Slide Deck
Navigating Social Scenes
Understanding the World Around Us!
Welcome students. Begin by asking what they observe in the image or prompting with questions like, 'What are these people doing?' Focus on basic observation of interaction.
What Are Social Cues?
Hints people give us!
They help us understand what others are feeling or thinking.
Like clues in a mystery!
Introduce the idea of 'social cues' as hints people give us. Explain that we use our eyes and sometimes our ears to notice these hints. Emphasize that nonverbal cues are very important for nonverbal students.
Why Do We Need Them?
🌟 To know how others feel.
🤝 To make friends.
🗣️ To know when to talk or listen.
✅ To know the 'right' thing to do.
Discuss why it's helpful to understand these hints. Connect it to making friends, knowing when someone needs help, or understanding instructions.
Clue #1: Faces Tell a Story
Look at people's faces!
😀 Happy: Smiling eyes, mouth up.
☹️ Sad: Downward mouth, sometimes tears.
😡 Angry: Frowning, tight lips, eyebrows down.
😮 Surprised: Wide eyes, open mouth.
Focus on facial expressions. Show clear, simple images of each emotion. Prompt students to identify the emotion or imitate the expression. Use PECs/AAC if available.
Clue #2: Body Language Speaks
Look at people's bodies!
🧍 Standing tall: Confident, ready.
🧎♀️ Slumped shoulders: Tired, sad.
👐 Open arms: Welcoming, friendly.
🙅♀️ Crossed arms: Unhappy, closed off.
Move to body language. Demonstrate or show images of different postures. Connect these postures to feelings or intentions. Emphasize that space and gestures are also cues.
How to Respond?
- 👀 Look: What are their face and body telling you?
2. 🤔 Think: What does that cue mean?
3. ✅ Act: Choose a helpful response.
Example: If someone looks sad, you might offer a hug or a comforting pat on the back (if appropriate) or get an adult.
Explain how to respond. Stress the importance of looking at cues before reacting. Give simple, concrete response examples.
Practice Makes Perfect!
Keep practicing looking for social cues!
The more you look, the more you'll understand.
You've got this! ⭐
Reinforce the main idea. Encourage students to practice looking for cues in everyday situations. Give a positive closing.
Reading
Reading Social Scenes
What are Social Cues?
Social cues are like clues! They are things people do with their faces and bodies that tell us how they are feeling or what they are thinking.
Learning these clues helps us understand others better and know how to respond.
Faces Tell a Story
Look at someone's face to find clues!
Happy Face
- Clue: A big smile, eyes might crinkle.
- What it means: Someone is happy or friendly.
- How to respond: You can smile back, or wave hello.
Sad Face
- Clue: Mouth turned down, eyes might look watery.
- What it means: Someone is sad or upset.
- How to respond: You could offer a gentle pat (if appropriate), or get an adult to help.
Angry Face
- Clue: Eyebrows squeezed together, mouth might be a straight line or frown.
- What it means: Someone is angry or frustrated.
- How to respond: Give them space, or find an adult.
Bodies Tell a Story Too
Look at someone's body to find more clues!
Friendly Body
- Clue: Arms are relaxed, maybe open. Standing or sitting calmly.
- What it means: Someone is approachable or comfortable.
- How to respond: You can approach them, or join their activity.
Uncomfortable Body
- Clue: Arms crossed tightly. Shoulders might be hunched. Facing away.
- What it means: Someone might be feeling shy, upset, or not want to talk.
- How to respond: Give them space, or wait for them to look at you before approaching.
Game
Social Cue Cards Game
Goal: Match a social situation card to the nonverbal response card that best fits.
Materials:
- Set of Social Situation Cards (print and cut out)
- Set of Nonverbal Response Cards (print and cut out)
Instructions:
- Shuffle both sets of cards separately.
- Place the Social Situation Cards face down in one pile.
- Spread the Nonverbal Response Cards face up on the table.
- Students take turns picking one Social Situation Card.
- Read the situation aloud (or have students identify the visual).
- The student then chooses the Nonverbal Response Card that shows how they would (or should) react to that situation.
- Discuss the match: Is it a good match? Why or why not? (Use visuals and simple language for discussion).
Social Situation Cards
Print and cut these out:
Card 1: Sad Friend
- Situation: Your friend walks by and looks sad. (Imagine: A drawing of a child with a sad face and slightly slumped shoulders.)
