Speak Up!

Use the attached Lesson Slides to guide the lesson. Begin by displaying slides 3–4 to share the essential questions and learning objectives with students. Ask students to keep these in mind throughout the lesson.

Use the Kick Me instructional strategy to facilitate the next activity. Place one of the prepared Speeches Labels on each student’s back. Make sure that students do not see the label on their own backs. Ensure that for every student who receives the name of a speaker, like Abraham Lincoln, there is another student who receives a fragment of that speaker’s speech, such as “Four score and seven years ago…”

Display slide 5 and have students stand. Tell students that they should walk around the room and talk to each other to determine what the label on their backs say. Share that they should only ask two questions of each person they talk to, and they should only ask questions that can be answered with “yes” or “no.” After they ask two questions to one person, they should find a new partner. If they think they know what their label says, they must confirm by asking “Am I [author/speech]?” of their partner, as this question can be answered with “yes” or “no.” Stress that students may only respond to questions with “yes” or “no.”

Share that once students know what their labels say, they should find the speech or author that corresponds to their label. Have students begin asking questions. Once students begin to find their matching labels, have pairs sit together for the next phase of the lesson.