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Lesson Plan

Non-Verbal Understanding Session Plan

Enable the learner to recognize and interpret three core non-verbal communication skills—gestures, facial expressions, and body language—to understand basic emotions and needs in everyday interactions.

Interpreting non-verbal cues helps learners read others’ feelings and respond appropriately, enhancing social connection, confidence, and independence.

Audience

Adults with disabilities (Tier 3 Individual Support)

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Guided analysis with visual prompts and discussion.

Materials

Non-Verbal Communication Flashcards, Body Language Pamphlet, Observation Worksheet, and Mirror or Reflective Surface

Prep

Review and Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Goal Setting

2 minutes

  • Greet the learner warmly and explain today’s focus: understanding gestures, facial expressions, and posture.
  • Show the three materials and describe how each will guide interpretation practice.
  • Confirm learner comfort and readiness to begin.

Step 2

Demonstration

3 minutes

  • Using Non-Verbal Communication Flashcards, select one emotion or need (e.g., happy, request help).
  • Explain how the gesture, facial expression, and body posture cues combine to convey that emotion or need.
  • Invite the learner to observe these details in the flashcard and mirror nearby.

Step 3

Guided Practice

7 minutes

  • Ask the learner to pick a flashcard and state which emotion or need it represents.
  • Prompt them to describe which gesture, expression, and posture clues they noticed.
  • Record the learner’s interpretation and rationale on the Observation Worksheet.
  • Provide corrective feedback or affirmations (“Yes—that open arms and smile shows happiness”).
  • Rotate through at least three different flashcards to cover a variety of cues.

Step 4

Reflection and Next Steps

3 minutes

  • Review the completed entries on the Observation Worksheet together.
  • Highlight accurate interpretations and clarify any misunderstandings.
  • Set one observable goal (e.g., notice someone’s facial expressions when they talk).
  • Encourage the learner to use the Body Language Pamphlet at home and reflect on non-verbals they see daily.
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Slide Deck

Understanding Body Language

A 15-minute individual session to explore posture, gestures, and facial expressions for interpreting emotions and needs.

Welcome the learner and introduce the session title. Emphasize that today’s focus is understanding body language to interpret emotions and needs.

Session Objectives

• Identify three body language skills: posture, gestures, facial expressions
• Interpret cues to recognize basic emotions and needs
• Reflect and set a personal observation goal

Read aloud the objectives and explain why interpreting body language matters.

Materials

Show or point to each material. Confirm the learner sees and understands each.

Body Language Examples

Below are six sets of posture, gesture, and facial expression cues. We’ll review each to practice interpretation.

Introduce the example section. Explain that each slide shows key body language cues for a specific emotion or need.

Happy

• Posture: Upright with relaxed shoulders
• Gesture: Open arms out to sides
• Facial Expression: Wide smile, cheeks lifted

Review cues for “Happy.” Ask: Which body language clues show happiness?

Sad

• Posture: Slightly slumped shoulders, head tilted down
• Gesture: Arms close to chest, hands clasped or hugging self
• Facial Expression: Downturned mouth, eyebrows angled up in middle

Review cues for “Sad.” Ask: Which body language clues show sadness?

Angry

• Posture: Stiff, leaning slightly forward
• Gesture: Fists clenched or arms akimbo
• Facial Expression: Furrowed brow, pursed lips

Review cues for “Angry.” Ask: Which body language clues show anger?

Surprise

• Posture: Straight spine, slight backward lean
• Gesture: Hands raised near face, palms open
• Facial Expression: Eyes wide, eyebrows raised, mouth open in an “O”

Review cues for “Surprise.” Ask: Which body language clues show surprise?

Requesting Help

• Posture: Leaning slightly toward the person you’re asking
• Gesture: One hand raised, palm facing up
• Facial Expression: Mildly concerned look, eyebrows slightly raised

Review cues for “Requesting Help.” Ask: Which body language clues indicate a request for help?

Feeling Thirsty

• Posture: Slight forward bend at the waist
• Gesture: One hand near mouth as if holding a cup, other on stomach
• Facial Expression: Lips slightly parted, eyes looking upward

Review cues for “Feeling Thirsty.” Ask: Which body language clues show thirst?

Demonstration

  1. Select an example (e.g., “Happy”)
  2. Point out posture, gesture, and facial expression cues
  3. Discuss how these cues combine to show the emotion

Demonstrate how to analyze one example together. Invite the learner to point out posture, gesture, and facial cues.

Guided Practice

  1. Learner selects a card and names the emotion/need
  2. Describe which posture, gesture, and facial clues were noticed
  3. Record interpretation on Observation Worksheet
  4. Repeat with at least three cards

Guide the learner to interpret multiple examples and record observations.

