Speaking Up Workshops for
Huntington First Graders
A new series of workshops is teaching first graders in the Huntington School District all about personal presence, vocal tone, voice projection, culminating with mini-group presentations to their classmates. The workshops are being conducted by teaching artist Heather Thorgersen, who has led SEARCH program workshops for the past ten years.
The new "Speaking Up" sessions have been made possible by a Huntington Foundation Star grant, which Mrs. Daly authored. Ms. Thorgersen has put together comprehensive presentations for the first graders in the district's four primary buildings. "Her classes will focus on teaching these young children the tools involved in public speaking," said Maryann Daly, SEARCH chairperson-teacher.
Each first grade class will participate in four 45-minute classroom workshops over the fall, winter and spring months. There are 64 workshops scheduled in all. Ms. Thorgersen is a teaching artist and educator and has worked with Mrs. Daly for more than ten years leading activities and workshops for the SEARCH Program, including SPARK program workshops for second graders, Reader's Theater workshops for fifth graders, REACH program workshops for third graders and Shakespeare workshops for sixth graders, as well as several others.
"At my request, she has developed a series of workshops concentrating on teaching your young children the tools they will need to successfully present themselves in a public speaking setting," Mrs. Daly said. "I have focused on this particular area with the younger children because I have consistently experienced older students not knowing how to correctly present information, as well as themselves, when asked to speak to an audience of people. It is my hope and belief that early intervention and exposure in this important area will leave our children with the skills they will need as they mature."
How the Voice Works
The first workshop included demonstrations of how the voice works and the various body mechanisms that are utilized while speaking. "The lessons will include using different articulation, projection and breathing exercises along with games to learn proper stance, body position, personal presence and how to find the power in their voice," Mrs. Daly said.
The second and third workshops will unpack the first one in more detail. The youngsters will practice concepts related to personal presence, vocal tone and voice projection. Students will also work collaboratively in small groups with each of the groups working on something different, including a commercial, a demonstration of how to use something, giving a speech or conducting an interview.
The final session will bring all the concepts together as students fine tune their skills. Ms. Thorgersen will coach the youngsters through mini-group presentations during the last workshop. There will be group discussions on how the concepts presented are modified depending on the specific setting or subject.
Contact Mrs. Daly at search@hufsd.edu for more information.