Speech I Great Bend High School

2020-2021 Mrs. Kim Heath

“Eloquent speech is not from lip to ear, but rather from heart to heart.”
- William Jennings Bryan
E-Mail Address: [email protected]
Phone Number: (620) 639-1614
Required Materials:
 Chromebook – Charged and ready to go!
 Pen or pencil
 Index cards
 Other materials which might be needed include the materials necessary to create your sensory aids.
 Text: Glencoe Speech, Student Edition (NTC: SPEECH COMM MATTERS) 1st Edition

Course description: The purpose of this course is to make you a more effective participant in human
communication. You will have the opportunity to become familiar with the human communication contexts of
interpersonal communication, small group communication, and public speaking. The goal of this course is to
provide you with the skills needed to enhance the quality of human communication at home and in the work
place. Along the way you can acquire the following skills: the ability to listen, the ability to research, the ability
to organize thoughts, and the ability to adapt to people, places, and circumstances. If you are successful in
learning these skills, you will be able to apply them to your other classes.
 
Course Objectives: Through this class, you will be able to:
1. Understand the model of interpersonal communication
2. Explain the theories of self-concept
3. Learn critical listening skills
4. Understand the process of perception and how it affects all of communication
5. Learn to incorporate effective conflict management skills
6. Examine the essential verbal and non–verbal components of communication
7. Learn about the relationship process 
8. Gain experience in public speaking by delivering speeches in a classroom setting
9. Create effective organizational patterns for public speeches
10. Develop efficient research skills through effective use of library and computer facilities by finding
evidence for your speech
11. Learn effective delivery styles
12. Develop communication skills which emphasize fluency and persuasion
13. Work more effectively within a group

On-Site Classroom Procedures

-Enter the classroom on time with the necessary materials and sit in your assigned seat after the disinfectant has dried. If the
desk is still wet, stand next to it and wait.
-On the projector screen, bellwork will be posted along with notes and standards for the day. You will complete bellwork
everyday whether in class or working remotely.
-Stay on-task and follow instructions as they are given for the remainder of class and complete assignments before the next
class period.
-Students must remain in class for the first five minutes before leaving to use the restroom.
-Students will use a digital hall pass if they need to leave the classroom.
Remote Classroom Expectations
If we transition to hybrid or remote learning, all the same rules apply remotely as they do in the classroom.

Students will access Skyward every day, complete the bellwork within the first ten minutes of scheduled class time. You must
check in during the class period you would normally be with me if meeting on site within the first 10 minutes of the class period.
Otherwise, you will be marked absent.

We will use Google Classroom during class. You will complete any assignments before the next class period. Students will
attend scheduled Google Meets unless excused by a Guardian.

Method of Evaluation & Major Assignments / Projects:

We will participate daily in class discussions to reach agreement or seek solutions. There will be many opportunities
for oral presentation (both individually and in groups) in which students will learn to adjust speaking strategies for a
variety of audiences and purposes by varying tone, pitch, and pace of speech to create effect and to aid communication.

We will develop our research and analytical skills. Students will learn how to do basic research using our school
library and Internet resources. Annotating while you read is very helpful for writing about and discussing texts. Note-
taking will be important for preparing speeches.

Homework:  The majority of your homework will involve writing and practicing the speeches that you will be giving in
class.  You may need access to the internet and computers. You are responsible for reading the corresponding text
materials as they are discussed in class.  

Test and Quiz Policies: Quizzes may be given any time and may or may not be announced. If absent on the day a
test is given, the student should be prepared to make up the missed test upon return to school.
 
Late Work: Assignments are due when they are due. If there is a problem, let me know beforehand. Late assignments
without a prior okay from me may result in a “0” for your grade on the assignment.  This includes, but is not limited
to major speech assignments and outlines. If you know you will be gone for an activity or vacation, it is your responsibility
to make sure that things are turned in before you are gone.

Unexcused Absences: Students who have an unexcused absence will lose credit for all work missed during that class.

