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Tag: Communication

Jul132021

Nonverbal Communication (Day 2)

Day 2 of the Leadership and Public Speaking course centered on the importance of nonverbal communication. The following is an overview of today’s session:

Leadership and Public Speaking:

  1. Students introduced each other based on what they recalled from yesterday’s introductions. We gave a round of applause for each student presented
  2. Students continued note taking based on the visual and written aspect of communication
  3. Students learned that nonverbal communication takes up 70-93 percent of communication received from an audience
  4. Students learned the importance of body language through Amy Cuddy’s talk
  5. Students shared an individual whom they believe is a great communicator/public speaker (and they will explain why, tomorrow)
  6. Students research the top questions asked by interviewers seeking job candidates and students answered the following:
    • What are your greatest strengths?
    • What are your greatest weaknesses?
    • Tell me a challenge or conflict you’ve faced at school, and how you dealt with it?
  1. Students shared their responses with the group as their takeaway for the session

Takeaway from day 2:

Out of the four major categories of communication—verbal, nonverbal, written and visual—it can be argued that nonverbal communication is most significant. Professor Amy Cuddy is a leading researcher in the power of nonverbal communication. Cuddy’s TED Global talk (2012) is an excellent resource for understanding how body language can make a negative or positive impact.

Jul92021

Summer Enrichment

What are summer enrichment courses? 

Enrichment defined is the action of improving or enhancing the quality of something (or someone). In this case, summer enrichment courses are designed to help students build upon the skills they’ve learned during their normal school year and introduce skills that they will need in order to more smoothly navigate and transition into the new school year. The following are two courses that I plan to teach in the coming weeks:

Leadership and Public Speaking:

This course will focus on developing students’ skills in public speaking and leadership through a collaborative environment. Students will engage in authentic activities that mirror school and career experiences to strengthen their presentation skills and self-confidence. Through this lens, students will work on developing the qualities and skills needed for leadership roles as they carve out their unique style and build on their strengths.

Writer’s Workshop:

This course will focus on fostering cross-curricular writing skills in middle school students. Students will be exposed to various forms of writing and learn to differentiate their writing for various audiences. This course will explore elements of both academic and creative writing. Students will use topics of their interest to develop strong writing structures and conventions to support school-based writing and personal expressions.

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I look forward to sharing summaries of the learning process, which I will also be sharing with my students’ parents. Have you taken enrichment courses? What are your thoughts (and/or experiences) regarding enrichment courses for middle and high school students?