Week 07 — Communication & Voice

Unit 2: Lead With Others • Domain II
Essential Question: How do I speak so that others want to listen?
Key Performance: 3-minute "This I Believe" talk delivered to a partner class.

(See sample week-in-the-life in ../03-daily-weekly-monthly-rhythms.md — that table mirrors this week.)

Day 1 — What Is "Voice"?

Objective: SWBAT name the 3 anchors of voice: clarity, evidence, audience.
Do-Now (5): "When did someone really listen to you because of how you said it?" • Circle (5): Single word. • Mini-Lesson (10): 3 anchors + 2 anti-patterns (jargon, filler). • Practice (25): Pair — swap a 60-sec story; partner names which anchor was strongest. • Close (5): "My voice tends to ___."

Day 2 — Story Arc for a Speech

Objective: SWBAT draft an outline for a 3-min "This I Believe" talk.
Do-Now (5): Watch a 90-sec TED clip; note one craft move. • Circle (5): Roses/thorns. • Mini-Lesson (10): Hook → turn → truth → call. • Practice (25): Draft outline (one belief from Week 3 values statement). • Close (5): First-line draft.

Day 3 — Vocal Craft

Objective: SWBAT use pace, pause, and volume intentionally.
Do-Now (5): Rewrite your opening line 3 ways. • Circle (5): Check-in. • Mini-Lesson (10): Pause = punctuation for the ear; pace = signal of importance. Model with one paragraph. • Practice (25): Trios rehearse with feedback cards (pace, pause, volume, eye contact, gesture). • Close (5): "What I'll change tomorrow…"

Day 4 — Mock Audience

Objective: SWBAT deliver to a partner-class peer and revise based on feedback.
Do-Now (5): Read your partner's outline; leave 2 stickies. • Circle (5): Brave check-in. • Mini-Lesson (5): Read the room — micro-adjustments (slow down, ask, smile). • Practice (30): Walk-and-talks with partner-class peers (pre-arranged); 2 rounds. • Close (5): "Feedback I got and will use…"

Day 5 — Friday Showcase: Live Delivery

Do-Now (5): Final tweaks. • Circle (10): Brave circle — one breath, one wish. • Practice (30): 8–10 live deliveries with peer rubric; rest follow next Monday morning. • Close (5): Leader of the Week + portfolio upload.

Assessment

4-pt rubric: Clarity • Evidence • Audience awareness • Delivery craft.

Differentiation

Foundational — 90-sec version allowed; written-and-recorded option for students with selective mutism (with counselor sign-off).

Sub Plan

Day 3 rehearsal lab is sub-stable.

Stretch & Swap

Coordinate with English department — talk can double as ELA argumentative speaking task. Invite English teacher to judge.