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Public Speaking Activities

5 fun speech games to build skills and confidence.

By:  Susan Dugdale  | Last modified: 10-26-2023

There are five public speaking activities on this page, along with numerous spinoffs.

Their principal purpose is to develop speech fluency and confidence through fun!

You'll find they are easily adaptable to groups of all ages and skill levels: from newcomers to advanced.

I've used them all and know they work. People become so enjoyably engrossed in them, they forget to be fearful!

1. Interview Introductions

Interview Introductions are a great way to break the ice with a new group of people. The exercise has them finding out about each other and then introducing the person they interviewed to the whole group.

As it's a lot less threatening or scary to talk about someone else rather than yourself, you'll find people respond really positively as they're generally eager to represent the person they interviewed well.

Instructions

• Divide your group into pairs.
• Each person interviews the other in turn. The information gained forms the basis of a brief introduction speech they'll give to the whole group when the interviewing process is complete.
• Ask them to find out their partner's name, where they live/work, what hobbies they have, what their favorite book, film, song...is, what they're most proud of (an achievement perhaps), what they hope for from the class, something funny that happened in their childhood, where they go for holidays, what they think about the latest local issue ... Obviously they can't expect to cover all of that in detail inside the brief time they spend talking with each other. One or two interesting points is enough!
• Establish a time limit for the interviews. I've found 10 minutes works well. Keep track of the time and call change at the halfway point, 5 minutes, to ensure both people get an opportunity to be interviewed and to interview.  
• When the group comes back together the introductions begin: "This is Mary from Taupo. When she's not working for the Social Welfare Department as a community social worker she's collecting stamps. She says part of their charm is that they don't answer back and are quiet!"

2. Image Starters

Picture prompts or image starters are great for sparking  imaginative storytelling and conversations.

Either use my ready-made printable file of 40 picture prompts , (which you can find out more about by clicking the link), or gather up a collection of your own to use.

You'll need interesting images/photos from magazines or newspapers - enough for everybody to have one each and then a few spare.

Place them face down and have everybody pick one.

Using the image as a prompt, what can they share about it? 

Questions to get started are:

• Where is this photo/image from? (And the answer doesn't have to be true - merely plausible! Encourage imaginative creativity.)
• What's happening in this photo/picture?
• What feelings does the image evoke?
• Is there a season or time associated with it?
• What happened after or before the photo was taken?

5 activities using image starters

If you'd like specific instructions for five different activities based around images you'll find them here: picture prompts for impromptu speeches . 

They range from introductory 'show and tell', like the starter questions above, to more advanced. There are solo as well as group activities.

3. For and Against

'For and Against' encourages flexibility: the ability to see a topic from opposing sides.

A speaker has 30 seconds to talk 'for' a topic and then another 30 seconds to speak 'against' it.

Prepare and print out a selection of controversial speech topics. You'll need one per person.

Put the topics into a non-see through bag. Have each speaker select their topic when it's their turn to speak.

Ideally what's wanted is at least two or three good points supporting both sides: for and against.

Time the speech. Call start, the half way point and, stop.

Sample topics:

• money is the root of all evil
• a country gets the government it deserves
• ' green ' politics are just the current fashion
• pets in apartments should be banned
• marriage is essentially a business contract
• 'Religion is the opiate of the masses' : Karl Marx
• poverty is a state of mind
• euthanasia is unjustifiable
• global warming is media hype
• cloning animals should be banned
• animal testing is immoral

For variation split your group into pairs and extend the time limit to 1 - 2 minutes. One person takes the 'for' position, and other takes the 'against'.  

More 1 minute speech practice

For 150 1 minute speech topics with 3 example speech outlines following the PREP (Point, Reason, Example, Point) format, the full text of three speeches plus audio, visit:  1 minute speech topics .

Get instant organizers for impromptu speeches

For more on structuring impromptu speeches quickly and effectively go to impromptu speaking templates . You'll find 7 useful speech outline organizers explained (including PREP), alongside suggestions to banish impromptu speaking blues. 

4. The Object of my Affection

Gather up a collection of small objects, enough for one per speaker. For example: a vintage toy car, a can of sardines, a hair ribbon, an old black and white photographic portrait, a pair of baby shoes .... 

Put all of them into a non-see through bag.

Each speaker puts their hand into the bag and pulls out an object. Whatever they get forms the basis of their 1 - 2 minute speech.

Ideas to help the speakers get started:

• This ... { insert the name of whatever it is the speaker has in their hand } saved my life. It happened like this...
• Whenever I see a ...{ insert the name of whatever it is the speaker has in their hand } it reminds me of the time I...
• I collect ...{i nsert the name of whatever it is the speaker has in their hand } and this one is the prize of my collection. It used to belong to ...

5. Conducted Speech

This is a group public speaking activity. It is noisy, effective and outrageously good fun! 

Select a tongue twister from this page of  diction exercises  eg. " Sister Susie sat on the seashore sewing shirts for soldiers ".

Divide your class into groups of four. Three in each group will be the speakers and the fourth, the conductor.

The speakers repeat the tongue twister responding to the conductor's direction. He/she can make them go faster or slower, louder or quieter. The conductor could even decide to make it a round by staggering when each person begins! 

The goal of the exercise is to practice articulation coupled with vocal variety ie. speech rate and volume.

It also teaches cooperation and focus, or concentration. Let your mind wander, and it's game over! You've lost it, not only for yourself but your group as well.

Swap the conductor role around to give everybody a turn.

Once everybody is familiar with the activity, give the groups turns at demonstrating their prowess to the whole class. They'll love seeing and hearing each other perform. ☺

If you liked these speech activities ...

You'll love my ebook!

28  public speaking games  (with many more variations and extensions), full instructions, PLUS printable topic, tongue twister, poem and image sheets.

A complete  one-stop-select-print-go  public speaking resource for busy people.

Find out more >>

For more freebie public speaking activities:

• 10 activities for public speaking - a collection of tried and tested speech class activities for middle school upwards
• Another 7 fun-filled public speaking games for groups
• Improv games - a collection of 5 excellent drama games for groups
• Public speaking exercises - these focus on the individual speaker- how to breathe well, stand, use eye contact effectively...

What's the difference between these freebie activities and your ebook?

My ebook contains the best of all the games from these pages and then some more strictly Susan specials, PLUS detailed instructions on how to use them.

You'll find out how to select games for a class, introduce them for maximum effect, integrate them into your lesson plans, and so on.

It also has all the topics, tongue twisters, images etc you need to play available as printables.

It's a one-stop, time saving resource that you'll return to time, and time again. Why not check it out?

Your students will thank you for it!

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Speaking (Not Public Speaking!) Activities for Middle and High School Students

“Public” Speaking Activities for Students

It’s not hard to find suggestions of ways to get students to talk. If you do a web search for “public speaking activities,” you will find many sites, and they include ideas for debates, presentations, podcasts, read-alouds, role playing, and other ideas you might have already considered. If you had time to sift through all the sites, you might find something novel.

I’d prefer it if teachers searching for “public” speaking classroom activities searched instead just for “speaking activities” because oral communication comes in many varieties beyond what is connoted by “public speaking.” We speak formally and informally, one-to-one, in small and large groups, in-person, and via digital tools. I want students to speak well in every situation. While all sites are about ways to make students speak, few are about how to teach students to speak well .

Contrasting Speaking with Writing

Confidence and eloquence are skills that virtually everyone can seek to improve with practice. Middle and high school students benefit especially in a range of classroom activities, such as discussions, book reports, or presentations. I believe part of the challenge is that from kindergarten on, teachers often assign speaking activities without specific instruction about the skills needed to succeed and without a specific goal for the speaking part of the activity.

