Speech

May is Better Speech Month, and with temperatures rising and summer just around the corner, there’s a lot for students to talk about!

Grades K-2
Explain to students that everyone has a unique voice, both in the way they speak and the way they communicate in writing. Describe how spoken voice comes from the anatomy of the vocal system, while written voice comes from personality. Then record each student saying the same sentence. Play back the recordings one at a time, and have students try to guess which student’s voice is in the recording, writing down their answers. Then have students use Word Processing software to type a sentence that begins with “I think…” and includes at least 10 words. Distribute these sentences to students and see if they can guess the student based on word choice, style, tone (which all contribute to the written “voice”).

EasyTech units: Word Processing Basics, Introduction to Keyboards

Grades 3-5
Usually speech is an instinctual process in which thoughts from the brain are communicated to the organs involved in forming sounds. Have students imagine that the process is not instinctual and has to be taught to the involved parts of the human body. Students should use the Web to research how speech works. Then, they should write a letter from the brain to the rest of the human vocal system. The letter should explain to each part of the anatomy what it needs to do for speech to occur. The letter should also include information on possible speech disorders.
EasyTech units: Word Processing, Web Browsing Basics

Grades 6-8
Students are very used to using a variety of communication methods every day, without even thinking about it. Have students communicate without speech for a class period (be sure the period includes group work and free communication time). Students should use any other communication medium they think is appropriate, including technology, gestures, writing, etc. After the class period, have students write an essay about how different types of communication work together. They should note specific things that it was difficult to communicate in ways besides speaking, and should comment on what methods of communication seemed best-suited to specific topics or communication needs.
EasyTech units: Web Browsing