High School Grade
Project
4 weeks
Speech Craft: Polishing Words for Impactful Delivery!
8L3
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Purpose
This project aims to enhance students' understanding and application of grammar in spoken language by engaging them in a series of interactive and reflective activities. Through creating and delivering mini-lessons to younger students, analyzing famous speeches, and revising their own speeches, students will develop their ability to use language conventions effectively. The project culminates in public presentations that showcase their growth in grammar usage and speech delivery, fostering communication skills that are crucial for real-world interactions.
Learning goals
Students will develop the ability to identify and correct grammatical errors in their own and others' speeches, enhancing clarity and impact. They will gain proficiency in constructing complex sentences and understanding the role of grammar in effective communication. Through creating and presenting mini-lessons, students will refine their public speaking skills and engage younger audiences in meaningful learning experiences. By analyzing famous speeches, students will deepen their comprehension of how grammar shapes persuasive and impactful speech delivery.
Standards
- 8L3 - Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
Products
Throughout this project, students will create and refine personal speeches, culminating in a polished recorded version. They will also develop and deliver mini-lessons on grammar topics to younger students, enhancing their teaching and presentation skills. Additionally, students will produce a podcast series featuring their speeches and reflections on the editing process, inviting audience engagement. The project will conclude with a live 'Speech Slam' event, showcasing their edited speeches and receiving feedback from a panel of judges.
Launch
Begin the project with a "Speech Analysis Day," where students listen to and watch famous speeches, such as Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" or Malala Yousafzai's UN speech. In small groups, students discuss the impact of grammar on the effectiveness of these speeches, identifying key grammatical elements that enhance clarity and engagement. This activity sets the stage for understanding the power of grammar in speech and inspires students to think critically about their own speech projects.
Exhibition
Host a 'Speech Showcase Night' where students present their final recorded speeches to an audience of peers, teachers, and family members, followed by a Q&A session to discuss their learning journey. Arrange a 'Speech Slam' event where students perform their edited speeches live, with a panel of judges providing feedback on grammar and delivery, and awarding recognition for outstanding presentations. Develop a 'Speech and Grammar Podcast' series where students record and publish their speeches, including reflections on their editing process, and invite listeners to comment on the effectiveness of their grammar use.
Plan
| Week 1 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Activity 1: Speech Analysis Day - Students will listen to and watch famous speeches, such as Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' or Malala Yousafzai's UN speech. In small groups, students will discuss the impact of grammar on the effectiveness of these speeches, identifying key grammatical elements that enhance clarity and engagement.
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Activity 2: Grammar Workshop - Interactive workshop focused on identifying and correcting subject-verb agreement errors. Students will practice editing sentences from the speeches analyzed to better understand the impact of correct grammar.
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Activity 3: Personal Speech Drafting - Students begin drafting a personal speech focusing on clarity and subject-verb agreement. They will brainstorm topics and outline their speeches, paying attention to the inclusion of varied sentence structures.
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| Deliverables |
1. Deliverable 1: Speech Analysis Reflection - Each student will submit a written reflection on the grammatical elements identified in the famous speeches and their thoughts on how these elements contribute to the speeches' impact.
2. Deliverable 2: Personal Speech Outline - A detailed outline of their personal speech, highlighting key points, intended grammatical structures, and topic focus. |
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| Preparation |
1. Prep Task 1: Curate a selection of famous speeches with diverse grammatical structures for analysis, ensuring access to both audio and transcripts.
2. Prep Task 2: Prepare materials for the grammar workshop, including examples of subject-verb agreement errors and exercises for correction. 3. Prep Task 3: Develop a brainstorming guide to help students choose speech topics that are meaningful and conducive to exploring grammar. |
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| Week 2 | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Activity 1: Peer Review Session - Students conduct peer reviews of each other's personal speech drafts, focusing on identifying grammatical errors and opportunities for improvement. They will provide constructive feedback on the use of subject-verb agreement and sentence structures, offering suggestions for enhancing clarity and impact.
