How to Change the World - A Public Speaking / Communications Class for Teens

Using a mix of classroom activities, presentations, games, and partner/class discussion students will develop a ready-to-implement, capstone project to make a change in a cause they care about. The class will dive into topics of the importance of social entrepreneurship and the power of ordinary people to make a difference in their communities. With an emphasis on the communicative and leadership aspects of becoming a change maker, the lessons and skill work will equip students with the confidence and competence to see a project through to completion.
As a high-energy teacher, I emphasize classroom engagement and an activity-oriented environment. Over the course of 10 weeks, students will become familiar with the concepts and mechanisms of effective planning and execution of change-making.
 
Weekly Breakdown:
Part 1: Setting the Stage
Week 1: Is changing the world possible? Who has changed the world before?
a.   	Bring an idea of one person you admire as a change maker, social entrepreneur, advocate, activist, policy maker, etc. that you can talk about.

Week 2: What are the different levels of social change? How do you get involved/make an impact on those levels?
b.   	personal, local, regional, national, international.

Part 2: Strategizing

Week 3: How do you want to change the world?
c.   	Research and brainstorm.
d.   	Give a pitch- what cause and how do you want to help?

Week 4: What skills do we need to develop to be an effective changemakers?
e.   	Persuasive public speaking
f.    	Leadership skills/styles
g.   	Social media campaigns

Week 5: Skill work continued.

Part 3: Creating

Week 6: Groundwork
h.   	Start putting together materials, scripts, email templates, infographics, etc.

Week 7: Groundwork continued.

Week 8: Refinement
i.     	Speed Interviews- give and receive advice to adjust your materials.
j.     	Develop action steps to implement the project.

Week 9: Debate your cause
k.	How do you professionally advocate for your cause against conflicting perspectives?
Week 10: Presentation and Implementation

This class is also available for 8-12 year olds: https://outschool.com/classes/how-to-make-a-difference-a-public-speaking-communications-class-kLC5G568#usfWkMy7s8