escape to Paris. But Ivan has to scrape up at least some money for their escape. He accepts an offer to smuggle penicillin over the Czech-Austrian borders. The borders are unexpectedly sealed. Yet Ivan always has some crazy plan up his sleeve. The screenplay for this electrifying film was inspired by the youthful memoirs of Egon Bondy, one of the most important figures of the Czechoslovak literary scene. In Czech.

Nasser Ali Khan, the most celebrated violin player, has his beloved instrument broken in a furious fight with his wife. Unable to find another to replace it, life without music seems intolerable. He stays in bed and surrenders to death, slipping into a journey into his memories and to the woman he truly loved but could never be with. Over the course of the week that follows, the truth is revealed as to why he chose to live for music instead of true love. In French.

Chicken with Plums

Years 11-12 Media arts, Languages

1:27:48

Nasser Ali Khan, the most celebrated violin player, has his beloved instrument broken in a furious fight with his wife. Unable to find another to replace it, life without music seems intolerable. He stays in bed and surrenders to death, slipping into a journey into his memories and to the woman he truly loved but could never be with. Over the course of the week that follows, the truth is revealed as to why he chose to live for music instead of true love. In French.

Julien dreams of adventure. But when you live in a wheelchair, such dreams are difficult to fulfil. To do so, Julien challenges his father to compete with him in the 'Ironman' triathlon in Nice. A whole family comes together and reconnects in an attempt to see this incredible exploit through. In French.

The Finishers

Years 9-10, 11-12 Media arts, Languages

1:25:42

Julien dreams of adventure. But when you live in a wheelchair, such dreams are difficult to fulfil. To do so, Julien challenges his father to compete with him in the 'Ironman' triathlon in Nice. A whole family comes together and reconnects in an attempt to see this incredible exploit through. In French.

The summer of 1980 was a tragic one in Italy, with the shooting down of a DC9 aircraft in the skies over Ustica and the terrorist bombing in Bologna's train station. It's against this backdrop that Martino, an Italian teenager, and Jeff Clark, an American captain, become friends. In Itralian.

Martino's Summer

Years 11-12 Media arts, Languages

1:20:52

The summer of 1980 was a tragic one in Italy, with the shooting down of a DC9 aircraft in the skies over Ustica and the terrorist bombing in Bologna's train station. It's against this backdrop that Martino, an Italian teenager, and Jeff Clark, an American captain, become friends. In Itralian.

The Puliima Forum brings together language workers from around the country. In 2013 the organisers decided to host an informal talent contest at the event.

Australia's Got Language

Years 9-10, 11-12 Indigenous Australians, Languages

14:07

The Puliima Forum brings together language workers from around the country. In 2013 the organisers decided to host an informal talent contest at the event.

Asterix, Obelix and their friends have entered the famous Olympic Games in Athens. They're determined to taste victory, but the Gauls face formidable competition from both Greeks and Romans. Will it be a gold medal for Asterix, or will he suffer the agony of defeat? In French.

Asterix at the Olympic Games

Years 9-10, 11-12 Media arts, Languages

1:52:46

Asterix, Obelix and their friends have entered the famous Olympic Games in Athens. They're determined to taste victory, but the Gauls face formidable competition from both Greeks and Romans. Will it be a gold medal for Asterix, or will he suffer the agony of defeat? In French.

When astronaut Julie Mahe crash-lands her small space capsule into the Kazakhstan mountains, a local radio operator Iskander (nicknamed Gagarin) finds her unconscious. Hopelessly love-struck, he convinces the amnesiac Julie that they are engaged to be married. But even the most romantic lie cannot remain undiscovered forever. In Russian.

Baikonur

Years 11-12 Media arts, Languages

1:31:08

When astronaut Julie Mahe crash-lands her small space capsule into the Kazakhstan mountains, a local radio operator Iskander (nicknamed Gagarin) finds her unconscious. Hopelessly love-struck, he convinces the amnesiac Julie that they are engaged to be married. But even the most romantic lie cannot remain undiscovered forever. In Russian.

