The Secret Language of Our Bodies: How We Show Feelings Without Words
Learning Goals:
- Learn new words to describe how our bodies and faces show our feelings.
- Talk about how we use body language and facial expressions every day.
- Read a story about two friends and their silent conversation.
- Listen to an expert talk about the hidden meanings in our body language.
- Write a story where characters only communicate with their bodies and faces.
Key Words:
- Body language: How we move and position our bodies to show our feelings.
- Facial expressions: The different looks on our faces that show emotions.
- Gesture: A movement of your hands, arms, or head to express an idea.
- Posture: The way you hold your body when you sit or stand.
- Eye contact: Looking directly into someone’s eyes.
Let’s Talk About It!
- Can you show me what your face looks like when you’re happy? Sad? Angry?
- How do you think your body language shows when you’re nervous or excited?
- Why is it important to understand what someone’s body language is saying?
Let’s Read!
Sarah and Tom were old friends, but something was different today. Sarah was talking excitedly, but Tom wasn’t looking at her. His shoulders were slumped, and he only gave short answers. Even though Tom said he was happy, Sarah could tell from his body language that something was wrong.
Questions About the Story:
- How could you tell Sarah was excited?
- What did Tom’s body language tell us about how he was feeling?
- Why is it sometimes hard to understand how people are feeling if you only listen to their words?
Listen and Learn!
(Teacher plays a short clip of an expert explaining how body language can be even more important than words for understanding emotions.)
Talk with a Partner!
One of you will act out an emotion without using any words. The other person has to guess what the emotion is.
Example:
- (Person 1 smiles and claps their hands.)
- (Person 2 guesses, “You look happy!”)
Homework:
Write a short story about two characters who meet for the first time. They don’t speak the same language, so they have to communicate using only body language and facial expressions. What happens?
Extra Fun:
Look at pictures of people in magazines or online. Try to guess what they are feeling by looking at their body language and facial expressions.
