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Decoding Social Cues

Lesson Plan

Decoding Social Cues

Students will learn to identify and interpret common non-verbal social cues, specifically focusing on facial expressions and body language, to improve their social understanding and interactions.

Understanding non-verbal cues is crucial for successful social interactions. For students with autism, explicitly teaching these cues can bridge communication gaps and reduce social anxiety, helping them feel more connected and confident in various social settings.

Audience

3rd Grade Student with Autism

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Direct instruction, visual aids, and interactive practice.

Materials

Decoding Social Cues Slide Deck, Facial Expressions Activity, Social Cues Worksheet, and Social Cues Answer Key

Prep

Gather Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: What Do You See?

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking the student to describe what they observe in people's faces and bodies when they are talking to others. Guide them towards non-verbal observations.
    -

Step 2

Introduction to Social Cues

5 minutes

  • Use the Decoding Social Cues Slide Deck to introduce the concept of non-verbal social cues (facial expressions, body language).
    - Explain why these cues are important for understanding how others feel and what they might be thinking.

Step 3

Facial Expressions Activity

10 minutes

  • Present the Facial Expressions Activity.
    - Show different facial expression cards and ask the student to identify the emotion.
    - Discuss what physical features (eyes, mouth, eyebrows) indicate each emotion.
    - Practice mimicking expressions together.

Step 4

Body Language Basics

5 minutes

  • Continue with the Decoding Social Cues Slide Deck to cover basic body language cues (e.g., folded arms, open posture, hand gestures).
    - Provide examples and ask the student to identify the potential meaning of different postures.

Step 5

Practice & Reflection

5 minutes

  • Complete the Social Cues Worksheet together.
    - Encourage the student to draw their own examples of facial expressions or body language.
    - Ask the student to reflect on one new social cue they learned today and how they might use this knowledge in their interactions. Discuss a real-life scenario where this skill could be helpful.
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Slide Deck

Decoding Social Cues

Understanding the unspoken language of people!

Welcome the student and explain that today we will be detectives learning about secret messages people send without talking.

What are Social Cues?

Clues people give us without using words!

  • Facial Expressions: What our faces show.
  • Body Language: How our bodies look.

Ask the student: 'What do you notice about people when they talk?' Guide them to think beyond words. Introduce the idea of 'social cues' as clues.

Why are They Important?

Social cues help us:

  • Understand how others feel.
  • Know what someone might be thinking.
  • Make friends and get along with people better!
  • Avoid misunderstandings.

Explain that these cues help us understand feelings and intentions, which makes conversations and playing with friends much easier.

Facial Expressions: Happy!

Look for:

  • Smiling mouth
  • Eyes might crinkle at the corners
  • Cheeks might be a little pushed up

Show a picture of a happy face (or make one). Point out the smile, crinkled eyes. Ask: 'How do you know this person is happy?'

Facial Expressions: Sad

Look for:

  • Downturned mouth
  • Eyebrows might be pulled together and down
  • Eyes might look watery or downcast

Show a picture of a sad face. Point out downturned mouth, possibly watery eyes, furrowed brows. Ask: 'What clues tell us this person is sad?'

Facial Expressions: Angry

Look for:

  • Eyebrows pulled down and together
  • Tight lips or a frown
  • Staring eyes

Show a picture of an angry face. Point out furrowed brow, tight lips, flared nostrils. Ask: 'How can you tell this person is angry?'

Facial Expressions: Surprised

Look for:

  • Wide-open eyes
  • Raised eyebrows
  • Open mouth (often in an 'O' shape)

Show a picture of a surprised face. Point out wide eyes, raised eyebrows, open mouth. Ask: 'What makes this face look surprised?'

Body Language: "Come On In!"

When someone looks open and friendly:

  • Arms uncrossed
  • Facing towards you
  • Might be leaning a little closer
  • Often smiling!

Show an example of open body language (e.g., open arms, leaning forward). Explain it as friendly and inviting.

Body Language: "Leave Me Alone."

