Reading Body Language
What is body language?
Communicating non-verbally through body gestures and motions.
What would you do if a kid in your class has a big rip in the back of his pants and he hasn't noticed
Be sympathetic and let them know that their pants is ripped. Can also use humor AFTER you tell them that their pants are ripped.
A popular girl, whom you don't know very well, won an award for swimming. You've never talked to her before, but your teacher sat you next to her in class.
You can congratulate her on winning her award and introduce yourself.
You are at lunch when you sit next to your friend Billy. You say, "I saw that you failed your math test. What are your parents going to say? Are you going to get in trouble?" Billy looks at you and says "Mind your own business." What is the problem in this situation?
You made your friend feel bad and uncomfortable by asking intrusive questions about a sensitive topic. Best rule of thumb is to not bring it up unless your friend talks about it first.
How do you tell (through body language) that someone is mad/upset?
Answers may vary
Your math teacher is reading out the class's grades out loud. Donald, a boy you don't know very well, got an F. It is the lowest grade in the class. You notice Donald shrinking down in his seat. What should you do?
Be sympathetic and offer help.
You are at a waiting room at the doctors office. There is one other person in the waiting room. What should you do?
Introduce self and engage in small talk.
James is in class when his teacher asks the class to pick partners for a class project. James raises his hand and says, "I'll be Joan's partner because I know that no one else will want to work with her. I will. I'm that kind of person!" Joan looks at James and says, "I don't want to be his partner." What is the problem with this situation
James had embarrassed Joan by telling the whole class that no one wanted to work with her. It wasn't kind to say and made her feel bad. Instead, James should have just said he would be her partner.
Giving her flowers
How does the girl feel and how do you know?
Hands up next to face, smiling with mouth open, looking at the boy, body faced towards the boy
The basketball coach says to your friend, "Aren't you the kid who threw the ball in the wrong basket at the game last night? What should you do?
Be sympathetic towards your friend. Can also use humor to make the situation less embarrassing
You're checking out at the grocery store. You notice that the elderly woman in front of you left a birthday card at the register. What should you do?
Get the elderly woman's attention and bring her the birthday card that she forgot.
Carmen is in detention and is sitting next to Ian. She looks at him and says, "What are you in here for? They said I cheated, but I didn't! I'm always getting picked on. It's so unfair. Last year, I..." When Ian interrupted her and said, "Be quiet!". What did Carmen do wrong?
She was in detention and shouldn't have been talking to Ian. They were not supposed to be talking while in detention. Ian probably felt as if she was going to get him in more trouble.
How does Johnny feel listening to the girls talk? Why do you think that?
Sad. His head is rested on his arms (which are folded) and looking at the girls talk. Melancholy look on face.
The girl next to you in class smells bad. A boy in class turns to her and says "Ew! what is that smell". What should you do?
Stick up for her and be sympathetic
You see a little girl wandering around the park. She looks scared and frantic. What should you do?
Introduce yourself and offer her help. You could help her find her parents or give her a cell phone to call someone if she is lost.
Joey notices that a kid in his class is having trouble with a math question. Joey thinks he can help so he puts his hand on the kid's shoulder and says "Do you need me to help you with that? I know the answer!". His classmate says "No, I can figure it out." What did Joey do wrong?
Joey put his hand on his classmate's shoulder while talking to him. His classmate doesn't know Joey, and probably feels uncomfortable having someone he doesn't know touch him without asking for it. Joey also was overly excited to help his classmate, which could also make his classmate uncomfortable.
Besides his red face (blushing), what else tells you that the boy is bashful.
Hand in his pocket
Your friend is supposed to introduce you to a good-looking friend, but suddenly forgets your name. What do you do?
Use humor or give help by introducing yourself.
Everyone at school knows that Mike was suspended for bringing pepper spray to school last semester and now he is back in school. He acts as though he doesn't have a friend in the world. What should you do?
Sit with him at lunch or class and befriend him. He is probably feeling lonely and sad and needs someone to talk to.
Jessica sees that her peer has some new shoes on and says "Those are neat shoes. You must really be rich to afford shoes like that. They're really nice. Where did you get them? How much were they?" Her peer then says "Nosey!!" What did Jessica do wrong when talking about her peer's shoes?
Jessica was asking personal questions that aren't appropriate to ask someone she doesn't know. This may make her friend feel uncomfortable.