Social Radar Activity Social Radar Decoder Counseling Lab
Navigating middle school moments, hidden clues, and what others think & feel
Grade 6
Name:
Date:
Facilitator:
The Core Clue: Behavior Is About Context
Expected Behaviors
Actions that fit the time and place. They help people around you feel calm, comfortable, and safe .
Unexpected Behaviors
Actions that catch people off guard for that setting. They often make others feel confused, distracted, or uneasy .
1 Decode The Scenarios (Hypothetical)
Read each middle school situation and chart the thoughts
Case A: Group Work Session Science Class
While two group members are discussing slide titles, Jordan suddenly puts on headphones and begins humming loudly while tapping markers on the desk.
Jordan's perspective & thought:
Teammates' perspective & feelings:
This behavior is:
Expected Unexpected
Case B: Crowded Cafeteria Lunch Block
Maya accidentally trips near a lunch table and drops her milk carton. Leo glances up, catches her eye, helps pick up the carton, and asks, "You okay?"
Leo's perspective & thought:
Maya's perspective & feelings:
This behavior is:
Expected Unexpected
2 My Real-Life Radar (Personal Perspective)
Think of a situation you observed or experienced recently
Where were you? (Setting):
Who was there? (People):
What was the action?:
My Inside World (My Thoughts & Feelings)
What was happening in your head? What were you trying to say or do?
Their Outside World (Their Thoughts & Feelings)
What thoughts or feelings did the other person likely experience?
Social Radar Curriculum • Page 1 of 2 Counselor Facilitation Prompt: Explore impact without judgment
Perspective Comic Studio Art Interaction
Draw the interaction! Show spoken words in speech bubbles, and unseen thoughts in thought bubbles.
Bubble Key
Comic Artist Mission:
"Speech" = Spoken Out Loud 💭 Thoughts = Silent Inside Mind = Facial Expressions
Panel 1: The Spark Unexpected
[ Draw character & setting here ]
💭 Student's Thought Bubble:
💭 Other Person's Thought Bubble:
Prompt: Draw the unexpected action happening in a real or imagined school setting.
Panel 2: The Reaction Clues & Vibe
[ Draw facial expressions & body language ]
Body Language Clues to Draw:
Eyes: looking away / wide Arms: crossed / open
💬 Spoken words or reaction:
Prompt: How do people respond? Notice expressions, posture, or tone of voice.
Panel 3: The Shift Expected Shift
[ Draw the "Rewind & Repair" or adjusted choice ]
💭 New Thoughts (Comfortable / Calm):
💬 What gets said now:
Prompt: Draw what happens when the student pivots to an expected behavior.
My Perspective Radar Debrief
1. One physical clue I look for to see how someone is feeling:
2. When I choose an expected behavior, it helps my peers feel:
Social Radar Curriculum • Page 2 of 2 Counselor Facilitation Prompt: Celebrate self-reflection & comic creativity
Social Radar Checkup Social Radar Checkup Pre / Post Check
Measuring perspective-taking, social awareness, and expected vs. unexpected behaviors
Pre-Session | Post-Session
Student:
Date:
Counselor:
Part 1: Self-Confidence Thermometer
Rate 1-5: 1 = Not Yet, 3 = Sometimes, 5 = Confident
1. I can tell whether an action is expected or unexpected based on the time and setting.
1 2 3 4 5
2. I can pause and picture what other people around me are thinking and feeling.
1 2 3 4 5
3. When something unexpected happens, I can "rewind and reset" my choice calmly.
1 2 3 4 5
Part 2: Scenario Check for Understanding
Select the best answer or perspective
1. The Crowded Stairwell Setting Clues
Between class periods, Alex stops abruptly right in the center of the stairwell to check a phone message, causing a pile-up. Why is this unexpected?
A. Stairwells are meant for constant flow; stopping blocks safety and flow.
B. Alex is not wearing sneakers required for the stairs.
C. Phones are only allowed during lunch period.
2. Group Chat Spam Digital Perspective
At 9:30 PM on a school night, Taylor sends 30 rapid memes to a study group chat. What thought is a tired classmate most likely to have?
A. "Taylor is super funny and I should send 30 memes back right now."
B. "This is overwhelming and buzzing my phone while I'm trying to sleep."
C. "Taylor probably forgot what chapter we are reading tomorrow."
3. Classroom Instructions Teacher's View
While Mr. Diaz gives instructions for a science lab, Sam listens quietly and tracks the board. What thought is Mr. Diaz likely thinking?
A. "Sam is ready, engaged, and respects my effort to keep everyone safe."
B. "Sam must already know everything about today's experiment."
C. "Sam might be daydreaming about another subject."
4. Cafeteria Table Etiquette Peer Impact
A student walks past a table and sweeps another student's jacket off an empty chair onto the floor without asking. What feeling does this create?
A. Comfortable and respected because they needed a chair.
B. Disrespected, annoyed, and wondering why they didn't just ask nicely.
C. Excited to make a new conversation partner right away.
My Key Social Radar Rule
In my own words, the difference between expected and unexpected behavior is:
Counselor Assessment Notes
Session Progress
Take Home Comic Activity The Perspective Chronicles Take-Home Studio
Issue #1: Character Lab, Scene Planning, & The Social Switcheroo
Creator Edition 🎨
Artist / Author:
Artist Alias (Pen Name):
Release Date:
Step 1: Character Design Lab (Who is in your comic?)
Sketch face & expression for each character
[ Sketch Face Here ]
Lead Character Name:
Their Typical Vibe / Mood:
Example: Curious, energetic, easily distracted
[ Sketch Face Here ]
Supporting Character:
Relationship / Role:
Example: Best friend, lab partner, coach, sibling
Step 2: Choose Your Setting & Unexpected Twist
Pick 1 location and outline the surprise moment
Hallway / Lockers
Cafeteria Lunch
Science Lab Group
Gaming Voice Chat
The Bus Ride
The Unexpected Moment (What happens that surprises someone or feels awkward?):
Comic FX & Bubble Guide (Use these in your strip!)
Draw speech vs. inside thoughts clearly
SPEECH BUBBLE
"Hey wait!"
Words said out loud
THOUGHT CLOUD
💭 (Uh oh...)
Hidden inside mind
SOUND FX BURST
💥 AWKWARD!
Dramatic impact
THE PIVOT
✨ RESET & FIX
Expected solution
The Perspective Chronicles • Page 1 of 2 (Planning Studio) Turn over to draw your finished 4-panel comic strip!
The Perspective Strip: Issue #1
Draw your 4 scenes below. Include speech, thoughts, and the expected pivot!
Official Graphic Novel Page
Panel 1: The Setup Scene & Normal Routine
[ Draw characters arriving & setting ]
💬 Dialogue / Spoken Words:
Scene Goal: Introduce your characters and where they are.
Panel 2: Unexpected Action The Twist!
[ Draw the unexpected moment & action ]
💭 Character A's Inside Thought:
Scene Goal: Show the action that catches someone off-guard.
Panel 3: The Reaction & Clue Perspective Taking
[ Draw peer's face, eyes, & body language ]
💭 Character B's Inside Thought & Feeling:
Scene Goal: What facial expression or clue shows how Character B feels?
Panel 4: The Expected Reset The Win / Connection
