Lesson Plan
Actions Speak Louder
Students will be able to identify at least three nonverbal cues and explain how they impact the meaning of a message.
Understanding nonverbal cues is crucial for effective communication and building stronger relationships. This lesson will equip students with the skills to better interpret social situations and respond appropriately.
Audience
7th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive activities and discussions.
Materials
Reading the Room Slide Deck, Tone of Voice Practice Script, and Social Detective Observation Sheet
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Reading the Room Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content and discussion points.
- Print copies of the Social Detective Observation Sheet for each student.
- Familiarize yourself with the Tone of Voice Practice Script.
- Arrange the classroom to facilitate small group discussions and activities, if desired.
- Ensure projector/screen is ready for the slide deck.
Step 1
Warm-up: What Am I Thinking?
5 minutes
- Display the first slide of the Reading the Room Slide Deck which asks students to guess an emotion based on a nonverbal cue (e.g., a simple emoji or picture of a face).
- Ask students: "Based on this image, what do you think this person is feeling? How can you tell?"
- Facilitate a brief discussion, emphasizing that we often 'read' people without words.
Step 2
Introduce: Nonverbal Cues
8 minutes
- Transition to the 'Nonverbal Cues' slides in the Reading the Room Slide Deck.
- Define and discuss key nonverbal cues: Body Language, Facial Expressions, and Tone of Voice.
- Provide examples for each. For instance, for body language, demonstrate open vs. closed postures. For facial expressions, show different emotions. For tone of voice, use examples of saying the same words with different tones.
- Ask students to brainstorm situations where these cues are important (e.g., job interview, talking to a friend, presenting in class).
Step 3
Activity: Mismatched Messages Game
7 minutes
- Divide students into small groups.
- Introduce the "Mismatched Messages Game." Explain that one person will say a simple phrase (e.g., "I'm fine") while trying to convey a different emotion through their nonverbal cues (e.g., happy words, but sad facial expression).
- The rest of the group will try to identify the true emotion based on the nonverbal cues.
- Provide the Social Detective Observation Sheet for students to jot down observations during the game.
- After a few rounds, bring the class back together for a quick share of interesting observations.
Step 4
Discussion: The Impact of Tone of Voice
5 minutes
- Direct students' attention to the slides on 'Tone of Voice' in the Reading the Room Slide Deck.
- Explain that tone of voice can completely change the meaning of words.
- Use the Tone of Voice Practice Script to demonstrate. Read a simple sentence (e.g., "That's great!") in different tones (sarcastic, excited, bored, confused).
- Ask: "How did the meaning change with my tone?"
- Discuss real-life examples where tone matters (e.g., apologies, giving compliments, expressing concern).
Step 5
Reflection: Becoming a Social Detective
5 minutes
- Conclude with the 'Becoming a Social Detective' slide in the Reading the Room Slide Deck.
- Ask students to reflect on what they learned:
- "What are three nonverbal cues you will pay more attention to?"
- "How can understanding these cues help you in your daily life?"
- Encourage students to practice observing nonverbal cues in their interactions and to complete the Social Detective Observation Sheet as homework, if applicable.
Slide Deck
Actions Speak Louder: Reading the Room
How do you know what someone is feeling without them saying a word?
Today, we're becoming social detectives!
Welcome students and introduce the concept of 'reading the room' without words. Ask a thought-provoking question to get them thinking about nonverbal communication.
Warm-up: What Am I Thinking?
Look at the image. What emotion do you think is being expressed?
How can you tell?
Explain that we often pick up on cues without realizing it. Present a simple nonverbal cue (e.g., a basic emoji or picture of a facial expression) and ask students to guess the emotion and how they can tell.
Nonverbal Cues: The Hidden Messages
It's not just what you say, but how you say it, and what your body is doing!
Key Nonverbal Cues:
- Body Language
- Facial Expressions
- Tone of Voice
Introduce the three main categories of nonverbal cues: body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. Briefly define each.
