Spring 2006

Classroom Caper

TOPIC: Giving Presentations

Objective: Learners identify and implement the tasks necessary to prepare for and give a public presentation.

Procedure:

1. As a class, brainstorm local places where people gather to hear speakers. Hospitals, community organizations (e.g. Rotary Club), women's groups, health clubs, proessional associations, senior centers, teacher's organizations, networking groups, chiropractic offices, and community colleges are just some of the venues to consider. Approximate Time: 20 minutes
2. In small groups pick a venue that would make a good choice for a presentation. Assignment: Small groups research and plan for the logistics involved, detailing the costs, the materials they needed, and how they will promote the presentation. Approximate Time: 2-3 hours
3. In the same small groups, discuss what information is likely to be most vital to their chosen audience. Each learner then chooses a topic in which s/he feels competent. Assignment: Prepare a 10-minute talk appropriate for the chosen audience, including an outline and presentation materials. Approximate Time: 3-6 hours
4. In small groups each learner gives a presentation to the rest, who listen to and evaluate each presentation. Approximate time: 2-3 hours, depending on the number of learners per group

Variation: To save preparation time, use the Therapeutic Massage: How it Helps and Why it Works! Presentation Planning Kit as the basis for the caper. Assign learners to read portions, discuss those portions and follow the suggestions for setting up a presentation and adapting one of the scripts to prepare a presentation to match their interests and preferences. Then each learner gives the presentation as in step 4 above.

Discussion: What was easy about this exercise? What was difficult? What audiences do you want to target for the future and how will that affect the venues you will consider using? What do you need to learn more about your topic to feel confident in giving a presentation? Where will you seek that information? What questions do you still have about presentations? Time: 20-60 minutes

Materials Required: Paper, writing utensil.
Optional: whiteboard, flipchart, Information for People Presentation Guide

Source: Diana Moore

Special Offer

E-mail Us Your Capers!

Please use the format:

• Topic
• Objective
• Procedure
• Discussion
• Materials Required
• Time Required
• Source

Send to: SMA Info

Confidence Checklist

Many people associate public speaking with horrid memories standing up in front of a classroom reciting long poems. Remind your class that they will enhance their performance and enjoyment if they replace any negative self-talk with positive self-talk. The subconscious doesn't know the difference between an actual experience or one that is vividly imagined. An actual event need not occur to record a positive attitude toward that event. By programming the subconscious with positive self-talk, we modify our current self-image, which controls our performance and gives us a powerful technique for utilizing our true potential.

Some techniques for building self-confidence in your presentation abilities are:

• Believe in yourself.
• Eliminate self-defeating behavior.
• Substitute fears with desires.
• Set realistic goals.
• Know your strengths and limitations.
• Do not dwell on past mistakes or failures.
• Visualize what you want to change.
• Move beyond your comfort zone.
• Do not deny your feelings.
• Do informal presentations to groups with which you are comfortable.
• Do not take yourself or life too seriously.
• Increase sensitivity to your own feelings.
• Decrease sensitivity to others' perceptions.
• Dwell on past successes.
• Trust your intuition and instincts.

Everyone gets nervous. The difference between a good presenter and a poor one is the good presenter knows how to manage fears. Use the adrenaline that's pumping through your system to keep you alert and sustain a high energy level. Some tips for alleviating nervousness are:

• Before your presentation, visualize yourself having a fabulous time-being dynamic, energetic and connecting with the audience.
• Take a few deep breaths and relax your body.
• Get a massage prior to the presentation.
• Avoid eating a heavy meal before class.
• Maintain good posture: unlock your knees and stand with equal weight on both feet.
• Maintain organization of your notes, audio-visuals and thoughts.
• Wear comfortable clothes.

Word Search

Presentation Word Search: There are 44 presentation terms and phrases hidden in this word search. Can you find them all? Go to our website for a full sheet pdf version of this word search you can download and print out to add to your classroom activities.

Y Y N D K P N O I T C A R E T N I
C T O A E T A I C N U N E L O A N
O I I E E G N I H T A E R B V U F
N L T L P G C I R E W S N A E D O
C A A B I C A O O S K I T T R I R
I U S A T L E U M P E T A R H E M
S Q R N S E B Y G M E L M O E N S
E Y E O I G A A E N U H I F A C T
D A V S M A C O T C A N T M D E N
I R N R P G O I I P O L I O S L O
A T O E L N V T N T A N Y C T T I
L R C P E E R X K T C D T D A I T
A O E C N A I R A V E E A A O T S
U P R E P A R E D L O N J P C B E
S T U O D N A H C E E P S O A T U
I S U C O F T N E S E R P E R C Q
V O C A L I Z E R U T S O P Y P E

You too can make fun word searches for your students using word search engines like DiscoverySchool's PuzzleMaker.

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