Mrs. Searing Room 106
Public Speaking/Communication
7th Grade/Room 106
Objective/Course Description: Public speaking is an elective course student’s take as part of the 7th grade wheel. In this class, students will lose their fear of speaking in front of their peers. They will learn how to plan, research, compose, practice, and deliver speeches (approximately once every two to three weeks). We will regularly visit the library and the computer lab so that students may research their speeches. They will learn about the different types of speeches and will deliver each one. It must be remembered that an evaluation of a speech is a somewhat subjective process. Evaluations of the speeches will be given to students to explain why the student received the grade they received.
o Students will deliver up to six speeches focusing on: narrative, summary, research, persuasive, informational material, and biography.
o Students will study various types of media, listen to and watch noteworthy speeches by famous speakers, which students will evaluate.
o Students will take notes during lectures and define vocabulary words. Students will be tested on this material.
o Students will hone not only their public speaking skills but also their listening comprehension skills, on which they will be graded.
o The students will study the process of communication, which will help them become better learners. Students will learn verbal and non-verbal communication.
o Students will analyze various forms of print and broadcast media.
o Students will watch films and listen to audiotapes related to the content of the course. Students will never watch or listen to anything for entertainment purposes, but to learn.
Grading & Homework Policies:
Grades are based on the following:
Speeches 40% Daily Participation & Behavior 10% Tests/Quizzes 20% Homework 30%
o Ample opportunity including extra credit is provided to help students succeed. Students should monitor their own grades and check their progress against records kept by me.
o Speeches are due on the day they are due, as are all assignments. All students will give all speeches. If a student is absent the day of their assigned speech, they will give it the day they return to school. Late assignments not associated with valid absences will be deducted 50%.
o Students who fail to place their name on their papers will receive a 0%=F on that assignment with no notification (since I don’t know who the assignment belonged to). I throw away ALL no name papers. Students may redo the assignment for full credit if it is before the due date/half credit if it is after the due date.
o All assignments must be completed in blue or black ink. Assignments written in other colors/pencil will not be graded and will be thrown away. See no name policy above.
Behavior Expectations:
o Students will refrain from any language or subject matter in their speeches, which is objectionable: profanity, vulgarity, etc. Students should let me know what they are going to do their speech on before they give it in case it is too controversial.
o Students are expected to participate, listen, and sit quietly while others are speaking.
o Behavior that interferes with the learning process will not be tolerated. All regular school rules are in effect. Students should be respectful of their peers' speeches. Inappropriate behavior during a speech will not be tolerated.
o Students may have water in the classroom, however, eating and drinking of other liquids is a violation of school rules. Gum is not allowed on campus.
o Students are encouraged to use the restroom before or after class. Students should remain in their seats at all times. I DO NOT allow students to use the restroom unless it is an emergency.
o Students are to walk on the sidewalk outside the classroom door and not on the grassy/muddy area. Mud tracked through the classroom will not be tolerated. There are consequences for tracking mud in the classroom. Students will at minimum vacuum the mud they track in the classroom.
o All minor behavioral violations will be handled at the teacher’s discretion. If the violation is consistent, a parent and/or administrator (via referral) will be notified. All major behavioral violations (weapons, abuse, drugs, etc…) will be referred to the office and handled through an administrator immediately.
Attendance:
All students must be seated (with learning log or AR book on desk) when the tardy bell rings. The teacher dismissed the class, not the bell. Unexcused tardies will not be tolerated for any reason. Tardies 1-4 will be noted in the LL, a parent may be contacted by phone/email and the student will be counseled/given a detention. On tardy #5 and #6 a parent will be contacted by phone/email, citizenship will drop to an N, and the student will receive a referral. After tardy 7 the citizenship will fall to a U.
v Parents please check and sign the learning log every night per your child’s Prime Time teacher’s guidelines. I will use the learning log and email as my primary form of communication.
v Please check the parent portal regularly for your child’s missing assignments.
Required Materials:
*3 ring folder *Journal *Paper (Spiral-edged papers will not be accepted)
*Blue/black pen *Colored pencils *Highlighters (many colors if possible)
*Red pen *Learning log *Silent reading book (AR)
Service Hours: to be brought to Mrs. Searing’s classroom with receipt. $10 = 1 service hour.
