Cheers to A New Year: Empowering Student Voice through Writing Workshop
Welcome back to school! As we step into the New Year, it’s time to rejuvenate our classrooms with activities that not only enrich learning but also boost student confidence and community spirit. As an English Language Arts Teacher, I have seen even the quietest students shine through writing workshops. What better way to combine literacy and The New Year than with toasting? This January 2024 I am so excited to start the school year with both fun and rigor through a writing workshop titled “Cheers to the New Year: Writing Memorable Toasts” This is an excellent resource to kickstart this journey, and here, we’ll explore how this resource and some additional tips can help in building a vibrant classroom community.
Understanding the Cultural Significance of Toasting
Toasting is more than just raising a glass; it’s a powerful tradition embedded in cultures worldwide. Starting with a lesson on the history of toasting can ignite students’ curiosity about different cultures and customs. Encourage students to share toasting traditions from their own cultures or family practices. This part of the lesson is embedded in an easy to follow GoogleSlides presentation, which can be presented to the class or posted on Learning Management Systems such as GoogleClassroom.
Using the Exemplar Non-Exemplar Method Mini Lesson
Before students are ready to craft their own toasts, this resource uses video and discourse to help build background knowledge about crafting memorable toasts. Remember that scene from the movie Bridesmaids where the main character is having a toast off? Students will view this clip as the non-exemplar and discuss what makes this toast unsuccessful. Afterward, students will watch a clip from Oprah’s talk show in which there is a strong example of a moving toast. Students will analyze why this toast is strong. By showing an exemplar and non-exemplar students have a launching place for their toasts.
The Power of Words: Crafting Personal Toasts In The New Year
Writing toasts is an excellent exercise in self-expression and creativity. Begin with brainstorming sessions, encouraging students to reflect on their aspirations, gratitudes, and experiences. Prompt them to think about what they wish for themselves, their peers, or the world in 2024. Remember, the key to a great toast is authenticity and personal touch. This part of the lesson takes place on PDF so students can handwrite their ideas. I have found that handwritten drafts are stronger than typing first drafts in my middle school classroom.
Public Speaking: A Skill for Life
Public speaking is a vital skill, and presenting toasts is a fun way to practice it. Encourage students to focus on their delivery, body language, and audience engagement. Remember, this is not just about speaking well but also about building confidence and overcoming public speaking anxiety. This resource comes with a clear rubric so students know how they will be assessed and teachers feel confident in easily grading student presentations.
Engaging Activities Beyond the Toast
- Toastmasters Video Analysis: Use the included video to analyze effective public speaking. Discuss techniques like voice modulation, pacing, and audience connection.
- Interactive Discussions: Engage in discussions about famous toasts from history or popular media. What makes these toasts memorable? Can students identify any common patterns or techniques?
- Creative Tea Cup Activity: The tea cup cutout activity is a charming way to visually represent students’ wishes for the new year. Display these cups on a bulletin board to create a collective vision for 2024.
Social-Emotional Learning Through Reflection
Toasting inherently involves reflection – looking back at the year gone by and forward to the future. Encourage students to express their feelings about the past year and their hopes for the new one. This is a great way to integrate SEL into your classroom dynamically.
Incorporating Toasting into Various Subjects
- History Classes: Explore historical figures and how they might have crafted toasts during significant events.
- Language Arts: Analyze the structure and language of famous toasts. How do writers use rhetorical devices to enhance their message?
- Art Classes: Encourage students to design and create visual toasts using art supplies.
Closing Thoughts
“Cheers to the New Year: Writing Memorable Toasts” is more than a lesson plan; it’s a gateway to building a supportive and engaging classroom environment. By embracing the art of toasting, students learn valuable skills, express themselves creatively, and start the year with positivity and camaraderie. Here’s to a year of learning, growth, and memorable toasts!