There were definite groans when I introduced our speech unit to my 10th grade students last spring. "What do you mean we have to give a speech?!" After studying and writing about revolutionary speeches given by significant Americans, it was time that we gave our own revolutionary speeches. But we weren't just going to share our stories with members of our classroom, we decided to make sure that our voices were heard. So we created a hashtag for our talks, #LetMeSpeak, and invited other students, staff, and community into our classroom to hear talks about the topics that touched our hearts. We watched TED Talks and connected with the TED-Ed community to help us prepare our talks. We recorded our talks and shared them online. And now four of my students and I have been invited to TED headquarters in New York City to learn with other students from around the world.
There is power in sharing our stories, in sharing our passions, in making sure that the voices of our young people are heard.
My students come from diverse backgrounds, diverse experiences, each with a unique story to share. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will be unforgettable for my students.
My Project
My students wrote and delivered speeches on the issues that matter not just to them, but to all of us: gun control, body image, bullying, technology, education, access and opportunity. Now they have an opportunity to connect with students from all over the globe at the upcoming TED-Ed Weekend hosted by TED at their headquarters in New York City. My students will have an opportunity to meet with other students and TED leaders who have spent time doing the exact same thing my students did - sharing stories about what matters most.
This opportunity is not about learning to give a good speech; the TED-Ed Weekend gives my students the opportunity to share their ideas, expand their thinking, and gain support in order to move from ideas into action.
The knowledge that my students gain through participating in the TED-Ed Weekend will not simply end when we board the plane to return home. Instead, my students that are taking part in the TED-Ed Weekend will have the chance to share what they have learned with their fellow students and with our teachers. They will have an opportunity to stay connected with the students and with the TED-Ed staff that they meet at the event. The opportunity to participate in the TED-Ed Weekend will impact more than just my four students attending.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Ward and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
