Performance
Cross-curricular Ties
English - theatrical performance of a story, public speaking
Science - presenting a project
Math - showing the class how to solve a problem
History - theatrical performance of a historical event
Using props in performance
defining characteristics
props are physical objects
props add to the performance
props do not distract from the speaker
examples
PowerPoint
each slide should have less than five bullet points
each bullet point should have less than five words
use pictures often
costume
physical representations of topic
a physical copy of a recipe
the ingredients of a recipe
pictures
non-examples
wordy PowerPoint
distracts from speaker
lengthy videos
distracts from speaker
misconceptions
undergeneralizing
only props that the audience can interact with are effective
overgeneralizing
using a PowerPoint will always add to the performance and never distract
correlational features
props can be edible but not all are
props can be worn
the audience can interact with props - this is not always necessary or effective
Performing can be used to present ideas to a group, teach a lesson, and build confidence.
Students and Their Needs
Gender
Girls
have a low tolerance for background noise
make sure audience is quiet and attentive during performance
Boys
need movement to attract attention
allow students to have props and movement in their performances
Attention Span - 16-17 years old
20 minutes
make sure students in the audience are paying attention to the performance
encourage audience to ask questions of speaker
keep performances to less than 20 minutes with intervals between for group work and evaluation
Piaget
associate public speaking and performance with praise and good feelings to accommodate information that public speaking is good
Vygotsky
do not force students to overcome fear of performance all at once - zone of proximal development
Prior Experiences
address prior negative experiences - stage fright
help students realize that anyone can be a good performer despite past experiences
ask students to perform and speak about a topic that already interests them and that they are comfortable with