LC21
Supporting 21st Century Classrooms in La Canada
We’ve all been there---day 3 of student presentations and everyone is getting a little antsy. You and I know that students need to present their learning--but are 5-minutes speeches the only way to go? And can we get past dozens of bullet points per slide?
This month’s newsletter will focus on some alternative ways to build student communication skills and address speaking and listening standards. If you're like me, you want your students to present not just the content, but also to learn how to present in a clear, logical, and interesting way. In my previous life, I taught public speaking classes to nervous middle schoolers, so these ideas come field-tested.
These ideas can be adapted for any subject, and some are decidedly low-tech, but they’re broad enough for easy inclusion into your lesson. Building skills such as being ready to give an answer when called upon, speaking intelligently without much preparation, being succinct, or speaking with inflection, are soft skills that will benefit all students, in any career. And spending a bit of time to teach students how to design effective slide presentations or use Flipgrid can really spice up a lesson. As always, please contact David if you'd like a hand developing lessons or projects!
According to most studies, people's number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you're better off in the casket than doing the eulogy. -Jerry Seinfeld
Getting Started: Teaching Presentation Skills
Let’s start by talking about the first steps. Students need direct instruction about how to present to the class. Yes, teachers model instruction every day, but students probably aren’t evaluating, much less even noticing our delivery. If you want students to deliver engaging and effective presentations, it’s best to show them exactly what their finished product should look like. Why not watch a few speeches or presentations on Youtube to demonstrate good speaking?
Also, give time for students not just to prepare a class presentation, but to also practice the delivery. I learned that an accomplished speaker will practice for 30 hours for a 1 hour presentation. That equals 5 hours for a 10 minute presentation, or 1 hour for a 2 minute presentation. It may seem like a lot, but think about how long it takes to take content and really know it enough to teach it to others--and deliver it in a meaningful way.
ISTE Standard #6: Creative Communicator
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) lays out how tech can be used in high-quality instruction. Here's what they have to say about communication skills:
Students communicate clearly and express themselves creatively for a variety of purposes using the platforms, tools, styles, formats and digital media appropriate to their goals.
- 6a: Students choose the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication.
- 6b: Students create original works or responsibly repurpose or remix digital resources into new creations.
- 6c: Students communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively by creating or using a variety of digital objects such as visualizations, models or simulations.
- 6d: Students publish or present content that customizes the message and medium for their intended audiences.
Alternatives to Formal Presentations
- Shoot a Vlog, use Flipgrid, or produce a video (see Video Ideas, below)
- Have students present in small groups, with peer evaluation
- With instruction, students can practice their communication skills as they collaborate. Give them some guidelines, the move around the room and assess their informal communication.
- Ask students to design an infographic and describe it to the class
- Sing a song? Maybe for the right kid. I'd never have the nerve.
- Present something other than a slideshow: map, storyboard, website, etc
Or...
Try out an Ignite Talk: 20 pre-timed slides that advance after 15 seconds. Students have only 5 minutes to present an idea, and that time seems to go really fast. Plus, with the added stress of focusing on timing, they have extra motivation to edit and practice!
Theodore Roosevelt was asked how long it took him to prepare one of his speeches. He replied it depended on the length of the speech required: for a half-an-hour speech, two to three days, for five minutes, a week and if he had to speak for two hours then he could begin immediately.
Think on Your Feet with Tabletopics
Sample questions from this site:
- What can you do today that you were not capable of a year ago?
- Do you think crying is a sign of weakness or strength?
- What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
- What is important enough to go to war over?
- Which is worse, failing or never trying?
Here are some guidelines for students:
- Be brief. Your comments should last 30 seconds or less.
- Answer the question. Be sure your comment is about the subject being discussed.
- Volunteer. It’s your chance to add something to class. Don’t wait until you are called upon.
- Be familiar with topics of current interest. Know what is happening in world events, and you will be better prepared to give a thorough answer.
- Avoid sarcasm. Make positive and helpful comments.
- Listen. Be courteous when others are speaking, you may learn something.
There are some premade questions available to purchase, for kids and teens (and more!)
Table Topics Kids (What would be a really good flavor for toothpaste? What makes you feel better when you're sick?)
TableTopics Teen (Who’s the funniest person you know? What five foods do you wish were banished from the earth? If you could shop for free at one store which would you choose?)
TableTopics Family (Why do kids laugh more than adults? What activity is so much fun it doesn’t feel like exercise? Which food would you like to have a permanent pass from eating?)
Master Any Impromptu Speaking with These Tips
Speak confidently. Don’t apologize if you don’t know the topic well. Be sure to speak for the full time, making your point clear and logical. Choose from one of the following five patterns of delivery.
Past, Present, Future. This will give you an immediate beginning point and logical flow.
Analogy. Use a separate example to explain an idea about your topic.
Point, Reason, Proof. State the point and show reasons why it is true. Go on to add proof to each reason you give and summarize these points in the conclusion.
Problem, Cause, Solution. Ask a question, “Why this?” Describe the problem and explain why it is a problem. Conclude with a solution.
Advantages, Disadvantages. Explain how the topic is good or beneficial, and how it may be bad or harmful.
