Dear Parents,
I am looking forward the St. Anthony of Padua Speech Arts Festival which takes place on Tuesday, February 13th. There is also an Archdiocesan Speech Arts Festival taking place on March 4th and 5th.
Why is Speech Arts Important?
1. Learning the techniques of vocal production helps with the student’s language development, which gives them better communication skills.
2. Giving attention to and memorizing an excellent poem, scripture passage or any piece of beautiful literature forms the student’s soul and develops in them an “ear” for good writing. This will help them become strong writers.
3. It is fun! Students enjoy performing. Public performance may be a challenge for many, but if it is a challenge met in elementary school, students’ confidence soars and it will be much easier to speak in public in the future.
How Does It Work?
Each class will be preparing a poem for group presentations. There are also opportunities for individual presentations. The categories for Primary students (Grade K – 3) are: Poetry Recitation, Prepared Bible Reading and Prose Recitation (Storytelling). The categories for Intermediate students are: Poetry Recitation, Prepared Bible Reading, Character Recitation and Persuasive Speech.
All students from Grades 1—7 will be required to choose and present one selection from the individual categories. All students from Grades K—7 are invited to compete in any individual category they wish; however, it would fall on the student with parent help at home to prepare for this. Each class will have a mini festival in their classrooms sometime before February 25, where up to 3 students in each category will be chosen to take part in the School Festival.
In this email you will find links to many useful resources that will help your child to participate well in the Speech Arts Festival.
In the Poetry category, students can choose any poem they wish, but need to confirm their selection with their teacher. We will also allow students to recite a poem they have authored. Poetry lists are linked below and are only suggestions. In selecting your poem, please be sure to consult the General Guidelines linked below to make sure your poem fits the criteria. Poems must be memorized. If you are not sure or confused about this, your teacher can help you.
The Bible readings are also linked below. Students are to become familiar with the three readings from the appropriate list (Primary or Intermediate). Students do not need to memorize the Bible readings but should practice them to perfection.
The Prose Recitation (Storytelling) category is for primary students only. A selection of readings is linked below from which students will choose one. This should be committed to memory, although students will be allowed to have a copy of the reading in their hand to aid in their performance.
The Persuasive Speech category is for intermediate students only. Students write their own speech and present it with the purpose of persuading others of their point of view on a controversial issue. Students are permitted to use cue cards in delivering this speech.
The Character Recitation category is for Intermediate students only and can be done by 1 -3 persons, maximum 3 minutes. Costumes, props, and movement are permitted. Candidates are expected to use drama to enhance their performance.
The adjudication forms are linked below. It is important students understand each of the criteria on these forms. Teachers will go over them in the classroom. Parents can help at home by judging the performance based on these criteria and giving feedback.
I have also linked below a couple of articles on poetry that I think you will find interesting: “The Importance of Poetry” and “The Poetry of Life”.
I have created a page on our school web site that includes this information and all the links below for your future reference. It is found under the Students tab labeled Speech Arts.
In holding this Festival, we hope to develop in our students a love for the spoken word and skill and confidence in public speaking. Thank you, parents, for any encouragement and help you can give to your children at home.
Mr. Perry
