Welcome back! Today in class we will go over the routines and procedures for a successful year. I will remind you how to work and organize your Google drives, blogs and other necessities. If time allows we may even put the pedal to the metal with your very first writing assignment. This hasn’t been assigned yet, so stay tuned for the actual due date. I have utmost faith in each and every one of you. I know you will read the directions thoroughly, consider your writing and of course proofread. Show me what you’re made of….GO!

Welcome back Grade 6 and welcome to Middle School. It is time to show what you’re made of. In class today we are going to focus on getting organized so that we can have a successful year together. I will remind you how to work your Google drive, our blogs and the ins and outs of our daily class and routines.  If time allows we will begin working on our first writing assignment. You can find it here. We will go over it thoroughly in class before you start writing and I will give you a due date as well. I know you will all shine. Just take your time. Read the instructions carefully, go through the steps slowly and proofread your work. But remember, don’t start until I tell you to! I am looking forward to reading your assignments and getting to know a little something EXTRA about YOU!

This post contains all of the essential information for public speaking

Welcome to this year’s public speaking contest for grades 6-8.  Expressing ideas aloud in a clear and effective way is an important life skill! Students will have the opportunity to plan, develop, and deliver a speech to showcase these skills. Students will be spending the upcoming weeks working towards preparing a 4-5 minute speech. Additionally, we will be spending time in class practicing various oral communication skills (eye contact, inflection, effective use of gestures, etc.)

Important Due Dates

Choose topic + fill out topic brainstorming sheet (email your teacher with your choice by the end of the day)	4/6
Speech planner/Graphic Organizer	4/13
Introduction If students complete paragraphs early they can always move ahead and work on the next step in the process.	4/26
Body Paragraph 1	5/2
Body Paragraph 2	5/6
Body Paragraph 3	5/10
Conclusion	5/13
Class Presentations	5/18-5/20
Self-assessment and reflection	5/24
Public Speaking Finals Grades 6-8	5/26

Click the links below to access important public speaking documents: 

Public Speaking Google Slideshow Presentation

• • • This contains the public speaking writing process, tips, and requirements

2022 Public Speaking Due Dates Checklist

2022 Public Speaking Speech Planner Graphic Organizer

2022 Public Speaking Rubric

2022 Public Speaking Self-Reflection

 

6B Public Speaking Order:

1. Emet
2. Mia
3. Georgia 
4. Olivia
5. Adam T.
6. Ayala
7. Joel
8. Noah
9. Charlotte
10. Sarah-Amanda
11. Maya
12. Adam P. 
13. Benny

 

6A Public Speaking Order:

1. Eliya (Tuesday 5/17)
2. Lily
3. Eitan
4. Monica
5. Maya
6. Emmett
7. Eliezer
8. Zoe
9. Sacha
10. Jack
11. Sam
12. Talia

A reminder that speeches will be conducted during both English and Jewish Studies periods. Everyone must be prepared to present their speech on Wednesday, May 18th, regardless of their place in the order. 

 

Beneficial Resources:

 

The Grade 8 students each were asked to submit five topics that they would be interested in debating. Today we narrowed down the choices and voted on our topic.

Topic: Vaping should be illegal

Group 1: Aidan, Talia, Kiera, Jayson (Pro-debating for vaping to be illegal) 

Group 2: Max, Jessie, Zoe, Ari, Lior (Con-debating for vaping to remain legal)

Teams will divide up the debate responsibilities amongst their peers. One member of each team will be responsible for the following roles:

Opening statement

Presenting the argument

Rebuttal

Crossfire questions

Closing Statement

As explained the in the document below, students will earn a group grade for the debate as well as an individual mark. Please re-read the rubric as you begin to prepare for the debate. Each student is responsible for conducting research, analyzing and finding credible sources (expert testimonies, statistics, etc.) citing their sources, preparing at least three main points, and developing questions prior to the debate. We will review the essential elements and skills necessary to create a strong debate in class.

This unit will also prepare students for their debate in Dr. Marcovitz’s Jewish Studies class. In Jewish Studies, the debate will focus on appropriate attire and modesty.

Debate strategies and information can found in the Google Slides presentation below:

Grade 8 Debate Prep

Please note that the students will need to work diligently in-class and at home to adequately prepare for their debate!

Welcome to this year’s public speaking contest for grades 4 – 8.  Expressing ideas aloud in a clear and effective way is an important life skill! Students will have the opportunity to plan, develop, and deliver a speech to showcase these skills. Today the materials were shared with students via an information packet. Students will be spending the upcoming weeks working towards preparing a 4-5 minute speech. To ensure that each step is being followed at home, parents are being asked to sign their student’s checklist as they prepare items for each due date. I will also be signing each student’s checklist as I provide feedback along the way!

Please note: Each link contains a Google Doc that allows “view only” access. Please make a copy of the document to save your work to your Google Drive.

• Public Speaking Checklist (Due Dates)

This link contains the checklist that contains each due date for the every part of the assignment.

• Public Speaking Topic Brainstorm

List your possible topics here. Be sure to include your intended purpose for the speech. Are you looking to inform, persuade, or entertain your audience?  Please remember that your topic needs to be chosen/topic brainstorming sheet completed by the end of the day on Wednesday, March 27th.

• Public Speaking Student Package

This document contains the detailed steps that can be used to prepare for public speaking.

• Public Speaking Planner Graphic Organizer Example
• Public Speaking Blank Planner Graphic Organizer

Students will be required to create and submit a speech planning graphic organizer. I have supplied students with an example of what their organizer might look like when it is complete. I have also provided a blank graphic organizer for student for students to edit electronically. This assignment will be due on Friday, March 29th.

• Public Speaking Rubric

Please review this rubric to see how you will be marked for your speech. Remember to think with the end in mind…review the rubric prior to writing your speech!

• Public Speaking Self Reflection

After you have given your speech during the class presentation sessions, students will complete a reflection.

Today we will begin reading and analyzing “The Sniper”. This thrilling short story written by Liam O’Flaherty, encompasses many of the literary elements we have discussed in class regarding short stories. I have attached the short story and comprehension/analysis questions. This week we are focusing on being able to recognize the theme of a short story.