Contrast speaking in the classroom with writing, for example. We break writing down into specific skills that can be honed. Perhaps we want to focus on word choice, for example. We have specific lessons about word choice. “What words can we use instead of ‘nice’ or ‘fun?’” Then we might tell students to write a short piece that puts those lessons into play. Now think about how speaking activities usually work. We teach a poetry unit. Perhaps as no more than a footnote at the end of the unit, we say, “Now, everyone pick a poem and read it aloud to the class.” Students who may have thrived reading and interpreting poetry may struggle when reciting it. There was no lesson about the oral communication skills needed to recite a poem well, no speaking skill focus for the activity, and no follow-up leading to improved communication. Let’s change that!

Not just effective but also fun speaking activities work differently: choose an activity that emphasizes a particular skill that good speakers demonstrate, teach lessons about that skill in advance of the activity, and have students speak. Here are some ideas that will fit across multiple subjects and grades. You will notice that many skills besides speaking are involved (e.g., reasoning, persuasion, prosody) but I am only mentioning the speaking skill focus.

Traveling Debate: Eye Contact

Students typically look at the teacher when they talk. Whether doing a biography presentation to the class or participating in a discussion, they always look at you. Teach about the importance of eye contact: how it creates a connection with the listeners, how it gives feedback, how odd it is to converse with someone if they never look at you.

Tell students that even though it may be difficult or feel uncomfortable, they need to engage everyone as they speak. For most, that means looking at every student being addressed. (For those with limited or no vision, make “verbal” contact and ask them to use other students’ names.) Choose a high-interest topic with two clear sides, and try this game-like activity that encourages students to consider the other side.

Teacher: Stand on this side of the room if you believe social media has harmed children and stand on that side if you believe social media has not harmed children. There is no middle—it either has harmed children or it hasn’t. [Wait for children to move.] Hmm, it seems that more of you think it is not harmful. OK, your job is to get someone to cross the room and come to your side. There is no applauding and no side comments. You look at those on the other side. Make eye contact with each of them, speak to them, and hope they start walking to your side. Let’s have the side with fewer people get the first speaker. Mason?

Mason: Social media can make it easier for people to say cruel things to each other. [He makes eye contact with specific students.] Have you experienced negative comments? [He scans back and forth looking for reaction. One child crosses over.]

Teacher: Interesting. Someone from this side? Sofia?

Sofia: Kids are sometimes mean, in person or on social media. Social media doesn’t make it worse. Think about it. [Making eye contact with each person.] Have you made any new friends because of social media, Chase? [Three kids cross over.]

After a few back-and-forths, comment about how well speakers used eye contact. Encourage students to have an appropriate facial expression with their eye contact to communicate that they are credible, confident, and conveying the proper emotion for the comment. Show students the difference between purposeful eye contact and staring. Ask students if they felt they were talked to directly at some point. Some students struggle with eye contact much more than others—an aspect to keep in mind when assessing this skill.

Demonstration Speech: Gestures

I often see rubrics that include points for gestures, but I never see lessons about how to gesture well. Tell students that gestures greatly increase interest in talks and enhance understanding. Gestures can also drive home a point, show agreement, or express emotion. You may want to provide examples to your students, for example leaning forward, nodding, shrugging, or pointing.

Assign a three-minute talk during which they demonstrate a task they’re familiar with, for example making toast or brushing their teeth. The trick: their hands are empty, and the gestures must help the audience imagine what is being demonstrated. Encourage them to indicate details specific to them, for example the type of bread they are likely to eat or how to brush around braces.

Student: I am going to show you how to make toast. I have a piece of bread here [holding right hand out as if there was a piece of bread in it]. As you can see, I have marble rye with swirls [pointing with left forefinger at where the swirls would be in the imaginary piece of bread]. I drop it in the toaster and push down on the button here [pretending to let go of the bread into the imaginary toaster and pressing the imaginary button on the side].

Ask students if they could visualize the process. Which gestures were clearest? Which gestures would they have performed differently? Stress how gestures are powerful tools to add to any talk. Note that this activity can become a game by having students leave out what they’re gesturing and having the class try to guess.

30 Second Commercial: Life

It is normal for students beginning to develop speaking skills to come across as monotonous or lifeless. Point out to students how lively voices are in commercials. So much feeling comes across in the speaking: sadness can get viewers to donate money, excitement can get viewers wanting to eat or drink something, gruffness to get viewers to think a truck is tough, and so on. You may want to call out specific ways that a speaker conveys emotion, for example by varying their voice pitch or adjusting pace.

Tell students to come up with a 30-second commercial about a product real or imagined. Stress that they will need lots of feeling, energy, and life to make the audience want to buy. Fit the commercials in during transitions in the schedule.

Teacher: We have a minute until lunch. Let’s have a commercial. Today’s class has been brought to you by…Jaden!

Jaden: Today! For a limited time only!! The must-have product for every home: the 3D snack printer. Yes, that’s right, a printer that can produce your favorite snack. Potato chips. Apple slices. Fruit-filled pretzels . THE POSSIBILITIES ARE LIMITLESS!! Only 100 available so buy now. Buy now! BUY NOW!!

Point out how adding life makes all talks more enjoyable, and the same principle of speaking with emotion and excitement makes a story come alive. Multilingual learners might have difficulty enunciating certain words in their commercials. Point out that this activity is about life, not perfect pronunciation, so articulation mistakes don’t matter. Have fun!

Wrap-Up: Oral Communication Activities and Games

As the teacher, you are of course the best equipped to determine what games and activities to promote oral communication are best suited to your class and what skills your students need the most support with. Here is a rubric from HMH Into Literature that you can use to assess a student’s speaking for any oral presentation. It will be useful with the activities above and with all oral communication activities in the classroom.

In general, speaking activities and speaking games for students are worthwhile only when they lead to improved speaking. That requires a specific focus, specific lessons about a targeted skill, and purposefully assigning the activity. Don’t just make students talk. Teach them how to be well spoken.

For an ELA program to support fun “public” speaking activities, relate literacy to students’ lives with HMH Into Literature for Grades 6–12.

Get our free reading intervention guide full of research-backed information.

• Professional Learning
• Grades 9-12

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My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

224 School Speech Topics for All Grades [High School, Middle School, Elementary]

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

In this article:

High School

Middle school, elementary school, school speech topics checklists, list of school speech topics.

