REAGAN HIGH SCHOOL



REAGAN HIGH SCHOOL

3750 Transou Road.

Pfafftown, NC 27040

(336) 703-6776

(336) 922-1752 fax

SPEECH AND DEBATE GREETINGS!

Fall 2014

Dear Parent(s)/Guardians(s)/Student,

Welcome to the Speech and Debate program at Reagan High School. My name is Bob Berlinger and I am extremely excited about starting a new semester. Please read through this letter and sign your name at the end. If you would like a copy of this letter and any other documents from my class, please visit my website under the physical education page in the faculty webpages at:

First, let me tell you a little about myself. I was born and raised in Ansonia, Connecticut. In 1993 I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, CT. During this time I studied Public Speaking. Then in 1996 I received a Master of Arts in Teaching at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. In 2000 I achieved National Board Certification as an Early Adolescence Generalist and renewed my certification in 2009. I am entering my 20th year of teaching. During my career I have taught 5th grade through 12th grade in Wake, Davidson, and Forsyth Counties. I have taught 5th grade, math, science, PE, Health, Life Skills, and Weight Training during my teaching career. Besides teaching Speech and Debate, I also teach PE and Health at Reagan High School. I have been coaching various sports for 24 years. I am currently an assistant football coach at Reagan. I have also coached baseball and softball at Reagan.

This elective course allows students the opportunity to improve their public speaking skills. The purpose of this course is to enable students to better understand and apply the practice and theory of public speaking. This course is designed to improve not only student delivery techniques, but also student speechwriting and persuasion abilities. Additionally, this course is arranged to develop the skills necessary for students to critically evaluate both the written and spoken speeches of others. Developing students’ public speaking skills will prepare them for school or work presentations, job interviews, political campaigns, community meetings, and many other situations as well. Becoming a good speaker requires some instruction and lots of practice, and this class offers plenty of both. During class students will develop confidence and public speaking skills. Some of the skills emphasized will be: organization of material, voice control, audience contact, expressive voice and gestures, and the use of visuals to make a speech/debate more effective.

MAJOR INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS

Students will have the opportunity to develop strategies and knowledge to:

• Reason logically in problem solving

• Verbalize thoughts clearly and dynamically

• Organize ideas clearly and appropriately

• Generate speeches for a variety of occasions

• Develop self-confidence to express ideas fluently

• Debate successfully using individual, team, and group skills

• Learn to use different libraries effectively

• Defend positions using evidence according to debate conventions

RULES - All WSFCS and Reagan High School Rules will be enforced including the following:

• Respect everyone - Follow the Golden Rule.

• No cell phones.

• No food or drinks are allowed in the classroom except for water.

• Restrooms should be used during class breaks.

• Be on time. If you are not in the classroom when the tardy bell rings you are considered late.

• Be prepared for class by bringing the proper materials.

• Follow directions and pay attention at all times.

• Participate in class discussions.

MATERIALS - The materials you will need for Speech and Debate include:

• Three ring binder (1 size) - There is no textbook for this class. You will need a binder to keep all materials and handouts organized. This binder will be randomly checked. A Table of Contents page will be at the beginning of the binder. This page lists the page number, date, and title of every assignment given in Speech and Debate. This page also needs to be filled out completely. All notes, classwork assignments, tests, quizzes, and other Speech and Debate materials will be placed in order in the binder. Each page must have the students name, date, class period, and page number located at the upper right-hand corner of the paper. A copy of the “official” Table of Contents can be found on my webpage.

• Notebook paper - There will be notes and other written assignments given on a daily basis. You will need to have paper for these assignments.

• Pen (preferably blue or black) or pencil - You can expect to do some kind of written work everyday. Please come to class prepared.

GRADE - Your grade in Speech and Debate will be broken up into three categories:

• Presentations 50%

o Formal presentations and debates will be graded and will be based off of a standardized rubric.

• Tests/Quizzes/Notebook Checks/Speech and Debate Preparation 20%

o A Daily Warmup will be completed at 3 days each week. Part of this warmup is a daily vocabulary word. There will be vocabulary tests after a certain amount of words are presented. Notebook Checks will occur at least once per quarter. All speech and debate preparations including outlines, evaluations, notes, research, storyboards, etc. will apply to this category.

• Participation/Classwork/Homework 30%

o A Daily Warmup will be completed at 3 days each week. This warmup will include an impromptu speech during the first quarter and a debate prompt during the 2nd quarter. All other classwork and homework activities apply to this category. This category includes three simple pieces of

• Final Exam 20% of Final Grade

o This will be discussed in class prior to the final exam day.

All missed assignments must be made up by following the WSFCS policy. If you are absent for a presentation, you must make it up in order to receive a grade. This includes daily impromptu speeches and debates.

PLAGIARISM - Plagiarism is not acceptable on any level. Any students attempting to turn in work that is not 100% theirs will receive a 0 on the assignment and will not have the opportunity to make up that grade. Other consequences that may occur are outlined in the Reagan High School student handbook.

If you ever have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me here at Reagan High School (703-6776) or via email at: rjberlinger@wsfcs.k12.nc.us

Sincerely,

Bob Berlinger

_____________________________ ______________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature Student Signature

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