Minnetonka Speech Team · 2016-10-26 · 4) Extemp. Speaking – if you’re interested in current events, this is the category for you! you will show up at the competition and DRAW

Minnetonka Speech Team 2016-2017

INFORMATIONAL MEETING: Come get info, forms, donuts! Thursday, Nov. 3rd at 8:30 AM in Media Center!

Parents are welcome, but it is not required 1st Practice: Forms and Fees due: Nov. 9th

What is it? We are excited to offer this enriching opportunity which will build lifelong skills and confidence in our students! The Speech Team will follow the format of the Minnetonka High School Speech Club as well as the Minnesota State HS Speech League. Students will prepare and present speeches from a variety of categories. Speech Team is a fun way to make new friends, to be a part of an exciting GREAT opportunity, and to grow in confidence and public speaking skills. AND, IT IS FUN!

Who Can Join? All students in grades 6-8 are welcome! No experience necessary!

When will we meet?

Informational meeting will be Nov. 3rd at 8:30 AM in the media center. Parents are welcome, but not required to attend. Our first TWO OFFICIAL PRACTICES ARE ALL TEAM REQUIRED: (unless in Drama or excused)

Wed, NOV 9th and/or THURS., NOV. 10TH: 4:00 PM-5:15 PM in Mrs. Lewis’s room 137 *The second meeting is optional for students who choose their speech at the first meeting From then on, students will meet one designated day per week after school. You will set up a time at the first practice to meet for 20 minutes with your speech coach that will be after/before school or during advisory one day a week.

How long is the Speech Team season? Speech will begin in mid-November and will run through approximately the first week of February. We have a practice meet and four official tournaments which will begin in January. Tournament Dates: 1st round starts at 4:00; 2nd round starts at 5:00 Thursday, Dec. 15th "Mock" meet (this is equivalent to a Dress Rehearsal) at MMW Thursday, Jan. 12: Minnetonka Middle School East Thursday, Jan. 19: Minnetonka Middle School West Tuesday, Jan. 24: Centennial Middle School Tuesday, Jan. 31: Final at Eden Prairie

Can I be in other activities/sports at the same time as Speech Team? Yes, but you need to be committed to meeting with your coach once a week and be dedicated to practicing your speech outside of school. We will be flexible in working with you as long as you are committed and communicate with us. Those students who are in Drama, a schedule has been worked out for you to do both

How much will it cost? The school’s one time yearly activity fee must be paid in addition to the Speech Fee of $25.00. This can be paid online through MMW’s activity page.

How can I join? You can fill out the permission slip form given to you by Mrs. Lewis or found online. You must also make sure to pay the fees. You must sign up by our official start date, Wednesday, Nov. 9th, 2016 4:00 PM-5:15 PM.

Questions? Contact Speech Team Head Advisor: Mrs. Lisa Lewis [email protected]

Speech Categories at a Glance

“Write Your Own” Categories…

1) Creative Expression – This is a story (or set of poems) written by YOU; you may borrow

material/quotes but it can equal no more than 20% of your piece; this can be serious or funny

2) Original oratory – you write your own persuasive speech; no more than 10% can be direct

quotations; offer thoughts/insight about a problem; 8 minutes long

3) Informative speaking –this is an informative speech; only 10% may be direct quotation;

you’re on a mission to inform the audience about something; visual aids may be used (Digital

or other; only 2 dimensional); 8 minutes long

Impromptu Categories: (i.e. thinking on your feet! Limited Prep!)

4) Extemp. Speaking – if you’re interested in current events, this is the category for you! you

will show up at the competition and DRAW a topic. You’ll then have 30 minutes to write up

your thoughts on the topic. Topic come from recent issues of Time /Newsweek; 7 min. max.

5) Extemp. Reading – this category requires being good ‘on the spot.’ After you reach the

competition you’ll draw the title of the story you’ll read. You then have 30 minutes to practice

before you perform; no more than 6 minutes.

6) Storytelling – you’ll have a book of stories to “know” before competing; 30 minutes before

the contest you’ll draw the name of the story you’ll perform; you MUST have an intro to the

story, and you MUST retell the story without a script; no more than 6 minutes

Scripted Categories 7) Duo – work with a partner from a script; the script must be published and includes VERY

limited movement; no more than 8 minutes long

8) Great Speeches – can be a single speech or a combo of speeches on the same theme; use

material from other published speeches (Martin Luther King, Mark Twain, etc.); must also

explain why you chose this material; minimum of 25% must be own words; no more than 8

9) Humorous Prose – a story that is funny; NO movement involved; no more than 8 min long

10) Serious Prose – a story that is serious in nature; NO movement involved; no more than 8

11) Humorous Poetry – one longer poem, or several on the same theme; they are humorous in

nature (children’s books are a great place to start!); no more than 8 minutes long

12) Serious Poetry - one longer poem, or several on the same theme; they are serious in nature

(children’s books are a great place to start!); no more than 8 minutes long

13) Drama – a cutting from a theatre script; no more than 8 minutes in length; limited

movement

innetonka Middle School West Speech Team MMW SPEECH TEAM PERMISSION SLIP: due: Wednesday, Nov.9th

PLEASE FILL OUT THE BELOW INFORMATION AND RETURN TO THE MAIN OFFICE OR TO

MRS. LEWIS IN ROOM137 WITH YOUR ONLINE PAYMENT CONFIRMATION. THANK YOU!

STUDENT NAME: ______________________________________ GRADE:________________

STUDENT’S ADVISORY TEACHER: ________________________________________________

STUDENT’S LANGUAGE ARTS TEACHER:___________________________________________

PARENT SIGNATURE: ____________________________________________ DATE:__________

BEST EMAIL FOR RECEIVING INFORMATION: ________________________________________

BEST PHONE NUMBER TO REACH YOU IN CASE OF EMERGENCY: ________________________

_______ I HAVE PAID THE $25.00 SPEECH FEE ONLINE Confirmation #____________________

_______ I HAVE PAID THE 2015-2016 ONLINE YEARLY MMW ACTIVITY FEE