UDL in the Classroom

Summary

In this class, students explore public speaking through a hands-on approach. The teacher introduces a unit designed to help students overcome anxiety and improve their skills. Students set individual goals, like presenting to the whole class, a small group, or even recording a video. The lesson focuses on tone, word choice, and audience understanding, with activities that encourage adapting speeches for different audiences, such as six-year-olds. Through peer feedback and self-assessment, students practice delivering their speeches, refining their skills in pacing, eye contact, and projection.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ The lesson begins with a quick write exercise about students' feelings on public speaking.
• 🎤 The teacher observed students' anxiety during a previous public speaking project and decided to create a unit to address it.
• 📝 Students can choose different formats for the quick write: notebooks, scrap paper, or typing on their phones.
• 🎯 The teacher sets multiple goals for the public speaking unit, allowing students to choose one based on their comfort level.
• 🎥 One option for students is delivering a speech on video instead of in person, acknowledging different comfort levels.
• 🎯 Goals include speaking to the whole class, a small group, just the teacher, or creating a video.
• 🔍 The lesson aims to focus on tone, word choice, and audience awareness when delivering a speech.
• 👶 Students are tasked with rewriting their 'This I Believe' speeches for a specific audience, like a six-year-old or other extremes.
• 🎤 Various presentation methods are allowed: presenting to a partner, recording a video, or delivering it in person.
• 📊 The unit emphasizes self-assessment, allowing students to evaluate their readiness for public speaking goals using a stoplight system.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the bellringer activity in this lesson?

The bellringer activity serves as a warm-up for students to express their feelings about public speaking. It helps the teacher gauge their comfort levels and set the context for the upcoming public speaking unit.

Why did the teacher decide to focus on a public speaking unit?

The teacher noticed that many students were anxious and uncomfortable during a previous project that required public speaking. To help them overcome these fears, the teacher decided to dedicate a unit to building public speaking skills.

What are the different goal options that students can choose for this unit?

Students can choose from the following goals: 1) Deliver a speech to the entire class, 2) Deliver a speech to a partner or small group, 3) Deliver a speech to the teacher alone, or 4) Deliver a speech via video.

What considerations does the teacher highlight when teaching public speaking?

The teacher emphasizes the importance of tone, word choice, and audience awareness. These elements are crucial in ensuring that the speaker’s message is clear and effectively reaches the intended audience.

What is the significance of the 'This I Believe' speech activity?

The 'This I Believe' speech activity allows students to practice adapting their language and tone to suit different audiences. They are asked to rewrite their speech for a younger audience, such as a six-year-old, which helps them focus on clarity and simplification.

What are some strategies the teacher suggests for students who feel uncomfortable speaking in front of others?

The teacher offers alternatives like delivering speeches to a partner, to the teacher, or via video. These options are designed to match students' comfort levels and help them gradually build confidence.

How are students encouraged to reflect on their progress in public speaking?

Students are asked to select a goal and use a sticky note system (green, yellow, red) to indicate their readiness for the goal. This visual self-assessment helps them reflect on their comfort levels and areas for improvement.

What feedback do students receive from their peers during the speech activity?

Peers provide feedback on elements like word choice, tone, clarity, and engagement. They also offer constructive criticism on areas like repetition, length, and audience engagement.

What are some common challenges the teacher mentions when it comes to public speaking?

The teacher mentions fear and anxiety as common challenges, even for adults. To address these, the teacher aims to create an environment where students can set realistic yet challenging goals to gradually overcome these barriers.

What is the final goal of the public speaking unit?

The final goal is to help students become more confident and comfortable with public speaking, whether in front of a large group, a small group, or through a digital medium. They will also learn to adjust their tone, pacing, and word choice based on their audience.