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Activity 2: Speech Editing Workshop - Students revise their speeches based on peer feedback, incorporating corrections and improvements. This workshop will include mini-lessons on avoiding run-on sentences and using compound and complex sentences effectively. Students will practice rewriting problematic sections and refining their delivery.
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Activity 3: Mini-Lesson Planning - In groups, students begin developing a mini-lesson on a specific grammar topic, such as subject-verb agreement or sentence structure, aimed at teaching younger students. They will outline their lesson plans, including interactive activities and examples to engage their audience.
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| Deliverables |
1. Deliverable 1: Peer Review Feedback - Each student submits a summary of the feedback received from peers, along with a reflection on how they plan to address the suggestions in their speech revisions.
2. Deliverable 2: Revised Speech Draft - A revised version of the personal speech, incorporating peer feedback and demonstrating improved grammatical accuracy and sentence variety. 3. Deliverable 3: Mini-Lesson Outline - A detailed outline of the group's mini-lesson plan for teaching younger students, including objectives, key points, and proposed interactive activities. |
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| Preparation |
1. Prep Task 1: Create peer review guidelines and rubrics to ensure focused and constructive feedback during the peer review session.
2. Prep Task 2: Develop materials for the speech editing workshop, including examples of common grammatical errors and strategies for sentence revision. 3. Prep Task 3: Provide resources and templates for mini-lesson planning, offering guidance on how to effectively teach grammar topics to younger audiences. |
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| Week 3 | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Activity 1: Mini-Lesson Rehearsal - Students will rehearse their mini-lessons in their groups, focusing on clear delivery and engagement techniques. They will practice teaching each other, providing feedback on clarity, engagement, and the effective use of grammar.
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Activity 2: Speech Recording and Editing - Students will record their personal speeches, applying their revised scripts. They will use audio-editing software to refine their recordings, focusing on enhancing clarity and correcting any remaining grammatical errors.
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| Deliverables |
1. Deliverable 1: Recording of Personal Speech - A polished audio recording of each student's personal speech, demonstrating clear delivery and corrected grammar.
2. Deliverable 2: Mini-Lesson Presentation Feedback - A written reflection from each student on the feedback received from their group during the mini-lesson rehearsals, noting areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. |
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| Preparation |
1. Prep Task 1: Arrange access to audio recording and editing tools, ensuring students have the necessary software and equipment to record and edit their speeches.
2. Prep Task 2: Develop a checklist for effective speech recording, including tips on voice modulation, pacing, and clarity to guide students during their recording process. 3. Prep Task 3: Prepare a rubric for evaluating mini-lesson presentations, focusing on clarity of content, engagement strategies, and the correct use of grammar, to facilitate peer feedback during rehearsals. |
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| Week 4 | Day 1 | Day 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Activities |
Activity 1: Mini-Lesson Delivery - Students will visit a nearby elementary school to deliver their prepared mini-lessons on grammar topics. They will engage younger students through interactive activities and gather feedback on the clarity and engagement of their presentations.
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Activity 2: Speech Showcase Preparation - Students will make final preparations for the 'Speech Showcase Night' event. They will rehearse their speeches, focusing on delivery and audience engagement, and prepare to present their editing process and reflections during the Q&A session.
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| Deliverables |
1. Deliverable 1: Mini-Lesson Delivery Reflection - Each student submits a reflection on their mini-lesson delivery experience, noting the feedback received from younger students and any adjustments made during the presentation.
2. Deliverable 2: Final Recorded Speech - A completed and polished version of each student's personal speech, to be showcased at the 'Speech Showcase Night'. |
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| Preparation |
1. Prep Task 1: Coordinate with the elementary school to schedule mini-lesson sessions and ensure logistical arrangements for student visits.
2. Prep Task 2: Set up the venue for the 'Speech Showcase Night', including audio-visual equipment, seating arrangements, and a schedule for student presentations. 3. Prep Task 3: Prepare a feedback form for audience members at the 'Speech Showcase Night' to provide constructive comments on students' speech delivery and grammar use. |
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