Lesson Plan
Non-Verbal Navigator
Students will interpret and use non-verbal signals to enhance empathy and collaboration in group settings through silent activities.
Non-verbal communication is foundational to counseling and relationships; building these skills helps 10th graders read others’ emotions and express themselves beyond words.
Audience
10th Grade Group
Time
40 minutes
Approach
Silent group exercises with guided reflection
Materials
- Without Words slide deck, - Silent Storytelling Cards, - What Did You Observe? handouts, - Reflection on Silence journals, - Timer, and - Whiteboard and Markers
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Load Without Words and review slides for key scenarios.
- Print and cut Silent Storytelling Cards and What Did You Observe? handouts.
- Print one Reflection on Silence journal per student.
- Arrange chairs in a circle to ensure visibility.
- Review student IEPs/504 plans to plan supports (visual aids, extra time, buddy system).
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Welcome students and share lesson objective: reading and using non-verbal cues.
- Present Slides 1–2 from Without Words to introduce facial expressions and gestures.
- Ask for quick volunteer examples of gestures they’ve seen or used.
Step 2
Silent Storytelling
10 minutes
- Split class into groups of 4–5; sit in circles.
- Distribute Silent Storytelling Cards.
- Each student silently acts out their card for up to 1 minute while peers guess the scenario.
- Rotate until all have participated.
- Accommodations: provide picture supports or allow whispered prompts for students who need them.
Step 3
What Did You Observe? Discussion
10 minutes
- Reconvene whole group; display What Did You Observe? on whiteboard.
- Facilitate discussion with questions: Which non-verbal cues stood out? How did it feel to interpret/perform in silence?
- Record key observations on the board.
Step 4
Reflection on Silence
10 minutes
- Distribute Reflection on Silence.
- Prompt students: Describe one challenge and one insight from today’s silent exercises; how might you apply this skill?
- Encourage at least three reflective sentences.
- Circulate and support writers as needed.
Step 5
Debrief and Closing
5 minutes
- Invite 2–3 volunteers to share journal highlights.
- Summarize the importance of empathy and keen observation.
- Optional homework: Notice non-verbal cues at home or school this week and jot down examples.
Slide Deck
Without Words
Exploring Non-Verbal Communication
Welcome students and introduce the slide deck topic: exploring non-verbal communication. Emphasize we’ll learn to “speak” and “listen” without words.
What is Non-Verbal Communication?
- Communication without spoken or written words
- Involves facial expressions, gestures, posture, eye contact, tone, and personal space
Define non-verbal communication. Highlight that it often speaks louder than words.
Why Non-Verbal Matters
- Over 50% of emotional meaning is conveyed non-verbally
- Builds trust and connection
- Reveals feelings sometimes hidden by words
Explain why paying attention to non-verbal signals boosts empathy in counseling and everyday interactions. Mention research (e.g., Mehrabian’s findings).
Facial Expressions
- Happiness: genuine smile, raised cheeks
- Sadness: downturned mouth, drooping eyelids
- Anger: furrowed brows, clenched jaw
- Surprise: raised eyebrows, open mouth
Review each facial expression. Invite students to mimic briefly to experience the power of expression.
Gestures & Posture
- Open arms: welcoming or open to ideas
- Crossed arms: defensive or closed off
- Shrug: uncertainty or indifference
- Pointing: directing attention or emphasis
Discuss how posture and gestures send clear messages. Ask for volunteers to demonstrate a gesture.
Scenario: Guess the Emotion
A student receives a graded test, looks down at the paper, shoulders slump, and holds the paper away. What emotion are they showing?
Present the scenario and give students 30 seconds to observe silently, then collect guesses about the emotion.
Discussion Prompts
- Which non-verbal cues stood out most?
- How did posture or gesture influence your interpretation?
- Why is noticing these signals important when listening to others?
Use these prompts to guide the whole-group discussion, recording key observations on the board before moving into the silent storytelling activity.
Activity
Silent Storytelling Activity
Objective: Deepen students’ ability to send and read non-verbal cues through a fun, charades-style group activity.
Materials Needed:
- Silent Storytelling Cards (scenario cards you’ll create below)
- Timer or stopwatch
- Optional: paper and pencil for teams to note their guesses
Group Size: 4–5 students per circle
Time: 10 minutes total (1 minute per turn + rotation)
Instructions
- Form Circles: Arrange students into small circles of 4–5. Give each group a shuffled stack of scenario cards.
- Explain the Rules:
- One student silently acts out the scenario on their card for up to 1 minute.
- No words or sounds—only gestures, facial expressions, and body language.
- The rest of the group calls out guesses.
- Once guessed correctly (or time runs out), the actor shows the answer, and the next student takes a card.
- Rotate Quickly: Keep a brisk pace so each student gets a turn. Use a timer to signal when to switch.
- Record Observations (optional): Groups can jot down unusual gestures they noticed or particularly clear expressions to share later.
Scenario Cards
- Finding a lost pet
- Receiving a surprise birthday gift
- Waiting nervously for test results
- Winning a school competition
- Forgetting homework at home
- Feeling shy on the first day of school
- Watching a scary scene in a movie
- Reacting to a bad joke
- Celebrating a friend’s big achievement
- Being caught in the rain without an umbrella
- Trying to sneak food into a movie theater
- Seeing a spider in the room
Accommodations & Supports
- Picture Supports: Offer emoji cards or simple illustrations alongside scenarios.
- Extended Time: Allow a 30-second extra acting period for students who need more processing time.
- Buddy System: Pair students who may struggle with shy partners or verbal prompts off to the side.
Debrief Prompt (to lead into discussion)
- Which gestures or expressions were easiest to interpret?
- Which were most challenging? Why?
- How did using only non-verbal cues change the way you communicate?
Discussion
What Did You Observe?
Instructions: As a group, discuss the questions below. Then, individually record your observations in the spaces provided.
1. Which non-verbal cues did you notice most frequently during the activity?
2. How did it feel to interpret and perform without using words? What was challenging or eye-opening?
3. Which gestures or expressions were the clearest to read? Which felt ambiguous or confusing?
4. In what ways might paying closer attention to non-verbal signals improve your ability to understand others’ feelings?
Next Steps: Be prepared to share one key insight with the whole class.
Journal
Reflection on Silence
Instructions: Use the prompts below to reflect on today’s silent group activities. Write in complete sentences and be as thoughtful as possible.
1. Describe one challenge you faced while performing or interpreting non-verbal cues in the Silent Storytelling activity.
2. What is one insight you gained about the power of non-verbal communication?
3. How might you apply your improved non-verbal observation skills at school, at home, or with friends?
4. Recall a recent conversation. Identify one non-verbal signal you noticed (or wish you had noticed) and explain how paying attention to it might have changed the interaction.
When you finish, review your responses. Be prepared to share any part you’re comfortable discussing.