Give your students a chance to practice their oral communication skills by providing focused topics, an engaged audience, and tips for success.

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"Oral Presentations require preparation, composure and, usually, props."

While substitute teaching for a couple months, I saw many different examples of how teachers use "Sharing" in the classroom. Often, the student in the spotlight fumbled through an awkward minute of unprepared mumblings that lacked focus and purpose. When asked to provide questions or comments, the student audience members usually relied on the standard compliment, "I like the way you shared today" and the relieved speaker quickly took a seat.

In my own classroom, I've set up a different way for my students to gain valuable public speaking experience. First of all, my third graders have graduated from "Sharing" to the more formidable "Oral Presentations." I believe this simple change of term helps my students to take their time in the spotlight more seriously. Oral Presentations require preparation, composure and, usually, props.

Each student has a designated day for their presentations. With 20 students, four students present each day of the school week. Each week, the whole class speaks on a given topic. On Fridays, I model the topic for the upcoming week. I point out how to properly use eye contact, posture, volume, and other critical components of a successful speech.

Here is a sample of great Oral Presentation topics:

• Me! (Introduction of self - good for the first time)
• My Favorite Stuffed Animal
• My Hobby
• My Favorite Book (Bring in the book and leave it in the classroom for others to enjoy)
• My Best Friend (Bring in a picture of best friend)
• My Favorite Game (Bring in game and have game day on Friday for the last hour of the day)
• What I Will Be for Halloween
• My Favorite Movie
• My Favorite Restaurant
• My Favorite Trip
• My Holiday Tradition
• What I'd Like for Christmas, Chanukah, or Kwaanza
• My Treasured Possession
• When I Grow Up
• My Favorite Poem (Memorize and recite poem)
• My Favorite Relative
• Open Week (Talk about whatever they want)

The students then receive a half-sheet of instructions for preparing their oral presentations. These directions tell the kids everything they need to include in their presentation. For example, here's what I would give them for the topic "My Best Friend:"

ORAL PRESENTATIONS
For the week of October 16-20

Topic: "My Best Friend"

• Name of friend
• How long they have been a friend
• Where they live
• What you like to do together
• Why you like them

With this weekly routine, the parents get used to helping the students prepare for their presentation day. When we started oral presentations this year, I sent home an introductory letter that explains the program to parents and tells them of their student's presentation day. I pick the most organized and reliable students to go on Mondays because it requires preparation over the weekend when they have no other homework.

At the end of each student's speech, the speaker asks, "Questions or comments?" He or she then chooses two students. The students in the audience are not allowed to ask about things that were mentioned in the speech itself because they have to be listening carefully.

As the student speaks, I assess their oral communication skills. I use a form that evaluates, eye contact, volume, accuracy of information, posture, and more. The form only takes a minute to fill out and it provides invaluable feedback that will allow me to help each child improve their skills

Oral Presentation time is one of my favorite times of the day. I love seeing how the kids present information about themselves. Also, they love learning about me - seeing that their teacher has normal likes and dislikes!

Additionally, an oral communication program gives you an important opportunity to observe and evaluate each student's skills in this area. In most districts, speaking skills is an academic standard that must be assessed and met.

Happy Presenting!

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