Oral Interpretation

Please check back for info. 2019-20 School Year info below for reference.

Oral interpretation is an event where students in grades 1-5

choose a piece of poetry or prose, practice reciting it with parent coaches, then present it to an audience on reception day. This experience helps students gain skills and confidence with public presentations.

Students select a poem, prose, book excerpt, or their own written material to memorize and perform. It must be under 2 minutes. Students can perform only once, either on their own or with a friend. Coaches will work with students during their practice time on verbal delivery (including tone, projection, inflection, pronunciation), eye contact, facial expressions, and gestures. After six weeks of practice, students will perform for their peers and volunteer judges at school. Then, as a final celebration, they will perform for family and friends at an evening reception.

Practices will take place during lunch/recess on Tuesdays starting Jan. 21 and continuing through Feb. 25. Final performance day is Thurs., Feb. 27. Students will do a "dress rehearsal" that morning in the library. Then that evening the final performance (including treats) will take place 5:30 - 8 p.m.. If any students are unable to attend the evening performance, parents are welcome to come see them perform in the library during the day. The evening schedule will be posted after practices begin.

For more info, please contact Maggie Bengston at maggiebengston@hotmail.com or 720.308.9009.

Resources: We challenge our older students to think beyond the popular works of Shel Silverstein, Kenn Nesbitt, and Jack Prelutsky. A few websites to look for inspiration include: