May 20

The groups on Open Campus debated! Then, we gave out some awesome awards. Finally, we looked at test questions from chapters 1-8. Tomorrow, we have the debate over the possible evils of the Internet.

May 18 and 19

Worked on debates and gave some awards. Debates begin tomorrow (Wed.)

May 6

Don't forget that manuscripts are due tomorrow and speeches start Tuesday. MEMORIZE them!!!

May 6

Today, we worked on the manuscripts and we completed the following assignment: read the sample speech on page 347(9) and write seven examples of motivation (Maslow's needs or appeals.)

May 5

Worked on outline and manuscripts.

May 4

Today, we started with a bell ringer. Then, we discussed Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, and each student created an advertisement that targeted a particular need. After presenting those advertisements, we heard a persuasion speech and listened for which emotional appeals were targeted.

April 30

We have been presenting our researched speeches...but we do have a blog posted that is due Friday.

April 23

Today, we practiced the manuscripted speeches and reviewed for tomorrow's test covering chapters 9-11. Those wishing to make a study guide may do so. They must be hand-written. Speeches start Monday.

April 22

Today we were in the project room typing manuscripts. They are due tomorrow. Test is Friday

April 21

Today, we did a review for chapters 9, 10, and 11. The test will be on Friday. Tomorrow, we meet in the project room to type manuscripts for the speeches. ALSO, there is a discussion blog posted and due Thursday.

April 20

Today was a work day for research speeches...

April 16

We started with the most difficult bell ringer of your lives! Just kidding...it was easy! We watched a speech while I checked your topics. Then, we looked at Chapter on Research and discussed the requirements of the Research speech. Then, we watched one more speech. Tomorrow we meet in the library...project room.

April 15

Today, we did a bell ringer...well, actually TWO bell ringers (because you love them so much!) We also covered various sections of the book, including the Body Information of a speech in terms of organizational pattern and types of informative speeches. We then watched a speech and discussed it. Tomorrow, you should come to class with a topic for the research speech.

April 14

Today, we watched another speech (JFK) and evaluated it using the General Evaluation Form. Then, we worked on the following assignment: read the RED sections from 218-228 called DATA and DEVELOPMENT. For each blue section, write an bold-faced definitions and TWO important facts. This is due on Wednesday.

April 13

After completing the bell ringer, we looked at criterion-reference and general evaluation forms. We then watched a speech (F.D.R.) and evaluating it using a criterion-reference form. Those who were absent must come to academy to make up this work.

April 7

We started class with a bell ringer. We then finished the Speeches to Entertain.

April 6

We started the Speeches to Entertain; we should get through several more tomorrow and finish up on Wednesday.

April 3

Today, we did a bell ringer about answer questions at the end of the speech. Then, after I finished giving feedback for the Speeches to Entertain, the students practiced using their outlines. Speeches start Monday; the students must use their OUTLINE that is formatted correctly (either on a piece of paper or on note cards). Also, the extra credit assignment may be turned in on Monday as well. The assignment is to write THREE possible speech topics for each group listed in number 3 on page 163. For EACH topic, you must write the three points you would make (topic sentences). I hope that I explained that WELL.

March 19

Today, you each made a study sheet for the test, which covers chapters 5-8 and is TOMORROW (FRIDAY). Some of the chapter notes are linked to the home page...study them!

March 17

We spent the first 30 minutes organizing bell ringers, which are due tomorrow. Then, we continued reading/analyzing the Desert Storm speech. Finally, we began performing impromptu speeches using the various methods we are learning.

March 16

Today, we started with a bell ringer...then we started going through the speech on Desert Storm. We worked in groups to clicker-vote which methods of making language memorable were used. Don't forget that there is a blog posted...and bell ringers are due Wednesday!

March 12

Today, you had a sub...and missed me! You had two assignments: to complete a worksheet that had you identify various methods of making language memorable and to read the speech about Desert Storm on page 426 and identify (on a piece of paper) SEVEN example of the methods (such as allusion, etc).

