Annnnnnd it’s over…

How on earth can time fly so quickly? Speech class is just about over. I must say that public speaking is no longer my biggest fear. This class taught me a lot about myself. I found that I am able to talk about anything from a silly song my dad would sing, to a serious topic that I care deeply for. I couldn’t have asked for better classmates! All of us had our own ideas about how the class would be, but we all worked together by encouraging each other when we do a good thing, and politely correcting us when there is a need for correction. All in all, I’m glad this class is over, because now I can take what I’ve learned and apply it to everyday use.

-Gideon

Speech Class=Fun?

Well I must say the demonstration speech was easier than I thought possible. I looked at a few possible ideas for the speech, but none really stood out for me. I had recently been playing Hacky Sack before and after work so it finally came to me that Hack could be my topic. I mean why not? Its fun and I could get people involved. Of course I was still nervous getting up there and looking at everyone, but once I started talking about Hack it became really easy for me to relax. Hack is a game and what’s to be nervous about a game I’ve played for years? Once others joined in on the game and demonstrating it, my fears flew out the door. I was having a blast! It came to me that I was actually getting graded for playing a game! This class has taught me so much and it’s all thanks to Candee and my supportive classmates!

-Gideon

Phew!…..Wait, that wasn’t so bad.

OK, so Tuesday’s speech went so much better than I had thought! I was sick to my stomach after waking up that morning. I thought,  “I gotta put this off, I gotta put this off.” I felt so unprepared and was sure I would make a complete fool of myself once I was up there. Yeah my topic was on Star Wars and Star Wars was something I’ve grown up with my whole life. I know it inside and out (basically).

One of my first fears before organizing my speech was that I would go over people’s heads. I was afraid the topic would go over heads and come across as totally geeky. If it hadn’t been for my meeting with Mrs. Basford the Tuesday prior, then I know I would’ve gone over some heads. She pointed out that what I had planned would go over someone’s head if they had never seen a Star Wars movie before.

So I went home that day and considered how to deliver it in a way that would explain the core of star wars and just leave out all the technical talk. I believe that the speech went well and I’m pretty sure it didn’t go over anyone’s head. Once I got up there I was still very nervous, but it turned out that I actually enjoyed talking to my fellow classmates. I enjoyed looking them in the eyes and informing them on a topic that I found fascinating. I can’t speak for them and say they enjoyed it as much as I did. I did get  positive responsive  from the feedback slips and those are the best encouragements!

Looking back now, if I could change anything I did, I would change all the worry and stress I had before giving the speech. I don’t know if I’ve found my voice yet, but I think I’m getting close!

Gideon Meyer

A boy named Sue

I didn’t know what I was getting myself into when  I signed up to read first, but I thought, “I’ll just get it over with.” I didn’t know how “a boy named sue” would go over. It turned out to be a success though! (it seemed) I felt really nervous being in front of everyone (as was expected) but as a began to read I put my self into what I was reading and imagined how it was sung by the great Johnny Cash.

I think what might have helped the most was that I knew that everyone wanted me to do good and that was a huge encouragement. Yes it was one down, only leaving three to go, but I’m not as nervous as before. I hope to really find my voice for the next speech. Eye contact is what my feedback slips said I needed to work on and that is really helpful to know. Hopefully by the time I reach the end of this quarter, I’ll feel comfortable for the next time I have to speak in front of my church.

Gideon-

Speech Class and Small Groups

Hi there! my name is Gideon Meyer and this is my first blog post.

Wow. I never thought I would be enjoying speech class, because I am in no way a public speaker. I’ve had to do it for my church a few times and I was part of a North Adams musical. I get nervous just thinking about standing up in front of people and telling them my ideas. Speech class with Mrs. Basford is different though. I feel at ease when I’m there listing and when I’m with my small group members. When we divide into small groups and told to make a poster with material  covered, we all just sit there. Slowly we start talking and before you know it all of us have our ideas on the poster. The posters may turn out a little girly, but its nothing new after growing up with 7 sisters.  Besides, the look of the poster doesn’t matter. It’s about talking and sharing with each other, and then sharing your ideas with the rest of the class. Standing with other people makes it easier to speak in front of people and knowing my group is nervous(probably not as much as me;) makes me feel comfortable, because, as said in class several times, nobody is perfect. We all make mistakes and this class is about how you learn from your mistakes. And how to sharpen your skills after each speech.

 

Gideon