Public Speaking G2-G3
Public speaking curriculum for grades 2-3 aligned with CA State Standards, focusing on collaborative conversations, expression, and presentation skills.
CA State Standards Aligned
Master SL standards including collaborative conversations, asking clarifying questions, storytelling with details, and creating audio recordings.
Diverse Activities
Engage in impromptu speeches, reader's theater, debates, poetry reading, Pixar film discussions, and final "I am an Expert" presentations.
Expression & Fluency
Develop tone of voice, body language, gestures, and confident speaking skills through 20 progressive sessions of interactive practice.
Course Sessions
1 Session 1
Rules for Discussions (SL.1a.2)
Session 1
Rules for Discussions (SL.1a.2)
- Warm Up: Getting to Know You!
- Discussion: What are our Rules for Discussions? What is public speaking?
- Activities: Funny Image game, Discuss News Channel Project, TED Talk
2 Session 2
Building on Conversations (SL.1b.2)
Session 2
Building on Conversations (SL.1b.2)
- Warm Up: 1 Minute Impromptu
- Discussion: Linking words and phrases to build on conversations
- Activities: Photo Story, Prepare for News Channel Project
3 Session 3
Asking Clarifying Questions (SL.3.2)
Session 3
Asking Clarifying Questions (SL.3.2)
- Warm Up: 20 Questions
- Discussion: How do we ask and answer questions to clarify information?
- Activities: Mystery Bag - Asking and Answering Questions, Prepare for News Channel Project
4 Session 4
Asking Clarifying Questions (SL.3.2)
Session 4
Asking Clarifying Questions (SL.3.2)
- Warm Up: Connect the Word Story
- Discussion: How do we ask and answer questions to clarify information?
- Activities: Interview, Prepare for News Channel Project
5 Session 5
Fluency and Expression (SL.1b.2)
Session 5
Fluency and Expression (SL.1b.2)
- Warm Up: 1 Minute Speech
- Discussion: How do we speak with fluency and expression?
- Activities: Reader's theatre, Prepare for News Channel Project
6 Session 6
Fluency and Expression (SL.1b.2)
Session 6
Fluency and Expression (SL.1b.2)
- Warm Up: 1 Minute Speech
- Discussion: How do we speak with fluency and expression?
- Activities: Reader's theatre, Prepare for News Channel Project
7 Session 7
Storytelling with Details (SL.4.2)
Session 7
Storytelling with Details (SL.4.2)
- Warm Up: Example of Debate
- Discussion: What is a debate?
- Activities: Prepare for Debate, Prepare for News Channel Project
8 Session 8
Storytelling with Details (SL.4.2)
Session 8
Storytelling with Details (SL.4.2)
- Warm Up: Example of Debate
- Discussion: What is a debate?
- Activities: Prepare for Debate, Prepare for News Channel Project
9 Session 9
Debate Presentation (SL.1b.2)
Session 9
Debate Presentation (SL.1b.2)
- Warm Up: 1 Minute Impromptu
- Activities: Debate, Prepare for News Channel Project
10 Session 10
News Channel Presentation (SL.4.2)
Session 10
News Channel Presentation (SL.4.2)
- Warm Up: 1 Minute Impromptu
- Activities: Present News Channel
11 Session 11
Audio Recordings of Poems (SL.5.2)
Session 11
Audio Recordings of Poems (SL.5.2)
- Warm Up: Connect the Word Story
- Discussion: What are the characteristics of a poem?
- Activities: Choose a poem or story to practice, Prepare for Final Presentation (I am an Expert)
12 Session 12
Practicing Poems (SL.5.2)
Session 12
Practicing Poems (SL.5.2)
- Warm Up: Connect the Word Story
- Discussion: What are the characteristics of a poem?
- Activities: Practice poem or story, Prepare for Final Presentation (I am an Expert)
13 Session 13
Types of Poems (SL.5.2)
Session 13
Types of Poems (SL.5.2)
- Warm Up: 20 Questions
- Discussion: What are the different types of poems?
- Activities: Practice poem or story, Prepare for Final Presentation (I am an Expert)
14 Session 14
Recording Poems (SL.5.2)
Session 14
Recording Poems (SL.5.2)
- Warm Up: Charades
- Activities: Record reading of poem or story, Prepare for Final Presentation (I am an Expert)
15 Session 15
Nonverbal Communication (SL.1b.2)
Session 15
Nonverbal Communication (SL.1b.2)
- Warm Up: Charades
- Discussion: How can characters show action without words?
- Activities: Pixar Short Film Discussion, Prepare for Final Presentation (I am an Expert)
16 Session 16
Nonverbal Communication (SL.1b.2)
Session 16
Nonverbal Communication (SL.1b.2)
- Warm Up: Pictionary
- Discussion: How can characters show action without words?
- Activities: Pixar Short Film Discussion, Prepare for Final Presentation (I am an Expert)
17 Session 17
Tone of Voice (SL.1b.2)
Session 17
Tone of Voice (SL.1b.2)
- Warm Up: Pictionary
- Discussion: What is tone of voice?
- Activities: Funny Image game, Prepare for Final Presentation (I am an Expert)
18 Session 18
Expression in Speaking (SL.1b.2)
Session 18
Expression in Speaking (SL.1b.2)
- Warm Up: 1 Minute Speech
- Discussion: How do we use expression when public speaking?
- Activities: Reader's theatre, Prepare for Final Presentation (I am an Expert)
19 Session 19
Gestures in Speaking (SL.1b.2)
Session 19
Gestures in Speaking (SL.1b.2)
- Warm Up: 1 Minute Speech
- Discussion: How do we use gestures when public speaking?
- Activities: Reader's theatre, Prepare for Final Presentation (I am an Expert)
20 Session 20
SL.4.2 Tell a story or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking audibly in coherent sentences
Session 20
SL.4.2 Tell a story or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking audibly in coherent sentences
- Warm Up: 20 Questions
- Activities: Present Final Project
Additional Notes
Although there are repeated activities, the topic of each activity will be different. For example, the 1-minute speech is a public speaking strategy, but each time the students do this activity they will be given a different topic to discuss.