• Girls are under more pressure in high school.
• Schools must not sell unhealthy foods.
• Cyberbullies should be suspended from school.
• Peer pressure will help students grow.
• Parents must not pay kids for good grades.
• Students don’t spend enough time reading books.
• Class sizes make a big difference.
• Schools must get involved with obese students weight issues.
• All students should join the gym.
• Schools should offer rewards for good test scores.
• Cheerleading isn’t a sport.
• The media is to blame for the pressure of girls wanting perfect bodies.
• Mass-shooting in schools can be prevented.
• 16 is an appropriate age to start dating.
• The in crowd is usually the most insecure group.
• Failing is a blessing in disguise.
• Students do not know how to live in the moment.
• Fashion isn’t all that important.
• The methods used to deal with bullies are not effective.
• Private schools are not better than government schools.
• Co-ed schools are better than single-gender schools.
• Recess time must be extended.
• Standardized tests are not a measure of a students ability.
• Textbooks shouldn’t be replaced by technology in high schools.
• Students shouldn’t be graded for gym.
• Birth control should be available at schools.
• Cheating at school is getting worse.
• Sugary drinks should not be sold at school.
• Healthy school lunches are a lost cause.
• Boys hide their body image pressure.
• Smoking makes students outcasts.
• ‘Name and shame’ does not change teenage behaviour.
• Bystanders must be held responsible for not intervening when there is trouble at school.
• Gay students need older gay role models.
• It should be illegal for under 21’s to buy cigarettes.
• Grouping students by ability only benefit the smartest ones.
• Students are less religious than their parents.
• It is important to have a mix of friends to socialize with.
• Kids purposely make parenting hard.
• Helping a friend isn’t always good.
• Not every teacher has the ability to inspire students.
• High school kids don’t need helicopter parents.
• High schools don’t recognize a student’s full potential.
• Class sizes should not exceed 20 students.
• Extra online classes are worth it.
• School should be all year round.
• Parents embarrass their kids too much.
• Attractive students have an advantage over others.
• Students have no interest in government matters.
• Hard work is more important than talent.
• The morning after pill shouldn’t have an age restriction.
• Group work in class should be kept small.
• The best way to learn is alone.
• Teachers don’t use technology to its full potential.
• Dropping out of high school should be an illegal offense.
• The racial make up of a school is important.
• Outings to museums have no educational value.
• Creativity isn’t something that can be taught.
• Students have too much workload.
• Untidy handwriting is a sign of intelligence.
• Student’s interests will change in high school.
• It is important to take career assessment tests.
• Students do not have to get involved with everything in high school.
• Weekend jobs make students more responsible.
• It is important that students volunteer in fields of interest.
• Students must know their place in the classroom.
• Teachers want to create leaders.
• Tutors are necessary even with good grades.
• Locker room talk is demeaning to female students.
• Driving must be taught in High School.
• Plagiarism is getting out of hand.
• The importance of not being a follower.
• Students should focus school work ahead of a social life.
• Students should leave a team if they are never chosen to play.
• Leaving high school with no clear career path isn’t a bad thing.
• Students should always have condoms with them.
• Never shrug off small assignments.
• High school should be treated as if it were a job.
• Web filters at school are not restrictive enough.
• There is too much focus on sports in high schools.
• All students should get involved in exchange programs.
• Group projects only cause conflict.
• Teachers should be allowed to refuse problem students in their classes.
• Principals don’t help develop teachers enough.
• Corporal punishment is abuse.
• Robotics now and in the future – is it helpful in the daycare business?
• Your most embarrassing moment at school and the way you saved your face, solve and fix the awkward situation.
• Amazing discoveries or facts you have never heard of before and like to introduce to your class.
• Adventure racing and famous heroes on motorbikes – so-called off the road movie clips could be nice video aids Such as Steppenwolf.
• Astronomical signs and their meanings. Make it personal by asking a volunteer to give all the info you need.
• Nursing your parents when they get older. Lots of young people do that in their spare time, and they do not often speak about it. Take a chance and show them the world of voluntary care by friends, children, and neighbors.
• Islands in Oceania, in the tropical Pacific Ocean region. There where the date line starts.
• Railroads and trains from 1850, and great train builders and engineers is a high school speech topic to work out.
• How to visit and enjoy an art museum with an audio guide tour on your ears.
• Strange experiences in a restaurant or bar and the moral lesson you draw after that.
• Hurricanes, how they start and their international accepted standards for name giving (boys and girls names from a to z).
• Food photography is much difficult than you think.
• A narrow escape from trouble …
• How to organize surprise parties.
• Why are television soaps popular – did you know a whole team of scenarists writes the storylines – often three per edition?
• I want a new law on … Well feel free to repair and remedy abuses.
• What do you think about often when you enter the school?
• What have you always wanted to do and did not have the courage to ask or really act?
• What would you like to change and why? This one is especially good as graduation input and output.
• Things we can’t understand.
• What are your community activities?
• Suggestions for a school field trip in the autumn.
• Dream explanation, ask for dreams, explain them. Consult dream reading professional and keep away from the shabby occult business.
• Rhetorical questions, Socratical debating techniques.
• Great places to go in the world.
• Hiking trails nobody knows and you want to share.
• See Europe in seven days after high school!

Middle school speech topics for public speaking and oral writing assignments from outdoor activities to Greyhound racing and Rodeo riding to sports games. I have brought into being several themes, suggestions and easy to develop ideas for school:

• My hobby and pet peeves.
• Free time activities that you can recommend.
• What brands or products are popular in this school and why?
• Unusual experiences in the last year.
• Outdoor activities, and indoor activities on a rainy day.
• Why we are no longer kids but are called young adults.
• Suggestions for fun weekends.
• Animation characters and their voices.
• Antarctica research of penguins.
• Aviation pioneers.
• Celebrities, actors, and actresses.
• Computer games are great middle school speech topics if you have an interested audience who likes to game at home.
• Flying discs tricks on the beach side.
• Foreign flags and their story – perhaps you should play the anthems too for a full picture.
• Reasons to abandon grounding rules.
• Rodeo riding: how to survive more than 30 seconds on the riding machine 🙂
• Strange world records set in history.
• Skateboarding tips and tricks, safe on the sidewalks.
• Greyhound racing and the bet systems that are used.
• The world would be a better place if … (fill in your highest dreams)
• Environmental problems in our community.
• Fashion trends in the last century.
• Pen pals or email pals; how traditional patterns have changed.
• My favourite sports games on television.
• My checklist for if you move to another town.
• Kid cooking is cool – if you know how to prep recipes 🙂
• My trip abroad to Europe or Latin-America.
• Monitoring butterflies in the field outside and in our garden.
• Aztec masks and their amazing stories and secrets hidden inside.
• Mythological monsters such as the Minotaur and Nymphs.
• How to organize a fun weekend for the whole family.
• If I was born hundred years ago, I would be …:
• African masks and their meaning in holy rituals.
• Ancient Chinese emperors and their interesting uniform and dress looks.
• The Ice Age; when, how and the causes are good K-6 subjects to come across.
• Pollution sources in our world, and what to do about them in a cost-friendly way at home.
• A Day In the life of a kid in Ancient Rome, compare it with your own modern life.
• Discovering caves are cool grade 6 speech topics to tell something more and show them the work of speleologists.
• Traditional fairy tales from around the world – remember the thick book of the Grimm Brothers?
• Puppets and their funny looking but indeed very serious theatrical performances from Java, Indonesia.
• The Diary of Anne Frank (book or movie) and the meaning today.
• My penpal or better: email-pal from the other side of the world.
• The secrets of the Egypt King Tutankhamun.
• If I was a journalist, I should investigate …
• If I won one million dollars, I would …
• When I am grown up I want to become a / an …
• Last weekend I was at …
• The funniest thing that ever happened to me this month or year.
• Things that make you happy right away if you have the power to buy or dictate.
• Ways I use to relax.
• Favorite sports moments.
• The character I want to be in a movie the hero with heroic courage / or the villain who gets the worst of it in the end.
• My most memorable vacation trip till now.
• The best summer camp games I have ever played and enjoyed very much.
• My favorite spot in the woods near our cabin.
• Your most favorite memories are also great grade 6 speech topics too to talk about in school.
• When you take a walk in the woods, you can see more than you might think …
• Recipes for kids, orally like your favorite meals and food.
• Cool home computer games I like to play, criticize, review and share in class.
• The day I was sick and I must see the doctor.
• Pot and care for a plant or small vegetable ishard labor and needs patience.
• How to make a marionette puppet – a grade 8 speech topic for the artistic
• Birds in our backyard, you’re perplexed about the miles they flew to get there.
• Oceans of the world: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic gulf streams.
• A ride in a truck for transporting heavy objects.
• What is a decent dress code for a serious dinner at official moments:
• My musical instrument and the lessons I take.
• Why giraffes have long necks.
• Animals I should take in Noah’s Ark – and the philosophy behind it.
• Why I like to dance my favorite dance.
• I cope with fear of public speaking for this grade 8 speech by … (secret tactic)
• Magic tricks with simple playing cards for every unexpected occassion.
• Exotic fruits and vegetables in grocery stores; look up where they come from.
• Best 3D paper models: cars, robots, spaceships, airplanes, buildings.
• Things to expect when your mother is pregnant.
• Birds, bears and rabbits spend the winter by sleeping, why?
• My first visit to a dentist: the correct way to brush and floss your teeth.
• Family members I admire: uncles, aunts, nieces or nephews.
• Music festivals and the big logistics puzzle of the organizing parties involved.
• History of the Panama Canal, and the way the pilotage handle very big ships.
• How does global warming affect the icebergs?
• If I was my father or mother for one day.
• My favorite era in history.
• What’s in my room at home.
• The school field trip I would like to make.

