More Than Just Words Lesson PlanMore Than Just Words Tier 1 Classroom Lesson Duration 20 Minutes Objective Students will be able to identify at least two unspoken emotions in a social scenario by analyzing tone of voice, body language, and context. Audience 6th Grade Why This Matters Understanding unspoken emotions helps students better navigate social situations, build stronger relationships, and develop empathy. This lesson provides practical tools for "reading the room" and interpreting subtle social cues. Teacher Preparation Review the More Than Just Words Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content. Print copies of the Observation Log Worksheet for each student. Select an age-appropriate 3-5 minute film clip that clearly displays unspoken emotions (e.g., Pixar short, family movie scene). Review the Film Clip Discussion Guide to prepare discussion points. Prep Time: 10 Minutes Materials Checklist Slide Deck Observation Log Worksheets Film Clip Discussion Guide Projector / Whiteboard 3-5 Minute Film Clip Pens/Markers Instructional Sequence 1 Warm-Up: Emotion Charades 5 MIN Begin with a quick game of "Emotion Charades" to get students thinking about expressing emotions non-verbally. Call on volunteers or use small groups to act out emotions (happy, sad, confused, surprised) without speaking. Class guesses the emotion. Discuss how they identified it (facial expressions, posture). 2 Introduction to Subtle Cues 5 MIN Use the Slide Deck to introduce: Subtle Cues, Tone of Voice, Social Context, and Reading the Room. Explain that emotions are often communicated through "hidden messages" (facial expressions, tone). Emphasize looking at the "whole picture" (context). Hand out the Observation Log Worksheet and explain its purpose. 3 Video Analysis Activity 7 MIN Play the film clip. Ask students to focus on character's non-verbal cues. Have students complete the Observation Log Worksheet (identifying 2 emotions + cues). Facilitate discussion using the Film Clip Discussion Guide. 4 Group Debrief 3 MIN Ask students to share one new thing learned or a strategy they'll use. Reinforce that "reading the room" is a skill that improves with practice. Collect worksheets if used for assessment. "Social skills are the invisible keys to visible success."
More Than Just Words SlidesSocial Decoding 101 More Than Just Words What do people say without speaking? Subtle Cues The Hidden Messages Little hints that tell us what's really going on. Facial expressions Body posture Hand gestures 🕵️♂️ Decoding Secret Signals Tone of Voice How We Say It "It's not just what you say, but how you say it." Words "I'm fine." Tone Matters Could mean happy, sad, or angry! Social Context Where and When The situation around us gives clues about emotions. "A scream at a haunted house is very different from a scream in a library." 🏟️ Stadium Excitement! 🏫 Classroom Focus... 🎉 Party Social energy! 🏥 Hospital Quiet care. Reading the Room Putting it All Together Body Language What do you see? Tone of Voice What do you hear? Context Where are you? Result: Real Feelings Discovered! Practice Makes Perfect! Keep observing! You'll become a social detective in no time. Watch Listen Understand
Film Clip Discussion GuideFilm Clip Discussion Guide Facilitator Resource • More Than Just Words "After watching the film clip, use these prompts to lead a class discussion. Focus on emotions that weren't directly stated with words. Encourage students to be 'Social Detectives' by identifying specific evidence for their conclusions." 1 What emotions did you notice in the characters? List at least two. Teacher Notes / Observations 2 What specific subtle cues (body language, facial expressions, tone of voice) did you observe that led to your conclusion? Encourage students to be very specific (e.g., "the way her shoulders slumped" or "the slight pause before he answered"). 3 How did the social context of the scene help you understand what the characters were feeling? Ask: Where were they? What was happening around them? How would you feel in that same spot? 4 Were there moments where a character said one thing, but their actions or tone suggested something different? This is a great moment to discuss sarcasm, hiding feelings, or being polite versus being honest. 5 How can you apply "reading the room" in your own life? More Than Just Words Tier 1 Lesson Materials
Observation Log WorksheetObservation Log Social Decoder Worksheet Name: Date: As you watch the film clip, pay close attention to the characters. Identify emotions they are feeling without them saying the emotion out loud. Look at their body language, facial expressions, and how they sound. CHARACTER 1 Character Name or Description Emotion Observed (The "What") Subtle Cues & Evidence (The "How") Think about: Body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, actions, or context. CHARACTER 2 Character Name or Description Emotion Observed (The "What") Subtle Cues & Evidence (The "How") Think about: Body language, facial expressions, tone of voice, actions, or context. Reflection What was one interesting thing you noticed about unspoken emotions while watching this clip?
