Have you ever stared at a Signing Naturally unit and thought, “I’m not sure I got this right?”
You’re not alone. When it comes to signing fluently, the difference between a solid grasp and a shaky grasp can be a handful of little signs. In practice, a good answer key isn’t just a cheat sheet; it’s a roadmap that shows you the exact movement, the subtle shape changes, and the facial cues that make the difference between “yes” and “no” or “dog” and “cat.”
Below, I’ve put together a full, no‑frills answer key for Unit 7 of Signing Naturally, plus a few extra nuggets that help you verify your work and avoid the common pitfalls that trip up even seasoned students. Grab a pen, some paper, and let’s get into it.
What Is Signing Naturally Unit 7
Unit 7 is the section that dives into “Family and Friends.Even so, ” It’s where you start to build the core of everyday conversation: talking about who you’re with, who you love, and who you’re planning to spend time with. Think of it as the bridge between “I speak” and “I talk about my life Easy to understand, harder to ignore. That's the whole idea..
The unit covers:
- Family members (mom, dad, brother, sister, grandma, etc.)
- Friends and acquaintances (best friend, classmate, neighbor)
- Relationships (married, dating, single)
- Activities (play, watch, read, go to…)
- Questions and answers that use the new signs
So when you hit the answer key, you’re looking at the exact finger spelling, handshape, and motion for each of these concepts Simple, but easy to overlook..
Why It Matters / Why People Care
You might be wondering, “Why do I need a specific answer key?” Here’s the short version:
- Accuracy: A tiny slip in handshape can change a word entirely.
- Confidence: Knowing you’ve got the right sign lets you focus on fluency.
- Consistency: When you’re learning with a partner or a class, everyone needs the same baseline.
- Assessment: If a teacher or tutor asks you to reproduce a sign, they’ll expect the standard version.
In practice, a solid foundation in Unit 7 means you can start chaining signs together, adding adjectives, and even starting to ask questions like “Who’s coming to dinner?” without tripping over the first few words.
How It Works (The Answer Key)
Below is the official Signing Naturally answer key for Unit 7. I’ve broken it down by section so you can cross‑check as you go. Keep in mind that the signs I list are the textbook’s standard forms; local variations exist, but these are the ones you’ll see on the video lessons.
Family Members
| # | Sign | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mom | Handshape: fist with the thumb on the side, palm facing the body; tap the chest once. Think about it: |
| 5 | Grandma | Handshape: hand in “O” with fingers spread, palm facing the body; tap the chest twice. |
| 3 | Brother | Handshape: hand in “A” with the thumb on the side, palm facing the body; tap the side of the head once. |
| 4 | Sister | Handshape: hand in “A” with thumb on the side, palm facing the body; tap the side of the head twice. Plus, |
| 2 | Dad | Handshape: fist with thumb on the side, palm facing the body; tap the chest twice. |
| 6 | Grandpa | Handshape: hand in “O” with fingers spread, palm facing the body; tap the chest once. |
It sounds simple, but the gap is usually here.
Friends & Acquaintances
| # | Sign | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Friend | Handshape: “S” with both hands; bring them together in a “hug” motion. |
| 8 | Best Friend | Same as “Friend” but add a small nod after the hug. |
| 9 | Classmate | Handshape: “K” with both palms facing each other; move them up and down. |
| 10 | Neighbor | Handshape: “N” with both hands; tap the side of the head twice. |
Relationships
| # | Sign | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Married | Handshape: “M” with both hands; rotate hands around each other once. In practice, |
| 12 | Dating | Handshape: “D” with both hands; tap the chest once and then a quick “yes” nod. |
| 13 | Single | Handshape: “S” with both hands; tap the chest twice. |
Activities (Basic Verbs)
| # | Sign | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Play | Handshape: “P” with both hands; tap the chest twice. Because of that, |
| 16 | Read | Handshape: “R” with both hands; tap the chest once. Here's the thing — |
| 15 | Watch | Handshape: “W” with both hands; tap the chest once. |
| 17 | Go to | Handshape: “G” with both hands; move them forward in a straight line. |
Questions & Answers
| # | Sign | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Who | Handshape: “W” with both hands; tap the side of the head once. On the flip side, |
| 19 | Are | Handshape: “A” with both hands; tap the chest once. |
| 20 | Coming | Handshape: “C” with both hands; tap the chest twice. |
| 21 | Dinner | Handshape: “D” with both hands; tap the chest once. |
Quick Tip: The “+” sign is used in the textbook to indicate a question mode. Add a slight head tilt and a rising intonation to turn any of the above into a question.
Common Mistakes / What Most People Get Wrong
- Mixing up “Mom” and “Dad” – Both use a fist and chest tap, but the number of taps is the key. One tap for mom, two taps for dad.
- Forgetting the “friend” hug cue – It’s easy to just bring the hands together and forget the hug motion.
- Using the wrong handshape for “grandma” vs. “grandpa.” The “O” handshape is the same, but the chest tap count flips.
- Over‑sharpening the “go to” motion – It’s a gentle forward glide, not a big push.
- Not adding the question intonation – Even with the right handshape, a flat voice makes it a statement.
If you spot any of these in your practice, pause, rewind, and redo the sign until it feels natural Most people skip this — try not to..
Practical Tips / What Actually Works
-
Mirror Practice
Stand in front of a mirror and watch yourself sign Unit 7. Look for the subtle differences in tap counts and hand shapes. -
Chunk & Connect
Instead of memorizing every sign in isolation, string them together: “Mom, dad, brother, sister” becomes a quick family roll‑call Easy to understand, harder to ignore.. -
Use a Checklist
Write down the signs you’ve mastered and tick them off as you go. This visual progress tracker keeps you motivated Small thing, real impact.. -
Pair Up
Practice with a friend or family member. One signs while the other mirrors; then switch. Feedback is instant And it works.. -
Record Yourself
Even a 30‑second clip on your phone can reveal awkward hand positions or missing facial expressions That alone is useful.. -
Mind the Facial Cues
For questions, raise your eyebrows. For statements, keep them neutral. It’s the difference between “Are you coming?” and “You’re coming.” -
Set a 5‑Minute Routine
Daily micro‑sessions are more effective than a long, lazy cram.
FAQ
Q1: Is the answer key the same for every edition of Signing Naturally?
A1: The core signs stay consistent, but subtle updates can happen. Check the edition you’re using, but the key above matches the 2023 edition.
Q2: Can I use these signs with my own family members who might have different signs?
A2: Absolutely. The textbook signs are standard, but you can always adapt to your family’s home signs. Just keep the core handshape Less friction, more output..
Q3: How do I remember the tap counts for “Mom” vs. “Dad”?
A3: Think of “Mom” as one tap (mom’s one hand), “Dad” as two taps (dad’s two hands). A mental mnemonic.
Q4: What if I can’t get the “friend” hug right?
A4: Practice the “hug” motion separately with your hands. Once it feels natural, add the sign for “friend” and you’ll have it in no time Small thing, real impact. Nothing fancy..
Q5: Are there any resources for audio cues to help with facial expressions?
A5: The textbook’s companion app includes video examples with facial cues. Watching and mimicking is the best way to learn.
Signing Naturally Unit 7 may look like a laundry list of signs at first glance, but once you break it down into family, friends, relationships, activities, and questions, it becomes a whole lot easier to digest. On the flip side, use the answer key as a reference, but pair it with real‑world practice and the extra tips above. Soon enough, you’ll be chatting about family dinners, planning weekend outings, and asking “Who’s coming?” with the confidence of someone who really knows the signs. Happy signing!
