Introduction

As educators, one of our goals is to help students develop the ability to understand and interpret nonverbal cues, such as body language. This essential social-emotional skill allows students to better navigate social situations and empathize with others. In this blog post, we will discuss a no-prep activity that educators can use to teach middle school students about body language, provide discussion questions, and suggest related skills to explore.

No-Prep Activity: Body Language Charades

This activity requires no preparation or materials from the educator. To begin, have students form small groups of three or four. In each group, one student will be the “actor,” while the others will be the “observers.” The actor will be given a specific emotion to portray through body language, such as happiness, sadness, anger, or surprise. The observers will then try to guess the emotion the actor is portraying based on their body language.

After a few rounds, rotate roles within the group so that each student has a chance to be the actor. This activity not only helps students practice reading body language but also allows them to explore how different emotions can be conveyed through nonverbal cues. Encourage students to pay attention to facial expressions, posture, and eye contact when trying to guess the emotions of their peers.

Discussion Questions

• Why is it important to be able to read and understand body language in social situations?
• Can you think of a time when you misinterpreted someone’s body language? How did it affect the situation?
• How can being aware of our own body language help us communicate more effectively with others?
• What are some common body language cues that indicate someone is feeling upset, like Tyler in the example?
• How can we use our understanding of body language to show empathy and support to others?

Related Skills

Beyond understanding body language, there are several other social-emotional learning skills that middle school students can benefit from developing. These include:

• Active Listening: Encouraging students to listen attentively to others and respond thoughtfully can help them build stronger connections and improve communication.
• Empathy: Teaching students to put themselves in another person’s shoes and understand their feelings can lead to more compassionate interactions.
• Emotion Regulation: Helping students identify and manage their own emotions can contribute to improved well-being and more successful social interactions.
• Conflict Resolution: Equipping students with the tools to resolve disagreements and find win-win solutions can foster a more positive and supportive learning environment.

Next Steps

Now that you have a better understanding of how to teach middle school students about body language, we encourage you to explore additional social-emotional learning skills and activities. To help you get started, we invite you to sign up for free sample materials at Everyday Speech. These resources can provide you with new ideas and approaches to support your students’ social-emotional development.