Language Arts · Grade 6

Active learning ideas

The Power of Non-Verbal Communication

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

• 20–30 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Role Play
• 20 min · Small Groups

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.

Identify three examples of non-verbal cues and explain the message each one might send.

Facilitation Tip

Encourage students to use their entire body, including posture and personal space, not just facial expressions.

What to look for

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

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 02

• Role Play
• 25 min · Pairs

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.

Analyze how a speaker's posture and eye contact can affect their credibility with an audience.

Facilitation Tip

Pause the video at key moments to allow for quick pair-and-share discussions about their interpretations.

What to look for

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.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 03

• Role Play
• 30 min · Small Groups

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.

Evaluate a situation where a person's non-verbal cues contradicted their spoken words.

Facilitation Tip

Provide sentence starters or simple scenarios to help groups that are feeling stuck.

What to look for

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.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

A few notes on teaching this unit

Start with a simple poll: 'Which is more believable: what people say, or what people do?' Use this to launch into the topic. Introduce concepts using clear visuals like photos of different facial expressions or short, silent video clips. Scaffold analysis by first asking students to describe what they literally see, then asking them to infer what it might mean in that context.

Students will learn to identify and interpret body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. They will be able to analyze how these cues create meaning in their daily interactions and in the media they consume.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

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

  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.

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

  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.

• Words are always more powerful than non-verbal communication.

  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.

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Methods used in this brief

• Role Play