It's so awesome to see poised, well-mannered, articulate children.
My local support group has had Arts Night where the kids recite something they've memorized, the International Fair where the kids each present a country from around the world, a science fair, and then this year will be the American History Fair. I know some kids participate in 4H public speaking events or even have their own speech and debate groups.
What opportunities do your children have for public speaking? How do you encourage the shy or reluctant ones? Share your tips for public speaking for your children!
The first five to comment will receive the "Featured on the Front Porch" button. To make it quicker for us to award you your button, we'd like to ask you to include your email in your comment in this format (so that it will not easily be grabbed up by those email-seeking programs) - yourname-at-yourserver.com ... or you can email me letting me know you commented (my email is below: just replace the -at- with the @ symbol!)
This pretty simple in it's form but my homeschool group has had a talent night where the kids can display or present anything they have done in school. They can sing or play an instrument, recite something, read a story they wrote, anything they want. If they are not ready to do that they can bring in a project to show or artwork. It is a great night. Parents and friends and grandparents have come to appreciate what the kids have done. Little ones who do not want to get up in front are inspired because they see other kids do it and that it isn't that hard.
Meets monthly for a chapel. The kids are encouraged to recite Scripture verses they've been working on, and get to choose a treat from a box when they're done. Even the littlest ones get in the act! Our family has learned so many passages of Scripture by using Sonlight curriculum's suggested verses, which I then transfer onto poster board pages that we've affixed to our dining room wall! We read through them at least 2ce a day during Bible time and often during mealtimes as well, and we've surprised ourselves at being able to memorize entire chapters after a month or so. We've learned Psalm 91, Isaiah 61, Psalm 1 and several others this way, and are currently working on the Ten Commandments segment of Exodus 20.
Another thing our group does is to host History Day every year. The kids can do a skit, read an essay, show off projects, or whatever they'd like that has any remote link to something historical, LOL. It's usually a big hit!
I think speaking skills are imperative if our kids are going to have an impact on the world!
Our homeschool support group has an annual Fine Arts performance. The children stand up and give scripture or poetry recitations, and some give instrumental or vocal solos. Through the years, my sons have sung solos, played the piano, and given several recitations.
Also, our church has a few children's drama programs each year, so the children have an opportunity to be in front of a crowd. Drama is often the best way to coax a reserved child to get up in front of other people.
The best way to feel comfortable doing public speaking is to be prepared, and then...Do It!
--Kay
kcmiller-at-midmaine-dot-com
I can't recommend Scouting highly enough for public speaking
My sons are both incredible public speakers. They worked their way up through not only local troop activities, but also things on the district, council, and Order of the Arrow. There were many, many opportunities to speak in front of both small and large groups, and there are even badges that will help with public speaking!
My youngest is also a performer on the Ceremony Team for OA, which allows him to travel all over and perform. He has been able to compete in the speech competitions with this, and won first place in the section last year in the part he portrayed.
All of this helped him to be elected as Council Chief for OA this year, which requires him to travel all over the state and speak in front of groups, and he teaches groups of not only young scouts, but also adult leaders in this position. He also "talked his way" into being appointed Jr. Commissioner at the Council Summer Camp this summer, which means that he will be my boss---scary thought, huh?
There are so many opportunities for teaching and using public speaking in scouts that I know you would find ample opportunities for your child, too.
Kathy
I think Kris has a porch thingie on my newly decorated blog, but just in case my email is mkin at udata dot com
A large portion of our church members homeschool and many are involved in music lessons of some kind or another. When we organized a yearly srping recital we decided to include public speaking as well. I was on the speech team in high school and was evry excited about this eager to assist and encourage. My two oldest (sons) recited Shel Silverstein poems this past year (the previous year my oldest son recited The Touch of the Master's Hand, a bit more serious than Shel Silverstein, we went for the lighter side this past year). My 6 year old stole the show with his energetic interpretation of "Sister for Sale!" We tried to get his 4 year old sister to be "for sale", but she would have none of it... she is already excited to "do a special" this year though...
We do have the kids practice memorizing poems as well as scripture at home and occassionaly videotape them giving them their presentations. The younger ones just think it's a blast to see themselves on TV while the older ones really benefit from watching their body language, hearing their tone and enunciation. It was always a very valuable lesson/experience back on the high school speech team to see your performance from another perspective.
We do listen to recordings of Shel Silverstein performing his poems, David Hyde Pierce reading One Fish, Two Fish, and several other books and poems on tape. It helps the children to model their interpretation after a professional much the way Benjamin Franklin learned to write by modeling his work on the great writers of his day.
One really good resource I've found is Jeff Meyers' "From Playpen to Podium" it's full of idea to train our kids to be well spoken and ways to give them the practice they need to be so.
ali-at-dawilli.com
Curious about The Old Schoolhouse
Magazine but not quite ready to commit to a subscription without seeing it first?
Check it out for FREE! We're so certain you'll love our publication that we'll gladly send a FREE sample to anyone new to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine - we even cover the shipping!
Welcome to the HSB announcement blogboard from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine,
LLC. We hope you will enjoy the articles posted here by the Porch Team. Please feel free to leave comments!
~ Tia Linschied, Senior Editor of HSB
Our E-Newsletters give you wonderful, informative information about homeschooling, news bits, contests and PRIZES for homeschoolers, articles to encourage you, calls for writers, free unit studies and lesson plans, and just a lot of FUN. Bring the community to your inbox, and no worries, we never sell, trade or give your email or any other information out to anyone.
Come join the homeschool party!
The Homeschool Minute is our most
popular newsletter, full of encouragement and support just for YOU!
Subscribe to *FREE* newsletters offered by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.
Curious about The Old Schoolhouse
