Mini-Lesson

Speech Writing

Mini-Lesson: Grades 2-3

Students will write and deliver award-acceptance speeches.

1. After students read the timeforkids.com news story, Pop Music’s Big Night! tell them that when a person wins a Grammy they accept the award by giving a short acceptance speech. Look to paragraphs 5 and 6 for quotes from acceptance speeches given by rap artist Kanye West and jazz great Herbie Hancock.

2. Next, tell students to imagine that they have just won an award. Ask: What would you say in your acceptance speech? Explain that some winners prepare a speech ahead of time, while others speak on the spot. Remind students that acceptance speeches should be short and to the point.

3. Challenge students to come up with spontaneous acceptance speeches. Randomly choose student “winners” and have them deliver their acceptance speeches. Then, extend the lesson by having students write prepared award-acceptance speeches.