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Severn Eighth Graders Speak Up for Civic Responsibility
The room grows quiet as an 8th grade student walks to the podium in Price Auditorium. The entire 6th, 7th and 8th grade looks on attentively and waits for her to begin. Many 8th graders say this is one of the biggest challenges of their Middle School experience, but also the most satisfying when it’s done. The challenge? Every 8th grader must craft a speech that advocates for a local, national or global cause, present that speech with intention and persuasion, and do so facing a crowd of their peers.
Why Speeches?
Civic responsibility is a big focus in Severn’s Middle School program. The 8th grade speech project is a way for students to research meaningful causes and practice advocacy through informing their peers. Inspired by the idea that a single person can inspire change in the community, the process of drafting and delivering these speeches gives our 8th graders a chance to find their voices, explore their passions and encourage reflection and action in those around them.
Jacob Darrow '21
Choice Matters
At the beginning of the year, 8th graders select their topics and work through the research and writing process with English teachers Ms. Laura Drossner and Mr. Joe Christie, along with Assistant Librarian Ms. Whitney Etchison. The element of choice is a critical piece to this process. Because they choose topics they care about, our students are invested in the research and motivated to create compelling speeches. Topics this year range from body image and anxiety to the Syrian Refugee Crisis and Global Warming.
Matthew Hoyt '21
Building Community
Extending beyond the advocacy, research and public speaking portions of the project, these speeches build community in our Middle School. Some students have personal connections to the topics explored. The speakers must take that into consideration throughout the writing process. Middle School guidance counselor Ms. Mary Foard plays an important role in helping students see how their choice of topic might affect those around them. Along with Ms. Drossner and Mr. Christie, she helps them develop strategies to be sensitive to the experiences of their peers. Mr. Christie reflects on the 8th graders’ experience,
“This teaches them how to be effective listeners and to think outside themselves. There is a true awareness of their choice of words and how that affects others. They also see what their peers are going through and can identify with that.”
During the speech presentations, 6th and 7th grade students learn how to be a respectful audience while also getting a glimpse into what purposeful, intentional writing and speaking looks like in their peers. They listen, knowing that they will soon have their turn at the podium. From process to product, this project connects every grade level and builds community for our Middle School.
