Facial expressions can tell us a lot about how a person is feeling. It is said that there are some universal facial expressions–expressions that are the same in every culture. Look at these images. Can you tell how the person is feeling?
Talk about it
Which expression is showing
- sadness
- fear
- anger
- happiness
- surprise
- disgust
- (neutral)
What other emotions can you see?
Drag and drop the names of the emotions below to the expression. (Some of the expressions will not be used.)
Now you try it!
Work with a partner. One of you will be Student One and the other will be Student Two.
First, Student One will look at a card and read it to yourself and think about what emotion it is describing. Don’t speak. Show your partner the emotion using only your facial expression. Can your partner guess the emotion correctly?
Student 1: (reads) A person that you love very much tells you very good news! [Show a joyful/happy expression.]
Student 2: You must be so happy?
Student 1: That's right!
Student 2: (reads)...
Now click on the Student One or Student Two tab above to begin.
Student 2: [Notice your partner's expression. Guess the emotion.] You must be so _____?
Student 1: That's right!/That's not it. [If it's wrong, do the expression again.]
Student 2: Now it's my turn.
You miss your friends and family at home and it’s always rainy and cold where you are.
(sad)
You’re walking down the hall and see a person that you haven’t seen in years. She lives in a city far away. You didn’t expect to see her.
(surprised)
You have decided to go skydiving. ? Now you have to jump out of a plane!
(afraid)
A person you know but don’t like has come to your house and stolen your car and crashed it.
(angry)
You open the cupboard at work and a thousand cockroaches come spilling out. ???
(disgusted)
You applied for a new job that you really, really want. The manager has called to say that you got the job!
(happy)
Student 2: [Notice your partner's expression. Guess the emotion.] You must be so _____?
Student 1: That's right!/That's not it. [If it's wrong, do the expression again.]
Student 2: Now it's my turn.
Your sister calls you to tell you that your favorite nephew is going to get married to the person he loves.
(happy)
You saw someone spit in a glass of water just a moment ago. Now you have to drink the water.
(disgusted)
You are watching a really, really scary movie!
(afraid)
You see someone hitting a sweet little puppy. ?
(angry)
You just heard that your grandma is very sick and may die…
(sad)
You are sitting peacefully and suddenly a friend jumps out and says in a loud voice, HEY!
(surprised)
When you're finished, talk about it. What was easy? What was hard?
Next, open the Exercise below, read the situations, and choose the correct emotion.