Make-Up Work: It is the student’s responsibility to obtain make-up assignments following an excused absence. If a
student misses an assignment due to a school sponsored event, it is their duty to make necessary arrangements with the
teacher in advance. Students who are absent from class are responsible to ask what was covered during their absence.
You do not have to wait until the next time you have Speech to drop in and see what you missed. Please come see me
before or after school so that you can be caught up before our next class period. One day is allotted to complete make
up work for each day absent.

I look forward to an exciting year together! Please remember that I am your teacher outside of class as
well as in class, so feel free to drop by and see me whenever our schedules permit.

 
Class Behavior: This is a communication class, and I want you to feel comfortable talking in the
classroom. You learn more by expressing yourself on the topics discussed. BUT, talking off task or
distracting the class is not acceptable. I will let you know if you are talking inappropriately. If necessary,
I will write you up and/or talk to your parents. Talking or interrupting during another student’s speech
can result in a point deduction from your speech grade.

Be Safe
• Hands, feet, and property to self
• Wear your mask
• Use hand sanitizer
• Use all materials appropriately and avoid sharing
Be Respectful
• Be considerate of others. Treat your friends, your teacher and your classroom with respect. Please
help create a class atmosphere in which everyone feels safe to take risks. This does not mean that we
do not engage in spirited debate, only that we do so respectfully. A classroom based upon respect
encourages learning. Class participation is a central goal of this class. Effective participation means
taking turns, thinking before you speak, responding respectfully to others' remarks, and listening well.
Do not enter the classroom while another student is making a presentation.
• Have empathy and show compassion. Stay focused on learning and choose a positive attitude in
class! Treat one another civilly. Do not swear, speak vulgarly or engage in put-downs! Success and
excellence in this class are about setting challenges for yourself.
• Just Be KIND! Show respect for classmates and teachers, especially during speeches.
• Respect school and personal property.
• Other Distractions: All personal electronic devices should be turned off before entering the classroom.
I will confiscate and use my phone jail for any device that you are using without my express
permission. You may use a Chromebook to take notes or work. You may not visually record the class
in any way.

Be Responsible
• Follow instructions and classroom procedures
• Be responsible by keeping track of assignment due dates and test dates.
• Be an active learner. Bring all of the required materials (notebook, Chromebook, blue or black pen or
pencil, and book) and assignments to class every day. Ask questions if you have them. Take notes
when given.
• Arrive to class on time. Get to class on time and be in your seat working before the bell rings. You will
begin each block by doing an activity that will be on the board when you arrive. Please do not ask
permission to be tardy. You will still be tardy.
• Report all bullying and unsafe behavior
• Do your own work. All work that you submit must be your own. Using someone else’s work or ideas
without proper acknowledgement is plagiarism and will not be tolerated. When you include a
citation from a text, full citation is required. Please ask questions if you are unsure. Make sure you
read the definition of plagiarism in your handbooks. Do not “create” evidence. This would result in a
“0” on the assignment.
• Students should only ask to leave class for an emergency.

All policies and guidelines from the Great Bend High School Student Handbook will be enforced.

SIGNATURE PAGE (Please return by next class period)

I look forward to meeting with both students and their parents. If you would like to meet with me, feel free to
call me at home (639-1614) the school (793-1521) to set up an appointment. You can also reach me by e-mail
at: [email protected]
I welcome any questions or comments from both students and parents. Education is a joint process and I
believe that the student, the parents, and the teacher work together for success. Never apologize for calling too
often, especially if we can deter a problem before it gets out of hand. I appreciate and welcome your
involvement.

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I, as a parent, have read and understand the class policies and procedures and agree to support my
son/daughter toward a successful year in Speech!

Parent signature ________________________________Date__________

Printed name____________________________

Phone Number or E-Mail address ___________________________

I, as a student, will do my best to abide by the rules of the classroom with kindness and respect, and will
work hard to succeed with integrity! I will attend class regularly, participate to the best of my ability,
and bring all questions/concerns about the class to Mrs. Heath in a timely manner. This is going to be a
great year, and I will do my part to make it one!!

Student signature______________________________________Date______________

Printed Name_________________________________________