Everyday, the student of the day has a set of responsibilities to fulfill: they lead prayers, assist their teacher and as of Tuesday, they get to read in the big blue chair at DEAR time! We move alphabetically by first name through the class list so that students always know when they'll be the SOTD.
For this next cycle of the list, the SOTD is asked to bring in a special item they would like to share with the class for something we call the "Afternoon Presentation" . Students may bring in anything they like provided they have their parents' permission and it will fit in an average school bag. They are not permitted to bring in electronic devices such as iPads and cellphones. Students are also not permitted to bring anything that's alive.
This is a great opportunity for us all to get to know each other a little better. It's always been a very special part of our day and I'm thrilled to have this years students participate!
Here are some FAQs that should provide additional information:
What should students do to prepare for their presentation?
Students are asked to prepare 4-5 sentences describing their item, why it is special to them, how it is used and how they came to own it. Students are not required to memorize this information. This is all very informal.
How long is the average presentation?
On average, each presentation is usually 5-7 minutes long, including audience questions.
What happens if the student of the day forgets to bring their item?
To help them remember to bring their item, the student will record a reminder in their agenda. This means it is even more important than ever for parents to sign the agenda each night. While we are only doing this task for one cycle of the class list, the SOTD can have a make up day the next time their are the student of the day. Students who forget their item will not be permitted to present the following day as the focus is to be on one student at a time. The same will apply to those students who are ill on their day to be the SOTD.
What are the audience expectations?
At the conclusion of the presentation, the audience is invited to ask "thick" questions. The presenter will take three questions. You can read more about thick questions here.
What else do students need to do to prepare?
Students should practice their friendly opening: "Good afternoon everyone, this is the start of my presentation" . They should also prepare their closing: "That's the end of my afternoon presentation. Now I can take three questions."
Will students be marked for this?
No, students will not receive a mark. This is intended to be an informal opportunity to practice presentation skills in a low-stress, risk free environment. Students will receive any support they need during their presentation, along with positive feedback after. More formal presentations will come later in the year. This is a way to dip our toes back into the world of class presentations.
Anything else I should know?
If students choose to bring a photo album, they are asked to choose four of the photos to share in order to keep the presentation capped at 7 minutes. Please do not email digital photos for students to share.
