Reading Faces Lesson Plan Case File: Reading Faces
Session 1 Investigation Plan
CLASSIFIED Sleuth Training
Objective
Introduce students to common facial expressions and help them identify emotions through visual cues, aiming for at least 4 correct identifications.
Why It Matters
Understanding facial expressions is foundational for social interactions. Recognizing emotions in others boosts empathy, confidence, and peer engagement.
Vital Stats
Time: 30 Minutes
Audience: K–2 IEP (Individual)
Approach: Hands-on & Matching
Sleuth Preparation
Print and cut Facial Expression Cards (6 emotions).
Print Emotion Matching Worksheet .
Gather handheld mirror or paper plates/markers.
* Optional: Laminate cards for heavy-duty fieldwork.
* Review emotion labels so you can model cues confidently.
Investigation Steps
Phase Time Instructions & Teacher Prompts Warm-Up 5m Emotion Check-In:
Greet the student: "How are you feeling today?"
Show 2-3 simple expressions; have them guess.
Build comfort with high-fives and positive feedback!
|
| Discovery | 10m |
The Emotion Lab:
Spread out the Facial Expression Cards face-up.
Model each expression (be exaggerated!).
Student imitates: "Can you make a surprised face like me?"
Key Cues: Focus on eyes, eyebrows, and mouth.
|
| Field Work | 10m |
Guided Matching:
Use the Emotion Matching Worksheet .
"Which card matches the happy face on your paper?"
Point out features: "See how the corners of the mouth turn up?"
Goal: 4+ successful matches.
|
| Debrief | 5m |
Mirror Practice:
Student uses a mirror to see their own expressions.
"Show me your 'happy' face! How did you move your mouth?"
Close with: "Great job reading faces today, Detective!"
|
Facial Expression Detective Cards Facial Expression Detective Cards
Print these cards on cardstock and cut along the dotted lines. Use them to investigate how faces change with different emotions!
Evidence #01
😊
HAPPY
Cues: Big smile, relaxed eyes, cheeks up.
Sleuth Mission:
"Show me how you look when you get a surprise treat!"
Evidence #02
😢
SAD
Cues: Frown, droopy eyes, chin tucked.
Sleuth Mission:
"How does your face look if you lose your favorite toy?"
Evidence #03
😡
ANGRY
Cues: Narrow eyes, lowered brows, tight mouth.
Sleuth Mission:
"Show me your 'grumpy' eyebrows!"
Evidence #04
😲
SURPRISED
Cues: Wide eyes, raised brows, open mouth.
Sleuth Mission:
"Make your eyes look as big as dinner plates!"
Evidence #05
😨
SCARED
Cues: Tense mouth, wide eyes, raised brows.
Sleuth Mission:
"Show me your face if you saw a giant spider!"
Evidence #06
🤢
DISGUSTED
Cues: Wrinkled nose, curled lip, squinty eyes.
Sleuth Mission:
"Imagine you just smelled a very stinky sock!"
Detective Tip: Mix these up and try to guess the emotion before looking at the word!
Emotion Matching Worksheet Emotion Match
Official Sleuth Worksheet
Name:
Date:
Detective Instructions: Look at each clue. Place your Facial Expression Card in the magnifying glass or draw the face yourself. Then, write the name of the emotion on the line!
Place Card or Draw Here
Emotion:
Place Card or Draw Here
Emotion:
Place Card or Draw Here
Emotion:
Place Card or Draw Here
Emotion:
Place Card or Draw Here
Emotion:
Place Card or Draw Here
Emotion:
Investigation Complete • Great Job Detective!
Body Language Lesson Plan Case File: Body Language
Session 2 Investigation Plan
NONVERBAL Sleuth Training
Objective
Teach students to recognize and interpret common gestures and body language cues, aiming for at least 4 correct identifications and imitations.