Elementary school speech topics on animal keeping, favorite things to do at home or the playground and specific hints that lead to innumerable variations:

• What makes me happy.
• Our last vacation trip.
• Fairy tale characters you would like to talk with.
• Magic tricks you can show.
• Funny things my pet has done. A great quantity of this special theme is to be sorted out of animals and keeing them at home. Do consult your atending if you may bring an animal in class. In case of hesitation – do not cross this line:
• My favorite family story.
• Oceans in the world.
• My neighbourhood.
• Funny Halloween costumes, inspires to lots of funny elementary school speech topics.
• A visit to the doctor, dentist.
• How does it feel to wake up an being a giant?
• Places I lived.
• Why I want to travel in space to the interstellair universe.
• The best paper airplanes withput less folding work.
• How boomerangs return to their sender.
• Circus clowns in all sorts and characters.
• My one-day internship at the fire department.
• Fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
• The best fishing spots.
• My best birthday ever.
• I am good at …
• This is the song I like to sing every day is: …
• Making puzzles of thouands pieces and the tricks I have learned.
• Police uniforms or fire department attire outfits.
• What can you see in the zoo?
• Musical instruments in an full orchestra.

School speech topics tips for verification and 1-2-3 step checking at the secondary middle, high and elementary public speaking homework assignments on teaching skills. In a nutshell: they are easy to answer questions to make a better choice for creating the best result.

Also on this page, you will discover tips to concrete communication issues and education resources. They lead you in the right direction; you only have to use your fantasy.

Let the imaginary juices flow in your brains!

Can We Write Your Speech?

Get your audience blown away with help from a professional speechwriter. Free proofreading and copy-editing included.

Read all my checks for writing subjects and after you have completed that task follow all secure education idea links to the online education lists I have shaped and modified in class education material:

More aggravated lists of themes and valuable information regarding different subjects for future generations education are below. As well as a summary of the implications and / or requirements of what you have found, and school speech topics you could analyze in class.

You can sort out any ideas you like to talk about in oral lessons, scan the possible suggestions and think about what your audience like to hear you talking about: cite short passages and quotation excerpts from well-known experts in the field of research, or refer to good knowledge illustrations and sustainable proof.

Learn to gather material from outside sources about your thread for grades 9 through 12 learning, and deliver your opinion strongly and concisely. Give plain reasons for something you believe. Foster support for your solution, theory or device.

This is principally beneficial for achieving higher education institute assertiveness when you are on stage and put two or more views together, and provide a reason for putting them together by logical reasoning. Another method is approaching the subject matter in both positive and negative lights.

Tracing how something has induced artificially from an earlier state to its current form could welcomed by higher pedagogic instructors.

Next tip: workout extensive information on indoor and outdoor recreation activities to tempt your public to explore other activities than dating, dancing and drinking in a local bar.

Sports is a candidate for finding senior graded school speech topics. E.g. sport as profession to earn a living. With a scientific twist you make it more sophisticated, and because you’re highly qualified and have an actively learning attitude you are able to get their thesis commitment.

Some moves that matter in lower classes are the so-called critize teaching skills, often described as asking and wondering through critical inquiry:

You can help your teacher and fill her or him with enthusiasm by going extracurricular in proposing a particular judgment on a certain top topicality and examen the validity of the arguments by criticizing. This has been in practice in the late seventies – when things went the old-fashioned and more severe way 🙂 – but this technique has made a terrific comeback and is now used in grades 5 through 8 homework assignments.

Many of my visitors look for sixth grade inspiration, or class 6 if you live in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, Primary 5 or 6 in Singapore, and 6ГЁme in France for example. Anyway, in what country you are right now does not matter; all school speech topics are created for children in the range of eleven and twelve years old.

The same holds good for class conversations of (usually) thirteen to fourteen years old who try to cover explanations of various objects and their meaning in the accustomed world of the eight grade population.

Children speak the truth, is often said 🙂 And that saying is more than true. Give them something to chew on in public – from colouring plates to planting and caring for trees – and it is so easy, a younger persons can do it 🙂

More for girls and boys – although it depends on the specific age or progress of the pupils – can be found at this index number two. Help them to be able to get to know the material, and to make the first steps on the path of learning the rudimentary public speaking skills (that are valuable for their whole life).

I have shaped a list that also contains some reference information for nursery and primary and kindergarten material.

10 Tips to Write the Best High School Valedictorian Speech

Ceremonial Speech Topics

9 thoughts on “224 School Speech Topics for All Grades [High School, Middle School, Elementary]”

The topics are 1: the worst day in my life 2: how can we take care of our elders at home. 3: good qualities about your classmates. 4: how I learnt cycling. 5: if you are alone at home and a stranger enters what would you do.

My topic ideas are: Why I hate speeches (for middle school or elementary school) My favorite type of music (for elementary school) Why parents shouldn’t spank their children and better ways to punish children (for elementary school)

The key to success is positive thinking

My favorite holiday

Wow. Just wow.

mental health is an important issue

“Prayer should be compulsory”…that’s my suggestion of a topic

At school there should be a free period where you can do anything you want

Why is the canteen so expensive?

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Public Speaking Unit

Looking for a public speaking bundle ? I can provide you with an overall picture of how to teach public speaking. 

EDIT: This blog post about a public speaking curriculum has turned into a monster post! It is easily three times as long as my normal blog posts. That’s ok because I know how intimidated I was when I taught speech the first time. All of the lessons and activities mentioned below are in my Public Speaking Bundle . BUT?! I think you could still use these ideas as a springboard into speech if you aren’t looking to buy a bundle. 

I get lots of emails. Most emails pertain to grammar. The second most emails? Public speaking. Teaching public speaking is challenging. 

I have taught public speaking; I teach in Illinois and hold a teaching endorsement in speech. Additionally, I have coached a speech team and substitute-taught public speaking. I understand the challenges and rewards. 

Students have ambivalent feelings about public speaking. They understand the power of speeches, but they are nervous as can be. Our goal as teachers is to harness that range of feelings and get students speaking comfortably in front of crowds. That is my overarching goal as I organize and create these activities.

A few notes about this blog post:

• This public speaking outline took me years to develop, and I still add pieces every semester that I teach. The order and the activities have reasons for placement, and I’ll explain those as we continue. For your needs and students, you may wish to rearrange these procedures. Please! Personalize as necessary! I purposefully left room for teacher personalization.
• ALL of these activities are in my Public Speaking Bundle —BUT!—if you aren’t looking to purchase anything, I hope you can still use this outline to get started, to know what to expect with a public speaking course.
• When I mention a “Discussion Starter,” I am referencing an activity in the bundle. The topic is a recurring question students have, so you should be aware that students will need that information.
• The “weeks” are general guidelines. Don’t stress if you finish early or run a day over—I do too. Flexibility and compassion help nervous students.
• Please, please feel free to contact me. I will happily answer any question about public speaking. It may be the most difficult class I’ve ever taught, but it certainly is rewarding.

My biggest belief with teaching public speaking: students need time to practice their speeches while providing structure and diverse speaking opportunities. We spend days practicing our speeches alone, with peers, and with me. Professional speakers practice intensely, and students should see that practice prepares them. Teaching public speaking requires flexibility and pep talks.

Week One: Introduction.

How to teach public speaking? Connect with your students and their parents. We complete introductory speech activities . (Download for free. ) Part of teaching public speaking should be building a community to set young public speakers at ease. Giving a speech in front of others can be nerve-racking, and I have never regretted spending time discussing communication and the multiple factors of public speaking with students. General conversations and fun activities help build a supportive community; you really will be setting the room for success.

Discussion Starter: “In the Beginning”

I email parents/post to the classroom website the note for parents about public speaking. (Note in bundle.)

I cover the role of audience members with students (worksheet in bundle). When I give students this expectation, it helps because they know they have a role in class even when they are not speaking.

