Oral Communications Sept. 29 - Oct. 3

I learned so many varied and interesting things about my students last week. One girl was attacked by a bear and has a scar to prove it; one young lady is into boxing, while another girl can break boards. One student has lost eighty pounds and might be on Oprah; one young man already has a working knowledge of several skills: plumbing, auto repair, and even some electrical; and another young man is a budding executive with his own lawn mowing business. Some have enviable talents such as playing the piano, an instrument, tennis, golf, swimming, dancing or drawing. Several have had to overcome adversities to get to where they are today. Others were just simply entertaining, and or informative.
This week we will complete our speeches by at least Wednesday. Students will turn in their listening notes on the speakers for credit. We should finally be able to get to our listening survey and a couple of listening exercises. When all of the speeches are completed, I will print out present grades to take home. The speeches have really helped most students' grades which I am always happy to see because the course is set up with the greatest weight being placed on oral presentations--skipping a speaking assignment can be devastating to a student's average.
Remember to speak up, speak out, and speak the truth.

Oral Communications - Sept. 22 - 26

I'm getting excited about listening to your collage presentations starting on Tuesday, the 23rd. You can bring your collages in that morning before class. Please have your name and period on the back of your poster in bold markings. 3rd and 4th hr. classes--if no one is in Room 1194, bring your posters to 602, (by band and choir entrance). With a possible score of 125 pts., this is a good opportunity for you to either maintain a good grade or bring up a less than desireable grade.
Please don't forget:
DETAILS! DETAILS! DETAILS! Pleae don't say things like, "I put a flower on my collage because I like flowers." Instead, you could say, "I have included several photos of flowers because flowers show nature at her best. I love them because they bring out the best in my mood and outlook on life. We can all experience their beauty, color and fragrance. This particular picture was taken by me on Wye Mountain last year when the thousands of daffodils washed the area in an array of golden yellow. Looking at this scene, it is easy to understand what inspired Wordsworth to write these lines: 'I wondered lonely as a cloud that floats on high over vales and rills, when all at once I saw a crowd, a host of golden daffodils.' Flowers! What is not to like."

Oral Communications - Sept. 15 - 19

Congratulations, students. Most of you did really well on the test on Chapters 1 & 2. All of the test grades are now in Pinnacle. If you did not do well on the test, you have an opportunity to bring your grade up with your Collage Speech that we will begin on September 23 (Tuesday), which will be worth 125 points. September 23 will be volunteer day. Anyone who volunteers (I'll bet we will have more than one day of volunteers because so many of you will volunteer) will receive 5 bonus points. In addition, you can receive another 5 points if you practice your speech in front of a parent or guardian and bring me a signed note that confirms that practice. Remember, speeches under 3 minutes long will lose points, so remember to time your practice for at least a minute longer and make certain that you include many interesting details. Practice enthusiasm, eye contact, VOLUME, and gestures--there is nothing better for nervousness than practice.
NOTE: On the back of your assignment handout is a copy of the critique that I will be using when I grade your speech: 100 points for delivery--25 points for your collage or whatever you choose to bring to illustrate your speech about you and your interests.
I will be out Monday and Tuesday (a hospitalized relative), but the week will be spent on listening (just now getting to that) and organizational skills for speaking.
How do you get to Carnegie Hall? PRACTICE! PRACTICE! PRACTICE! Good luck, Mr. Speaker!

Oral Communications- Sept. 8 - 12

Test this week on Chapters 1 & 2 (Wednesday or Thursday). Chapter 4 and listening will be covered this week and will not be on this week's test. Review your notes, handouts and worksheets--they are your study guides for this test; if after double checking the test I come across any information that you do not have in those sheets, I will supply it to you. (PARENTS, YOUR CHILD MAY CHECK OUT A SPEECH TEXT FROM THE LIBRARY AT ANY TIME AND KEEP THEIR BOOK AT HOME FOR REFERENCE).
I hope to make your collage speaking assignment this week which will make your collage speech due the following week. At least one very enthusiastic young lady has completed her collage, but has remembered additional information that she is going to include on the back of her poster. I am looking forward to hearing her presentation and seeing her collage. The collages are usually done with so much pride and expertise that they are truly a treat for both me and the students to enjoy.