Card 2: Happy Greeting
- Situation: A classmate waves hello to you with a smile. (Imagine: A drawing of a child waving with a happy face.)
Card 3: Confused Teacher
- Situation: Your teacher looks confused while explaining something. (Imagine: A drawing of an adult with a questioning look, maybe hand on chin.)
Card 4: Excited Playtime
- Situation: Your friend invites you to play a fun game. (Imagine: A drawing of a child with an excited face, arms slightly raised.)
Card 5: Dropped Item
- Situation: Someone accidentally drops their book on the floor. (Imagine: A drawing of a book on the floor, near a person.)
Nonverbal Response Cards
Print and cut these out:
Card A: Offer Help/Comfort
- Response: Offer a gentle pat on the shoulder (if appropriate) or point to the book, looking at the person. (Imagine: A drawing of a hand gently touching a shoulder, or pointing to a fallen object.)
Card B: Wave Back
- Response: Wave back with a smile. (Imagine: A drawing of a hand waving, with a smiley face.)
Card C: Look and Listen
- Response: Look at your teacher, paying attention with calm body. (Imagine: A drawing of a child looking attentively at an adult.)
Card D: Smile and Join
- Response: Smile and walk towards them to join. (Imagine: A drawing of a child smiling and moving towards another child.)
Card E: Get an Adult
- Response: Find an adult to ask for help for your friend. (Imagine: A drawing of a child looking towards an adult, or walking to an adult.)
Worksheet
Response Matching Worksheet
Name: ________________________
Date: ________________________
Instructions: Read each social situation. Then, draw or describe a good nonverbal way to respond. Think about what we learned about faces and bodies!
Social Situation 1:
Your friend looks sad with tears in their eyes.
My Nonverbal Response:
Social Situation 2:
Your teacher is smiling and gives you a thumbs up.
My Nonverbal Response:
Social Situation 3:
A classmate is walking quickly and looks upset, with crossed arms.
My Nonverbal Response:
Social Situation 4:
Someone offers you a toy to play with. They have an open hand and are looking at you.
My Nonverbal Response:
Lesson Plan
Navigating Social Scenes
Students will be able to identify and practice appropriate nonverbal responses in common social situations through visual aids and structured activities.
Understanding and responding to social cues is crucial for successful interactions. This lesson provides explicit instruction and practice for nonverbal students to develop these essential life skills, leading to increased confidence and independence in social settings.
Audience
4th and 5th Grade Nonverbal Autistic Students
Time
20 minutes
Approach
Visual learning, guided practice, and interactive scenarios.
Materials
Smartboard or projector, Markers/Pencils, Social Scenes Reading, Social Cue Cards Game, and Response Matching Worksheet
Prep
Preparation
15 minutes
- Print and cut out the cards for the Social Cue Cards Game.
- Print copies of the Response Matching Worksheet for each student.
- Ensure projector/Smartboard is ready for the slide deck presentation.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What Do You See?
3 minutes
- Ask students, 'What do you see happening here?' (Teacher can point to specific elements or use PECs/AAC to prompt students to identify emotions or actions).
- Briefly discuss observed cues, emphasizing nonverbal aspects.
Step 2
Introduction: Understanding Social Cues
5 minutes
- Read aloud the Social Scenes Reading, pausing to point out visual examples of social cues (e.g., facial expressions, body language).
- Use simple language and clear visuals, allowing time for processing.
- Ask students, 'Why do we look at people's faces or bodies?' (Focus on understanding feelings/intentions).
Step 3
Activity: Social Cue Cards Game
7 minutes
- Divide students into small groups or work as a whole class, depending on student needs.
- Distribute the cards. Have students take turns picking a 'social situation' card and then selecting a 'response' card that shows an appropriate nonverbal reaction.
- Provide scaffolding and visual examples as needed. For nonverbal students, this could involve pointing, matching, or using pre-programmed AAC devices to indicate choices.
Step 4
Wrap-Up: Matching Responses
5 minutes
- Guide students through matching social situations to appropriate nonverbal responses, reinforcing the concepts learned.
- Review answers as a class, discussing why certain responses are appropriate.
- Briefly recap the main ideas: 'We use our eyes and bodies to understand and respond to others.'
- Assign any unfinished parts of the worksheet as optional homework.