Reflection & Next Steps

• Review entries on [Observation Worksheet

Review the learner’s interpretations and set an observation goal.

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Activity

Non-Verbal Communication Flashcards

These cards help learners recognize and interpret gestures, facial expressions, and body language to identify common emotions or needs. During guided practice, the learner:

  1. Chooses a flashcard.
  2. Studies the listed cues (gesture, facial expression, posture).
  3. States the emotion or need represented.
  4. Describes which specific non-verbal clues informed their interpretation.

Card 1: Happy
• Gesture: Open arms out to sides
• Facial Expression: Wide smile, cheeks lifted
• Body Posture: Upright with relaxed shoulders



Card 2: Sad
• Gesture: Arms close to chest, hands clasped or hugging self
• Facial Expression: Downturned mouth, eyebrows angled up in middle
• Body Posture: Slightly slumped shoulders, head tilted down



Card 3: Angry
• Gesture: Fists clenched or arms akimbo
• Facial Expression: Furrowed brow, pursed lips
• Body Posture: Stiff, leaning slightly forward



Card 4: Surprise
• Gesture: Hands raised near face, palms open
• Facial Expression: Eyes wide, eyebrows raised, mouth open in an “O”
• Body Posture: Straight spine, slight backward lean



Card 5: Requesting Help
• Gesture: One hand raised, palm facing up
• Facial Expression: Mildly concerned look, eyebrows slightly raised
• Body Posture: Leaning slightly toward the person you’re asking



Card 6: Feeling Thirsty
• Gesture: One hand near mouth as if holding a cup, other on stomach
• Facial Expression: Lips slightly parted, eyes looking upward
• Body Posture: Slight forward bend at the waist



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Activity

Body Language Pamphlet

Why Non-Verbal Cues Matter
Non-verbal signals help you understand others’ feelings and needs as well as express your own. Reading body language builds empathy, social connection, and confidence.

1. Open Gestures

• Keep your arms uncrossed and relaxed.
• Use clear hand movements to show what you mean.

2. Positive Facial Expressions

• Smile with your mouth and eyes to show friendliness.
• Raise your eyebrows slightly for surprise or interest.

3. Confident Posture

• Stand or sit tall, shoulders back and spine straight.
• Keep your head level—look at the person you’re talking to.

4. Reading Others’ Non-Verbals

• Watch gestures: open hands and relaxed arms often mean openness; crossed arms may signal discomfort.
• Notice facial expressions: raised eyebrows can show curiosity, a frown can show confusion or sadness.
• Observe posture: leaning in shows interest, leaning away can show unease.

Daily Mirror Practice

  1. Choose one tip above to focus on.
  2. Practice in front of a mirror for 2 minutes, noticing your own cues.
  3. Refer to Non-Verbal Communication Flashcards for guidance.
  4. Record your observations on the Observation Worksheet.

Daily Observation Practice

  1. Notice one person’s non-verbal cues today (gesture, expression, posture).
  2. Guess the emotion or need they’re showing.
  3. Record your observation on the Observation Worksheet.

My Daily Practice Plan

What tip will I practice today?




Who will I observe today?




What emotion or need do I think they are showing?



Keep this pamphlet at home and review it daily. You’re improving your ability to understand non-verbal cues in yourself and others!

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Worksheet

Observation Worksheet

Learner Name: __________ Date: __________

Practice Round 1

Flashcard (Emotion/Need): __________

Which non-verbal cues did you observe?
• Gesture: __________
• Facial Expression: __________
• Body Posture: __________

What emotion or need do you think this shows?






Why? Which clues helped you decide?






Teacher Feedback:






Confidence Rating (1 = unsure, 5 = very sure): ______

Practice Round 2

Flashcard (Emotion/Need): __________

Which non-verbal cues did you observe?
• Gesture: __________
• Facial Expression: __________
• Body Posture: __________

What emotion or need do you think this shows?






Why? Which clues helped you decide?






Teacher Feedback:






Confidence Rating (1 = unsure, 5 = very sure): ______

Practice Round 3

Flashcard (Emotion/Need): __________

Which non-verbal cues did you observe?
• Gesture: __________
• Facial Expression: __________
• Body Posture: __________

What emotion or need do you think this shows?






Why? Which clues helped you decide?






Teacher Feedback:






Confidence Rating (1 = unsure, 5 = very sure): ______

Reflection

  1. Which non-verbal skill did I observe most easily today? Why?






  2. Which skill will I focus on improving?






  3. My personal observation goal for tomorrow:






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