Teach the Class

• Assign students the task of teaching the class how to do something. In order to complete this task, students must consider what methods will best reach their peers and whether visuals or hands-on materials are required. Students can choose to teach the class something simple, such as how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or something complex such as how to rebuild a car engine or how to achieve world peace. Allow students to choose their own topics and focus on their own areas of expertise. After a student teaches the class, give the other students a short survey indicating how well the speaker did at presenting the information.
  
  

Conduct an Interview

• Teach students about asking relevant questions by assigning partners to create a talk show with a famous person or historical figure as a guest. One student will play the part of the interviewer and the other will play the part of the famous figure. Students must conduct research and write questions for an in-depth interview. Encourage students to move beyond questions with simple "yes" and "no" answers and basic biographical information and ask questions that get at the heart and soul of the person being interviewed.
  
  

Poem Recitation

• Poems are laden with descriptive and emotional words. Assign students the task of choosing a classic poem and reciting it for the class. This activity is more than just reading words off the page. It involves using appropriate voice, articulation and physical gestures to accurately convey the meaning of the poem. Students should memorize the poem for recitation in order to add to the effect.
  
  

Community Issues

• Ask students to determine an issue in the school or community that they are concerned about and develop a presentation to give to the school board or city council. This project will require students to take a stand and conduct research to gather facts and statistics to support their claim. Students must consider what approach will best reach their audience. Will the city council be swayed by an emotional appeal or a facts-centered approach? Have students dress professionally and give their presentations before their classmates. Arrange for students with winning presentations to actually present in front of the school board or city council.