How do you get a roomful of kids to face their fears? You trick them.

Few are not afraid. Few do it unless they have to. So you have to trick them.

Yesterday, I tricked my kids. And before they knew it, they were up in front of the class, practicing public speaking. And today, the trickery will continue.

At the end of the month, the kids will deliver their “Be a Voice” speeches. As you can imagine, they–like most the rest of the world–are not thrilled to speak publicly. It is among the top fear for most people, and they at this age are no different. So, to help make the experience less awful, I strive to get them up and practicing presentation skills, facing their fears.

To begin, I asked them to write a “sappy-student” rhyme about our classroom community. I, then, asked them to deliver their poems to the class. A few were ready to go yesterday, so we started. Their poems are below. Today, we will finish up.

Beyond just reading their poems, I am asking them to consider and practice two specific presenting skills from our PVLEGS approach. Poise and voice. Of course, in the end, they won’t leave my class Ted-Talk ready, but my hope is that they leave my class better aware of the necessary skills for presenting effectively, and, too, maybe–just maybe–a little less afraid of public speaking.

Poise

Voice

Life

Eye Contact

Gestures

Speed

I am so proud of what the kids created and shared yesterday. It warms my heart that they have come to value what we have worked so hard to create this year: community. Means everything to me. And it was no accident. No accident at all. It was the plan all along. Special group of kids, these. Special.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will…

…begin with Smiles and Frowns

…celebrate community and practice public speaking.

…end with a Sappy Sy Rhyme

Happy Thursday, all.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.