Middle School – Speaking – Teaching English Language Arts

Spring into Speeches and Meet CCSS in Content Areas

March 7, 2014February 25, 2014 by admin

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Speeches meet CCSS By Spring of the school year, your students likely are comfortable enough with you and their classmates to give oral presentations with more confidence and competence than they could in the opening semester. Now is a good time to assign a formal informative or persuasive speech that…

TED Talks for Speech Classes

October 14, 2013October 27, 2013 by admin

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TED Talks for Speech Classes Check out this thread of conversations on the English Companion Ning about video to incorporate into instruction about public speaking. "Video Recommendations for Teaching Speech" Note particularly these recommended by Amy Cody Videos- The Myth of Violence- http://www.ted.com/talks/steven_pinker_on_the_myth_of_violence.html (look at speaker presentation, visual aids, use of…

Code Switching and Blending

September 29, 2013October 27, 2013 by admin

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Which English? Switch or Blend? Students sometimes ask why English Language Arts teachers spend so much time on grammar. Here are a few prompts to lay the ground work for such instruction. Once students understand why it may be to their advantage to be able to switch to Standard English,…

Why Teach Media Reading?

April 25, 2013April 26, 2013 by admin

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We sometimes wonder if taking the time to teach students to read the media is worth valuable classroom instructional time. Check out this video, then look at some of the lessons on this site tagged "media arts". If you have time, view the slides on Viewing to add to your…

Outline for Student Congress – Parliamentary Debate

November 8, 2011December 19, 2011 by admin

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Many countries around the world conduct civil discussions in their legistlative bodies using Parliamentary Procedure. This also is true about business, social, and religious organizations. Students who understand the basics of parliamentary procedure often find themselves moving up into leadership positions in the schools, churches, and social groups. As important…

Student Congress Bill Instructions

November 8, 2011December 16, 2011 by admin

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Learning to listen critically and to respond responsibly to controversial issues are skills especially useful in a democratic socieity. Student Congress provides a venue for students to practice both these skills. This handout with Student Congress Bill Instructions is one you can adopt or adapt for use with your students. …