March 11

Today, we finished our clicker questions for Ch 7. Then, we played dinner party using the tones at the end of Ch 7. For the last few minutes, we played Guestures.

March 10

We watched Ashley's speech today, which convinced us all that one should NEVER smoke while pregnant! Then, we worked in groups and used clickers to study Ch 7 on making language memorable. Don't forget to BLOG tonight! Tomorrow, we will finish the chapter then play dinner party!

March 6

Speeches are completed...don't forget that the contest is Tuesday during A and B.

March 5

We started our speeches today. Good job! More tomorrow...

March 4

Work, work, work on those Rotary Club speeches...they start TOMORROW!!!

March 3

After completing the bell ringer, we listened to Matt's lovely speech. Then, we did some paired reading for Ch 7 and discussed dialect. Finally, we watched Will's speech for the Rotary Club and talked some more about topics. Tomorrow, your manuscript is DUE. Some other topics to contemplate are...should you allow your children to go trick-or-treating, summer reading (mandatory), cell phone usage during school hours, class blogs as communication tools, unions, school uniforms, allowing children to date before age 16, curfew (law OR parental rule), allowing young children to play video games, playing cards in school (gambling issue), hats in schools, book bags in schools, under 18 must be supervised in malls, working age, driving age, drinking age, tobacco age, age of consent (laws on statutory rape), computer access in the home, cell phones for children (what age is appropriate). Those are just some...

March 2

Today, we started with a bell ringer that asked you to discuss graceful speeches. Then, we studied Chapter Seven and addressed the question of using language in an ethical way in speeches. We did some paired reading and discussed what "appropriate language" meant (look at the spotlight). Finally, we talked some MORE about the Rotary Club speech. I THINK we have a better understanding. If you do not, then look at the web site attached to the home page. Hey, one good idea is to discuss blogging as a way to communicate between teachers and students! HA!

Feb 26 and 27

Yesterday we worked on speeches. Today we finished them. Good job everyone! Today, you all self-evaluated your speeches based on the rubric I used. We also talked briefly about the Rotary Club Speech Contest. You can go to the web site linked to your home page to get more information. Monday, you need to come with your idea written down. Finally, check out this fun toy that has an explanation of the communication model!

Feb 25

We witnessed some awesome speeches! Continuation tomorrow!

Feb 24

The bell ringer asked the students to discuss various meanings of nonverbals. We then looked at the chapter on nonverbals to discuss them...and learned that more than 90% of a message's impact comes from nonverbal communication! Wow! Then, we practiced the speeches that will begin TOMORROW!!!

Feb 20

Both manuscript and note cards for hobby speech were completed today. The note cards should have five total - one for intro, one for each main point, and one for the conclusion. Three gestures should be indicated some where on the note cards. Speeches begin on Wednesday.

Feb 19

SUB - The class worked on manuscript for hobby speech.

Feb 17

We began class with the bell ringer to talk about kinds of voices and what they sound like. Then we related it to the text book and the chapter on voice. We then discussed our first speech, which is on your favorite Hobby. Remember that it should have all the pieces of an essay - intro, body, conclusion, etc. You have the assignment of writing out the transcript, but you can only have a note card during the speech. After working on the speech...we played dinner party!

See you tomorrow...

Feb 13

Today, we did a bell ringer on communication on Valentine's Day. We then read the blog and talked about articulating certain words. After reading the section on impromptu delivery, students picked topics and gave a one-minute speech on that topic. Have a nice weekend!

Feb 12

Today, tongue twisters totally tied our tongues! After our bell ringer, we met in groups to first practice tongue twisters and then CREATE some! Then, we looked at the beginning of Chapter Five because it is SO cool how our mouths, throats, teeth, tongue, etc all work together to produce sounds. Tonight you have a blogger-bogger! See you tomorrow in the A.M.

Feb 11

After we ventured to the auditorium to listen to Philsey break it down, we came back to the room to demonstrate our knowledge of Unit One by taking the test. Don't forget about the POL bonus response due on Friday!

