Speech Arts

Speech Arts is a two-semester course GUARANTEED to give participants
those life skills required to make them better communicators. Every
activity/assignment is designed to facilitate better communication,
confidence, critical and creative thinking and a host of “why
skills.” These “why skills” allow participants to develop an
initial understanding of WHY they are learning specific communication
strategies, and help them to CONNECT their learning to other classes,
their jobs, families, friends and life.

The main requirement for this class is that students WANT to be there
and are ready to grow…..TRANSFORM!!! This want and positive energy
helps them to create amazing experiences that are taken far beyond our
speech arts class. OUR CREDO IS....NOTHING HELD BACK!!!
Once speech arts students have developed an interpretation of their
experiences, they must constantly critique their learning process, both
verbally and in on-going written reflection papers. Their writing
directly reflects their learning as outlined by “The Learning Tree.”

Learning Tree “WHY SKILLS”
Think and Communicate with Clarity and Precision
Read, Write and Listen for Many Purposes
Develop and Apply Thinking Strategies
Gather Data through all senses
Create sensory images from information sources
Apply past knowledge to new situations
Draw inferences and recognize patterns
Determine important ideas and themes
Make connections from a variety of sources
Analyze data
Support generalizations
Think flexibly
Strive for accuracy
Question and pose problems
Think about thinking
Respond with curiosity, wonderment and awe
Develop and Apply Skills in Technology to the Learning Process
Caring
Cooperation
Love and Respect
Responsibility
Listening with Empathy
Interdependent Thinking
Conflict Resolution
Service/citizenship
Consideration
Active Participation
Committed Involvement
Celebration of Diversity
Fairness
Allowance/Sensitivity to Others
Open mindedness
Reflection
Awareness
Mindfulness
Self-Direction
Initiative
Work Ethics
Openness to Continuous Learning
Taking Responsible Risks
Resiliency
Motivation
Commitment
Persistence
Physical Wellness
Emotional Wellness
Mental Wellness
Spiritual Wellness
Social Wellness
Positive Attitude
Joy
Optimism
Gratitude
Playfulness
Finding Humor
Positive Identity
Self-Respect
Sense of Purpose
Personal Power
Integrity
Creativity
Accurate Self-Assessment