Hi Italy Travelers,
Please POST to this new account. Remind our group of travelers what topic you have chosen to "share" us, your fellow travelers.
Example:
Hi,
This is ______________, and I am an Italy traveler on the CHS trip in June of 2012. The topic I will be teaching our travel group about is this topic:
_________________________________________
End your "post" by typing your first name and the first initial of your last name.
_____________
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Travelers:
Deep breath! Please think a "new thought" about what we are hoping for with the ITALY PRESENTATIONS! If you got a little frightened thinking you have to "give a speech," back up and take a new look at this. If you have questions, ideas, or concerns, come in an visit with me. THIS TRIP TO ITALY can be AMAZING. If you are old enough to take a trip to Italy, you are old enough to speak up for yourselves. Don't be shy. Don't be hesitant. Do be positive. Raise up your thoughts and ideas toward the excitement surrounding this trip. Italy, here we come!
When we began our plans, we shared with you that the focus of this trip would be educating ourselves about Italy -- before and during our trip.
So, we started that process with the BLOG. All summer, you had the opportunity to read and post your ideas about some of the Italy topics and locations.
Then, we met in the fall of 2011. We asked each of you student travelers to pick a topic and think about how you could "make a presentation" -- share with the group -- some information that would help us LEARN and ENJOY some aspect of Italy -- a location, a museum, some history, some culture, the language ... so many choices exist.
Now, we are going to begin our meetings. Some of them will be simple short meetings that take place from 12:55-1:15. Each time we meet, one or two of the travelers will be scheduled to share something with us. Maybe someone will prepare some poster boards and share some pictures and tell us a little history. Maybe someone will show us a video clip from the internet and talk about it. Maybe someone will bring some Italian music on a CD and talk about that music. You can teach us the colors in Italian or instruct us about how to ask "What time is it?" in Italian. The list of "offerings" is a very good list, and you can take more than one turn if you wish! [Remember that Mrs. Esser and Mrs. Moeller are keeping track of how you contribute to our preparation. We may have the opportunity to award some "Italy Bucks" to a few of the most energetic participants on the blog and presentation activities!]
DESCRIPTION OF WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR YOU: Ideas and Suggestions...
YOU MAY ASK FOR assistance in preparing what you share. You can bring pictures. You can bring questions for us to discuss. Please do not think of this as an "assignment." Think of it as a time to give an informal "sharing" of some thing that YOU ARE INTERESTED IN about our journey. Do some research and find some "good information" to share with us.
Yes, WE ARE REQUIRING YOU TO DO a "sharing session," but it's not a formal speech. The "sharing sessions" are intended as a way for us to learn more and get more excited! The "sharing sessions" are for us to get to know the others who are going on the trip with us. We want to know what excites you about this trip to ITALY.
PEOPLE, WE ARE GOING TO SHARE 9 days of our lives together next June. Let's take this chance to learn and also to show patience and kindness to each other.
At the first couple of meetings, I will share some examples with you of the various ways you can "fill up" your 10 minute presentation, but please recognize this: We are not asking you to give a formal speech. We are asking you to study something that pertains to our trip AND TEACH IT TO US.
Yes, you can put together a nice PowerPoint, and for some of you, that will be a great chance to practice your technology skills as well as to give us a delightful learning experience. So, if you want to learn more about how to do this, ASK ME. In a short time, I can teach you the basics of putting together a PowerPoint. (This is a useful skill to know, and if you USE this opportunity, you'll be getting some tips and appreciation from an enthusiastic audience.) We are your fellow travelers. We want you to succeed!
Please just do not get grouchy about this chance to "bring something" to us. We have an obligation not just to ourselves on this journey but to the good of the group. SO, please think positive thoughts and get into the spirit. THIS JOURNEY SHOULD BE A JOY... and we believe that the more we get ready, the more we can appreciate our days in Italy.
Once again, here's a list of ideas... (Be creative. Come up with your own good ideas.)
1) prepare a brochure -- give each of us a copy and talk to us about it
2) prepare some poster boards with BIG pictures and captions -- talk to us about the pictures
3) tell us some Italian stories
4) tell us some Italian history
5) teach us some Italian root words -- and then give us a little quiz to see if we "learned"
6) teach us some Italian vocabulary words -- QUIZ US!
7) create a PowerPoint about your topic
8) bring us a video clip about something we are going to visit -- show it, and then talk to us
9) share something with us -- then give us discussion questions and put us to work TALKING
10) come up with an idea...talk to me...I'll help you think of a way to "organize" your time
IF YOU ARE GOING TO CREATE A PowerPoint, here are some tips.
[People, why not practice some skills while getting ready for this trip. Be bold. You can sit back and "receive" all the info. from others, but GIVE something too. Put some positive effort into what you share.]
a) PICTURES: Limit the pictures to 1 or 2 per slide.
b) PRINT: DO NOT put all of your "script" onto the slides. Just put up the key "guide" words. Then, YOU DO THE TALKING. We listen and learn.
c) Remember the TWO COLOR limit for your slides. Use one background color. Use a different color for the "words." Be sure the the words are a dark color which will show up well on your background color.
d) Make sure the "font" is easy to read and large enough to be seen easily.
e) Practice. Practice. Practice. You will be standing beside the screen and LOOKING AT US - not at the screen. You will be explaining things to us - teaching us. Be sure that you have practiced your presentation many times so that you are comfortable and SURE OF YOURSELF!
Here are a few guidelines to get you started:
1) Plan to spend 10 minutes on your presentation. (You do not have to talk for the whole 10.)
2) Try to give us SOME "notes." We should write SOMETHING down from your presentation.
3) Students take "notes" on the colored sheets during your presentation.
4) Find your colored sheets and bring them to school.
5) Include some pictures in your presentation if possible.
6) Include at least 4 or 5 things you want us to KNOW when you are done.
7) Include some quiz questions at the end of your presentation.
8) Include a "journaling" question at the end of your presentation.
9) Come up with a "blog" question and give it to Mrs. Moeller at the end of your presentation.
She will post it, and people in our group will go on-line and "answer" your blog question.
YOU can start a blog discussion. People, this is not going to take a huge amount of your
time. Think of the time you spend on Facebook or "surfing the net." Going on-line to
answer a question like, "What was the most interesting thing TO YOU about the Roman
Fountains Sara taught us about today?" IS a good thing. That way, you are sharing your
thoughts and showing your interest AND being a supportive member of this group.
Thank your parents for letting you take this trip.
Thank your parents for supporting you in this "sharing" session. (Maybe your parents can help you plan what to do.)
Thank your parents for understanding that we are trying to help you be ready to grasp as much as you can on this journey.
Thank your parents for urging you to "advocate for yourselves," "ask questions for yourselves," "seek help for yourselves," "get ready for this marvelous adventure."
Enjoy preparing your "Italy teaching session."
Take the "high road" as you prepare for the Italy Adventure.
AM
