Units 1 & 2: Fundamentals of communication. How do our perceptions of ourselves and others influence our ability to communicate effectively? What role do nonverbal cues and listening play in effective communication? How can we tailor our communication for different audiences and purposes? Researching career opportunities.

Culminating Projects: Object Story Exchange, Personal Interview,  Giving and Receiving Feedback, Mock job interviews

Unit 3: Leadership roles and group dynamics: What role(s) do I tend to play in group work? What are my strengths and weaknesses as a group member? What are productive ways to overcome interpersonal conflicts? What are the different styles of leadership and which styles work best in different scenarios?

Culminating Projects: Conflict-resolution script, group dynamics self-reflection, leadership style self-reflection

Unit 4: Informative Speeches Research, organizational and planning tools, visual aids, and presenting under time constraints

Culminating Projects: Process speech, recitation of a famous speech (memorized)

Unit 5 Persuasive speeches: What are the tools of persuasion and how can I use them to my advantage? 

Culminating Projects: Product advertisement, Business Card, Elevator Pitch, Debate, Socratic Seminar

Unit 6 Speeches for special occasions:
What kind of speeches are you likely to have to give during your lifetime?

Culminating Projects: Graduation speech-writing, head-to-head speech competitions, speech games

Learning Scales

Achieving: Consistently meets grade level standards

Progressing: Partially meets grade level standards

Developing: Support needed

0: Insufficient evidence

Learning Strands 

20 % - FORMATIVES Unit notes, class activities, vocab, quizzes, and presentation preparations (research, outlines, and practice)

30 % - MINI-PROJECTS: In between a practice and end-of-unit demonstration of knowledge :)

50% - SUMMATIVES
Presentations (verbal and nonverbal delivery: use of time, volume, posture, eye contact), projects, and written reflections

Absences & Reassessment: If a student is absent on the day of a scheduled presentation, they will present on the day they return. Reassessments are accepted up to 5 school days of the assignment being returned and posted in Infinite Campus. 

Classroom Norms & Procedures

• Sign In/Out: Students must ask permission to the leave the classroom  (bathroom, nurse, locker). Sign in/out using the SmartPass and take the pass.

• Lockers: All bags/backpacks are to be kept in lockers. Students will not be able to visit lockers during the class period.

• Cell phones: Cell phones are to remain in lockers during the school day. 1st offense: phone is held until the end of the class period. 2nd offense: Phone is taken to the office. Pick-up/consequence to be determined by the office

• Cheating, Plagiarism & AI: It is a serious offense to turn in work that is not your own, and the result will be no credit. 

• Respect: Bullying, belittling, degrading and discriminatory language and actions are not tolerated. 

Daily Supplies

• Two-pocket folder

• Chromebook 

• Charging cord

•  Pencils 

• Earbuds or headphones

• Optional: Water bottle (with a sealable lid), glue stick, scissors, colored pencils, highlighters, post-it notes, tissues

• If you are having technical difficulties with your chromebook, the classroom chromebook to submit a help ticket. You will be expected to complete assignments on paper while you wait for assistance. 

Online Learning Platforms

• Google Classroom

• Vocabulary.com

• Quizlet

• Blooket

• Kahoot

• WeVideo

Homework???

• Not exactly, BUT...

• Some students may find they  need more practice studying on Vocabulary.com or Quizlet prior to quizzes.

• Any work not completed during the class period should be finished at home.

• Some speeches my require extra practice or preparation at home. 

• If you are absent, it is expected that you check Google Classroom and complete what you missed.