Standard 1: Speaking and Listening

Students will speak and listen effectively in a variety of situations including, but not limited to, responses to reading and writing.

Student Actions 

Teacher Actions 

• Students will speak about specific topics, texts, stories, and their own experiences using facts and details.
• Students will speak clearly and audibly for their audience.
• Students will speak at an appropriate pace. 

• Teachers define the elements of public speaking (i.e. clearly, audibly, appropriate pace, eye contact, etc.).

• Teachers model a structure for reporting information or stories to an audience.

• Teachers model speaking clearly using public speaking elements and appropriate structure.

• Teachers provide opportunities for students to share information about specific topics or texts or their own stories and experiences.

• Teachers monitor and provide opportunities for students to receive feedback.

Supporting Resources 

Teacher Insights 

Guidelines for Speaking, Arguing, and Writing in the Classroom (PDF)

• Students need practice giving reports and speaking in front of the class. They could practice in small groups before presenting to the entire class.
• Shy, hesitant students will need extra coaching and encouragement. They can build their confidence by talking to smaller groups first for increasingly longer amounts of time.
• Allow students to use note cards when speaking in front of the class to remind them of key details and talking points.
• Relevant details are connected to the story or topic while descriptive details add flavor and imagery.

Due to recursive nature of the standards, it is essential that teachers are aware of how all objectives within and between strands work together for optimal instruction.