Sunday, November 17, 2024

Monday Motivator #13 2024-25

 

Big, Loud, and Slow: Six Strategies for Better Public Speaking

The first thing I noticed when I woke up on March 1, 2023, was that I wasn’t able to articulate what I wanted to say. It was like the left side of my cheek had fallen asleep, similar to when you sit on one of your legs for too long. This morning was no different from another weekday: Wake up for work, let the dog out, grab some breakfast. 
My wife, Jodi, was also awake when I realized my problem with my speech. “I can’t…talk?” I managed to express. Also noting that I had not slept well that night, she encouraged me to make a doctor’s appointment for the morning. I agreed and started to put in my absence for that morning.
That’s when I realized that my left hand was also not working as it should. My fingertips could not locate the correct key on my laptop. “Jodi, I am not able to type correctly,” I called from the dining room as she moved about in the kitchen, getting breakfast for the kids.
“Okay,” she announced, “we are going to the emergency room, and I will be driving you.” Too tired to resist, I quickly got dressed and we headed to the hospital.
Later that day, I learned that I had suffered a small vessel stroke in the posterior right frontal lobe of my brain. This area of the brain controls movement and language. It impacted my speech and some coordination on the left side of my body, particularly my hand and, to a lesser degree, my leg. This loss of muscle coordination on the left side of my face is referred to as dysarthria, defined as “weakness or paralysis of the speech muscles” and “is characterized by reduced speed and range of movement in articulators” (Source: https://therapyinsights.com/).
Part of my recovery has been speech therapy. My therapist’s mantra throughout our sessions has been to speak big, loud, and slow. 
As I practiced the exercises assigned to me, I realized that these strategies can be applicable to all students in the classroom and to anyone who wants to improve their conversation skills or public speaking. (Note: These strategies come from Therapy Insights as provided to me by my therapist. They are not a replacement for support offered by a speech and language therapist or a medical provider.)

Speaking Big

Speaking big means being expressive and even exaggerating sounds and words when speaking.
“Open your mouth widely for vowel sounds.” Vowels are often in the middle of words, so         they can be more difficult to articulate. I practiced opening my mouth widely while saying     the Pledge of Allegiance during morning announcements over the public address system.
“Lengthen sounds to help make them sound different from others.” During morning                 announcements, I also tell a daily joke. I make a point of enunciating specific sounds to             make them distinctive from others. This is especially helpful for puns, such as “What did         the skeptical cat say? You’ve got to be kitten me right meow!” 

Speaking Loud

I was a quiet speaker before my stroke. I have had to be even more cognizant of this as I strengthen my breath and volume.
“Communicate at the same eye level.” I don’t have to raise my voice when I am speaking directly to a person. Looking in another direction while communicating with someone makes it more difficult for them to hear what I am saying.
“Speak in three- to five-word phrases.” Keeping my messages succinct allows more breath for what I want to say. It also helps with conserving my energy. The more I talk and interact throughout the day, the more tired I become as the day progresses.

Speaking Slowly

When I am misunderstood or asked to repeat something, I am usually speaking too quickly. 
“Use a slower speaking rate.” When we slow down while speaking, we “allow the tongue more time to move to make full speech sound movements.” I’ve applied this strategy when working with a teacher. For example, I have found that a slower speaking rate gives me more time to develop thoughtful questions for reflection around a teacher’s practice.
“Choose different words when repeating or rephrasing yourself.” One way to slow myself down when speaking is to choose longer words when I repeat myself. They can be understood better. For example, I might use precipitation instead of rain.

Four months after my stroke, my speech was around 95% recovered. The /k/ sound can still be difficult to pronounce, so I avoid words that contain it during regular communications. But I also practice that sound when I have the opportunity.
With the prevalence of video and podcast creation, all students should have these opportunities. A curriculum with speaking as a core skill prepares learners for life in the 21st
 century.
https://choiceliteracy.com/article/big-loud-and-slow-six-strategies-for-better-public-speaking/

Sunday, November 10, 2024

Monday Motivator #12 2024-25

History of Veterans Day

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

1919
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…”

1926
The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:
Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and
Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and
Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.