Why It Matters
Understanding nonverbal gestures helps children decode unspoken messages, improving social awareness, peer interactions, and confidence.
Vital Stats
Time: 30 Minutes
Audience: K–2 IEP (Individual)
Approach: Demo & Role Play
Field Preparation
Print and cut Gesture Cards (6-8 gestures).
Print Body Language Bingo Sheet .
Gather tokens/markers for Bingo.
Pro Tip: Clear a small area in the room for the student to stand and act out gestures safely.
Review the meaning of each gesture (e.g., shrugging = "I don't know") to model accurately.
Action Plan
Phase Time Instructions & Teacher Prompts Review 5m
Briefly review facial expressions from Session 1.
"Name an emotion and show me that face!"
Transition: "Today we use our whole body to speak!"
|
| Observe | 10m |
Introducing Gesture Cards:
Present each card and model the gesture (wave, shrug, etc.).
Discuss: "What does a thumbs up mean? Good job!"
Focus on hands, arms, and posture.
|
| Investigate | 10m |
Guided Role Play:
Hold up a card; student performs it.
Reverse: Student shows a gesture, you guess.
Discuss context: "When would you use a shrug?"
|
| Solve | 5m |
Body Language Bingo:
Use Bingo sheet and tokens.
Call out a gesture; student marks it.
Celebrate the Bingo!
|
Gesture Detective Cards Detective Gesture Cards
Print and cut these cards. Each card shows a "body signal" that sleuths use to understand how people feel without words!
Signal #01
👋
WAVING
Meaning: "Hello!", "Goodbye!", or "Over here!"
Field Task:
"Wave at your teacher like they are far away!"
Signal #02
👍
THUMBS UP
Meaning: "Good job!", "Yes!", or "I agree!"
Field Task:
"Give a double thumbs up for a great job!"
Signal #03
🤷
SHRUGGING
Meaning: "I don't know" or "I'm not sure."
Field Task:
"Raise your shoulders and show your palms!"
Signal #04
👉
POINTING
Meaning: "Look at that!" or "Go that way!"
Field Task:
"Point to something blue in the room!"
Signal #05
🙅
CROSSED ARMS
Meaning: "No," "Stop," or feeling grumpy.
Field Task:
"Fold your arms tight like you're waiting!"
Signal #06
点头 (Nodding)
NODDING
Meaning: "Yes," "I understand," or "Okay!"
Field Task:
"Nod your head 'Yes' three times!"
Body Language Bingo Sheet Body Language Bingo
Sleuth Training Game
Detective:
How to Play: Listen for your teacher to call out a gesture or show a card. Find the matching square and cover it with a token! Get three in a row to win!
👋 Waving
👍 Thumbs Up
🤷 Shrugging
👉 Pointing
FREE SPACE
🙅 Crossing Arms
Nodding
👋 Waving
👍 Thumbs Up
Body Language Investigation Kit • Item #B-02
Body Language Slides Decoding Gestures
Social Cue Sleuth: Session 2
Mission: Body Language
Warm-Up Review
Let's look back at Session 1. Name an emotion and show the face that matches it!
😊 🤔 😡
Today: We learn how our WHOLE body sends messages!
Introduction to Gestures
👋
Hands
What are they doing?
🧍
Postures
How are we standing?
👂
Meaning
What is the message?
"Sleuths use their eyes to hear body signals!"
Let's Model Gestures
👍
Thumbs Up
Use this to show someone they did a great job!
🤷
Shrugging
Use this when you aren't sure of an answer.
Active Mission
Guided Role Play
1
I show a card, you act it out!
2
You act it out, I guess the meaning!
Goal: 4 Correct Signals
Investigation
Complete
Excellent Work, Sleuth!
Next Mission: Combining our clues!
Mixing Messages Lesson Plan Case File: Mixing Messages
Session 3 Investigation Plan
MULTI-CUE Sleuth Training
Objective
Integrate facial expressions, gestures, and tone of voice in realistic social scenarios by having the student identify and act out cues correctly at least 4 times.
