Show and Tell instructions

Grade 8's:  Here are your instructions for the Show and Tell project.  If you have any questions, please make sure to ask me.  

1.  Choose something about which you can speak for 2 minutes.  It can be ANYTHING, as long as it generates a good, engaging story.

2.  Jot down some ideas about what you want to say.  You could briefly describe the object, tell how you acquired it, why it is important to you, with whom you associate it, anything that will make the audience interested.  Think about what would interest you.  Think about why the item is important to you.  If you are interested in it, it is likely that we will be, too.  Don't be afraid to be enthusiastic.

3.  Plan what you are going to say.  Prepare cue cards, if that will help.  (It would help me.)  You can say what you think you might say in your speech and write it down, or you can write it down first.  This is your process and you can experiment with what works best, but you do need to have a plan and stick to it.

4.  Practice saying your speech.  Time it and make sure it is about 2 minutes long.  Say it to someone you trust and ask them for feedback.

5.  Practice speaking slowly and clearly and projecting your voice.  Remember to try to appear to be confident, even if you don't feel confident.  Let your enthusiasm for the item shine through.  That will help engage the audience.  When you present, stand centerstage.  Don't move around too much.  Make eye contact with the audience.  Keep your head up.

6.  Don't use repetitive words and phrases (like "y'know" and "that sort of thing" and "sort of").  Don't begin your speech with "so" and don't end it with "yeah". 

7.  It can be a good idea to start your speech with a question that involves the audience's experience, for example, "have you ever been lost in a foreign city?" or "do any of you have a part time job?"  End the speech with some sort of conclusion, perhaps a lesson you've learned or an experience we can identify with.  "In conclusion, winning this medal taught me that you can never give up because, as Yogi Beara said, 'it ain't over, till it's over'" or "I guess we should always listen to the advice of our parents!"

Let me know if you have any questions about this assignment.