Beyond Spoken Words (Author's Purpose 2.4)

​In today's lesson you will read about how people communicate without words, such as with gestures or sign language.

As you read, you will think about how the authors use reasons and evidence to support their claims in an argument.

​These are the stories that we will be reading today.

They all discuss ways that we can communicate when speaking is not an option.

Word Cloud

What is one way that you can say hello without speaking?

​In this text, you will read to learn about meaningful ways we communicate without words.

Reread paragraph one. What does the sentence say is only part of the story?

Multiple Choice

What does paragraph one state is only tells one part of the story when someone is speaking?

• Feelings

• Actions

• Words

• Characteristics

The whole story is nonverbal communications AND words

Look at the last sentence in paragraph one. "If you don't take into account nonverbal communication, you're mussing the full meaning of what your friends are really saying"


What does the phrase take into account mean?

Multiple Choice

What does the phrase take into account mean?

• Deposit money

• Make a new IG page

• Sign into your email

• Look for or consider

Reread paragraph 2. What does the author say nonverbal communication shows?

Raise your hand when you find the sentence that states that in paragraph 2.

Multiple Choice

What does the author believe about the importance of nonverbal communication?

• It is very important

• It is somewhat important

• It is not important

Look at the phrase the body rarely lies in paragraph 3.
​
What is an example of a person's body language not matching their words?

Multiple Choice

Read paragraph 4. Click the answer choice that provides an EXAMPLE of a person's body language matching their words?

• "Even when our friends mean what they say, nonverbal communication makes their words more powerful."

• You tell a friend about a problem and he says, "I'm really sorry you're going through this. How can I help?"

• And if you're paying attention, you might notice him lean in closer to listen or furrow his brows in concern.

• Those actions back up his words and make them even more comforting.

Reread paragraph 4.
​
What is an example of a person's body language matching their words?

Multiple Choice

Read paragraph 3. Click the answer choice that provides an EXAMPLE of a person's body language not matching their words?

• "Nonverbal communication is also important because we don't always say what we mean."

• "A person's body language may not match their words, which is a clue that there's a deeper meaning."

• 'Communication expert Christine Zust says, "Nonverbal language is considered the most honest form of communication because the body rarely lies."'

• "For example, a friend may tell you, "I'm doing OK." But if his shoulders are slumped and he's staring at the floor, maybe he isn't OK after all."

​Analyzing an argument involves identifying all of the parts of the argument and deciding whether the reasons and evidence support the author's claim. It is your job as readers to decide whether you are convinced.

What was the author's claim in this story?

Multiple Choice

The author's claim is that _________________________.

• nonverbal communication is not as important as words

• nonverbal communication shows the true meaning of our words

• nonverbal communication is the best way to communicate

• nonverbal communication is the worst way to communicate

In paragraph 3, what was the reason that the author used to support that nonverbal communication shows the true meaning of our words?

Multiple Choice

In paragraph 3, what was the reason that the author used to support that nonverbal communication shows the true meaning of our words?

• Body language does not always match our words

• Body language makes their words more powerful

• Body language tells the full story of what people are really saying

• Body language gives you the chance to be a good friend.

​Sign language is a complete language like any other type of language. It consists of hand and body movements and facial expressions instead of spoken words.

It is important to note that different places and cultures can have different spoken languages, different sign languages, and different versions of both.

What is an example of English speakers using different words for the same thing?

Multiple Choice

According to paragraph 2, what is an example of English speakers using different words for the same thing?

• American sign language and Chinese sign language

• American sign language and Black American sign Language

• American sign language and British sign language

• soda and pop

Reread paragraph 1. What language was used at Carolyn McCaskill's new school? Why was this an issue?

Multiple Choice

What happened when McCaskill switched to a new school?

• She couldn't make any friends

• She couldn't understand her teacher

• She couldn't introduce herself to the class

• She couldn't find her classroom

Multiple Choice

What language was used at Carolyn McCaskill's new school?

• American sign language

• Black American sign Language

• British sign language

• Chinese sign language

​Look at paragraph 3. The differences in the languages developed over decades because of segregation. So ASL and BASL developed into two different languages because White an Black students who were deaf and hard of hearing were required to attend different schools.

Multiple Choice

Reread paragraph 4. Which statement is true of how ASL and BASL speakers use signing space?

• ASL use a larger space than BASL.

• ASL uses more two-handed signs than BASL

• ASL speakers use the space from head to waist and shoulder to shoulder

• ASL uses more energetic hand movements

​Look at the first sentence in paragraph 6. Meaningful means full of meaning or important.

What does the author state is meaningful?


Weaving is a way of combining things. Therefore, paragraph 6 wants you to understand that the variation or difference in language is important and has been combined into speaker's lives.

What are BASL speakers doing to preserve BASL?

Multiple Choice

What are BASL speakers doing to preserve BASL?

• They are using it only at home

• They are teaching and presenting it to others

• They are keeping it a secret

• They only use it with other BASL speakers

​Remember, analyzing an argument involves identifying all of the parts of the argument and deciding whether the reasons and evidence support the author's claim. It is your job as readers to decide whether you are convinced.

What was the author's claim in this story?

Multiple Choice

The author's claim is that ______________.

• It is important to only use American Sign Language (ASL).

• It is important to preserve Black American Sign Language (BASL).

• It is important to know the difference between ASL and BASL.

• It is only important to know the language everyone uses.

​Now you will read to learn about another way to communicate without speaking. You will answer questions about the claim the author makes in the text.

Look at paragraph 2. How is AAC a different choice? What does AAC add to or improve?

What example in paragraph 3 helps you understand what unaided AAC is?

​Look at the last sentence in paragraph 8. How does an AAC board give everyone a voice on a playground?

Multiple Choice

Read paragraph 4. Fill in the bubble BEFORE the author's claim.

• So, what are we missing out on if a playground doesn't have an AAC board?

• Children who use AAC may have a hard time joining in.

• And others who want to include them might not be able to communicate the message.

• There could be many missed opportunities for all.

• Because of this, AAC boards should be available at playgrounds, schools and other locations.

Multiple Choice

Which statement is a reason the author gives to support her claim in the text?

• Aided AAC involves equipment to help people communicate

• An AAC board would help many different people - adults and children

• Some people can't use speech, while others have very limited speech.

• Robbins Elementary isn't the only playground with an AAC board.

Multiple Choice

Reread paragraph 3. The root word of gestures means "the way a person controls his or her body". Which of the following is the BEST example of a gesture?

• smiling when something is funny

• yelling when something is surprising

• pointing toward a picture of something

• writing a note to tell somebody something

Multiple Choice

The author says, "At [playgrounds with AAC boards], children are not limited by their ability to speak." Which evidence best supports this reason?

• An AAC board is a large sign covered with pictures.

• Lena Nazzal is a speech-language pathologist in Greenville, North Carolina.

• There are many people who are temporarily non-speaking who use AAC.

• Kids like Carter now have a better way to share wants, needs, and feelings as they play.

Multiple Choice

Which detail should be included in a summary of "Words in Many Ways"?

• Millions of people use AAC to express themselves.

• Many people use AAC without knowing they are doing so.

• Some AAC boards include pictures that mean "maybe" and "tag"

• The children at Robbins Elementary like the new AAC board.

Open Ended

What is the author's claim in "Words in Many Ways"? State two reasons and two pieces of evidence the author gives to support the claim.

​If students finish early, they can reflect on the Respond to the Focus Question!