Curated OER
The Body Talks
Young historians examine the gestures of human subjects represented in Mannerist, Baroque and Renaissance paintings. After they play charades and attempt to match dialogue with body language, learners create a drawing that includes...
Overcoming Obstacles
Understanding Nonverbal Communication
People communicate in all sorts of ways. As part of a study of nonverbal communication, teams of three must complete a puzzle without speaking to one another. After debriefing the activity and analyzing the messages nonverbal cues...
Nemours KidsHealth
Bike Safety: Grades 3-5
Bicycle safety is the focus of two lessons. First, scholars read three articles and decide which five safety tips are most important. Second, class members practice hand signals used while riding a bicycle to stay safe.
US Institute of Peace
Nonverbal Communication
What is your body saying that maybe your words aren't? Scholars explore the vast world of the subtle, and not-so-subtle, nonverbal communication cues through group and individual work. Lesson seven in a series of peacebuilding exercises...
Florida Alliance for Arts Education
Theatre Arts
What skills do storytellers employ to bring to life the characters and events in their tales? After listening to a recording of a Haitian folk tale, class members consider how tone of voice, pace, and gestures can be used to enliven a...
Do2Learn
Activities: Everyday
Give learners the tools to communicate through physical actions and hand gestures, as well as verbally, by using this comprehensive set of picture cards that describe everyday activities. Some of these activities include eating,...
Curated OER
Celebration
Students identify the different ways in which different countries celebrate and why, including story, dance, music, and exchanging gifts. Then they develop a basic standard of non-verbal communication through either dance, mime,...
Curated OER
Abstractions/Gestures
Students examine and display the differences between literal, and non-literal movement and abstraction using a creative project in movement. This project originates as an individual item, culminating in a small group performance.
Curated OER
Mask Project
Students discuss "mime" before playing a game in which they make the body movement and gestures of a large animal while a classmate guesses what they are imitating. Next, they design and make masks of an animal face while studying the...
Curated OER
Teaching Each Other Gestures
Students are introduced to the use of gestures in other countries. They define gestures in a personally meaningful way that conveys significance to the entire class. Working in small groups, students play a game to aid them in...
Curated OER
It's All Greek to Us
Students examine the various ways in which ancient Greek culture has influenced modern-day life. They study the context in which modern-day Greeks consider the 2004 Summer Olympics by reading and discussing the article "Where It All...
Curated OER
Interview With...
Learners study a portrait and connect its visual components with contemporary understandings of people and their attributes.
Other
Centervention: Body Language Activities Using Telephone Game
In this activity, students will play the game of "Telephone" in two different ways. Students will first play "Telephone" with the traditional version of the the game and then only communicate via their body language.
Everything ESL
Everything Esl: Avoiding Offense When Communicating With Gestures
Important resource for understanding the different cultural implications of common gestures. Certain gestures, though inoffensive to Americans, may convey rudeness or an obscene message to persons of other cultures.
Other
Elephant Voices: Ele Quiz
Three interactive quizzes on the topics of elephant families, getures, and vocal communication. After each ten-question quiz, the correct answers are shown for review.
Other
Chapter 2: The Social Leverage in Active Hand Gestures
This chapter, from the Westside Toastmasters, gives a detailed explanation of how to use handshakes to communicate.
Wisc-Online
Wisc Online: Intercultural Communication: Gestures
In this learning module, students will recognize common gestures and identify the meanings associated with those gestures.
Other
Massey Univ.: Saying, Showing, Gesturing, and Feeling
This paper by John Shotter examines language development through Wittgenstein and Vygotsky. He contrasts the theories of language development from both of these psychologists.
Understood For All
Understood: How to Help Your Child Understand Body Language
This article provides tips on how teach children to pick up on social cues.
Other
Kiddle Encyclopedia: Body Language Facts for Kids
This resource provide a list of common types of body language. Each type of body language is described.
Other
The Responsive Counselor: Body Language and Tone of Voice Lesson Plan
This blog post from shares several activities that will help students understand how to interpret voice tone and body language.
Other
How to Gesture Effectively
Six rules that apply to anyone seeking to become a dynamic and effective speaker.