When someone looks closed off:

  • Arms crossed
  • Turned away from you
  • Might be looking down
  • Frowning or no expression

Show an example of closed body language (e.g., folded arms, turned away). Explain it might mean they are shy, uncomfortable, or upset.

Quick Review!

We learned about:

  • Happy, Sad, Angry, Surprised faces
  • Open and closed body language

These are important clues!

Briefly recap the key facial expressions and body language cues discussed.

Time to Practice!

Now let's use our detective skills!

We will look at some pictures and try to guess the feelings and messages.

Transition to the activity. Explain that they will get to practice identifying these cues.

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Activity

Facial Expressions: What's the Feeling?

Instructions: Your teacher will show you cards with different faces. Look closely at the eyes, eyebrows, and mouth. Tell your teacher what feeling each face shows!

Card 1: Happy Face

What feeling do you see?


What clues helped you know? (Think about the mouth, eyes, eyebrows)


Card 2: Sad Face

What feeling do you see?


What clues helped you know?


Card 3: Angry Face

What feeling do you see?


What clues helped you know?


Card 4: Surprised Face

What feeling do you see?


What clues helped you know?


Draw Your Own!

Draw a face that shows another feeling, like confused or excited. Then, tell your teacher what clues you drew to show that feeling.













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Worksheet

Social Cues Detective Work!

Instructions: Look at the pictures or descriptions below. Write down what social cue you see (happy, sad, angry, surprised, open body language, closed body language) and what message it might be sending.

Part 1: Facial Expressions

  1. Picture/Description: A person with a big smile, crinkled eyes, and slightly raised cheeks.

    • What feeling do you see?


    • What message is this person sending?


  2. Picture/Description: A person with eyebrows pulled down, a tight frown, and staring eyes.

    • What feeling do you see?


    • What message is this person sending?


  3. Picture/Description: A person with wide-open eyes, raised eyebrows, and an open mouth shaped like an "O".

    • What feeling do you see?


    • What message is this person sending?


Part 2: Body Language

  1. Picture/Description: A person standing with their arms crossed over their chest, looking down at the floor.

    • What body language do you see?


    • What message might this person be sending?


  2. Picture/Description: A person standing facing you, with open hands, and leaning slightly forward while smiling.

    • What body language do you see?


    • What message might this person be sending?


Part 3: Draw and Share!

Draw a person showing a social cue. It can be a facial expression or body language. Then, write what feeling or message your drawing shows.













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Answer Key

Social Cues Detective Work! - Answer Key

Part 1: Facial Expressions

  1. Picture/Description: A person with a big smile, crinkled eyes, and slightly raised cheeks.

    • What feeling do you see? Happy / Joyful
    • What message is this person sending? They are feeling good, friendly, approachable.

  2. Picture/Description: A person with eyebrows pulled down, a tight frown, and staring eyes.

    • What feeling do you see? Angry / Upset
    • What message is this person sending? They are mad, frustrated, or not wanting to talk.

  3. Picture/Description: A person with wide-open eyes, raised eyebrows, and an open mouth shaped like an "O".

    • What feeling do you see? Surprised / Shocked
    • What message is this person sending? Something unexpected happened, they are amazed or startled.

Part 2: Body Language

  1. Picture/Description: A person standing with their arms crossed over their chest, looking down at the floor.

    • What body language do you see? Closed body language
    • What message might this person be sending? They might be feeling shy, uncomfortable, upset, or not interested in talking.

  2. Picture/Description: A person standing facing you, with open hands, and leaning slightly forward while smiling.

    • What body language do you see? Open body language
    • What message might this person be sending? They are friendly, welcoming, ready to listen, or interested in talking.

Part 3: Draw and Share!

(Answers will vary based on student's drawing and explanation.)

Example:

  • Drawing: A person with an eyebrow raised and a slightly tilted head.
  • Feeling/Message: Confused / Puzzled. The person is thinking or doesn't understand something.
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Decoding Social Cues • Lenny Learning