Messages with Words, Faces and Gestures - Year 1

Messages make sense when we consider language, other useful clues and the situation. In this unit, Year 1 learners explore how the same word or gesture can have different meanings in different contexts. They notice clues, say what a message might mean, check kindly and choose a relevant reply or repair.

The sequence covers asking for information, giving information, offering, requesting, giving a safe instruction and exclaiming. Children compare familiar classroom scenes, rehearse partner exchanges, play a cooperative Message Match Studio game and create an original communication scene. Five flexible lessons include explicit modelling, guided rehearsal, application, support and extension, and observable evidence.

A face does not prove a feeling, gestures can vary, and respectful checking is encouraged. Speech, familiar signing, AAC, pointing, drawing and adult scribing are valid ways to participate. No eye contact, smiling, facial imitation or private disclosure is required.

What's included

• 43-page Unit Plan PDF: contents, teacher guide, five two-page lesson plans and 31 resource pages.
• 24-slide presentation with editable native teaching text.
• 22-slide quiz with ten question/answer pairs, cover and closing.
• 18 colour resource pages: displays and models; 18 scene cards; discussion/exchange mats; 12 partner role cards; message supports and checking strips; cooperative game/rules; Scene Studio staging cards and story frame.
• Five low-ink worksheets and five matching red possible-model answer pages.
• Fresh six-exchange practical assessment, observation record and message-skills rubric.
• 89-page watermarked Preview PDF and clean Table of Contents JPG.

Learning focus

Combine language and context to interpret a message; consider more than one plausible meaning; ask a relevant checking question; communicate a clear message; respond usefully; and repair misunderstanding respectfully.

Classroom use

Whole-class modelling, supported small-group discussion, partner rehearsal, cooperative games, individual worksheet responses and practical assessment stations. Five flexible lessons of about 40 minutes; allow further short stations to complete individual observations.

Formats and answers

PPTX teaching presentation and quiz; PDF Unit Plan and Preview; JPG Table of Contents.

89 teaching pages/slides: Unit Plan 43 + presentation 24 + quiz 22. The 89-page Preview repeats these pages and is excluded from that total.

Five matching worksheet model keys and ten quiz answer/feedback slides. Practical assessment uses an observation record and rubric.

PDF resource artwork is fixed. Native presentation/quiz teaching text is editable.

Teacher benefits

A complete model-to-transfer sequence; ready-to-use partner materials; generous worksheet response spaces; supported communication choices; and an observation record that separates independence from support.

Digital product and licence

Digital download; no physical item. A PowerPoint-compatible application and PDF reader are needed. For the purchaser's classroom use. Do not redistribute, resell or upload the files publicly.