Oral Communication Skills
Oral articulation of ideas and presentation of materials is an important area in which many students need practice. Regular and frequent opportunities to speak in front of small and large groups should be provided to students. This week, we offer tips to incorporate speaking skills into classroom instruction.
This Week's Tips
Plan a Career Fair (Monday)
Invite students to help put on a career fair for the school. Ask students to select different careers and jobs and research them. Also have students invite community leaders. On the day of the fair, students should be prepared to hand out pamphlets and to answer questions by other students about careers and jobs.
Share Information about Career Choices (Tuesday)
Bring information to class about various careers. Briefly describe a different job or career to students every week. Have student volunteers do further research on that particular career for extra credit.
Display Information about Career Choices (Wednesday)
Set up a school-to-work center or bulletin board in a small corner of the classroom. You should keep information pamphlets and career-related magazine or newspaper articles here. Groups of students may volunteer to create a bulletin board display every month on different career-related topics. Advertisements for volunteer work or internships may also be posted here.
Students Benefit from Career Portfolios (Thursday)
Ask students to begin a work experience or career portfolio. Include such items as extracurricular activities, past work experience, letters of recommendation, a short personal biography, volunteer work, service learning, educational experience, and goals.
Collaborate with Others (Friday)
Seek out colleagues to collaborate with on research projects, teaching ideas, and grant projects. Consider creating a Teachers Round Table and invite other teachers from your field in your district to participate. Connecting with others in your field can help you find solutions and generate new ideas for your teaching.