WHS: Public Speaking                                                                                                                                            Grades 9 - 12

This Course is dedicated to the skills needed to become a confident public speaker! 

We will explore Confidence & stage presence, Principles of Public Speaking, 5 Tenets of Rhetoric , Ethical Speech, Debate, Informative Speaking.   Materials for all units are linked in the class Digital Notebook ( This is just an example - many of the materials are linked, but not all) 

Unit

Timeframe

Big Ideas (Statements or Essential Questions)

Major Learning Experiences from Unit 

“More than Words” 

Speech Basics

8 classes 

Students will establish a classroom dynamic that will give them the base for a trusting and safe environment in which to take risks.  

Write and perform a speech in 5 Paragraph format

  • The Basics: 

    • Projection 

    • Tone 

    • Enunciation 

    • Posture

    • Eye Contact 

  • 5 Paragraph Speech format 

“Teach me how to Dougie” 

Demonstration Speech 

8 Classes 

Students will effectively write and perform a “How To” demonstration speech on a topic/skill that they are passionate about.  

  • Informative speaking 

  • Speaking while demonstrating

  • Audience engagement 

  • Practice with The Basics!

“We Just Disagree”

Debate 

6 - 8 classes 

Students will explore the art of discourse and will team up to participate in a researched debate. 

  • Persuasive arguments 

  • Rhetoric 

  • Debate structure 

  • Research 

  • Collaboration 

  • Practice with the Basics

“What’s Wrong with Being Confident?”

Job Interviews 

6 - 7 classes 

Students will research what goes into writing an effective resume and participate in mock job interviews.  

  • Resume Writing 

  • Job Interview Skills

  • Preparation 

  • Improvisation 

  • Persuasive speaking 

  • Critical Analysis (they choose who gets the job!) 

  • Practice with the Basics! 

“You Choose!” 

PBL Performance Art Final

6 - 8 classes 

Students will collaborate to build a piece of performance art, drawing from the skills they have learned this year and based around a (student) chosen theme.  

  • Collaboration 

  • Performance 

  • Project Based Learning 

  • Practice with the Basics! 

“Talking to the Moon” 

Rhetoric 

This is an additional unit if time allows (it has not in the current schedule)

Students will identify the 5 tenets of Rhetoric that will result in the performance of an ethical speech.   

  • The 5 Tenents of Rhetoric

  • History of speech and discourse 

  • Ethical Speaking 

  • Current event/topics 

  • Speaking for a cause!