Body Language: Your Silent Story
What does your body say?
- Posture: Slumped shoulders vs. standing tall
- Gestures: Fidgeting vs. open hands
- Personal Space: Close vs. far away
How do these make you feel?
Elaborate on body language. Give examples of open vs. closed posture, gestures, and personal space. Ask students for their own examples.
Facial Expressions: The Face Tells All
Our faces are like billboards for our feelings!
- Eyes (squinting, wide, darting)
- Eyebrows (raised, furrowed)
- Mouth (smile, frown, tight lips)
Can you think of a time your face gave away your feelings?
Focus on facial expressions. Discuss how different parts of the face contribute to expressing emotions. Show examples if possible or ask students to make faces.
Tone of Voice: It's Not Just *What* You Say
The way your voice sounds adds another layer of meaning.
- Pitch: High vs. low
- Volume: Loud vs. soft
- Speed: Fast vs. slow
- Emphasis: Which words do you stress?
How can tone change everything?
Explain tone of voice. Emphasize that the same words can mean very different things depending on how they are said. Prepare to use the Tone of Voice Practice Script here.
Activity: Mismatched Messages Game!
Sometimes our words and nonverbal cues don't match.
How to Play:
- One person says a simple phrase.
- They try to show a different emotion with their body and face.
- Others guess the true emotion.
Use your Social Detective Observation Sheet!
Introduce the Mismatched Messages Game. Explain the rules for students to play in groups.
Let's Talk About Tone
After our game, what did you notice about how people communicate?
How powerful is your tone of voice?
Facilitate a class discussion about the game and the importance of tone of voice, leading into the script activity.
Reflection: Becoming a Social Detective
You are now trained social detectives!
- What are three nonverbal cues you'll pay more attention to?
- How can understanding these cues help you in your daily life?
Keep practicing your observation skills!
Conclude the lesson by encouraging students to apply their new 'social detective' skills. Ask them to reflect on the key takeaways.
Script
Tone of Voice Practice Script
Teacher: "Alright class, we've been talking about how our voices can change the meaning of our words. Let's practice this. I'm going to say a very simple sentence, but I want you to listen carefully to how I say it. Try to guess what emotion I'm actually trying to convey, even if the words stay the same."
Practice Sentence: "That's great!"
Teacher: (Read the sentence in an excited tone, big smile, maybe a thumbs up)
"That's great!"
Teacher: "What emotion did you hear there? How did my voice (and maybe my face or body) help you understand that?"
Teacher: (Read the sentence in a sarcastic/unimpressed tone, perhaps with a slight eye-roll or sigh)
"That's great."
Teacher: "And what about that one? Did it still mean the same thing as the first time? What changed?"
Teacher: (Read the sentence in a bored/monotone tone, looking away slightly)
"That's great."
Teacher: "How did that make you feel? What message did my tone send?"
Teacher: (Read the sentence in a confused/questioning tone, perhaps with raised eyebrows)
"That's great?"
Teacher: "This time, did it sound like I was sure? What emotion did my tone suggest?"
Teacher: "See how powerful our tone of voice is? The exact same words can mean completely different things. It's like having a secret code! As social detectives, listening to tone is super important for understanding the real message."
Worksheet
Social Detective Observation Sheet
Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Part 1: Mismatched Messages Game Observations
During the "Mismatched Messages Game," observe your classmates. For each round, write down what words were said and what nonverbal cues (body language, facial expressions, tone of voice) you observed. Then, guess the true emotion the person was trying to convey.
Round 1:
Round 2:
Round 3:
Part 2: Reflect and Observe (Homework/Extension)
Now it's your turn to be a social detective in your daily life! Over the next day, try to observe nonverbal cues in at least two different situations (e.g., watching a TV show, talking to a family member, observing people in a public place). Describe what you saw and what you think it meant.
Observation 1:
Observation 2: