by Lynn Thurber

Grade Level: 6-8	Content Area: Language Arts
Duration: Two 80 minute blocks or four 40 minute periods & extra time as needed for student presentation of speeches

Other Optional Materials

• Note cards for those who chose to use this method
• Access for PowerPoint presentations
• Poster board, chart paper and markers for visuals

• Student will present an expository or process speech
• Student will choose a topic, set purpose, and consider audience.
• Student will create electronic notes or note cards, use visual aids, speak loudly and slowly, pause for questions when giving a speech.
• Student will be an effective listener.

Procedures

1. Beam ThoughtManager, Sketchy and PiCoMap to each studentpreviously and teach application previous to this lesson. It is assumed that students have memo pad or some other beamable document capability.
2. Have students select a topic that interests them. I should be something that they know or understand that the rest of the class does not, but is narrow enough to present in the three to five minute time frame. This should express their purpose.
3. Students construct a PiCoMap of their original ideas and share by beaming to at least 2 classmates for feedback/
4. Students consider how to involve and interest their audience, pondering the following ideas:
   1. What do classmates already know, and what background do they need?
   2. What arrangement of ideas will be easy for the audience to follow?
      1. Expository speech patterns are cause and effect, compare and contrast, and problem solution
      2. Process speeches patterns are wither chronological or spatial
   3. How can the student relate the topic to the other students’ lives?
5. Students will use the frame, “I want my audience to know or understand that…” and word-process this into either a PiCoMap graphic or ThoughtsManager outline.
6. Students search the Web, the information center and may even interview to gather the information that they need.
7. If possible students should include visual aids that are readable or beam a memo handout to class.
8. Students use a number card, ThoughtManager outline, or a timed Sketchy with each main point for step. This way they will not read their speech, but instead allow them to establish eye contact with their audience.
9. Encourage student to speak more loudly and slowly than they normally do. This will make it easier for their audience to comprehend and take in the information. Other students listen to each speech and take notes on handhelds or paper. They will listen for the main ideas and supporting details. Students then summarize and compare their summaries with those of one other classmate and store each speech as a separate document or memo. After all speeches are finished, students will beam favorite speech note to teacher for assessment of listening.