Slide Deck
Social Cues: Why They Matter?
Ever felt like you could read minds? Let's find out how!
Greet students. "Think about a time you walked into a room and immediately knew how someone felt, even if they didn't say a word. How did you know? Today, we're going to unlock the secrets behind those feelings!"
What is Social Awareness?
Social Awareness is:
- Noticing what's happening around you.
- Understanding how others feel.
- Being a 'social detective'!
Introduce the term 'Social Awareness.' Explain that it's about noticing what's happening around us and how others are feeling. Provide a simple analogy like being a 'social detective.'
Social Cues: The Clues!
Social Cues are:
- Hints or signals people give off.
- They help us understand thoughts and feelings.
- Often unspoken, like secret messages!
Transition to social cues. "How do our 'social detective' skills work? They work by picking up on social cues." Define social cues as clues people give us, often without speaking.
Body Language: What's Your Body Saying?
Body Language Includes:
- Posture: Are they standing tall or slumped?
- Gestures: Are their arms crossed or open?
- Movement: Are they fidgeting or still?
Focus on body language. Give examples: folded arms, leaning in, shrugging shoulders. Ask students to demonstrate a few. "What does slumped shoulders tell us?"
Facial Expressions: The Face Tells All!
Facial Expressions Show:
- Eyes: Wide, narrowed, or looking away?
- Mouth: Smiling, frowning, or a straight line?
- Eyebrows: Raised, furrowed, or relaxed?
Move to facial expressions. Emphasize how much our faces can show. Ask students to make a happy, sad, or surprised face.
Tone of Voice: It's Not Just What You Say...
Tone of Voice is:
- Pitch: High or low?
- Volume: Loud or quiet?
- Speed: Fast or slow?
- Emotion: Happy, angry, or worried?
Discuss tone of voice. Explain how the way someone says something can change its meaning. Use an example like saying "Great job!" enthusiastically versus sarcastically.
Personal Space: How Close is Too Close?
Personal Space is:
- The comfortable distance between people.
- It can vary by person and situation.
- Invading it can make others uncomfortable.
Briefly mention personal space. Explain that different cultures and individuals have different comfort levels. "Think about how close you stand to a friend versus a stranger."
Becoming Social Detectives!
Ready to Hunt for Clues?
- We've learned about different social cues.
- Now, let's practice observing them!
- Get ready for the Social Cue Scavenger Hunt!
Summarize and set up the activity. "Now that we know what to look for, let's become master social cue detectives! We'll use our new skills in a scavenger hunt."
Activity
Social Cue Scavenger Hunt
Instructions: Look at each scenario or image carefully. Identify at least two social cues you observe and explain what you think those cues might tell you about the situation or person.
Scenario 1: The Quiet Corner
You see a student sitting alone at a lunch table. Their head is down, and their shoulders are slightly slumped. They are slowly pushing food around on their plate, not making eye contact with anyone.
- What social cues do you observe?
- What might these social cues tell you about how the student is feeling or what they are thinking?
Scenario 2: The Excited Announcement
Your teacher walks into the classroom with a very wide smile. Their eyes are sparkling, and they are speaking a bit faster than usual, with a higher pitch to their voice. They keep gesturing excitedly with their hands.
- What social cues do you observe?
- What might these social cues tell you about how the teacher is feeling or what they are about to say?
Scenario 3: The Group Project Tension
You are working on a group project. One of your group members is standing very close to another, almost in their personal space. The student being stood close to has their arms crossed tightly and is subtly shifting their weight away.
- What social cues do you observe?
- What might these social cues tell you about the interaction between the two students?
Scenario 4: The Confused Face
Someone is trying to explain a game to you. As they talk, you notice their eyebrows are furrowed, their mouth is slightly open, and they keep looking at you with a questioning expression. Their hands are moving as if trying to demonstrate something, but they keep pausing.
- What social cues do you observe?
- What might these social cues tell you about the person explaining the game?
Lesson Plan
Social Cues: Why They Matter?
Students will be able to define social awareness and identify at least three examples of social cues in their daily interactions.
Understanding social cues helps students better interpret social situations, build stronger relationships, and communicate more effectively with others.
Audience
6th Grade
Time
25 minutes
Approach
Through a relatable scenario, definitions, and observation practice.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Markers or Pens, Slide Deck: Social Cues, and Social Cue Scavenger Hunt Activity
Prep
Review Materials and Set Up
10 minutes
- Print or prepare to project the Social Cue Scavenger Hunt Activity for each student or small group.
- Ensure whiteboard or projector is ready.
- Gather markers or pens.
- Review all generated materials as needed.
Step 1
Connect: Hook Students with a Social Scenario
5 minutes
- Ask students: "What do you notice about this person? What do you think they might be feeling?"
- Lead a brief discussion on how we often try to understand others without words.
Step 2
Learn: Define Social Awareness and Social Cues
10 minutes
- Explain that social cues are like clues that help us understand what others are thinking or feeling.
- Provide clear examples of different types of social cues (body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, personal space).
Step 3
Practice: Social Cue Scavenger Hunt
7 minutes
- Instruct students to work individually or in pairs to identify social cues in the provided scenarios or images.
- Encourage them to think about what each cue might tell them about the situation or person.
- Circulate to provide support and answer questions.
Step 4
Reflect: Why Understanding Social Cues Matters
3 minutes
- Ask students to share some of the social cues they identified and what they learned.
- Facilitate a brief discussion on why understanding social cues is important in their daily lives, emphasizing how it helps with friendships, school, and family interactions.
- Conclude by reiterating that paying attention to these clues makes them better communicators and friends.