Badges for Public Speaking Mastery: Part II

Why a badge driven curriculum?

Students are able to monitor their own learning and take responsibility for their work and understanding. Students are aware of the learning expectations and the work they need to master in order to successfully pass the course. Students know the end goal and are awarded badges for completing  specific learning targets and challenging and extraordinary tasks.

I have transformed my speech and debate elective class for middle school students this semester into a module based independent study where students complete different tasks to show mastery and earn badges.

The first ten weeks of the semester students are to complete three different badges for students to work towards and show their understanding and knowledge of public speaking. The second half of the semester students will focus on debating skills and participate in different types of debate.

The three different badges for Speech and Debate include:

Great Speakers Are Made, Not Born Badge

Read about the Great Speakers Are Made, Not Born Badge expectations here.

Words Are Powerful Badge

This badge is designed to help students utilize public speaking and writing skills by crafting a non fiction speech. Throughout this bade students are working on structure, word choice, and literary devices in their own writing.

Presentation Guru Badge

Once students earn the Words are Powerful Badge they can work on the Presentation Guru Badge. This badge requires students to put together all that they have learned about the qualities of great speakers and writing strong speeches. The final part of this badge is for students to write and present a TED style talk.

Here are some of the specific learning targets and extraordinary tasks students will set out to complete this semester.

Words Are Powerful Badge Expectations

Choose One Podcast Assignment:

StorySLAM (True Stories Told) – Choose a personal story you are willing to share with others. First write your story that you will then tell via podcast for others to listen to.  Here are some examples: https://themoth.org/education/resources (scroll to the bottom)

#1 The Model & Mentor Assignment

1. Listen to 2-3 of the sample stories at https://themoth.org/education/resources
2. Write a Reflection that answers the following (answers don’t have to be long, but please put some thought into them and not just one word answers):

• Write the title of the story AND give the episode a “new” creative title.  
• Write 3 things you learned about the speaker telling the story.
• Write 3 new questions you have you want to ask the storyteller, and WHY you want to know the answers to these questions.
• How did the speakers make you feel?  Engage You In the Topic? Encourage You to Continue Listening?
• What were some of the rhetorical moves the speakers  utilized to successfully present the information in the podcast?
• What other things did you notice about the podcast that are worth mentioning and pointing out to other listeners?

#2:Write Your Story Script – Write a story experience about yourself you are willing to share with others in a 3-5 Minute Personal Story that leaves a lasting impression. Share your story script with three classmates to get feedback and suggestions. Then, share your story script with your teacher before you begin your podcast for editing purposes. Remember:

• Stories have a change. The main character (you!) has to change in some way from beginning to end.
• Stories have stakes. Why did this moment matter to you?
• Know where your story is heading. Steer clear of meandering endings!
• Be YOURSELF. This is not a monologue, a standup routine, or a rant.  

#3: Podcast Your Story –  Record on a Podcast your story for others to hear*. Turn in your audio podcast on Google Classroom.

* Almost everyone needs to practice reading aloud their story to make it exciting and interesting in terms of the words as well as one’s vocal presentation. Your voice needs to be loud, clear, and authentic.

OR

RadioLab Style Podcast – RadioLab is a show on NPR that presents topics related to science through engaging conversations, media clips, and investigative journalism. Check out http://radiolab.org for more information and to listen to a few podcasts before you get started.

#1: The Model & Mentor Assignment

1. Choose a ONE HOUR episode of Radiolab on http://radiolab.org. Download or listen online to the ENTIRE episode.
2. Write a Reflection that answers the following (answers don’t have to be long, but please put some thought into them and not just one word answers):

• Write the title of the episode AND give the episode a “new” creative title.  
• Write 3 things you learned about the topic in the podcast.
• Write 3 new questions you now have about the topic, and WHY you want to know the answers to these questions.
• How did the speakers make you feel?  Engage You In the Topic? Encourage You to Continue Listening?
• What were some of the rhetorical moves the speakers/hosts utilized to successfully present the information in the podcast?
• What other things did you notice about the podcast that are worth mentioning and pointing out to other listeners?

#2: Create Your Own Radio Lab Podcast

1. Select and Research a topic of your choice (most RadioLab Episodes are science related).
2. Write a script for a 3-5 Minute Mini-Radiolab Episode sharing insight, research, and findings.

Words are Powerful Badge Reflection

You will also turn in a short, 1-2 page reflective paper AFTER delivering your podcast; the reflection paper should describe the process that went into developing your project and your thoughts about the performance.

 

Presentation Guru Badge Expectations

TED is a group devoted to spreading ideas. Their national conferences and regional TEDx events are famous for offering short, powerful talks and posting them online. Present your own TED style talk, video it, and post online. The TED Talk should be informative, engaging, and inspiring. For more information check out http://www.ted.org

Part 1 – TED Talk Models & Mentors Reflection

Complete the Data Collection Worksheet* For each TED Talk you view. You are to view 3 or more Talks.

Part 2 – Your TED Style Talk must:

• be 7-10 minutes in length
• incorporate a slideshow that enhances the discussion with compelling images (and text, when appropriate)
• 3 or other such “take away”
• be supported with research, with all borrowed material properly cited within the presentation
• include a storytelling component at some point (doesn’t necessarily have to be YOUR story)
• be “memorized” (no notes)
• be delivered in an engaging manner to a live audience that will then  be recorded) offer a clearly defined argument, new perspective,