1938

1938
An Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a) approved May 13, 1938, made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday—a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as “Armistice Day.” Armistice Day was primarily a day set aside to honor Veterans of World War I,
Communicating through letter writing is a great way to send a special message or say thank you to Veterans who have served our country.
Who is a Veteran? A Veteran is a man or woman who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces during a time of war or peace. The six branches of the United States Armed Forces are the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force and Space Force. Who is an active-duty serviceman or woman?.

1954
In 1954, after World War II had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen in the Nation’s history; after American forces had fought aggression in Korea, the 83rd Congress, at the urging of the Veterans service organizations, amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting in its place the word “Veterans.” With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American Veterans of all wars.
Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first “Veterans Day Proclamation” (PDF) which stated: “In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all Veterans, all Veterans’ organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose. Toward this end, I am designating the Administrator of Veterans’ Affairs as Chairman of a Veterans Day National Committee, which shall include such other persons as the Chairman may select, and which will coordinate at the national level necessary planning for the observance. I am also requesting the heads of all departments and agencies of the Executive branch of the Government to assist the National Committee in every way possible.”

1958
In 1958, the White House advised VA’s General Counsel that the 1954 designation of the VA Administrator as Chairman of the Veterans Day National Committee applied to all subsequent VA Administrators. Since March 1989 when VA was elevated to a cabinet level department, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs has served as the committee’s chairman.

1968
The Uniform Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) was signed on June 28, 1968, and was intended to ensure three-day weekends for Federal employees by celebrating four national holidays on Mondays: Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Columbus Day. It was thought that these extended weekends would encourage travel, recreational and cultural activities and stimulate greater industrial and commercial production. Many states did not agree with this decision and continued to celebrate the holidays on their original dates.


1971

1971
The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
https://department.va.gov/veterans-day/history-of-veterans-day/


1971The first Veterans Day under the new law was observed with much confusion on October 25, 1971. It was quite apparent that the commemoration of this day was a matter of historic and patriotic significance to a great number of our citizens, and so on September 20th, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479), which returned the annual observance of Veterans Day to its original date of November 11, beginning in 1978. This action supported the desires of the overwhelming majority of state legislatures, all major veterans service organizations and the American people.

Communicating through letter writing is a great way to send a special message or say thank you to Veterans who have served our country.  A Veteran is a man or woman who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces during a time of war or peace. The six branches of the United States Armed Forces are the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force and Space Force. 
Each one is a true hero, and that is why we enjoy writing letters to all of them.
Now, let’s get started writing your letter. Here are three simple steps to writing a letter.

1. Write an introduction. The introduction should include a greeting, such as Dear Veteran.

2. Write a message of thanks and gratitude to express how we are fortunate to have them serving and sacrificing so much to keep us safe. You can write a message like, thank you for being brave, thank you for being a hero, thank you for keeping us safe or we appreciate all that you do for our community.
If you want to be creative, you can add hand-drawn pictures like the American flag, a bald eagle, stars, a rainbow or hearts. Veterans and active-duty service members really enjoy receiving handwritten notes from members of our community.

3. Last, close your letter by signing your first name only or your initials. By keeping the letter simple and with a positive message, any service member will be delighted to receive a heartwarming letter from those who they protect and keep safe.
https://nationalvmm.org/write-a-letter-to-a-veteran-active-duty-servicemember-or-first-responder/

For mailing letters:
National Veterans Memorial and Museum
Education Department
300 W Broad St.
Columbus, OH 43215

Monday, November 4, 2024

Monday Motivator #11 2024-25

In this stressful time of the school year with the start of second quarter, weather changes, a break still a few weeks away, this song reminds us to continue to see all the good in our students and find the glimmers throughout the day!

PS 22 Chorus "Good in Me" with Andy Grammer




Monday Motivator #17 2024-25

  Setting Intentions Provides a ‘Why’ for the ‘What’ In the beginning of any new year, we hear a lot about resolutions and goal setting. But...