*Tissue *Paper towels *Hole puncher *Scissors/glue/staplers
*Highlighters/ markers *Colored pencils *band aids *first aid kit/disaster kit
*Bottled water *HP Cartridges 56, 27, 57, 28 *Colored sharpies
Please feel free to contact me here at school with questions/concerns throughout the year by leaving a message with the school secretary at (714) 997-6366. The best way to reach me, and for a more prompt response, is through email at jsearing@orangeusd.org. I do not check my school voice mail.
DO NOT DETACH
THIS IS TO BE KEPT AS THE FRONT PAGE IN YOUR SPEECH SECTION OF YOUR BINDER AT ALL TIMES
I have read and understand the above classroom guidelines _______________ _______________
Parent Signature Student Signature
Parent email address________________________________________ Parent Name (please print)______________________
Parents providing email addresses will be emailed regularly with classroom assignments and due dates.
Please make sure the email address is legible and accurate, as I will not be notifying you if it is invalid. Please expect the first classroom update within 4 weeks.
Pacing Guide/Standards The following English Language Arts Standards will apply to all speeches:
LISTENING AND SPEAKING: Organization and Delivery of Oral Communication
1.0 Deliver focused, coherent presentations that convey ideas clearly and relate to the background and interests of the audience.
1.4 Organize information to achieve particular purposes and to appeal to the background and interests of the audience.
1.5 Arrange supporting details, reasons, descriptions, and examples effectively and persuasively in relation to the audience.
1.6 Use speaking techniques, including voice modulation, inflection, tempo, enunciation, and eye contact, for effective presentations.
LISTENING AND SPEAKING: Analysis and Evaluation of Oral and Media Communications
1.0 Students evaluate the content of oral communication.
1.7 Provide constructive feedback to speakers concerning the coherence and logic of a speech’s content and delivery and its overall impact upon the listener.
1.8 Analyze the effect on the viewer of images, text, and sound in electronic journalism; identify the techniques used to achieve the effects in each instance studied.
Possible Speeches ELA Standards Covered
Narrative: Success Lifelines Speaking Applications 2.1 Deliver a narrative presentation. a. Establish a context, standard plot line, and point of view. b. Describe complex major and minor characters and a definite setting. c. Use a range of appropriate strategies, including dialogue, suspense, and naming of specific narrative action. Writing Strategies 1.2 Support all statements with anecdotes, descriptions, facts, statistics, and specific examples.
Summary: AR Speaking Applications 2.2 Deliver a summary of a book. a. Include the main ideas of the event or article and most significant details. b. Use the student’s own words, except for material quoted from sources. c. Convey a comprehensive understanding of sources, not just superficial details.
Research: Theme Song Speaking Applications 2.3 Deliver a research presentation. a. Pose relevant and concise questions about the topic. b. Convey clear and accurate perspectives on the subject. c. Include evidence generated through the formal research process. d. Cite reference sources appropriately Literary response and Analysis 3.4 Identify and analyze theme.
Persuasive: Power Point Speaking Applications 2.4 Deliver a persuasive presentation a. State a clear position or perspective in support of an argument or proposal. b. Describe the points in support of the argument or proposal. Listening and Speaking 1.1 Ask probing questions to elicit information, including evidence to support the speaker’s claims and conclusions. Listening and Speaking 1.2 Determine the speaker’s attitude toward the subject. Listening and Speaking 1.3 Respond to persuasive messages with questions, challenges, or affirmations.
Reading Comprehension/Informational Material: Demonstration or “How To” Informational Material 2.5 Understand and explain the use of simple mechanical devices by following technical directions.
Interview/Biography: Everything you ever wanted to know about your classmate Speaking Applications 2.3 Deliver a research presentation. a. Pose relevant and concise questions about the topic. b. Convey clear and accurate perspectives on the subject. c. Include evidence generated via interview.
Informative: Extra Credit –or- MA Speeches: Speaking Applications 2.0
Speeches Viewed on Video Reading Comprehension 2.4 Identify and trace the development of an author’s argument, point of view, or perspective in text. Reading Comprehension 2.6 Assess the adequacy, accuracy, and appropriateness of the author’s evidence to support claims and assertions, noting instances of bias and stereotyping.