Communication Script

Introduction: The Communication Puzzle (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! I'm so excited to dive into a topic today that impacts every single one of us, every single day: communication!"

Teacher: "Let's start with a quick thought. How often do you think we really understand each other? Give me a thumbs up if you think it's most of the time, a thumbs sideways if it's sometimes, and a thumbs down if you feel like it's pretty rare. (Pause for student responses)."

Teacher: "Interesting! It seems we all have different experiences. Today, we're going to explore what makes communication clear, and sometimes, what makes it a little... muddled. It's not just about the words we say, but so much more!"

Teacher: "Take a look at our first slide, Slide Deck: Understanding Communication Signals."

(Display Slide 1: Communication Charades: Understanding Signals)

Teacher: "Our lesson today is called 'Communication Charades: Understanding Signals.' Has anyone ever played charades before? (Pause for responses). Great! You'll see why we chose that name in a bit."

(Display Slide 2: Our Communication Mission)

Teacher: "As our next slide shows, our mission today is to become communication detectives! We'll learn to recognize how body language and tone affect messages, understand the role of active listening, and identify potential misunderstandings in communication. Why do you think it's so important to be good at communicating? What are some real-life situations where clear communication is super helpful? (Encourage a few student responses, e.g., working on a group project, talking to friends, asking for help)."

Exploring Communication Styles (15 minutes)

Teacher: "You've hit on some really important points. Now, let's dig a bit deeper into how we communicate. Take a look at our next slide."

(Display Slide 3: Words Matter... But So Does EVERYTHING Else!)

Teacher: "We often think of communication as just talking, right? But what else is happening when two people are communicating? What are some ways you communicate without actually speaking? (Wait for responses like gestures, facial expressions, drawing). Exactly! Our bodies and our voices are constantly sending messages, even when we don't realize it."

(Display Slide 4: Speak Without Saying a Word: Body Language)

Teacher: "This is what we call body language. Our facial expressions, our posture, how we use our hands, and even where we look can tell a huge story! For example, if I'm standing here with my arms crossed and a frown, what message might I be sending? (Allow responses like 'angry,' 'closed off'). What if I'm smiling and making eye contact? (Allow responses like 'friendly,' 'open'). See? Our bodies really do 'speak.'"

Teacher: "Can someone show me with just their body language that they are confused? How about excited? Or bored? (Have a few students demonstrate, encouraging the class to guess the emotion/message). Fantastic examples!"

(Display Slide 5: It's Not Just What You Say, But How: Tone of Voice)

Teacher: "Now let's talk about tone of voice. This is how we say something. Think about the simple phrase: 'Okay.' If I say it like this, 'Okay.' (said flatly), what does it sound like? (Allow responses like 'uninterested,' 'reluctant'). What if I say, 'Okay!' (said excitedly)? (Allow responses like 'enthusiastic,' 'agreeable'). The same word, but completely different meanings just because of my tone!"

Teacher: "Can I have a volunteer say, 'Thank you,' in a really sarcastic way? And then in a genuinely thankful way? (Guide students through demonstrating different tones). It's amazing how much meaning we pack into our tone, isn't it?"

(Display Slide 6: Are You REALLY Listening? Active Listening)

Teacher: "Communication is a two-way street. It's not just about sending clear messages, but also about receiving them clearly. That's where active listening comes in. What do you think it means to be an active listener? (Guide students to discuss paying attention, not interrupting, showing engagement)."

Teacher: "When you actively listen, you're doing things like making eye contact, nodding, and sometimes even rephrasing what someone said to make sure you understood. It shows the other person you value what they're saying. Why do you think active listening is so important for avoiding misunderstandings? (Allow responses like 'you don't miss details,' 'the other person feels heard')."

Communication Charades Game (20 minutes)

Teacher: "Alright, communication detectives, it's time to put your observation skills to the test! We're going to play Communication Charades!"

(Display Slide 7: Game Time: Communication Charades!)