Possum doesn't know the meaning of 'treasure', so Sally teaches him. Then they decide to plan a treasure hunt for Sally's friend Amanda. Presented in Auslan and English.

Sally and Possum: The Treasure Hunt

Years F, 1-2 Languages

16:59

Possum doesn't know the meaning of 'treasure', so Sally teaches him. Then they decide to plan a treasure hunt for Sally's friend Amanda. Presented in Auslan and English.

Bistro Escargot

Years 3-4, 5-6 Languages

6:55

Daniel and Jasmine are two students on a class trip to a French speaking city. They become lost and stumble upon Bistro Escargot.

A single mother tries to rescue her daughter from state custody with the help of a teacher and a stranger with bad drinking habits. In Finnish. Original title: Pain Seinaa.

Headfirst

Years 9-10, 11-12 Media arts, Languages

1:28:58

A single mother tries to rescue her daughter from state custody with the help of a teacher and a stranger with bad drinking habits. In Finnish. Original title: Pain Seinaa.

Sally is re-potting some of her bigger pot plants. Possum helps and they talk about the importance of trees. Then Sally gives Possum instructions on how to move plants into the ground that are too big for their pots. Presented in Auslan and English.

Sally and Possum: Planting A Tree

Years F, 1-2 Languages

17:44

Sally is re-potting some of her bigger pot plants. Possum helps and they talk about the importance of trees. Then Sally gives Possum instructions on how to move plants into the ground that are too big for their pots. Presented in Auslan and English.

Wind has blown leaves all over the lawn. Sally uses her leaf blower to clean them up, but Possum jumps in the pile, sending leaves in every direction. Possum apologies and helps Sally clean up. Presented in Auslan and English.

Sally and Possum: Sally And Possum Go Sailing

Years F, 1-2 Languages

18:37

Wind has blown leaves all over the lawn. Sally uses her leaf blower to clean them up, but Possum jumps in the pile, sending leaves in every direction. Possum apologies and helps Sally clean up. Presented in Auslan and English.

Daniel and Jasmine sing outside the bistro to attract customers and pay their bill to pay for the meal they had. In French.

Bistro Escargot

Years 3-4, 5-6 Languages

6:52

Daniel and Jasmine sing outside the bistro to attract customers and pay their bill to pay for the meal they had. In French.

An innovative and beautiful video series for young children who use Australian Sign Language (Auslan) as their primary means of communication; designed to enhance their foundational literacy and numeracy skills.

Sally and Possum: Paper Planes

Years F, 1-2 Languages

14:38

An innovative and beautiful video series for young children who use Australian Sign Language (Auslan) as their primary means of communication; designed to enhance their foundational literacy and numeracy skills.

Sally and Possum: Tell Me a Story

Years F, 1-2 Languages

16:36

Sally and Possum are working in the yard. Sally leaves Possum to push a box in a wheelbarrow. Jay delivers a large, locked wooden crate. Possum imagines what's inside. Presented in Auslan and English.

Sally and Possum: The Large Box

Years F, 1-2 Languages

14:53

Sally and Possum are working in the yard. Sally leaves Possum to push a box in a wheelbarrow. Jay delivers a large, locked wooden crate. Possum imagines what's inside. Presented in Auslan and English.

Sally and Possum: The Great Water Mystery

Years F, 1-2 Languages

16:29

AUSLAN in schools

AUSLAN in schools

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Behind the News Special: Health Issues

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Play School Story Time: Emma Alberici: Guess How Much I Love You

English, Literature, Languages

Play School Story Time: Casey Donovan: The Rabbit Hole Golf Course

English, Literature, Languages

The Bloom of Yesterday

Media arts, Languages

Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale I

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The Innocents

Media arts, Languages

Sally and Possum: Finding Shapes

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Sally and Possum: The Case of the Missing Fridge

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