“ON THE SPOT”

Public Speaking/Discussion Drama Minilesson

Kathy Jhugdeo

Purpose

The goal of this mini lesson is to help students become more comfortable with public speaking through a fun activity. Students will gain experience speaking to the class about a topic by participating in a discussion drama. This activity allows students to understand some important aspects of public speaking such as: body movement, eye contact, subject area knowledge, and confidence when speaking to a listening audience. This activity will serve as an “ice breaker” to our upcoming class debate project.

Objectives

NCSCS: 8^th grade

Competency Goal 1: The learner will use language to express individual perspectives through analysis of personal, social, cultural, and historical issues.

1.03 Interact in group activities and/or seminars in which the student:

· Clarifies, illustrates, or expands on a response when asked to do so, and asks classmates for similar expansion

NCTE/IRA: 8^th grade

Standard 12: Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and the exchange of information)

Time Required: 40 minutes

Activity introduction: 5 minutes

Activity 25 minutes: 25 students, l minute per student

Follow-up: Feedback/Listing Activity 10 minutes

Materials needed:

Small strips of paper- only about and inch or two

Stopwatch

Important Note: This mini lesson will be taught the day after students have experienced reading children’s books out loud in small groups, (Ex: Dr. Seuss books) It will then be followed by a class debate project where students choose topics of debate and present them to the class in the form of 1 or 2 person speeches.

Script:

Good morning students. Today we are going to talk about Public Speaking. First of all, let me ask how many of you are comfortable with speaking in public or speaking in front of the class? Tell me what makes you comfortable or uncomfortable about public speaking. (Give students time to respond.) (Look for responses such as: public speaking makes me nervous, I’m afraid I will make a mistake, etc.)

Activity Introduction: Well today, we are all going to participate in activity called ON THE SPOT. This activity will help us to understand the importance of public speaking and it will help us be prepared for our upcoming class debates. Each of you will first write down a topic a strip of paper. The topics should be something you know about. In just a few minutes we will be exchanging topics. (Pause and allow students to write down topics on the strips of paper. Each student receives one strip of paper.) We will then put all the strips together and then we will each pick a topic. This is where we are all put “ON THE SPOT.” Each student will then go the front of the class and do their best to speak to the class about their topic. You may simply state your knowledge of the topic, or if it is a debatable topic you can state your beliefs about it. Just remember this activity requires you to think on your feet. You have 1 minute to state your topic and explain it to the best of your ability. (Time students with the stopwatch and stop them at the 1 minute limit) Keep in mind the purpose of the activity, for us to gain greater knowledge about the necessities and preparations for public speaking.

Activity: (Students will now participate in the volunteer and improvisation Discussion Dramas.)

Follow-Up: (After to Discussion Dramas, lead students in the listing activity.) Students, now that we have completed Discussion Dramas are complete; we will now have a short class discussion where we will answer the question, “What are some important things to remember when speaking to an audience? Remember to think about your audience that will be listening to your debates. (Some possible responses will include the importance of body movement, eye content, subject area knowledge, and confidence when speaking to a listening audience.) (List student responses on board, after responses are given, go back through list and place a “p” for positive and “n” for negative beside the responses. Some responses may have one letter or both letters.) Through this activity, I hoped that you have also learned how much our verbal and non- verbal expressions affect the effectiveness of public speaking. I hope that you have enjoyed “ON THE SPOT” as a fun way of introducing public speaking. Please remember what you have learned today and keep these things in mind when you are working on your debates.

References: Wilhelm, Jeffrey. Action Strategies for Deepening Comprehension. 2002 Chapter 9.