Feb 26 and Feb 27

Yesterday, we finished the speeches, which were AWESOME. Everyone did really well for the first official speech (I think it is because of the fantastic speech teacher!) Today, everyone did a self-evaluation based on the speech rubric. You all reflected on what went well and what you need to work on. We discussed this as a class to determine the direction of our practices for next speech...which is the Rotary Speech Contest. We talked today about the possible topics for this. Remember that the focus should be the SOLUTION and how it relates to the four tests. You can access the web site for this contest on your homepage. Monday's assignment is to come to class with your topic written out on paper (just your idea or ideas). We finished class today by witnessing Mario's recitations for his POL in two weeks. He ROCKS! Finally, here a "re-do" of the communication model lesson, since I seemed to have lost the first one! Have fun watching and listening!

Feb 25

We witnessed some awesome speeches...and will witness more tomorrow!

Feb 24

After doing a bell ringer that asked about different gestures and the messages they send, we looked at the chapter on nonverbal communication. We then practiced our speeches, which begin TOMORROW! Don't forget to think about eye contact and posture.

Feb 20

Students completed the note cards of the hobby speeches. They also added three gestures to the note cards and began practicing. After a short time, the students watched the POL competition on V-Brick while Mrs. Stallman slowly began losing a battle with a PDF file, which led to her minor emotional breakdown. After some INTRAPERSONAL communication, however, she was able to regain control and will be back to her normal self on Tuesday ;-)

Have a nice weekend.

P.S. Speeches start Wednesday...but come prepared to practice HARD-CORE on Tuesday!

Feb 19

Sub - Students worked to complete the manuscript and note cards for the hobby speeches.

Feb 13

Today, we started with a bell ringer about communication on Valentine's Day. That led to the discussion of teens' ridiculous "communication levels" of dating. Anyways, we then read the blogs and talked about words that are difficult and fun to articulate. Finally, we read the section on impromptu delivery. Students took turns giving a one-minute impromptu speech on Valentine's Day topics. Have a nice weekend!

Feb 12

Students speaking silly sounds sounded super silly. Today, we practiced tongue twisters and talked about the beginning of Chapter Five, which discusses voice and articulation. We blew on rubber bands and spend time practicing various sounds. What fun! Speech class rocks...but not according to Dorian, who no longer likes it. Wait, I have to be sad. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Okay...I'm done. Hee, hee. Just kidding. Dorian is the King of Articulation! And I am so proud to announce that our class produced such FINE representatives at the POL last night...AND the WINNER AND RUNNER-UP. Congratulations Mario and Kyle. Let's support them by traveling to Columbus! Whoo-hoo! Don't forget to blog!!!

Feb 11

After listing to our contestants in the AUD., we came back to class to demonstrate how awesome we are...by taking the test for Unit One. Don't forget that the POL bonus paper is due Friday. Catch you later taters...

Feb 10

We started with our skits today...well, after Kevin's heartbreaking story. For the skits, we analyzed the situation (sender, receiver, etc). Then, we finished the end of Chapter Four, which was about improving our listening skills. POL winners practiced while we worked on our study sheets for tomorrow's TEST, which covers Unit One (chapters 1-4). Those going to POL can write a one-page response analyzing the situation, specifically any interference, for 10 bonus points.

Out.

Feb 9

Okay...crazy, wild, won't-ever-stop-talking class...today we did a bell ringer to start the class (surprised?) But the REALLY exciting part was how I played with my new-found tool of having the CPS randomly choose a student to share! Yea! Then, we got in groups and used our clickers to ARGUE about whether we agreed or disagreed with some statements regarding the levels of listening. And I totally EMPATHIZE with those of you who were "shut down" on your theories...HA. Finally, we created skits which we will perform tomorrow to have the rest of the class analyze in terms of the communication model. How fun!

Feb 5

Okay...here is the "official" report of today's class. The POL representative for our class is Kevin. Congratulations! After the competition (and Rose's and Mrs. Stallman's beautiful recitations as well), we worked on a bell ringer. The bell ringer then led us to read/understand the notes from Chapter Two on the levels of communication. While learning these particular levels, we also put some of them into practice. While simultaneously working on minimizing our stage fright, we investigated various channels of communication (nonverbal as well as verbal) that included telephones, messengers, letters, chanting, noisemaking, etc. We also witnessed how "body language" works to communicate in various ways (sometimes rhythmically). Kurt, again, practiced his tone and voice inflection by reciting his poem. I believe, at some point, the "wave" was involved as well to show how the audience could provide feedback as part of the "feedback" loop.

Tomorrow will be business as usual...

Feb 4

Whoa...it is a close one. After a FOUR-WAY tie in our class competition, the poets are off to practice some more...and PERFECT their recitations. Ohhhh...it is a nail-biter! Oh, by the way...the school competition is WEDNESDAY next week. My bad, peeps.

Out

Feb 2

Believe it or not, you DID do a bell ringer today...check it. You also witnessed some awesome poetry recitation. While Mrs. Stallman was away learning cool stuff, you practiced your poems so that your competition will rock the house (or classroom?) Who's gonna win??????????

;-)