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Unspoken Signals

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Lesson Plan

Nonverbal Skills Outline

In this 20-minute individualized session, the student will accurately identify and interpret three common nonverbal cues (facial expression, posture, gesture) and practice using these cues through mirroring and tracking exercises.

Nonverbal signals shape how we connect and convey empathy. Strengthening these skills boosts social awareness, deepens relationships, and improves real-world interactions.

Audience

10th Grade Student

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Multimedia examples, guided mirroring, and active tracking.

Materials

Body Language Clips, Mirror Practice Activity, Feedback Forum Discussion Guide, and Signal Tracker Worksheet

Prep

Session Preparation

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Objectives

2 minutes

  • Greet the student and explain session goals: interpreting nonverbal cues & practicing them
  • Highlight why nonverbal skills matter for personal and academic relationships
  • Confirm understanding and set a positive tone

Step 2

Body Language Clip Viewing

5 minutes

  • Play three short clips from Body Language Clips
  • After each clip, ask the student to name the cue (e.g., crossed arms = defensiveness)
  • Prompt the student: “What feeling or intention do you think this gesture conveys?”

Step 3

Mirroring Exercise

5 minutes

  • Partner up: the teacher demonstrates a posture or gesture from the clips
  • Student mirrors exactly, then switches roles after each cue
  • Use the Mirror Practice Activity prompt sheet to guide timing and feedback

Step 4

Feedback Forum Discussion

4 minutes

  • Using the Feedback Forum Discussion Guide, discuss:
    • Which cues were easiest or hardest to mirror?
    • How did mirroring change your perception of the other person?
  • Encourage the student to reflect on emotional impact and clarity of each signal

Step 5

Signal Tracking Practice

3 minutes

  • Give the student the Signal Tracker Worksheet
  • Show one more brief live demonstration of combined cues
  • Have the student jot down each observed cue, its meaning, and rating of confidence (1–5)
  • Provide immediate corrective feedback as they track

Step 6

Wrap-Up & Reflection

1 minute

  • Summarize key takeaways and reinforce progress
  • Ask the student to set one personal goal for using nonverbal cues in upcoming interactions
  • Provide encouragement and outline next steps for continued practice
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Slide Deck

Understanding Nonverbal Cues

Over the next few clips, observe three common body language cues:

• Crossed arms
• Open posture
• Emphatic gesture

Pay attention to what each might convey about a person’s feelings or intentions.

Introduce the purpose of these clips and set the expectation: “Watch each short video carefully. Focus on the person’s posture, arms, and hand movements. We’ll discuss what these signals might mean.”

Play the first clip. After viewing, ask: “What does the person’s crossed‐arms stance suggest? How might you feel if you saw someone stand like this?”

Play the second clip. Then prompt: “Notice how the person holds their body. What message does an open posture send in a conversation?”

Show the third clip. Afterward, ask: “What intention or emotion does this hand‐gesture reinforce? How did it affect your perception of the speaker?”

Reflecting on the Clips

• Which signal stood out most to you?
• What feeling or intention did you assign to each cue?
• How could you apply one of these in your next conversation?

Lead a brief discussion: “Which cue was easiest to interpret? Which surprised you? How might you use one of these cues to appear more engaged or approachable?”

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Activity

Mirror Practice Activity

Objective: Practice mirroring three nonverbal cues to build accurate recognition, empathy, and comfort with body language.

Duration: 5 minutes

Materials: Cue Cards listing:

  • Crossed Arms
  • Open Posture
  • Emphatic Hand Gesture

Instructions

  1. Cue Review (30 seconds)
    • Quickly revisit each cue from the Body Language Clips.
    • Confirm the student can name and describe each signal.
  2. Mirroring Rounds (3 minutes)
    • For each cue:
      1. Teacher demonstrates the cue for 10 seconds while the student watches closely.
      2. Student mirrors the cue for 10 seconds while the teacher observes.
      3. Switch roles and repeat once more.
    • Use a simple “Ready…Go” countdown so both know when to start and stop.
  3. Combined Cue Challenge (1 minute)
    • Teacher performs two cues in sequence (e.g., open posture then emphatic gesture).
    • Student mirrors the combined sequence.
    • Then the student creates their own two-step combination; teacher mirrors.
  4. Reflection Questions (30 seconds)
    • Which cue was easiest to mirror? Which was hardest?











