Lesson Plan
What Are They Saying Without a Sound?
Students will be able to identify at least two non-verbal cues (e.g., smiling, crossed arms) and connect them to a corresponding emotion.
Understanding non-verbal cues helps students better interpret social situations, improve their communication skills, and build stronger relationships with their peers.
Audience
3rd Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through interactive activities and discussions, students will explore various non-verbal cues.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Social Cues Slides, Markers or Pens, What Are They Feeling? Worksheet, and Role-Play Prompt Cards
Prep
Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Social Cues Slides and practice presenting the information.
- Print and cut out the Role-Play Prompt Cards.
- Print enough copies of the What Are They Feeling? Worksheet for each student.
- Ensure projector/whiteboard is ready for use.
- Familiarize yourself with the lesson's flow and discussion points to facilitate smooth transitions and engaging conversations.
- Arrange desks or chairs to allow for small group work during the role-play activity, if desired.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Emotion Charades
5 minutes
- Introduce the concept: Tell students that today they will be learning about how people communicate without using words.
2. Explain Emotion Charades: Explain that you will act out different emotions without speaking, and they need to guess the emotion.
3. Play: Act out 2-3 emotions (e.g., happy, sad, angry, surprised). Encourage students to guess and briefly discuss what clues helped them. (e.g., "My face was smiling! My arms were open!")
4. Transition: "That was fun! We just used our bodies and faces to show feelings. Today, we're going to learn more about these 'silent messages' called social cues!"
Step 2
Introducing Social Cues
10 minutes
- Present Slides: Use the Social Cues Slides to introduce non-verbal communication and social cues.
2. Slide 1: Title Slide: Display "What Are They Saying Without a Sound?"
3. Slide 2: What are Social Cues?: Explain that social cues are like secret signals our bodies send, even when we're not talking. Discuss examples: faces, arms, posture.
4. Slide 3: Happy Face!: Show an image of a happy face. Ask: "What does this face tell you? How do you know?" Discuss smiles, bright eyes.
5. Slide 4: Crossed Arms?: Show an image of someone with crossed arms. Ask: "What might crossed arms mean?" Discuss feeling closed off, maybe a little upset or shy.
6. Slide 5: Why are they important?: Discuss why understanding these cues is helpful – it helps us know how others are feeling and how to respond.
Step 3
Observing and Discussing Scenarios
10 minutes
- Distribute Worksheet: Hand out the What Are They Feeling? Worksheet.
2. Explain Activity: "Now, you're going to be social cue detectives! Look at the pictures on your worksheet. For each picture, identify what non-verbal cues you see and what emotion you think the person is feeling."
3. Guided Practice: Go through the first scenario together as a class, discussing various interpretations of the non-verbal cues. Emphasize that there isn't always one 'right' answer, but we look for clues.
4. Independent Work: Allow students a few minutes to complete the remaining scenarios on their worksheet.
5. Share and Discuss: Bring the class back together. Ask students to share their observations and interpretations for each scenario. Encourage respectful discussion of different perspectives.
Step 4
Practice Matching Cues to Feelings
5 minutes
- Introduce Role-Play: "Now for a fun challenge! We're going to use our Role-Play Prompt Cards."
2. Explain Activity: Divide students into pairs or small groups. Give each group a few Role-Play Prompt Cards. One student picks a card and acts out the emotion/scenario without speaking, using only non-verbal cues. The other student(s) guess the emotion.
3. Circulate and Support: Walk around, observe students, and offer guidance as needed. Encourage them to really think about how their bodies and faces can show feelings.
4. Wrap-up: Briefly bring the class back together for a quick share-out of interesting observations or challenging cues.
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Worksheet
What Are They Feeling? Social Cue Detective!
Instructions: Look at each picture or scenario. What non-verbal cues do you see? What emotion do you think the person is feeling? Explain your reasoning.
Scenario 1: The Birthday Surprise
A child walks into a room and sees a surprise birthday party. Their eyes are wide, their mouth is open in a big O shape, and their hands are covering their mouth.
Non-Verbal Cues You See:
What Emotion Are They Feeling?
Why do you think so?
Scenario 2: Lost Toy
A child is sitting alone, looking down at their lap. Their shoulders are slumped, and their bottom lip is trembling slightly.
Non-Verbal Cues You See:
What Emotion Are They Feeling?
Why do you think so?
Scenario 3: Sharing a Secret
Two children are huddled close together, whispering. One child has a hand cupped over their mouth, and both are glancing around quickly.
Non-Verbal Cues You See:
What Emotion Are They Feeling?
Why do you think so?
Scenario 4: Frustrated with Homework
A child is sitting at a desk, frowning. Their eyebrows are pulled together, and they are tapping a pencil repeatedly on the table.
Non-Verbal Cues You See:
What Emotion Are They Feeling?
Why do you think so?
Activity
Role-Play Prompt Cards
Instructions: Cut out these cards. In pairs or small groups, one student picks a card and acts out the emotion or scenario using only non-verbal cues (no talking!). The other student(s) guess what they are trying to communicate.
Card 1: Super Excited!
Show you are very excited to go to the park.
Card 2: Feeling Shy
Show you are feeling a little shy about meeting new people.
Card 3: Very Confused
Show you are very confused by a difficult math problem.
Card 4: So Tired
Show you are extremely tired and ready for a nap.
Card 5: Feeling Proud
Show you are very proud of something you just accomplished.
Card 6: A Little Annoyed
Show you are a little annoyed that someone keeps interrupting you.
Card 7: Really Scared
Show you are really scared by a loud noise.
Card 8: Thinking Deeply
Show you are thinking very deeply about a tricky question.
Card 9: Feeling Bored
Show you are feeling very bored and restless.
Card 10: Happy to See a Friend
Show you are very happy to see a good friend you haven't seen in a while.
Slide Deck
What Are They Saying Without a Sound?
Understanding Non-Verbal Communication!
Greet students and start with the Warm-Up activity (Emotion Charades) before showing this slide.
What Are Social Cues?
Sometimes people 'talk' without using words!
These are called Social Cues or Non-Verbal Communication.
They are signals our bodies and faces send.
Introduce the idea of 'secret signals' our bodies send. Ask students for initial thoughts on what these might be.
Happy Face!
What does this face tell you?
Show the happy face. Ask: 'What does this person feel? How do you know? What clues do you see?' Guide discussion to smiles, bright eyes, relaxed posture.
Crossed Arms?
What might crossed arms mean?
Show the crossed arms. Ask: 'What might crossed arms mean? How might this person be feeling?' Discuss feeling closed off, maybe a little upset, or even shy/cold.
Why Are Social Cues Important?
They help us understand:
Emphasize why these cues are important. Ask: 'Why is it good to notice these things?'