commands

Talk about what it means to be a good communicator.

What are specific things a person can do to be a good communicator?
* speak loud enough for the person to hear
* speak clearly (getting rid of mumbling and filler words -- like, you know, you know what I'm saying, um).
* be concise. The more someone speaks the less others listen.
* speak at a good pace. If a person speaks quickly using filler words, their message is much less clear and effective than someone speaking slowly, choosing their words carefully and not using filler words.

Students each get a task that they have to explain to the group how to do using the above communication recommendations. Use words like, first, then, next, finally.

• How to plan a vacation
• How to make coffee
• How to make a paper airplane
• How to send an email
• How to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich
• How to parallel park
• How to cook your favorite dish
• How to get to work from your house

-Students practiced conversational skills by asking one another questions about their age, their name, how they're doing, and where they're from
-We discussed different types of transportation and which you use to go to certain locations
-Students competed in teams in another version of the Amazing Race. I used directions that they began writing for one another last class period. Following these directions around the school led them to the next clue. At each clue, they collected words that they needed to put together at the end to form a sentence. The winning team collected their clues and put the sentence in correct order first
-We practiced with commands, body parts, directions, and verbs by playing "Simon Dice"
-NO CLASS ON FRIDAY. Second quarter begins next Wednesday