    • How did mirroring shift your understanding of what the other person might feel?











Tip: Encourage attention to movement dynamics—energy level, timing, and subtle shifts—to deepen awareness of nonverbal signals.

lenny
lenny

Lesson Plan

Nonverbal Skills Outline

In this 20-minute individualized session, the student will accurately identify and interpret three common nonverbal cues (facial expression, posture, gesture) and practice using these cues through mirroring and tracking exercises.

Nonverbal signals shape how we connect and convey empathy. Strengthening these skills boosts social awareness, deepens relationships, and improves real-world interactions.

Audience

10th Grade Student

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Multimedia examples, guided mirroring, and active tracking.

Materials

Body Language Clips, Mirror Practice Activity, Feedback Forum Discussion Guide, and Signal Tracker Worksheet

Prep

Session Preparation

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Objectives

2 minutes

  • Greet the student and explain session goals: interpreting nonverbal cues & practicing them
  • Highlight why nonverbal skills matter for personal and academic relationships
  • Confirm understanding and set a positive tone

Step 2

Body Language Clip Viewing

5 minutes

  • Play three short clips from Body Language Clips
  • After each clip, ask the student to name the cue (e.g., crossed arms = defensiveness)
  • Prompt the student: “What feeling or intention do you think this gesture conveys?”

Step 3

Mirroring Exercise

5 minutes

  • Partner up: the teacher demonstrates a posture or gesture from the clips
  • Student mirrors exactly, then switches roles after each cue
  • Use the Mirror Practice Activity prompt sheet to guide timing and feedback

Step 4

Feedback Forum Discussion

4 minutes

  • Using the Feedback Forum Discussion Guide, discuss:
    • Which cues were easiest or hardest to mirror?
    • How did mirroring change your perception of the other person?
  • Encourage the student to reflect on emotional impact and clarity of each signal

Step 5

Signal Tracking Practice

3 minutes

  • Give the student the Signal Tracker Worksheet
  • Show one more brief live demonstration of combined cues
  • Have the student jot down each observed cue, its meaning, and rating of confidence (1–5)
  • Provide immediate corrective feedback as they track

Step 6

Wrap-Up & Reflection

1 minute

  • Summarize key takeaways and reinforce progress
  • Ask the student to set one personal goal for using nonverbal cues in upcoming interactions
  • Provide encouragement and outline next steps for continued practice
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Discussion

Feedback Forum Discussion Guide

Purpose: Reflect on your mirroring practice to deepen your understanding of nonverbal cues.

Time: 4 minutes

Materials: Mirror Practice Activity

Instructions:

  • Teacher reads each question aloud.
  • Student answers, either verbally or by writing in the spaces provided.
  • Allow about 1 minute per question.

Discussion Questions

  1. Ease and Challenge of Cues
    Which nonverbal cue was easiest for you to mirror? Which was hardest? Why?











  2. Perceptual Shift
    How did mirroring each cue change your perception of what the other person might feel or intend?











  3. Emotional Impact
    Which cue had the strongest emotional impact on you when you mirrored it? What did you notice?











  4. Real-World Application
    How could you use one of these cues in a real conversation to show engagement or empathy?











Wrap-Up Prompt:
Set one personal goal based on today’s session:
I will practice ______ (cue) in ______ (situation) this week.







Use this guide to help students articulate their insights and connect mirroring practice to everyday interactions.

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Worksheet

Signal Tracker Worksheet

Instructions: Observe a live demonstration or a short interaction. For each nonverbal cue you notice, record the cue, your interpretation of its meaning, and your confidence level (1 = low confidence, 5 = high confidence).

Cue 1

Observed Cue:







Interpretation / Meaning:







Confidence (1–5):







Cue 2

Observed Cue:







Interpretation / Meaning:







Confidence (1–5):







Cue 3

Observed Cue:







Interpretation / Meaning:







Confidence (1–5):







Additional Observations or Reflections

Use this space to note any patterns you noticed, questions you have, or goals for improving your cue recognition next time.












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lenny