We read an overview of giving a killer presentation . This takes an entire class period; we discuss how powerful speaking is.

I define the differences between interpersonal and intrapersonal communication. We write about how our intrapersonal communication influences our interpersonal communication.

Week Two: Baby Steps.

Audience Analysis. Who is your target audience? For every speech, students must recognize their audience. We complete the Audience Analysis activity which normally takes two class periods.

Write a radio commercial . Students must realize that their audience cannot read the message; they can only hear and see. I practice “hear” first with a thirty-second speech. Students write and deliver a radio commercial.

This helps because students understand that public speaking holds power—in fact, that is probably why they are nervous about speaking to an audience! I want to harness that excitement and power but not scare students. With the radio commercial, students can “ease into” public speaking. It is quick, short presentation, but it allows me to outline my expectations for speeches.

The radio commercial also allows students to focus on verbal communication without focusing on hand gestures, positioning, etc.

Weeks Three – Four: Narratives: writing and presentations.

Teaching public speaking is a personal endeavor because students will share personal information. Narrative speeches are a great way to build relationships with students.

Discussion Starter: “Where do I stand during my speech?”

I choose a narrative topic for students. I have done numerous, so I have plenty of samples and instructions .

Goal setting sheets help student, and I devote time explaining the process and reasons for planning goals in life. I want them to set goals so that the information is important to them, so they are invested in the process. Setting goals also allows me to differentiate without students asking about their classmates’ plans. After the narrative speech, students create their first goal sheet.

Students deliver a speech without researching and citing sources. The narrative is about them, so they can write and deliver it rather quickly. This gets students in front of an audience without immense pressures.

Week Five:   Informative : research and writing.

For the first researched speech, I have students complete a biography. I do this because they are so easy to organize—students use a timeline of a person’s life. When I question how to teach public speaking, I believe starting students with confidence pays off later.

Additionally, with researching and citing sources, students can become overwhelmed. When they start with a biography, they do not yet have to worry about organizing information. We use the brainstorming sheet as we research these speeches.

Discussion Starters:

• “How do I research my speech?”
• “Citing sources”
• “Outlining your speech”

We research and write the speech outlines. During this week, w e practice extensively. Students have completed several smaller speeches at this point, but this speech is different since students research the topics and cite sources. My sample speech is about Kate Chopin. Showing students this speech allows for me to demonstrate organization while not stealing a potential topic. Most students won’t write about Chopin!

Weeks Six – Seven: Practice, prep, and planning . Presentations.

This week, students will make a visual aid, decide on their goals, and practice their biographical speeches. I often have students work with peers and provide feedback. I rotate around the room these days. Students often put too much information on their visual aids, and this is a correction I work with them.

To differentiate, students choose their own goals. A goal can be to speak loudly, to minimize “um,” or to move hands purposefully. When I grade, I keep each student’s goal sheet by me and watch if they have improved on what their focus was.

Students often want to write their speech and deliver it the next day. To prevent this, I make the outline due a week before we start speeches. Students get points for having their outline done, which they appreciate. This forces them to practice.

I cannot stress enough that students will need lots of prompting and encouragement to practice. Students sometimes tell me that they perform better if they don’t practice. This is not true! Rarely have I given a class too much time to practice and had them bored. Students can always perfect their speeches.

We have many discussions and classroom conversations. Our worksheets start reflection and provide talking points.

• “When Does My Speech Begin?”
• “Using a Visual Aid”

Presentations take about a week (of course, this depends on the size of your class). I encourage proper audience behavior. Students should be engaged and check statements from presenters. Part of a speech class is learning to be a good audience member.

I record students as they speak. As we finish presentations, students watch their presentations and reflect. They write what they should improve, how to improve—taking their goals into account. We wrap up by having a class discussion about concerns and strengths. Students can become overwhelmed or unmotivated, so I always acknowledge the difficulty of giving speeches and how they are succeeding in certain areas.

Weeks Eight – Eleven: Argumentative research and writing.

At the start of this process, students are still watching and reflecting on their previous speeches. Students do this alone, so the rest of the class is often researching and outlining their new speeches.

We repeat the informative layout, but we cover more information as a persuasive/argumentative speech. To me, this is the type of speech students will most often deliver in life. It’s important for them to take it seriously and do well. I don’t have this as the final large speech because when I did that, winter break or the end of the school year (whenever the semester ended) took away from serious speech practice.

I add another week into this speech because I typically increase the time requirement. Students need more practice as this speech is a new format and typically longer.

Decide ahead of time what format you want students to use. I typically use Monroe’s Motivated Sequence for persuasive speeches.

Two days are spent completing the Ethos/ Pathos/ Logos Activity .

Discussion Starter: “Diving deeper with your topic”

Students are familiar with the creation process, so the speech creation and practice process normally is better.

Week Twelve: Impromptu , narrative.

Students have worked hard so far, and I give them a slight break from preparation while teaching them valuable skills: thinking, organizing, and speaking quickly. Plus, students often have habits that need broken: fillers (um, yeah, so) or unnecessary hand gestures. These short and relaxed impromptu topics require students to speak, but at the same time, they can focus less on the content and more on what they should improve.

We also study a famous speech by Susan B. Anthony . These activities are important, but they also give students a rest.

Weeks Thirteen – Fifteen:  Informative , non-biography.

Returning to an informative speech is difficult for students, and I do this on purpose. Students must understand the different expectations of speeches. They will try to persuade during this speech, and that is something of which they must be aware. Part of teaching public speaking is challenging students in new ways.

Informative speech topics can include different types of technology, careers in a certain field, or roles of government branches. I have a sample informative speech included in my speech unit. The speech is on modernism, and I stress to students that they should not border on persuading their audience.

• “Adding emphasis in your speech”
• “Elevating your rhetoric”

We repeat the speech preparation format that the other speeches followed. I also show a presentation about figurative language and show students speeches with samples of the figurative language. Then, students brainstorm figurative language to put in their own speeches.

Weeks Sixteen – Seventeen: Impromptu/Argumentative, how-to .

(Again, you can download these public speaking lesson plans PDF in my library. The impromptu activity is included.)

We practice persuasive speeches again, only this time in impromptu format. Students need to present their point of view logically and persuasively. Many “speeches” will be in front of a college professor or boss when called on to present their case for or against something.

I have students create the topics which normally include ideas like, “sell me this pen” or “explain why your work schedule should change.”

Finally, if I have a large class, students might complete the impromptu speeches the entire week. If I need another speech topic, we complete the other how-to speech we did not do earlier. (I have two how-to speeches included, one for food and one for non-food.)

Week Eighteen: When I taught seniors, this was the most exciting time for my speech class. Students wrote a graduation speech, and administrators judged who would give the speech at graduation. (Students not in my class could participate too.) It was an authentic audience, it was meaningful, it had everything for the end of a public speaking course.

I do not give students a list of rules for their graduation speeches; I make students develop them. This is more meaningful because it shows me if they understand what it takes to create and deliver a great speech, if they understand that not all speeches are the same, and if they can take the initiative in delivering a speech. I use the rubric that is included in the bundle.

Sometimes, schools require that each class have a final exam. The public speaking bundle has a test, which I give if required. Other times, I use the graduation speech as the culminating activity. Then, we complete a final evaluation sheet so that we can close the class.

When I began teaching, I had fifty-year-old books that my students hated. (I didn’t love them.) I had my speaking experiences, and not much else. Teaching public speaking takes dedication and effort, but you can succeed. My hope is that this outline of a public speaking curriculum saves another teacher stress and pain.

I developed this order, these processes after mistakes, reflection, and more reflection. I hope this public speaking unit helps other teachers.

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Teach Public Speaking with Small Group Presentations in 3 Easy Steps

Teach Public Speaking with small group presentations to boost speaker confidence, keep the audience engaged, and improve usage of class time.

