Presentation Practice Prompts - Teacher Script

Warm-Up: Public Speaking Fears (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to dive into a skill that's super important, not just in school, but in life: giving awesome presentations. Before we get started, I want you to think for a moment. What comes to mind when you hear 'public speaking'? Or, what's your biggest fear about presenting in front of others?"

Teacher: "You can just think about it, or if you're comfortable, feel free to share. Sometimes just acknowledging these feelings can help us manage them. (Pause for responses). Okay, to make sure everyone has a chance to share without feeling put on the spot, I'm going to hand out small slips of paper. On your slip, anonymously write down one thing you worry about when giving a presentation, or one expectation you have for this workshop. Don't put your name on it." (Collect slips.)

Teacher: (Read a few anonymous responses aloud.) "These are all very real and common feelings. Today, we're going to tackle some of these worries head-on and equip you with practical tools to present like a pro. We'll learn how to structure your thoughts, use your voice and body effectively, and even conquer that pesky stage fright. Let's get started!"

I. The Art of Presentation (25 minutes) - Guiding through Commanding the Room Slide Deck

Teacher: "Alright, let's open up our slide deck, Commanding the Room Slide Deck, and begin with the foundations of great presentations. Please turn your attention to the screen."

Slide 2: Why Presentations Matter?

Teacher: "Take a look at this slide. We briefly touched on this, but let's brainstorm a bit more. Beyond getting a good grade, where else in your life do you think strong presentation skills will be important? Think about your future careers, college, or even just talking to your friends and family."

Teacher: "Exactly! From job interviews to pitching an idea, or even just clearly explaining something to a friend, being able to communicate your ideas effectively is a superpower."

Slide 3: Structure is King!

Teacher: "Now, let's talk about structure. Imagine trying to follow a recipe where all the ingredients and steps are jumbled together. It would be a disaster, right? A presentation is similar. Why is having a clear introduction, body, and conclusion so crucial for your audience? What happens if you skip one of these parts?"

Teacher: "That's a great point. A strong structure helps your audience follow your ideas, understand your main message, and remember what you've said. It also makes your job as a presenter much easier!"

Slide 4: Crafting Your Message

Teacher: "Beyond just organizing your points, we need to think about what we're actually saying and how we're saying it. Look at the terms: Clarity, Conciseness, and Engagement. Can someone give me an example of what 'clarity' means in a presentation? How about 'conciseness'? And 'engagement'?"

Teacher: "Excellent examples! It's about getting your point across clearly, without unnecessary words, and making sure your audience is actually interested in what you're saying. Think of it like telling a compelling story."

Slide 5: Vocal Delivery: Your Voice is a Tool!

Teacher: "Your voice is one of your most powerful tools when presenting. It's not just about the words, but how you say them. We've got Pace, Volume, Tone, and Pauses here. How can varying your pace or volume make your presentation more interesting? When might a well-timed pause be effective?"

Teacher: "Fantastic! Using your voice dynamically can keep your audience awake and help highlight important information. It adds drama and emphasis, making your words more memorable."

Slide 6: Body Language Speaks Volumes

Teacher: "Now, let's talk about what your body is saying, even when you're not speaking. Body language is incredibly powerful. We have eye contact, gestures, posture, and movement. Why is eye contact so important? What message does good posture send to your audience?"

Teacher: "Spot on! Your body language can convey confidence, passion, and credibility. It helps you connect with your audience and shows them you're engaged and believe in what you're saying. Try to be aware of what your body is doing while you speak."

Slide 7: Conquering Stage Fright

Teacher: "Finally, let's talk about something almost everyone experiences: stage fright. It's completely normal to feel nervous! But there are strategies to help. We have practice, deep breathing, positive visualization, and focusing on your message. Which of these strategies do you think might work best for you personally, and why?"

Teacher: "Great insights. The key is to find what works for you and to remember that feeling a little nervous is okay. It means you care about doing well! The more you practice these techniques, the more confident you'll become."

Teacher: "Before we move on, what's one new idea you learned about presentation structure or delivery that you hadn't considered before?"

Impromptu Speech Challenge

Objective

To practice delivering a short, structured, and engaging presentation with minimal preparation, focusing on vocal delivery, body language, and quick organization.

Instructions

1. Form Groups (or Whole Class): Your teacher will either divide you into small groups of 3-4 students or facilitate this activity with the whole class.

2. Pick a Prompt: Each student will randomly select a topic prompt from a hat or a list provided by the teacher.

3. Prepare (1 Minute): You will have one minute to quickly organize your thoughts. Think about:

   • What is your main point or angle?
   • How will you start (brief introduction)?
   • What two or three key ideas/examples will you use?
   • How will you conclude?

4. Deliver Your Speech (1-2 Minutes): Present your impromptu speech to your group or the class. Focus on:

   • Clarity: Is your message easy to understand?
   • Structure: Do you have a beginning, middle, and end?
   • Vocal Delivery: Vary your pace, volume, and tone.
   • Body Language: Make eye contact, use natural gestures, stand confidently.
   • Engagement: Try to make your audience interested.

5. Feedback (2 minutes per speaker): After each speech, your group members (or the class/teacher) will provide constructive feedback using the Presentation Performance Rubric.

   • One "Glow": Something the speaker did really well.
   • One "Grow": One specific area where the speaker could improve for next time.

Impromptu Speech Prompts (Cut these into slips or write on cards)

1. Describe your favorite movie/book and why others should watch/read it.
2. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and how would you use it?
3. What's one thing you're passionate about and why?
4. Imagine you're a tour guide for your hometown. What's one must-see spot and why?
5. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
6. If you could invent something new, what would it be and what problem would it solve?
7. Discuss a skill you'd like to learn and why.
8. What's your favorite season and what do you love about it?
9. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
10. What's a small change everyone could make to help the environment?
11. Describe a challenge you overcame and what you learned from it.
12. If animals could talk, which animal would you most want to have a conversation with and why?

Presentation Performance Rubric

Student Name: _________________________ Date: _____________

Speech Prompt: _________________________

Instructions for Feedback:

• For self-assessment/peer feedback: Rate the speaker (or yourself) from 1 (Needs Development) to 4 (Exceeds Expectations) for each criterion.
• Provide specific comments in the "Feedback/Notes" section. What did they do well (Glow)? What could they improve (Grow)?

Rubric Criteria

Overall Feedback

Glow (What went well?):

Grow (What could be improved?):