Learn a Topic Inside and Out by Giving Detailed Instructions
Many of us have seen, or even given, given a how-to speech in class. But often times, the speaker makes assumptions about what the audience already knows. As I’ve learned, that often gets the speaker in trouble, because the audience misses a step or two…or seven! I would have my students separated by a curtain, and not be able to give visual or verbal cues.
Your students' tasks for this speech may seem simple, but to be successful, they must be very detail-oriented. They should follow each of these steps:
Choose to give instructions for a task that not everyone knows how to do. This must be a task that someone can do in our classroom. (That way, they won’t move ahead of you.)
Write out each step of the process about which you are instructing. Then, go in and add clarifying details between each step.
Include “signposts” along the way: first, next, once you get that done, finally, etc.
Practice at home with a family member to ensure that you have not forgotten any steps.
Bring all materials to class.
Delivery:
Students will not be demonstrating their own materials for this speech. Instead, a person from the audience will use the materials and will complete the task based on the speaker's instructions. Success on this assignment will be based on how clear the instructions were for the classmate to follow.
Examples may include: how to set up a computer, how to write a sentence in Chinese, how to fold a paper crane, how to play the trombone, how to tie a complex knot. Students should choose something they know well!
Your instructions will be evaluated by the classmate who followed your instructions.
Tech Option: Students Create a Video Tutorial for Class Content
Many attempts to communicate are nullified by saying too much. -Robert Greenleaf
Let Go of Nerves with a Dramatic Reading
For this speech, students can rely on someone else’s writing skills for their speech’s content. The challenge, however, is to read a poem, song lyrics, a short passage from a story, or a children’s book to the audience with such power, such conviction, and with such raw energy that the audience will want to stand up and cheer!
Introduce it like this: This speech is a challenge for all speakers: it challenges us to let go of our self-consciousness. Don’t worry: everyone is going to look funny—that’s the goal of this speech. When we show our more outrageous side to the class, we can draw closer. We’re all in this together, and it will help us to become more comfortable speaking in front of others.
So, with that in mind:
- Choose a piece of writing mentioned above (make it something that you’ve read before, so you know what you’re talking about).
- Practice reading the piece in front of the mirror at home, making sure you use hand gestures, inflection, and eye contact.
- When you come to class, walk in and make eye contact with everyone in the room. That will help to break the ice.
- As you walk up to speak, stand up straight and tall and walk confidently to the lectern. Smile, and begin, leaving your nerves back at your seat.
Have fun!
With 1,000 words you can have: The Lord's Prayer, the twenty-third psalm, The Hippocratic oath, A sonnet by Shakespeare, The Preamble to the Constitution, Lincoln's Gettysburg address, and still have enough left over for just about all of the Boy Scout's Oath.
Video Ideas for Any Class
Public Service Announcement
A PSA is like a commercial, but instead of selling a product or a service, you are “selling” a good idea. PSAs have a message, for example: Don’t Cheat, Wash Your PE Clothes, Be Alert as You Cross the Street, or Arrive On Time. As you plan your PSA, think about the needs of your audience.
- Who is your audience?
- What is the problem that your video will address?
- What is the solution?
- Create a memorable phrase that will stick in people’s minds.
Commercial
Students publicize an event, a product, or a service, or try to "sell" a concept in class. Examples may include: peer tutoring, the dance, the student store, a band concert--or the Pythagorean Theorem, Manifest Destiny, prepositions, or the Egyptian Pyramids.
Students should employ one of many popular persuasive techniques that are used in advertising.
- Bandwagon: “Everyone is doing it”
- Repetition: Product name repeated at least 3 or 4 times
- Emotional Appeal: Makes you feel strongly about something.
- Slice of Life: Ordinary people selling products.
- Celebrity Endorsement: Famous people selling products.
- Just the Facts: No fluff, just information.
- Problem/ Solution: Problem is solved by using product.
- Man on the Street: “Stranger” tries product and likes it!
- Perceived Value: Get more for your money
- Comparison: Brand X is better than Brand Y
News Report
Every news report follows the same basic format, and must include the following components:
- Standup (intro)
- Interview with an expert or an eyewitness
- B-roll (supporting video, if applicable)
- Voiceover
- Graphics
- Standup (outro)
To prepare, students should include the “5 Ws” in order to inform their audience. Students may know the answers to many of these questions now—but they still must include this information for those in the audience who may be unaware of the details.
- Topic:
- WHO does it affect?
- WHAT is happening?
- WHEN did/will it occur?
- WHERE did/will it occur?
- WHY did/will it happen?
- HOW--Sample Questions: How are people reacting? How will it be resolved? How did they raise the money? How will it affect us?
I have made this letter longer than usual, only because I have not had the time to make it shorter. - Blaise Pascal
A Note About Evaluation
First, teach students what a good evaluation will look like. It might be a good idea to give them a score for their effort in evaluating. (It address listening standards!) Provide students with a model or rubric to use when evaluating their peers.
A few options:
- One student could stand up in class and evaluate their peer, based on your criteria.
- All students could complete a short evaluation form, which would be shared with the student. Check out my demo here.