Public Speaking is an important skill for middle schoolers and high schoolers to develop, and some of them embrace the opportunity. For others, though, public speaking can be so daunting as to actually cause fear and nausea.

How can we help our students develop public speaking and listening skills while still being respectful of their feelings?

Small group presentations.

Rethinking my presentation model helped alleviate my students’ fears, increase audience engagement, and save valuable classroom time.

How it Works

Instead of having students present in front of the whole class, put them into presentation groups of 5-6. Make sure someone is still timing each speaker (1-2 minute presentations are a great starting point!), and make sure that you can circulate to hear every group.

Students begin presenting a practiced speech, just as they would for the whole class. Presentations will happen simultaneously, so you will not be able to hear every second of every presentation. Instead, you can have students complete Peer Evaluation Slips .

These slips will ask students to assess their peers on articulation, eye contact, and voice. This will help you assess the public speaking portion of the assignment, while still maintaining control (if that’s your style) of grading the content of the research assignment, etc.

Alleviate Student Fears

Students will be much more at ease with public speaking if only four other people are listening. You can also set up low-risk presentation groups ahead of time. You can use the same presentation groups all year or gradually grow your groups.

For example, consider eventually leading your students to whole-class presentations:

1 st quarter: weekly or bi-monthly presentations (6 groups of 5) 2 nd quarter: weekly or bi-monthly presentations (4 groups of 7-8) 3 rd quarter: bi-monthly presentations (3 groups of 10) 4 th quarter: one presentation (2 groups of 15), two presentations whole-class

Want more ideas? Here’s how I use improv games to build student confidence!

Increase Audience Engagement

It’s easy for audience members to drift off when they have the anonymity of being one of thirty listeners. It’s not so easy to get away with this if the audience is only made of four people! Small group presentations are the perfect way to keep other students engaged and active.

Students can support each other by giving feedback after all of the presentations are complete. If your school allows devices, enlist a student to film the speakers on their own phones. Then, each student will be able to privately review his/her presentation and look for things like posture, eye contact, articulation, etc.

Also, students won’t have to sit through as many presentations, so they are more likely to enjoy the whole experience.

Want to save big on Peer Feedback resources?  Check out my bundle!

Save Classroom Time

Simultaneous presentations save a LOT of classroom time, meaning that you can increase the overall number of presentations you do in a year.

If you’re like me, you’re used to blocking out at least two class periods for project presentations and even more for solo speeches. This might work once a quarter, at most, but is it really helping our students improve?

If you allow simultaneous presentations and give students three minutes (and two for peer comments, if you want), you’re looking at a max of 25 minutes with groups of five students.

Find 20-25 minutes for public speaking twice a month, and your students will improve very rapidly. 

Other Ways to Strengthen Students’ Public Speaking Skills

One way to lower the pressure of teaching public speaking skills online or in the classroom is by using children’s books as inspiration.

Middle and high schoolers will become much more confident with this approach to public speaking.

Why are children’s books great for middle and high schoolers?

• Students can read them in a class period and get to work
• If they want to choose a different text, there’s not a ton of lost time
• Students can connect to the story AND to the artwork

Teaching Public Speaking Skills

I’ve been teaching public speaking to 8th and 9th graders for a long time now, and I can tell you that the number one thing they need is CONFIDENCE.

Therefore, I always look for ways to build confidence. Here are some key ideas to build confidence and how children’s books fit into the equation. 

1.  Students need a lot of opportunities to practice their public speaking  skills.

Short, frequent, low-stakes practice is key. 

You could choose one day a week where you’ll focus on teaching public speaking, one skill at a time. Perhaps one week is “making eye contact with the audience” and another week is “speaking without note cards.

If all of their public speaking eggs aren’t in one Major Project basket, they’ll feel more successful. 

Idea:  Have students read a children’s book of their choice and present it to a small group (4-5) in a short Book Talk.

What did they love? Which page had their favorite artwork? You can give students questions and help them brainstorm and practice a 3-4 minute Book Talk they’ll share with their small groups.

I have a  free  resource for  Book Talk Brainstorming   to make your life easier 🙂 You can repeat this activity several weeks in a row with different books or the same book with different groups. 

If you’re teaching public speaking online, students can practice these skills in breakout rooms.

2.  Students need to feel relaxed.

One of the best tools I’ve found for teaching public speaking is by using   improv games in ELA .

These drama games help students think on their feet and connect with their costars. Best of all, the gamification of it lowers the stakes and helps students feel relaxed.

Idea:  Have students work in small groups to read a children’s book. Then, they’ll recreate that children’s book in a short skit in front of the class.

This is a great way to help students relax since they aren’t inventing the story – they’re retelling. They also have the comfort of being part of a team as they practice their public speaking skills.

3.  Students need to hear what they’re doing well.

Part of building student confidence with public speaking is giving a lot of positive feedback. And it doesn’t just have to be from you, the teacher.

Students should be ready to share what their peers are doing well. (The laughter students get from improv games is also a form of positive feedback)

One resource I recommend is  this bundle of Peer Feedback forms . These are short and easy and focused on the positive. 🙂

Students can complete these in small groups, too, so you don’t have to subject students to the terror of talking in front of 29 peers as they hone their skills. 

Idea:  Students choose a children’s book to read aloud in small groups. This provides them an opportunity to practice pacing, adding vocal interest, and even “looking up from their notes.”

This is a task that they can rehearse at home or in class a few times without a huge time commitment. Plus, it’s a fun day of class! 

If you’re teaching public speaking online, you can easily record this activity and share it via Flipgrid or another platform. 

Low-stress Public Speaking Activities

Back to School Peer Interview Project

Students brainstorm open-ended questions and use them to interview a classmate. Then, they present to their classmates in very short presentations.

I really love this activity because it helps students understand open-ended vs. close-ended questions. It is also quick and easy and helps jumpstart your classroom community.

Asset-Based Profile

Students can use this back-to-school activity to identify their own assets — an excellent way to counter deficit-based thinking that middle and high school students often have.

Once they create their profiles, they can present them in small group presentations.  Sign up for my emails to score a freebie of this activity!

Be sure to check out my Back to School Activities Bundle!

Public Speaking Tips for Students

I have had a LOT of fearful students tackle public speaking in my classroom.

Here are some tips I share with all students, along with my ideas for the most nervous speakers.

• Stretch – have all students stand up before presentations start and do a few stretches. Stretches that cross the midline of the body are particularly grounding.
• Breathe – my favorite centering sort of breathing is called “double nostril breathing.” Cover one nostril and breathe deeply through the other nostril. Breathe out. Switch. Repeat 5-10 times. 
• Start with small-group presentations. 

Instead of having students present one at a time in front of the whole class, start practicing public speaking by having students present to a group of 3-4 peers.

As the school year progresses, you can increase this audience until you have full-class presentations. Read more about this strategy  here .

If you have a truly fearful student, I’d start the year on the right foot by offering them the opportunity to present at lunch or after school.

Have you already tried Small Group Presentations to improve your students’ public speaking? What worked for you? Let me know in comments.

Further Reading...

Creating a Museum Exhibit in Your ELA Classroom

Why I Love Teaching Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes

Current Events in the Classroom

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Oral Presentation Rubric

About this printout

This rubric is designed to be used for any oral presentation. Students are scored in three categories—delivery, content, and audience awareness.

Teaching with this printout

More ideas to try, related resources.

Oral presentation and speaking are important skills for students to master, especially in the intermediate grades. This oral presentation rubric is designed to fit any topic or subject area. The rubric allows teachers to assess students in several key areas of oral presentation. Students are scored on a scale of 1–4 in three major areas. The first area is Delivery, which includes eye contact, and voice inflection. The second area, Content/Organization, scores students based on their knowledge and understanding of the topic being presented and the overall organization of their presentation. The third area, Enthusiasm/Audience Awareness, assesses students based on their enthusiasm toward the topic and how well they came across to their intended audience. Give students the oral presentation rubric ahead of time so that they know and understand what they will be scored on. Discuss each of the major areas and how they relate to oral presentation.