Why It Matters
Combining multiple social cues in context builds deeper understanding of how emotions and intentions are communicated, boosting social confidence.
Vital Stats
Time: 30 Minutes
Audience: K–2 IEP (Individual)
Approach: Guided Role Play
Investigation Prep
Print Scenario Role-Play Cards .
Print Tone of Voice Cards .
Gather props (hats, phone, puppets).
Note: Keep Session 1 & 2 cards nearby for quick review if the student needs a visual cue during role play.
Case Steps
Phase Time Instructions & Teacher Prompts Warm-Up 5m Combined Review:
Show one face card and one gesture card.
Ask student to name and perform both.
"Now let's add how we speak!"
|
| Discover | 5m |
Tone of Voice Intro:
Show Tone Cards. Model saying "Hello" in different ways.
"Listen: Hello! (Happy) vs. Hello... (Sad)."
Discuss: "How did my voice change?"
|
| Action | 15m |
Scenario Role-Play:
Draw a Scenario Card. Read it aloud.
Prompt student to pick 3 Cards (Face, Gesture, Tone).
Act it out! Discuss: "How did those clues help your message?"
Goal: 4 successful acts.
|
| Debrief | 5m |
Self-Reflection:
"Which emotion was the easiest to show today?"
Provide specific praise for combining clues.
|
Mixing Messages Mission Cards Tone & Scenario Mission Cards
Print and cut these cards. Use the Tone Cards to decide how to speak, and the Scenario Cards for your sleuth missions!
Part A: Tone of Voice Cards
🎶
Happy Tone
High voice, fast, and light.
📉
Sad Tone
Low voice, slow, and quiet.
⚡
Angry Tone
Loud voice, sharp, and hard.
⭐
Excited Tone
Very high, fast, and bouncy!
❓
Worried Tone
Shakey voice, soft, and unsure.
Part B: Scenario Role-Play Cards
1
Greeting a Friend
"You see your best friend at the park. How do you say hello?"
Face Gesture Tone
2
Asking for Help
"You can't open your lunch box. What do you say to the teacher?"
Face Gesture Tone
3
Sharing a Toy
"You have a cool car and your friend wants a turn. What do you do?"
Face Gesture Tone
4
Saying Goodbye
"School is over and it's time to go home. Say goodbye to your friend."
Face Gesture Tone
Story Detectives Lesson Plan Case File: Story Detectives
Session 4 Investigation Plan
CONTEXT Sleuth Training
Objective
Students will analyze illustrated social scenario cards to identify characters’ facial expressions, gestures, and tone of voice, accurately labeling at least three cues.
Why It Matters
Contextualizing social cues in stories helps students see how clues work together in real-life interactions, building deeper social comprehension.
Vital Stats
Time: 30 Minutes
Audience: K–2 IEP (Individual)
Approach: Story-Based Analysis
Reading the Clues
Print Social Story Cards (4 scenes).
Print Social Story Response Worksheet .
Gather all Session 1-3 cards for reference.
Tip: Encourage the student to look for small details in the drawings, like where the character is looking or how their hands are held.
Investigation Steps
Phase Time Instructions & Teacher Prompts Review 5m Triple Check:
Show one face, one gesture, and one tone card.
Student names each one correctly.
|
| Observe | 10m |
Reading the Scene:
Show Card #1. Narrate the scene.
"How does this person feel? Look at their eyebrows!"
Student picks matching Clue Cards .
|
| Analyze | 10m |
Guided Interpretation:
Repeat with 2-3 more Story Cards.
"Why did you pick that tone? Does it match the picture?"
Goal: 3 correct cue sets.
|
| Record | 5m |
Case Log:
Give Response Worksheet.
Student records findings for their favorite story.
