Being 7th: Presentations that Build Classroom Empathy

Of all the communication methods that students struggle mastering, public presentation skills reign supreme. As in the real world, students often receive little coaching on how to present information to their audience in a way that demonstrates confidence, poise, and expertise, and yet are required to do so in meetings, 1:1 interviews, and in video presentations. Students will develop a presentation graphic to be presented using strong public speaking skills that also reflect their own personal style, personality, concerns, and visions of their future. After viewing WNYC’s (a New York Radio Station) short video called “Being 12” students will emulate this video by creating their own self-reflection to develop a monologue with specific information and present it to the class using strong public speaking techniques that involve poise, voice, “life”, eye contact (as appropriate), gestures, and rate of speech. These skills of both oral and visual communication along with explicit presentation skills are necessary for students to engage with one another and with communities in which they live.They will write a monologue, record a video for formative evaluation, and create an infographic one-pager about themselves. The monologue will be delivered in front of their peers. In addition, the student will create a hard copy paper with their name, picture, and a QR code that can be scanned in the classroom and by parents at Back To School Night. This QR code leads to a video on Flip (formerly known as Flipgrid) where the student delivers their same monologue using strong public speaking techniques. Student projects and delivery will be based upon a given rubric that highlights common core standards as stated for English Language Arts classes for both visual presentations and public speaking. As mentioned, one of the goals of this assignment is to build and develop empathy through a shared experience. It’s very difficult for seventh graders to be transparent enough to explore their own hopes and fears. This project aims to not only develop the aforementioned skills, but to create a compassionate and empathetic classroom climate.