• After students have completed their oral presentations, ask them to do a self-assessment with the same rubric and hold a conference with them to compare their self-assessment with your own assessment.
• Provide students with several examples of oral presentations before they plan and execute their own presentation. Ask students to evaluate and assess the exemplar presentations using the same rubric.
• Students can do a peer evaluation of oral presentations using this rubric. Students meet in partners or small groups to give each other feedback and explain their scoring.
• Lesson Plans
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Students research engineering careers and create poetry to understand the vocabulary of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

Useful for a wide variety of reading and writing activities, this outlining tool allows students to organize up to five levels of information.

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Guiding Students to Be Comfortable With Public Speaking

Small steps can help high school students feel less anxious about speaking in front of an audience.

“According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.”  — Jerry Seinfeld

Public speaking is a legitimate fear for many people. I’m not afraid of public speaking, but I am afraid of snakes. If someone forced me into a room with snakes to pass a course, I would be terrified, and I would fail. This is how some students feel about public speaking.

Also, consider that students don’t want to feel judged. They don’t want to appear dumb, weak, or afraid in front of their classmates. Requiring students to speak in front of each other is asking a lot.

As an English and theater teacher for more than 13 years, I’ve helped many students become more confident with public speaking. I’ve also seen other teachers struggle with helping students grow in their confidence. Often, the issue is that they’re either not scaffolding the public speaking experience for the student (they’re just throwing the student alone in front of the classroom) or they’re scaffolding the experience, but they’re making the steps too big or rushing the process. Here I’ll explain the techniques I use in my high school English and theater classrooms that I’ve had success with over the years.

First, before we can even begin to expect students to speak publicly, we must first build a strong classroom community. The feeling of safety and community is vital because students need to feel safe and supported before they’ll take risks. You need to build the foundation for a strong community in your classroom before beginning the next steps.

Scaffolding

How you scaffold the public speaking experience will make all the difference. Students may need to do these exercises more than once, and it isn’t a linear process. This is where the artistry of teaching comes in, as well as the community-building you’ve worked on.

Start with group presentations from the students’ desks. These can be fairly large groups to start (four to six students). The projects don’t have to be big, formal assignments. In fact, this works great with a quick check-in of a discussion.

In the beginning, don’t require everyone to speak. That’s right—the first step doesn’t even include speaking. Having everyone looking at them (even in a group) is a first baby step for some students.

For the next step, do the same as above but now in front of the room. Being in front of the room is intimidating, and students will feel safer if they’re in a group and don’t have to speak yet.

You may want to have the group present a poster, with the person who doesn’t yet feel comfortable speaking holding it up. This provides a sense of security. Also, having a podium between the students and the audience makes a big difference in comfort level.

Repeat the above steps, but slowly make the groups smaller and/or have them speak a little bit more each time. Students can also do these steps from their desks first and then move up to standing in front of the class. You’ll have to figure out with your students which areas to change and how quickly—again, the artistry of teaching.

Factors in Students’ Success

Over the course of the year, make sure you plan out these experiences and think about where each individual student is in their journey to public speaking confidence. This will change as the year goes on, and not always in a straight line. Students will have other experiences outside of your classroom that will either build or damage their progress. They might have a great experience in another classroom or an after-school activity that propels them forward, or you may have to take a step backward with a student because they’ve had a negative experience somewhere else. It’s vital to regularly check in with your students. This can be a quick conversation, a secret hand signal that says how they are doing that day, or a poll.

Think about learning how to drive a car. People most likely don’t start out driving on the highways. New drivers work on smaller side streets or in parking lots until they feel comfortable enough and ready to move on to something more challenging and intimidating. Even then, the next step may not be the highway.

Keep these tips in mind when thinking about how to create important, purposeful, and thoughtful experiences with public speaking. Taking these smaller steps will be an investment that will set your students up for success in the long term.

Faculty Resources

Assignments.

There are several assignments for Principles of Public Speaking. If you import this course into your learning management system (Blackboard, Canvas, etc.), the assignments will automatically be loaded into the assignment tool. They can be used as is, modified, or removed. You can preview them below:

• Assignment: Syllabus Review
• Assignment: Speech of Self-Introduction
• Assignment: Speech to Introduce a Classmate
• Assignment: Impromptu Speech
• Discussion: Speech Analysis
• Assignment: Demonstration Speech Topic Selection
• Assignment: Demonstration Speech Outline
• Discussion: Demonstration Speech Handouts and Presentations
• Assignment: Peer Evaluation of Demonstration Speech
• Assignment: Audience Analysis of an Advertisement Speech
• Assignment: Inspirational Speech
• Assignment: Persuasive Speech
• Assignment: Subject Exploration, Development, and Understanding
• Assignment: Audience Analysis for Persuasive Essay
• Assignment: Rebuttal
• Assignment: Reflection
• Assignment: Persuasive Speech Topic Outline
• Discussion: Persuasive Speech Handouts and References
• Assignment: Self-Evaluation of Demonstration Speech
• Assignment: Peer Evaluation of Persuasive Speech
• Assignment: Planning for Final Speech

Optional Extra Credit Assignments

You can assign these extra credit opportunities to your students:

Attending a Speech Outside of Class

Analyze the speech for invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery.

Further, look for logos, pathos, and ethos.

Write about your overall impression.

Giving a Speech Outside of Class

You can earn credit for giving a speech outside of class.

You must talk to me ahead of time to work out the details.

If you are giving the speech, I prefer that you have someone record you.  Another option is to have someone from class attend and fill out a review (and you will both get credit).

Again, get prior approval.  Let me know your plans.

• Assignments. Provided by : Lumen Learning. License : CC BY: Attribution
• Optional Extra Credit Assignments. Authored by : Christie Fierro and Brent Adrian. Provided by : Lumen Learning. Located at : http://lumenlearning.com/ . Project : Kaleidoscope Open Course Initiative. License : CC BY: Attribution
• Pencil Cup. Authored by : IconfactoryTeam. Provided by : Noun Project. Located at : https://thenounproject.com/term/pencil-cup/628840/ . License : CC BY: Attribution

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Speech Topics for Middle School & High School (Bundle)

$ 40.00 $ 30.00

This public speaking bundle contains eight different sets of public speaking topics – that’s  256  different topics – and requires  no prep  on your part! Use for impromptu or extemporaneous speaking, as a team-building activity, to practice rhetorical appeals, or for a formal speaking assignment.

Have you ever been caught scrambling at the last minute for speech topics? Dreaming them up, trying to make them engaging, printing, cutting, folding…I’ve been there, but solved this problem by curating the topics that my students engaged with the most and creating this easy-to-use digital resource.

Now, all I have to do when I want to give students a bit of impromptu speaking practice is choose a slideshow, project it up on the board, and draw student names. Each student comes to the front clicks the mouse to reveal his or her topic, and speaks for 30-60 seconds or more.

If I want to give students a more formal speaking opportunity, I simply assign each student a number and post or print the graphic organizer version of my chosen slideshow so that students can plan a bit before speaking. No more crazy topic searches, cutting, folding, etc!

Public Speaking Activity for Google Drive: Quotations

If you love thought-provoking quotations (who doesn't??!), this informal speaking activity is going to be your favorite! Giving students plenty of public speaking practice is important, but thinking of speech topics that are interesting takes time! This digital resource requires no prep , and can be used for impromptu or extemporaneous speeches, as a team-building or get-to-know-you activity, to practice rhetorical appeals, or for a formal speaking assignment.

Public Speaking Activity for Google Drive: Animals

If you are an animal lover, this informal speaking activity is going to be your favorite! Giving students plenty of public speaking practice is important, but thinking of interesting speech topics for high school takes time! This digital resource requires no prep and can be used for impromptu or extemporaneous speeches, as a team-building or get-to-know-you activity, to practice rhetorical appeals, or for a formal speaking assignment.