Praise their detective work!
|
Illustrated Social Story Cards Social Story Clue Cards
Read each card. Use your detective skills to find the face, gesture, and tone clues in the story!
Case Card #1
🏚️ 😔 🎒
The Playground Friend
"A child stands alone on the swings with their head down. They say softly, 'Hi... can I play?'"
Case Card #2
🍎 😊 👋
Snack Time Share
"Two students sit at desks. One holds an extra cookie and offers it with a wave. 'Want some of mine?'"
Case Card #3
🎂 🤩 👏
Birthday Surprise
"Friends surround a child in a party hat. The child claps their hands and shouts, 'Wow!'"
Case Card #4
🏫 😢 👋
Sad Goodbye
"A parent waves at a teary child at the school door. The child says, 'Have a great day!' in a shaky voice."
Case Report: Investigation Findings
Scenario Title:
Detective Name:
1 How does the main character feel?
😊 Happy
😐 Neutral
😟 Sad
😡 Angry
2 Which gesture matches this scene?
👋 Wave
👍 Thumbs Up
🤷 Shrug
👉 Point
🙅 Crossed
👏 Clap
3 What tone of voice would they use?
Happy Sad Excited Worried
4 Think of a time you felt this way. What happened? Real World Sleuths Lesson Plan Case File: Real World Sleuths
Session 5 Investigation Plan
GRADUATION Master Sleuth
Objective
Students will apply their social cue skills in realistic scenarios. They will enact four role-play prompts and reflect on their cue use to reinforce self-monitoring.
Why It Matters
Generalizing social cue recognition to real-world contexts and promoting self-reflection helps solidify skills and fosters social independence.
Vital Stats
Time: 30 Minutes
Audience: K–2 IEP (Individual)
Approach: Practice & Reflection
Final Mission Prep
Print Real-World Role-Play Cards .
Print Social Cue Reflection Checklist .
Gather props (puppets, toy phone).
Tip: Celebrate the student's progress! This session is about confidence and showing what they've learned over the last 4 sessions.
Master Investigation Steps
Phase Time Instructions & Teacher Prompts Review 5m Last Mission Check:
Revisit a favorite story from Session 4.
"What clues did we find there? Face, gesture, or tone?"
"Today, YOU are the sleuth in real life!"
|
| Practice | 15m |
Real-World Role Play:
Draw a Role-Play Card. Read the prompt.
Student picks all 3 cue cards to use.
Act it out! Student can play both roles or one.
Goal: 3 accurate enactments.
|
| Reflect | 5m |
Self-Reflection Checklist:
Help student complete the checklist.
"Which cue was easiest today? Which was hard?"
Discuss the power of noticing these clues.
|
| Goal | 5m |
Sleuth Goal Setting:
Set one goal for the week (e.g. "Notice when Mom waves").
Record on worksheet. High five for graduation!
|
Real World Sleuths Checklist Real-World Mission Cards
Sleuth Mission: Draw a card and act out the scene. Remember to use your Face , Gesture , and Voice !
Mission #01
Greeting a Classmate
"You see a friend arrive at school. Wave and say hello!"
Mission #02
Asking to Join
"A friend is building blocks. Ask if you can play too."
Mission #03
Thanking for Help
"A teacher helps you find your backpack. Give them a smile and say thanks!"
Mission #04
Taking Turns
"It's almost your turn for the swing. Ask politely for the next turn."
Mission #05
Apologizing
"You accidentally bumped into someone. Show you're sorry with your clues."
Mission #06
Inviting to Play
"You have a ball. Invite someone standing alone to play catch."
Final Case Reflection
Master Sleuth Graduation Report
1. Which clues did you use today?
Face
Gesture
Voice
Easiest Cue:
Hardest Cue:
2. How well did you do? (Circle)
⭐ Try Again
⭐⭐ Good
⭐⭐⭐ Master Sleuth!
My Sleuth Goal for this week:
"I will practice noticing..."
Official Detective Stamp
