“Be the Power of One” Building Character for Success

1. “Be the Power of One”Building Character for Success “What is Your Body Saying?” Lesson 3.9 Created By: Pam Gunter

2. Preparation • Materials Needed: • Prepare scenarios from the activity section on small papers. • Small container to hold folded papers. • Classroom Setup: • If possible, set the classroom in a circle, or in an area where they can play charades.

3. Challenge for the Week – Follow Up Can anyone remember what your challenge was for last week? Were you able to determine who some of your special influences are in your life and why?

4. The Activity • Explain to the students that words are actually a very small part of communication. What we say, how we hold our bodies, the voice tone, the volume of our voices, and our overall body language actually conveys a stronger message than our words. • To demonstrate how important body language is, play a game of charades. See how quickly students can guess what is going on without using words.

5. The Activity - Continued • Two students are fighting over the same ball. Use facial and body language to show you are angry with each other. • A teacher is handing back papers and a student is excited they got a good grade. Use facial expressions to convey how happy you are. • You are bored in class and not paying attention to the teacher. Use body language and facial expressions to show you aren’t listening. • You are walking home from school with a friend and having a good time. Demonstrate both of you are having fun by your body language and facial expressions. • Someone on the playground has hurt your feelings. You are sad and feeling lonely. A second person comes up and cheers you up.

6. The Activity - Continued • Another way that people will know what we are feeling aside from words and body language is our tone of voice and the volume we use. • Give the following examples. Have the students clap loudly if their volume should be loud in that situation, ask the students to clap medium if their volume should be a medium volume, and clap soft if their volume should be soft in the following scenarios: • You are walking in the hall. • You are on the playground. • You are in class. • You are at the dinner table. • You are in the library. • You are entering the gym to attend a concert. • You are cheering at a soccer game. • You are upset with a friend and you are trying to work through the disagreement. • You are getting someone’s attention that is in danger. • You are meeting with the principal.

7. The Object of the Lesson Points instructor needs to bring out: • Using proper body language such as good posture, appropriate hand gestures, and facial expressions will help us be more successful throughout our lives. • We can show respect, courtesy, and be a good example by using appropriate body language when we communicate with others. • Choosing the correct volume and tone of voice also affects our relationship with others. • Being mindful of where we are, who we are speaking with, and what we are trying to communicate will help us strengthen our relationships with others.

8. Challenge for the Week This week focus on how you communicate with others. When someone is speaking with you, make eye contact. During class sit up straight, listen attentively. When communicating with friends and family members, use appropriate body language to communicate well with them. Have fun!