Presentation Literacy @ Bostonia Language Academy

The Bostonia Language Academy team recognizes that preparing students for a brighter future includes the ability to effectively deliver a message to a variety of audiences.  In order to meet this goal, our team has integrated a new component to our robust academic program: Presentation Literacy.  Presentation Literacy instruction strengthens the communication skills needed to inform, motivate, persuade, and/or inspire others on a number of topics.  In addition to a focus on public speaking, Presentation Literacy promotes other critical skill sets that include critical thinking, problem solving, relationship building, creativity, design, research, and writing/editing.  By adapting the TedEd Presentation Literacy resources, our team was able to access quality CCCS standards aligned lessons as they delivered instruction.  

Our students had their first opportunity to showcase their Presentation Literacy skills during the Trimester 1 Demonstration of Learning.  This Demonstration of Learning event brought together staff, students, parents, and community members to celebrate the skills that our students had developed or refined over the period of a trimester. As students presented their Computer Science projects to an authentic audience, they were encouraged and well prepared to apply a number of skills,  including their Presentation Literacy skills.  Students presented their projects in Spanish and English by using Google Apps to describe the process they had followed to develop their projects.  As they informed and inspired their audience, it was hard not to notice the level of confidence and knowledge they had acquired. During Demonstration of Learning events, the audience is able to provide specific feedback to students on their presentation skills through the use of a rubric.  This student-friendly rubric is intended to keep students focused and encouraged to continue to refine their skills as public speakers.  As teachers use this rubric in class throughout the trimester, students understand that feedback is an integral component of improvement. The feedback from the rubric is designed to be clear and focused.  With teacher guidance and support, students are able to understand how the information they are receiving helps them make progress toward their final goal. 

Join us for our next Demonstration of Learning event in March! Our teachers and students truly appreciate the opportunity to showcase the skills they have developed through hard work and effort.  

Izela R. Jacobo, Principal

Bostonia Language Academy