"Would You Rather" Impromptu Speech Topics for Middle School and High School

Speech Topics for Teens

Speech Topics About Food

If you are a food lover like your students most certainly are, this informal speaking activity is worth a try! Giving students plenty of public speaking practice is important in order to improve communication skills, but thinking of speech topics takes time! This digital resource requires no prep on your part, and can be used for impromptu or extemporaneous speeches, as a team-building or get-to-know-you activity, to practice rhetorical appeals, or for a formal speaking assignment.

Unique Speech Topics

Speech Topics on Sports

Debate Topics for Middle School & High School

Giving students plenty of public speaking practice is important, but thinking of fun persuasive speech topics takes time! This digital resource requires no prep on your part and can be used for impromptu or extemporaneous speeches, as a team-building or get-to-know-you activity, to practice rhetorical appeals, for research, or for a formal speaking assignment.

• Description

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EDITABLE Oral Presentation Rubric for Middle School

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Description

The Common Core asks teachers to assess students' abilities with speaking and listening, including giving oral presentations. When you incorporate public speaking into your class, you'll find this oral presentation rubric and overview sheet very handy!

Do you need the Google Slides™ version of this resource instead? CLICK HERE!

Do you need an upper elementary rubric instead? CLICK HERE!

Do you need a high school rubric instead? CLICK HERE!

Please check out the Preview to get an idea of what is included in this resource!

★ Want to know about all of my latest products? CLICK HERE to follow my store! ★

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What resources are included in this product for your use?

◾ Teacher instructions

◾ 6th-8th grade CCSS standards alignment, including vertical alignment

◾ Ready-to-print in-class presentation rubrics, one with standards listed and one without

◾ Editable PowerPoint file for your customization

Are you a Texas teacher interested in having this resource aligned to the TEKS? Please email me proof of your purchase of this resource at [email protected] with a request to have it aligned to the TEKS, and I will get it done for you as soon as possible.

What are my recommendations for use in your classroom?

◾ The teacher instructions page included provides an in-depth recommendation for structuring and assigning oral presentations. I share ideas for helping students understand how they'll be assessed with the rubric, for accommodations for students, and for structuring class time for preparing for the presentations.

◾ The rubric already includes benchmarks based on the standards to which this resource is aligned, but I left the score column blank for your use. I also included an editable PowerPoint template, in case you need to create a different overview sheet and rubric for better personalization.

What do other customers have to say about this resource?

◾ "Love that you can edit this document to add your own input. Thank you so much! (Thank you to Janis G.!)

◾ "Awesome rubric. I added a few more things and now I use it for all oral presentations." (Thank you to Jason R.!)

◾ "Saved me a ton of time, and is easily adaptable to any subject area!!" (Thank you to Adrienne L.!)

◾ "Thank you for this! Great tips for my students as they prepared for their presentations!" (Thank you to Maggie J.!)

I've got other similar products that will come in handy for you! Don't miss these:

Editable How-to Writing or Procedural Writing Rubric for Middle School

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

Elektrostal is a vibrant city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia. With a rich history, stunning architecture, and a thriving community, Elektrostal is a city that has much to offer. Whether you are a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about different cultures, Elektrostal is sure to captivate you.

This article will provide you with 40 fascinating facts about Elektrostal, giving you a better understanding of why this city is worth exploring. From its origins as an industrial hub to its modern-day charm, we will delve into the various aspects that make Elektrostal a unique and must-visit destination.

So, join us as we uncover the hidden treasures of Elektrostal and discover what makes this city a true gem in the heart of Russia.

Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
• With its convenient location near Moscow, Elektrostal provides a picturesque landscape, vibrant nightlife, and a range of recreational activities, making it an ideal destination for residents and visitors alike.

Known as the “Motor City of Russia.”

Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Elektrostal is renowned for its metallurgical plant, which has been producing high-quality steel and alloys since its establishment in 1916.

Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

Elektrostal has a long history of industrial development, contributing to the growth and progress of the region.

Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

Located approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow.

Elektrostal is situated in close proximity to the Russian capital, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors.

Known for its vibrant cultural scene.

Elektrostal is home to several cultural institutions, including museums, theaters, and art galleries that showcase the city’s rich artistic heritage.

A popular destination for nature lovers.

Surrounded by picturesque landscapes and forests, Elektrostal offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching.

Hosts the annual Elektrostal City Day celebrations.

Every year, Elektrostal organizes festive events and activities to celebrate its founding, bringing together residents and visitors in a spirit of unity and joy.

Has a population of approximately 160,000 people.

Elektrostal is home to a diverse and vibrant community of around 160,000 residents, contributing to its dynamic atmosphere.

Boasts excellent education facilities.

The city is known for its well-established educational institutions, providing quality education to students of all ages.

A center for scientific research and innovation.

Elektrostal serves as an important hub for scientific research, particularly in the fields of metallurgy, materials science, and engineering.

Surrounded by picturesque lakes.

The city is blessed with numerous beautiful lakes, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities for locals and visitors alike.

Well-connected transportation system.

Elektrostal benefits from an efficient transportation network, including highways, railways, and public transportation options, ensuring convenient travel within and beyond the city.

Famous for its traditional Russian cuisine.

Food enthusiasts can indulge in authentic Russian dishes at numerous restaurants and cafes scattered throughout Elektrostal.

Home to notable architectural landmarks.

Elektrostal boasts impressive architecture, including the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and the Elektrostal Palace of Culture.

Offers a wide range of recreational facilities.

Residents and visitors can enjoy various recreational activities, such as sports complexes, swimming pools, and fitness centers, enhancing the overall quality of life.

Provides a high standard of healthcare.

Elektrostal is equipped with modern medical facilities, ensuring residents have access to quality healthcare services.

Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

The Elektrostal History Museum showcases the city’s fascinating past through exhibitions and displays.

A hub for sports enthusiasts.

Elektrostal is passionate about sports, with numerous stadiums, arenas, and sports clubs offering opportunities for athletes and spectators.

Celebrates diverse cultural festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal hosts a variety of cultural festivals, celebrating different ethnicities, traditions, and art forms.

Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

Elektrostal owes its name and initial growth to the establishment of electric power stations and the utilization of electricity in the industrial sector.

Boasts a thriving economy.

The city’s strong industrial base, coupled with its strategic location near Moscow, has contributed to Elektrostal’s prosperous economic status.

Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

The Elektrostal Drama Theater is a cultural centerpiece, attracting theater enthusiasts from far and wide.

Popular destination for winter sports.

Elektrostal’s proximity to ski resorts and winter sport facilities makes it a favorite destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities.

Promotes environmental sustainability.

Elektrostal prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce pollution and preserve natural resources.

Home to renowned educational institutions.

Elektrostal is known for its prestigious schools and universities, offering a wide range of academic programs to students.

Committed to cultural preservation.

The city values its cultural heritage and takes active steps to preserve and promote traditional customs, crafts, and arts.

Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

The Elektrostal International Film Festival attracts filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing a diverse range of films.

Encourages entrepreneurship and innovation.

Elektrostal supports aspiring entrepreneurs and fosters a culture of innovation, providing opportunities for startups and business development.

Offers a range of housing options.

Elektrostal provides diverse housing options, including apartments, houses, and residential complexes, catering to different lifestyles and budgets.

Home to notable sports teams.

Elektrostal is proud of its sports legacy, with several successful sports teams competing at regional and national levels.

Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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Best Global Universities for Engineering in Russia

These are the top universities in Russia for engineering, based on their reputation and research in the field. Read the methodology »

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Here are the best global universities for engineering in Russia

Itmo university, tomsk state university, tomsk polytechnic university, lomonosov moscow state university, novosibirsk state university, saint petersburg state university, peter the great st. petersburg polytechnic university, moscow institute of physics & technology, national research nuclear university mephi (moscow engineering physics institute).

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