Social Sleuth Flashcards
Social Sleuth Flashcards
Print Instructions: Double-sided (Flip on Long Edge). Cut along the dashed crop lines. Each card is 5"x7". Use cardstock if possible.
Hallway & Cafeteria
📚
The Heavy Load
"Leo is struggling to carry a massive stack of textbooks and a poster board. As he turns the corner, he bumps into a group of students. He wobbles, and the top books start to slide."
SCENE 01 - FRONT
Hallway & Cafeteria
🤐
The Sudden Silence
"A group of friends is huddled together laughing. As Maya approaches to sit in the empty chair, the group suddenly stops talking and starts looking at their phones."
SCENE 02 - FRONT
Analyze the Evidence
1
What is Leo likely thinking and feeling in this exact second?
2
What will the students he bumped into likely do next?
Sleuth's Notes / Evidence Log
SCENE 01 - BACK
Analyze the Evidence
1
Why did the group go silent? Give two possible reasons.
2
How will Maya likely feel if she sits down anyway?
Sleuth's Notes / Evidence Log
SCENE 02 - BACK
The Bus
🎧
Volume Conflict
"Sam is playing a game with the volume all the way up. The older student sitting in front keeps turning around and sighing loudly, looking at Sam's phone."
SCENE 03 - FRONT
The Bus
😟
The Seat Search
"The bus is full. Jordan stops at a seat where another student has their backpack sitting on the cushion. Jordan looks at the backpack, then at the student."
SCENE 04 - FRONT
Analyze the Evidence
1
What message is the student sending without words?
2
What will happen if Sam ignores the sighing?
Sleuth's Notes / Evidence Log
SCENE 03 - BACK
Analyze the Evidence
1
What is Jordan hoping the other student will do right now?
2
How could Jordan ask for the seat in a kind way?
Sleuth's Notes / Evidence Log
SCENE 04 - BACK
Online Gaming
🤬
The Chat Explosion
"Your team is losing. A player starts typing: 'YOU GUYS ARE TRASH. I'M LITERALLY CARRYING.' He then stops moving his character entirely."
SCENE 05 - FRONT
Online Gaming
🔇
Voice Chat Vibes
"A group of friends is joking in party chat. A friend joins and starts telling a long, personal story. One by one, the others say 'brb' or stop responding."
SCENE 06 - FRONT
Analyze the Evidence
1
What is this player likely about to do next in the game?
2
What is the smartest way for you to handle this?
Sleuth's Notes / Evidence Log
SCENE 05 - BACK
Analyze the Evidence
1
What 'clue' did the friend miss about the group's vibe?
2
How could the friend fix this and stay included?
Sleuth's Notes / Evidence Log
SCENE 06 - BACK
Social Sleuth Teacher Guide
Social Sleuths
Teacher Facilitation Guide
GRADES 6-8
Social-Emotional Learning
Learning Objective
Students will identify social cues to predict outcomes, infer internal states, and propose effective responses in common middle school settings.
Key Skills
- Social Inference
- Perspective Taking
- Prediction
Facilitation Toolkit
Partner Prediction
Pairs take turns being the "Sleuth." One reads the clues, the other predicts using the Evidence Log.
"What part of the story told you that Leo was feeling stressed?"
Role-Play Rewind
Groups act out the scenario, then "rewind" to change one action and observe the outcome.
"If the student moved their bag immediately, how would Jordan feel?"
The 'Social Sleuth' Framework
1. DETECT
Observe eyes, tone, and posture.
2. INFER
Apply social rules and context.
3. PREDICT
Choose the smartest response.
Investigator's Answer Key
01: THE HEAVY LOAD
Leo is overwhelmed; accidents are imminent. Response: Offer immediate physical help.
02: THE SUDDEN SILENCE
Silence/phones signal exclusion. Response: Ask a direct question to test the vibe.
03: VOLUME CONFLICT
Sighs are "soft" warnings. Response: Use headphones before conflict escalates.
04: THE SEAT SEARCH
Bag = Claim; Stare = Request. Response: Use verbal request to clarify.
05: THE CHAT EXPLOSION
"Tilt" indicators. Response: Mute the player; focus on gameplay, not toxicity.
06: VOICE CHAT VIBES
Exits occur when conversations are one-sided. Response: Pivot back to the game.
Debriefing Questions
"Which scene felt the most realistic? Why?"
"How does detecting a clue early change the outcome?"
"What clues are harder to see online than in person?"
"How do you tell the difference between a 'mistake' and a 'toxic' action?"