Feb 10

Today, we performed our skits and everyone analyzed the various parts of the communication model. Afterwards, we finished discussing Ch 4, which was about improving listening skills. Tomorrow is the TEST covering Unit One. Don't forget that you many use a one-page front only HAND-WRITTEN study sheet for the test. Also, the POL competition is tomorrow (Wednesday). For ten bonus points, you many attend AND write a one-page response that analyzes the situation...specifically any interference. Later...

Feb 9

With the start of a new and exciting week, we enthusiastically wrote on our bell ringer topic - examples of how not listening negatively affects us! (Many of this demonstrated examples of this throughout the class!) We then used the clickers to answer questions and discuss levels of listening. We talked briefly about physical and mental barriers to listening and how even good listeners only remember 50% of the information they hear! WOW! Near the end of class, groups worked on skits which will be performed tomorrow. The class will analyze the skits to discover sender, receiver, message, channel, context, and interference! Don't forget the test of Chapters 1-4 will be WEDNESDAY. (I am sure some of you did not LISTEN to that announcement in class!)

;-)

Feb 6

We had fun writing our bell ringer because we were able to share stories where interference caused a "flubber" in communication...hee, hee. We then looked at Chapters Three and Four. Chapter Three discusses SPAM - situation, purpose, audience, and method, which is MUCH like the communication model we discussed in Chapter Two. In Chapter Four, we started discussing the levels of listening, starting with listening for ENJOYMENT...until we were distracted by Danny's acute observation that the light on the ceiling seems to have a random pattern of flickering. Thanks for the interference, Danno! Have a great weekend...

Feb 5

Guess what we did first today? Yep - you guessed it! We started with our famous BELL RINGER! Yea! We also witnessed some more beautifully recited poetry. We looked at Chapter Two in the book and discussed the different levels of communication, which we then practiced using the fun clicker gadgets. Okay...now can anyone guess which level of communication this blog posting is????

Rock out...

Feb 4

Whoo Hoo - way to go Phil, who is our class winner, and Matt, who is our class runner-up. And congratulations to all of you who put on brave faces and recited to your peers! And, YES, I really did work for 40 minutes to memorize my poem...which I hacked...but which I "slam-dunked" during second block. Yea me! Oh...by the way...the school competition is WEDNESDAY next week...my bad!

Feb 3

I'm BACK! Today, we did a bell ringer which helped us further prepare for our performances that are TOMORROW! We watched the Poetry Out Loud video, and then we worked with our partners. At the end, each poet recited at least a portion of his or her poem in front of class. Donuts and poetry tomorrow! Practice in front of the mirror...

Ta-ta!

Feb 2

Fellow Speakers...
After completing your bell ringer, you inserted THREE gestures into your poetry performances and worked with a partner on them. You also missed Mrs. Stallman...

Peace

Jan 30

Today, we did a bell ringer....then made an appointment clock to decide with whom we would share. (Don't worry Luke - Kevin made yours!) After sharing the bell ringer, we practiced our poems using our newly decided tones...by Monday, you should have at least half of your poem MEMORIZED. By Tuesday, the rest should be memorized. Wednesday, we begin reciting IN CLASS.

Peace out...

Jan 29

Today, we began class with an exciting bell ringer that allowed us to practice using different tones and placing emphasis on different words, etc. We then examined the chapter information regarding voice. We discussed uses of voice, such as emphasis, pauses, framing, pitch, articulation, and intensity. We then practiced our poems for Poetry Out Loud...discussing which tone we would be using. For homework, don't forget to BLOG and be ready to address your poem!

Later TATERS!

Jan 27

Today, we did a bell ringer (check). We also started moving through Chapter Two and made corrections to our definitions and made drawings of communication models. Finally, we played with clickers to practice analyzing the context of speeches. For homework, you should blog and then choose your poem for poetry out loud!

Jan 26

Today, the students started class with a bell ringer then moved into an individual assignment of writing their own definitions for the key terms located at the beginning of chapter two. When class ended, we had JUST begun discussing how we might add to them...

For homework, a blog is posted. Comments are due Wednesday. Responses to those posts are due by Friday. Ta-ta!