Connection Circuit Teacher Guide Connection Circuit
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Grade Level 5
Duration
60 Minutes
Standard
NHES Standard 4 (4.5.1, 4.5.2, 4.5.3)
Materials
Slide Deck, Activity Cards, Student Worksheets
Learning Objectives
Analyze: Explain how healthy communication improves personal well-being and reduces stress.
Demonstrate: Use nonverbal cues (body language, eye contact) and verbal skills (tone, volume) effectively.
Apply: Construct "I-Messages" to express feelings, needs, and wants in healthy ways.
Essential Questions
"How do our verbal and nonverbal signals change the way people react to us?" and "How can speaking our truth help our bodies and minds stay healthy?"
Instructional Sequence
1
The Spark (Hook) - 10 Mins
Play "Telephone" but with a twist: Students must deliver a message using only nonverbal cues first, then verbal. Discuss why the message changed.
2
Direct Instruction (The Circuitry) - 15 Mins
Use the Communication Spark Slides to define verbal/nonverbal cues and the "I-Message" formula. Focus on the benefits of communication for mental health (Standard 4.5.1).
3
Hands-On: Signal Scramble Activity - 20 Mins
Distribute Message Relay Activity Cards. Students work in small "circuits" to decode nonverbal prompts and practice assertive "I-messages" for specific conflict scenarios.
Activity Deep Dive
The Signal Scramble (Hands-On)
Setup: Divide the class into groups of 4. Give each group a set of "Signal Cards."
Step 1: Nonverbal Guessing. One student acts out a feeling (frustrated, lonely, proud) using only body language. Others guess the "signal."
Step 2: Circuit Repair. A student reads a "Broken Circuit" card (e.g., "You always take my pencil!"). The group must collaboratively rewrite it as a healthy "I-Message" (e.g., "I feel frustrated when my pencils are taken because I can't do my work. Please ask next time.")
The Benefit Connection: Ask: "How does repairing the circuit make the person sending the message feel? How does it help the receiver?"
Check for Understanding
Evidence Look-Fors Nonverbal Performance Do body language and facial expressions match the intended emotion? I-Message Construction Does the statement follow: "I feel... when... because... I need..."? Connection Checkup Can students link communication to lower stress or better friendships?
Differentiation Strategies
Scaffolding (Support)
Provide "I-Message" sentence starters on a desk-mat. Use visual emotion cards (emojis) for students who struggle with vocabulary.
Extension (Challenge)
Have students write a "Communication Contract" for the classroom. Role-play complex scenarios involving peer pressure or conflicting needs.
Teacher Reflection / Observations
Communication Spark Slides CONNECTION
CIRCUIT
Powering Up Your Communication Skills
The Power Source
Why do we need to be expert communicators?
Reduces stress and anxiety
Builds stronger friendships
Helps us feel understood
Clear messages = A calm mind
Two Types of Signals
Verbal Signals
The words you choose, your volume, and your tone of voice.
Nonverbal Signals
Your facial expressions, body language, and eye contact.
90% of your message is actually nonverbal!
Nonverbal Detectives
👀
Eye Contact
Shows you are listening and respect the speaker.
🧍
Posture
Facing someone shows interest; turning away shows "offline."
🤨
Facial Expressions
Your face tells the story of your feelings before you speak.
"Actions speak louder than words."
Broken Circuits
"YOU always ruin everything!"
This is a YOU-Message. It puts people on the defensive and breaks the circuit.
When communication breaks, we feel:
Angry Lonely Misunderstood
Circuit Repair Kit
Use an "I-MESSAGE" to share your feelings without blaming.
Step 1
"I feel EMOTION..."
Step 2
"...when SPECIFIC BEHAVIOR happens..."
Step 3
"...because THE REASON."
Bonus
"I need WHAT YOU WANT."
Repairing the Signal
Broken Circuit
"You're such a loudmouth! I can't even study!"
This feels like an attack. The receiver will likely fight back.
Repaired Circuit
"I feel frustrated when there is loud music because I'm trying to study. I need it to be quiet."
This shares a need without blaming. The circuit stays open!
SIGNAL SCRAMBLE
Are you ready to test your circuits?
1
Form your circuit (Groups of 4)
2
Decode the hidden signals
3
Repair the broken messages
Message Relay Activity Cards Signal Scramble
Activity Card Set • Grade 5 Health
INSTRUCTIONS: Cut along the dashed lines to create your activity deck. Use the Signal Cards for charades and the Broken Circuit Cards to practice your I-Messages.
Signal Card
FRUSTRATED
Act this out using ONLY body language and facial expressions. No sounds!
Signal Card
PROUD
How does your posture change when you feel successful? Show your group!
Broken Circuit
"You're always hogging the ball during recess! It's not fair!"
Repair using an I-Message
Broken Circuit
"Stop whispering about me! You're being so mean!"
Repair using an I-Message
Signal Card
LONELY
Think about your eyes and your shoulders. How do they look?
Signal Card
EXCITED
High energy! Show your group the "spark" without a word.
I-Message Blueprint
1. SHARE THE FEELING I feel ______
2. DESCRIBE THE ACTION when ______
3. GIVE THE REASON because ______
4. STATE THE NEED (BONUS) I need ______
Connection Checkup Worksheet Connection Checkup
Monitoring Your Communication Circuits
Name:
Date:
1
Signal Decoding
Circle whether each communication signal is Verbal or Nonverbal.
Crossing your arms across your chest
Verbal Nonverbal
Saying "Please stop doing that"
Verbal Nonverbal
Rolling your eyes while someone talks
Verbal Nonverbal
Using a calm, quiet tone of voice
Verbal Nonverbal
2
Circuit Repair Shop
Scenario:
"Your partner keeps talking over you while you are trying to present your science project findings to the class. You feel ignored and frustrated."
Write a healthy "I-Message" to repair this circuit:
I feel...
when...
because...
3
Health Reflection
How does using effective communication (like I-Messages and eye contact) help your personal health and well-being?
What is one "nonverbal signal" you want to practice using more often when you are listening to others? Why?
