Public Speaking
Meant for students with varying levels of experience in public speaking, the program teaches students the basic knowledge and skills necessary to compose and deliver speeches from start to finish. Specific topics that will be explicitly taught include: paraphrasing, identifying evidence, recounting an experience, audience adaptation, speech writing and speech delivery. By the completion of the series, students will be comfortable when engaging an audience of peers and adults, will understand the importance of strong public speaking skills and will be capable of writing and presenting speeches of various formats and styles.
The Speech Program includes three semester-long courses designed to provide students with initial exposure to public speaking and active listening skills. Courses include:
Conversation Skills (Age 4-5)
Course Description: This course helps children develop and improve structured expression, self-confidence, and fluency. Students will receive instruction on the following topics:
- Self-introduction, eye contact, and sitting posture
- Best behavior practice: what to do and to say in different scenarios
- consistently using complete sentences
- Expressing ideas clearly, with appropriate structure
- Improving pronunciation, tone, and delivery
- Speaking in unfamiliar surroundings
- Logic and critical thinking
Storytelling (G1-2, G3-5)
Course Description: This public speaking course will focus on the production and presentation of stories, both fiction and nonfiction. During the 15 weeks, students will be taught the structures, strategies, and skills necessary to plan and present their own stories. This course will ensure that students are able to communicate logically, with vivid & detailed language, and for a particular purpose.
Persuasive Speech (G1-2, G3-5)
Course Description: This public speaking course will focus on the production and presentation of persuasive speeches. Over the 15 weeks, students will be taught the structures, strategies, and skills associated with planning and presenting their own points of view on a given topic. This will ensure that students learn how to communicate with others, speak clearly, present themselves well and articulate their ideas.
Students will have the opportunity to participate in the National Forensics Online Championship using the speech and techniques developed in the course.
