Body Talk Detectives

Kristina Carnes

Tier 2

Lesson Plan

Body Talk Detectives Lesson Plan

Students will learn to identify and interpret nonverbal cues—facial expressions, body posture, and tone of voice—through video modeling and activities, and practice decoding at least three common cues in peer scenarios.

Reading nonverbal cues boosts students’ empathy, improves social interactions, and reduces misunderstandings in daily peer conversations. These skills foster confidence and smoother group dynamics.

Audience

3rd Grade Tier 2 Social Skills Group

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Video modeling and interactive practice to decode nonverbal cues.

Materials

Name the Emotion, Nonverbal Cues Card Set, Body Talk Detective Worksheet, and Whiteboard and markers

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Print and cut out the Nonverbal Cues Card Set.
Print one copy of the Body Talk Detective Worksheet for each student.
Queue up the Name the Emotion video; test audio and video.
Set up the whiteboard and markers for live examples.
Review all materials to ensure smooth delivery.

Step 1

Introduction and Warm-Up

5 minutes

Welcome students and explain that today they’ll be Body Talk Detectives learning how people ‘talk’ without words.
On the whiteboard, draw two stick figures showing different postures (e.g., slumped vs. upright) and ask: "What do you think they feel?"
Invite 2–3 quick student responses to activate prior knowledge.

Step 2

Video Modeling

7 minutes

Play Name the Emotion.
Ask students to focus on facial expressions and body postures as the monster acts out emotions.
Pause after each emotion and prompt: "What did you notice? Which cues told you that emotion?"
Record key student observations on the whiteboard.

Step 3

Card Match Activity

8 minutes

Give each pair the Nonverbal Cues Card Set.
In pairs, students sort cards into emotion groups (e.g., happy, sad, surprised) based on the cues shown.
Circulate, asking pairs to explain why they matched each card to its category.
Provide guidance and model reasoning when needed.

Step 4

Worksheet Practice

8 minutes

Distribute the Body Talk Detective Worksheet.
Students work individually to analyze three illustrated scenarios, writing the emotion or intention they believe fits each nonverbal cue.
Encourage students to reference card examples or their notes from the whiteboard.

Step 5

Wrap-Up and Reflection

2 minutes

Invite 2–3 volunteers to share one scenario and their interpretation.
Highlight how noticing body talk helps us understand friends’ feelings.
Praise detective work and encourage students to watch for nonverbal signals in class and at home.

Slide Deck

Body Talk Detectives

30-Minute Tier 2 Social Skills Session for 3rd Grade
Learn to read and interpret nonverbal cues!

Welcome everyone! Introduce today’s session and share that we’re becoming Body Talk Detectives—learning how people ‘talk’ without words.

Objectives

• Identify facial expressions, body posture, and tone of voice
• Interpret what these cues communicate
• Practice decoding 3 common nonverbal cues in peer scenarios

Read each objective aloud. Emphasize why each skill matters in everyday interactions.

What Are Nonverbal Cues?

• Facial expressions (smile, frown)
• Body posture (slumped, upright)
• Tone of voice (loud, soft)

Define nonverbal cues. Ask students to give examples of each type from home or school.

Play the video. Pause after each emotion. Ask: “What did you notice? Which facial or body cue tipped you off?”

Card Match Activity

Pair up with a partner
Sort the Nonverbal Cues Card Set into emotion groups
Explain your matches to each other

Circulate and listen to pairs’ reasoning. Prompt with questions like, “Why did you group that card under ‘surprised’?”

Worksheet Practice

Take a Body Talk Detective Worksheet
Analyze 3 illustrated scenarios
Write the emotion or intention you think fits each cue

Encourage students to look back at the cards or the whiteboard notes. Offer support if they get stuck.

Wrap-Up & Reflection

• Volunteers share one scenario interpretation
• Discuss how body talk helps us understand friends’ feelings
• Encourage watching for nonverbal cues every day!

Invite volunteers to share. Highlight strong detective work and encourage ongoing observation of nonverbal cues.

Worksheet

Body Talk Detective Worksheet

Name: ____________________________ Date: _______________

Scenario 1: The Slumped Detective

Imagine Jordan at his desk. He’s sitting with his shoulders slumped, head resting in his hands, and a frown on his face.

What emotion do you think Jordan is showing?
Which nonverbal cues helped you decide that?

Scenario 2: The Cross-Armed Mystery

Picture Taylor standing in the hallway apart from friends. Taylor’s arms are crossed tightly, eyebrows are furrowed, and lips are pressed together.

What emotion or feeling might Taylor be experiencing?
List the nonverbal cues that led you to this conclusion.

Scenario 3: The Lean-In Observer

Visualize Alex leaning forward on the table with eyes wide, a big smile, and hands open toward a classmate who’s speaking.

What emotion or intention do you think Alex is displaying?
Describe the nonverbal cues you noticed.

Detective Reflection:
Why is it helpful to notice body talk in our friends and classmates?

Activity

Nonverbal Cues Card Set

Print and cut along the borders to create individual cue cards. Leave the line under each illustration blank so students can write the emotion or intention when matching.