Language Arts · Grade 6 · Oral Communication · Term 3

The Power of Non-Verbal Communication

Explore how your body language, facial expressions, and gestures communicate powerful messages, sometimes even more than your words. Learn to use and interpret these non-verbal cues to enhance understanding.

TL;DR:Did you know that most of what we communicate comes not from our words, but from our bodies? This topic explores the powerful, silent language of non-verbal cues to help students become more insightful and effective communicators.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• Ontario Language Curriculum, Grade 6: Oral Communication - Speaking to Communicate

About This Topic

This topic delves into the critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of communication: non-verbal cues. In the context of the Grade 6 Canadian Language Arts curriculum, this exploration directly supports core competencies in oral communication, media literacy, and critical thinking. Students learn that communication is a complex interplay of words, tone, and physical expression. By deconstructing these elements, they become more adept at interpreting messages, understanding character motivations in literature, and analyzing the persuasive techniques used in various media.

Furthermore, this topic provides a valuable opportunity to foster social-emotional learning (SEL) and intercultural understanding, which are integral to Canadian educational frameworks. In a multicultural society like Canada, recognizing that non-verbal signals can vary across cultures is essential for respectful and effective communication. This unit encourages students to move beyond literal interpretations, promoting empathy and a more nuanced understanding of human interaction, both in their personal lives and as consumers of media.

Key Questions

1. Identify three examples of non-verbal cues and explain the message each one might send.
2. Analyze how a speaker's posture and eye contact can affect their credibility with an audience.
3. Evaluate a situation where a person's non-verbal cues contradicted their spoken words.

Learning Objectives

• Identify key types of non-verbal communication, including body language, facial expressions, and gestures.
• Analyze how non-verbal cues can support, contradict, or replace verbal messages.
• Interpret the meaning of non-verbal signals in various social and media contexts.
• Apply effective non-verbal communication skills in their own presentations and interactions.

Key Vocabulary

Non-Verbal Cues	Messages sent without words, through gestures, facial expressions, posture, and tone of voice.
Body Language	The conscious and unconscious movements and postures by which attitudes and feelings are communicated.
Gesture	A movement of part of the body, especially a hand or the head, to express an idea or meaning.
Tone of Voice	The way a person is speaking, which can reveal their feelings or attitude about a subject.
Contradict	To be in conflict with; to express the opposite of a statement or idea.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Body language is universal, so a gesture means the same thing everywhere.

What to Teach Instead

While some basic facial expressions are widely understood, many gestures are culturally specific. For instance, a 'thumbs-up' is positive in Canada but can be offensive in other countries, so context is always important.

Common Misconception

You can always tell if someone is lying if they don't make eye contact.

What to Teach Instead

There is no single non-verbal cue that proves someone is lying. Avoiding eye contact might mean a person is shy, nervous, or simply thinking. It is more reliable to look for a cluster of cues or a change from someone's usual behaviour.

Common Misconception

Words are always more powerful than non-verbal communication.

What to Teach Instead

Research shows that non-verbal cues often have a greater impact on how a message is received, especially with emotions. When words and body language contradict each other, people usually believe the non-verbal message.

Active Learning Ideas

Role Play

Emotion Charades

Students draw a card with an emotion and a situation, like 'anxious about a test.' They must convey the emotion and situation to their team using only non-verbal cues, helping them practise both expressing and interpreting body language.

20 min·Small Groups

Role Play

Silent Scene Detectives

Show a short, dialogue-free clip from a film or animation. In pairs, students write down what they believe is happening, what the characters are feeling, and which specific non-verbal cues led them to their conclusions.

25 min·Pairs

Role Play

Contradiction Skits

In small groups, students create and perform short skits where a character's words conflict with their body language, for example, saying 'I'm so happy to be here' while slumping and sighing. The audience then identifies the contradiction and discusses the character's true feelings.

30 min·Small Groups

Real-World Connections

• Interpreting a friend's feelings accurately, even when they say 'I'm fine'.
• Understanding a character's true motivations in a movie or book by analyzing their actions, not just their words.
• Presenting a school project with confidence by using open posture and making eye contact.
• Recognizing persuasive techniques used in commercials or by public speakers.
• Navigating new social situations and making friends by appearing open and approachable through body language.

Assessment Ideas

Exit Ticket

Use an exit ticket where students match non-verbal cues (e.g., crossed arms, nodding) with possible meanings.

Quick Check

Students watch a short, muted video clip of an interaction and write a paragraph analyzing the relationship and feelings of the individuals based solely on non-verbal evidence.

Peer Assessment

After a group presentation, students use a simple rubric to reflect on their own use of non-verbal cues, such as eye contact and posture, and set one goal for improvement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I'm not good at reading people? Can I get better at it?

Absolutely. Reading non-verbal cues is a skill that improves with observation and practice. We can start by paying more attention to how characters in movies or people in our lives use their hands, face, and posture when they communicate.

Is it rude to stare at people to figure out their body language?

That's a thoughtful question. The goal is to be observant, not to make people uncomfortable by staring. It's about noticing cues naturally during an interaction, something we can practise safely by watching videos in class.

Why do adults sometimes say, 'It's not what you said, it's how you said it'?

This phrase perfectly captures the power of non-verbal communication. It means your tone of voice, facial expression, or posture sent a message that was different from your words. For example, saying 'thank you' while rolling your eyes communicates sarcasm, not gratitude.