Teacher: "Here's how it works: I'm going to divide you into small groups. Each group will get a set of Communication Charades Game Cards. On these cards, you'll find phrases or emotions. Your task is to act out what's on the card using only body language, facial expressions, and gestures. NO TALKING! Your group members will then try to guess the message. The goal is to be as clear as possible without saying a single word. What makes a good charades performance? (Encouarage students to think about exaggerated movements, clear expressions)."

(Divide students into groups and distribute the Communication Charades Game Cards).

Teacher: "As you play, really pay attention to what your teammates are doing. What body language are they using? What facial expressions? What's helping you understand, and what might be making it confusing? Let's get started!"

(Circulate among groups, providing encouragement and facilitating as needed. After a few rounds, bring the class back together).

Teacher: "Wow, you all did a fantastic job! What did you notice during the game? Was it easy to communicate without words? What was challenging? What made some of the messages really clear, and what led to misunderstandings? (Facilitate a brief class discussion about the game experience)."

Reflection & Wrap-up (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Excellent observations. Now, let's take a moment to reflect on everything we've talked about and experienced today. I have an activity called Communication Reflection Activity for you to complete. This is your chance to think deeply about what we've learned."

(Display Slide 8: Reflect & Connect: What Did We Learn?)

Teacher: "On your reflection sheet, I want you to answer these questions: How can you use these communication skills in your daily life? What was challenging about today's lesson or the game? And what surprised you the most about communication? Take about 5-7 minutes to write down your thoughts."

(Distribute Communication Reflection Activity and allow students time to write. Once most students have finished, invite a few to share their reflections with the class).

Teacher: "Thank you for sharing your thoughtful responses. It's clear you're all becoming more aware of the powerful ways we communicate."

(Display Slide 9: Be a Communication Champion!)

Teacher: "As our final slide reminds us, clear communication helps us understand each other, avoid misunderstandings, and build stronger relationships. Keep practicing these skills every day – you'll be communication champions in no time! Thank you, everyone!"

Communication Charades Game Cards

Instructions: Cut out each card below. When it's your turn to act, pick a card and act out the phrase, emotion, or scenario without speaking. Your teammates will guess!

Emotions

• Card 1: Excited to go on vacation
• Card 2: Very confused by a math problem
• Card 3: Super angry about losing a game
• Card 4: Scared after hearing a strange noise
• Card 5: Extremely bored in a long lecture
• Card 6: Proud of a good grade
• Card 7: Annoyed by a buzzing fly
• Card 8: Shy about speaking in front of the class

Actions / Scenarios

• Card 9: Trying to catch a frisbee
• Card 10: Secretly eating a snack in class
• Card 11: Searching for a lost item
• Card 12: Complaining about chores
• Card 13: Waving goodbye to a friend
• Card 14: Doing homework reluctantly
• Card 15: Listening to music with headphones on
• Card 16: Building a sandcastle

Phrases (Act out the feeling or meaning)

• Card 17: "I totally disagree!"
• Card 18: "Oops! My bad!"
• Card 19: "Can you help me?"
• Card 20: "That's amazing!"
• Card 21: "I'm so tired."
• Card 22: "Shhh! Be quiet!"
• Card 23: "What's for dinner?"
• Card 24: "I don't know the answer."

Communication Reflection Activity

Name: __________________________
Date: __________________________

Reflecting on Communication Signals

1. During our Communication Charades game, what was one example of body language or a facial expression that clearly communicated a message without any words? Describe what you saw and what message it sent.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Think about a time someone spoke to you and their tone of voice changed the meaning of their words. Describe the situation and how the tone impacted your understanding.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. What does it mean to be an "active listener"? List at least three specific things you can do to show someone you are actively listening to them.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Why is it important to pay attention to both verbal (words) and non-verbal (body language, tone) communication when you are trying to understand someone? How can focusing on both help prevent misunderstandings?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. How do you plan to use what you learned about communication today in your daily life? Give a specific example of how you might improve your own communication or your understanding of others.