Team Up Lab // Session 1 Facilitator Resource

Social Signals

Decoding body language, tone of voice, and the unwritten rules of peer interaction.

Target Grade 5th Grade (2 Students)

Duration 40 Minutes

Session Goal Identify 4 key cues

Focus Area Recognizing Social Cues

1. SESSION SETUP & CO-CREATING LAB RULES (8 Mins)

Welcome both students to the Team Up Lab. Explain that this is a special testing ground where they are peer "researchers" working together to crack social codes. Frame the group as a collaborative partnership.

Facilitator Script: "Welcome to our Team Up Lab! In this lab, we're not just practicing social skills—we're working like scientists to crack the codes of how people connect and collaborate. Because there are only two of you, you're partners. What's one lab rule we can agree on to make this a safe place to try new things and take risks?"

2. MINDS & BODIES WARM-UP (7 Mins)

Students take turns modeling an emotion using only body posture and facial expressions (no words or sounds). The other partner must guess the emotion and point out the specific physical cues that gave it away.

STUDENT A EMOTIONS

Frustrated (folded arms, tight jaw)
Bored (slouched, resting head on hand)

STUDENT B EMOTIONS

Anxious (tapping foot, looking away)
Excited (wide eyes, forward lean, smiling)

3. KEY CONCEPT: THE SOCIAL RADAR (10 Mins)

Teach the students that a "Social Radar" is our ability to scan our environment for invisible signals. We focus on three critical dials:

Eye Contact

Are they looking at me, around, or at a screen?

Posture & Lean

Are they angled towards me or turning away?

Voice Speed/Tone

Is it flat, quiet, fast and loud, or friendly?

Team Up Lab // Lesson 1: Social Signals Page 1 of 2

Team Up Lab // Session 1 Facilitator Resource

Social Signals

Guided interaction support & closing reflective exercises.

4. CO-COGNITIVE PRACTICE: DECODER CHALLENGE (15 Mins)

Hand out the Social Signals Decoder Cards (the companion sheet). Instruct students to work together to read the described scenarios, discuss the hidden social signals, and agree on the best cooperative action.

FACILITATOR INTERVENTION MATRIX

If you observe...	Facilitate by asking...
One student dominating the card choice	"Partner A, before we write down the final answer, check with Partner B. Do they agree with your assessment, or see another clue?"
Low confidence/hesitation to share	"Remember, in our Lab, we are researchers testing out ideas. What's one guess we can write down to test? There's no single wrong answer here."
Skipping non-verbal cues entirely	"Let's look at the body posture described on the card. If you were sitting like that, what would your body be saying without words?"

5. CONSOLIDATION & LAB CHECK-OUT (10 Mins)

Gather partners back. Have each partner share one social signal they feel they are already excellent at noticing, and one signal they want to focus on "tuning their radar to" this week.

Discussion Starters:

"When you're trying to join a game at recess, why is checking eye contact so important?"
"How can tuning into tone of voice prevent us from getting into misunderstandings?"
"What is one unwritten rule of working in a pairs group in your regular classroom?"

6. THE RECONNAISSANCE MISSION (WEEKLY TASK)

Challenge students to complete their weekly Reconnaissance Mission: Observe peers in the cafeteria or recess. Without interrupting, notice 2 positive social signals that show people are having a good conversation (e.g., matching body posture, active nodding). They will report back to their partner at the start of next week's session.

Team Up Lab // Lesson 1: Social Signals Page 2 of 2

Social Signals Facilitator Guide

Social Signals Facilitator Guide

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