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Decoding Social Cues

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Lesson Plan

Decoding Social Cues

Students will be able to identify and interpret common social cues (e.g., body language, facial expressions, tone of voice) and understand their impact on social interactions.

Understanding social cues is crucial for effective communication and building positive relationships. This lesson helps students develop these essential life skills, leading to more successful social interactions.

Audience

Special Education Students (Tier 2 Group)

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, engaging activities, and a fun game.

Materials

Social Cues Slide Deck, Social Cues Discussion Guide, Role-Play Activity Cards, Social Cue Charades Game Cards, and Social Cues Quiz

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: What Do You See?

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students: "When you talk to someone, what do you notice about them? How can you tell if they are happy, sad, or confused without them saying a word?"
    - Facilitate a brief discussion, guiding students to think about non-verbal communication. (Use Social Cues Discussion Guide for prompts).

Step 2

Introduction to Social Cues

5 minutes

  • Use the Social Cues Slide Deck to introduce the concept of social cues: facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice.
    - Go through slides demonstrating different cues and their meanings.

Step 3

Activity: Role-Play Scenarios

10 minutes

  • Divide students into small pairs or groups.
    - Distribute Role-Play Activity Cards to each group.
    - Have students act out the scenarios, focusing on demonstrating and interpreting social cues. Encourage them to exaggerate expressions and body language initially.
    - After each role-play, discuss as a group: "What social cues did you observe? What did they mean?"

Step 4

Game: Social Cue Charades

5 minutes

  • Introduce the Social Cue Charades Game.
    - Students take turns picking a card and acting out the social cue without speaking.
    - The other students guess the cue.
    - Award points for correct guesses.

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Quiz

5 minutes

  • Briefly review the key social cues discussed.
    - Administer the Social Cues Quiz to assess understanding.
    - Emphasize the importance of practicing observing social cues in everyday life.
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Slide Deck

Decoding Social Cues

How do we know what others are feeling or thinking without them saying a word?

Welcome students and introduce the idea that we communicate in many ways, not just with words. Ask them to think about how they know if someone is happy, even if they don't say 'I'm happy'.

What are Social Cues?

Clues people give us about what they are thinking or feeling.

  • They help us understand others.
  • They help others understand us.

Explain that social cues are like clues that help us understand what's happening. Give examples like a thumbs up means 'good'.

Facial Expressions

Our faces show many feelings!

  • Happy (smile)
  • Sad (frown)
  • Angry (scowling)
  • Surprised (wide eyes, open mouth)
  • Confused (furrowed brows)

Show different facial expressions and ask students to identify the emotion. Emphasize that eyes and mouth are key.

Body Language

Our bodies speak too!

  • Arms crossed (upset, defensive)
  • Slumped shoulders (sad, tired)
  • Open arms (friendly, welcoming)
  • Fidgeting (nervous, excited)
  • Pointing (directing, sometimes rude)

Talk about how our bodies can tell a story. Demonstrate different body language examples. Ask students to show 'bored' or 'excited' body language.

Tone of Voice

It's not just what you say, but how you say it!

  • Happy tone (high pitch, faster)
  • Sad tone (low pitch, slower)
  • Angry tone (loud, harsh)
  • Questioning tone (rises at the end)

Explain that 'how' we say something is as important as 'what' we say. Give examples of saying 'Okay' in a happy, sad, and angry tone.

Putting It All Together

Great job! By looking at faces, bodies, and listening to voices, we can understand people better. Practice makes perfect!

Summarize the importance of combining all cues to understand a situation. Encourage students to practice observing these cues every day.

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Discussion

Social Cues Discussion Guide

Warm-Up: What Do You See?

  1. Teacher Prompt: "When you talk to someone, what do you notice about them? How can you tell if they are happy, sad, or confused without them saying a word?"



  2. Facilitation Questions:
    • What are some ways people show they are happy without speaking? (e.g., smiling, bright eyes)
    • How about when someone is sad? What might their face or body look like? (e.g., frowning, slumped shoulders)
    • Can you think of a time someone said something, but their body or face told you something different? What happened?
    • Why is it important to pay attention to these 'clues' that people give us?
    • What happens if we don't notice these clues?
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Activity

Role-Play Activity Cards

Instructions: In pairs or small groups, pick a card and act out the scenario. Focus on showing clear social cues (facial expressions, body language, tone of voice) for your role. The other group members will guess what emotion or message you are trying to convey.

Card 1: Happy Surprise!

Scenario: You just found out you get to go on a fun field trip tomorrow. Show your friend how excited and happy you are without saying a word. (Think: wide eyes, big smile, jumping slightly)

Card 2: Feeling Sad

Scenario: Your favorite toy broke. Show your friend that you are sad and disappointed. (Think: frown, slumped shoulders, quiet voice if you make sounds)

Card 3: Confused by Homework

Scenario: You are looking at your homework and you don't understand what to do. Show your partner that you are confused. (Think: furrowed brows, head tilt, looking at the paper with a puzzled expression)

Card 4: Getting Annoyed

Scenario: Someone keeps interrupting you while you are talking. Show them that you are getting a little annoyed. (Think: crossing arms, slight frown, sighing)

Card 5: Friendly Greeting

Scenario: You see a new student in class. Greet them in a friendly and welcoming way without using words. (Think: warm smile, open body language, slight wave)

Card 6: Feeling Shy

Scenario: You are in a new place with lots of new people. Show that you are feeling shy. (Think: looking down, quiet voice, standing close to someone you know or hiding slightly)

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Game

Social Cue Charades Game Cards

Instructions: Take turns picking a card. Act out the social cue or emotion written on the card without speaking. Your classmates will guess what social cue you are demonstrating!

Card 1: Happy

Card 2: Sad

Card 3: Angry

Card 4: Surprised

Card 5: Confused

Card 6: Excited

Card 7: Scared

Card 8: Shy

Card 9: Bored

Card 10: Interested

Card 11: Frustrated

Card 12: Proud

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Quiz

Social Cues Quiz

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Activity

Role-Play Activity Cards

Instructions: In pairs or small groups, pick a card and act out the scenario. Focus on showing clear social cues (facial expressions, body language, tone of voice) for your role. The other group members will guess what emotion or message you are trying to convey.

Card 1: Happy Surprise!

Scenario: You just found out you get to go on a fun field trip tomorrow. Show your friend how you feel without saying

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