Decoding Social Cues Script

Introduction & Warm-Up (5 minutes)

(Display Slide 1: Decoding Social Cues: What Are They?)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to become social detectives. Have you ever been in a situation where you just knew what someone was feeling or thinking, even if they didn't say a word? Maybe you saw their shoulders slump, or their eyes widened in surprise?"

"That's what we're talking about today: Social Cues. These are the hidden messages in our interactions. We're going to learn how to 'decode' them to better understand the people around us and improve our own communication."

(Transition to Slide 2: What Are Social Cues?)

"As the slide says, social cues are signals—often non-verbal—that give us clues about someone's thoughts, feelings, or intentions. They're like pieces of a puzzle that help us understand a social situation. Think about it: if someone rolls their eyes, what does that usually tell you?"


"Right, maybe they're annoyed or don't believe what you're saying. They didn't say they were annoyed, but their non-verbal cue told you. Today, we'll sharpen those detective skills."

Exploring Non-Verbal Cues (10 minutes)

"Social cues come in many forms. We'll focus on three main types today: facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice."

(Transition to Slide 3: Facial Expressions: The Window to Feelings)

"First, our faces! Our faces are incredibly expressive. Think about your own face. How do your eyes look when you're surprised? What about your mouth when you're frustrated?"

"Eyes can be wide with surprise or narrowed in suspicion. A mouth can be smiling with joy or tight-lipped with anger. Our eyebrows raise, furrow, or relax. These tiny movements tell a huge story."

(Transition to Slide 4: Body Language: More Than Just Words)

"Next, our whole body speaks volumes! Our posture, gestures, and even how close we stand to someone (our proximity) send messages. If someone is slumped in their chair, avoiding eye contact, and fidgeting, what might that tell you?"


"What about someone who is standing tall, making eye contact, and has their arms uncrossed?"

"Often, crossed arms can indicate defensiveness or disinterest, while leaning in shows engagement. These are not always 100% accurate, but they give us strong hints."

(Transition to Slide 5: Tone of Voice: It's How You Say It)

"Finally, how we say things matters just as much as what we say. Our tone of voice—the pitch, volume, and pace—can completely change the meaning of a sentence. I want you to try something with me."

"Say the word 'Okay' in three different ways:

1. Happy and cheerful: 'Okay!'
2. Sarcastic or annoyed: 'Oh-kay.'
3. Questioning or unsure: 'Okay?'"

"Did you notice how the same word conveyed completely different messages just by changing your tone? This is a powerful social cue we often overlook."

(Transition to Slide 6: Why Do Social Cues Matter?)

"So, why is all this important? Understanding social cues leads to better communication, stronger relationships, and helps you navigate different social situations, like group projects or talking to new people. It also helps us build empathy—when we understand what others are truly feeling, we can connect with them on a deeper level."

Social Cues Scenario Activity (10 minutes)

(Transition to Slide 7: Activity: Social Cues Scenario Cards)

"Now it's your turn to be social detectives! I'm going to put you into small groups. Each group will receive some Social Cues Scenario Cards."

"Your task is to:

1. Read each scenario carefully.
2. Discuss within your group: What social cues do you notice? What do these cues tell you about the situation or the feelings of the people involved? How would you respond appropriately in that situation, keeping the cues in mind?"
3. Be ready to share your group's insights for at least one scenario with the class."

"I'll be walking around to listen in and help if you get stuck. You have about 8 minutes for this activity. Go ahead and get into your groups and start discussing!"

(Circulate, listen to discussions, ask probing questions like: "What other cues might be present?" "How would you feel in this situation?" "What's the best way to approach someone showing those cues?")

Group Share & Wrap-Up (5 minutes)

"Alright, social detectives, let's bring it back together. I heard some really insightful discussions. Who would like to share one of their scenarios and what your group discussed?"

(Call on 2-3 groups to share. Facilitate brief class discussion after each share.)

"Excellent job, everyone. What we've learned today is that communication isn't just about the words we speak. It's also about what our faces, bodies, and voices tell others."

(Transition to Slide 8: Your Turn: Be a Social Detective!)

"Your challenge for today, and moving forward, is to be more observant. Pay attention to the social cues around you. Notice how your friends, family, and even characters in movies communicate non-verbally."

"By understanding these cues, you can become a more empathetic communicator, build stronger connections, and navigate the social world with greater confidence.

Thank you, class!"

Social Cues Scenario Cards Activity

Instructions: In your groups, read each scenario. Discuss the questions below for each one. Be ready to share your insights with the class!

Scenario 1: The Group Project

You are working on a group project, and one of your teammates, Alex, keeps sighing loudly, looking at the clock, and avoiding eye contact when you try to suggest an idea. When it's their turn to contribute, they speak very quickly and quietly.

Discussion Questions:

1. What non-verbal social cues do you observe from Alex?
2. What do these cues suggest about how Alex might be feeling or thinking about the project/group?
3. How could you respond to Alex to improve the group dynamic and ensure everyone feels heard and involved?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Scenario 2: Lunchroom Drama

You see two friends, Maya and Chloe, sitting together at lunch. Maya is leaning forward, talking animatedly with her hands, but Chloe has her arms crossed tightly, is looking down at her tray, and is only giving very short, one-word answers.

Discussion Questions:

1. What non-verbal social cues do you observe from Maya and Chloe?
2. What might these cues tell you about their conversation or relationship at that moment?
3. If you were a friend wanting to check in, how might you approach Chloe based on her cues?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Scenario 3: Asking for Help

You're struggling with a math problem, and you decide to ask your teacher for help after class. When you approach them, their brow is furrowed, and they are tapping their pen rapidly on their desk while staring at their computer screen. They don't immediately look up when you say