Amplify Student Voices: Equitable Practices to Build Confidence in the Classroom by AnnMarie Baines, Diana Medina, and Caitlin Healy (ASCD, 2023)
Certain images come to mind when we think of students who are "good at public speaking"—a poised youth with a polished style before a formal audience, or the kid who aces every oral report. These concepts of what it means to be a strong speaker are too narrow, the authors argue—and committed teachers can help any child (shy ones, those with unformed ideas, those from groups often marginalized in school, etc.) raise their voice more effectively.
The authors promise that "Educators reading this book will have a resource to guide and support them on their road to amplifying student voices." Many practices described in the book stem from work the authors have done or observed at The Practice Space, an after-school program founded by Baines in El Cerrito, California, that helps youth learn to speak confidently and use their voice to bring change. There are also many stories here from teens and young adults about how their ability to speak out confidently and authentically improved through activities or mentoring at The Practice Space.
Baines, Medina, and Healy elaborate on practices they've developed that, taken together, they call "Expression-Driven Teaching." This approach emphasizes six main public speaking formats the authors believe are "well-suited to the reasons that young people speak in the classroom:" presentation, discussion and conversation, storytelling, poetry, debate, and self-advocacy and advocacy. Each of six chapters in the book is devoted to describing in detail how to use one of these formats in instruction and classroom activities and how to ensure that all students' voices are encouraged and strengthened.
Amplify Student Voices
Learn how to cultivate student voices and facilitate equitable participation so that young people are prepared to speak up and lead when the moment calls for it. Amplify Student Voices publishes in January 2023. Preorder now.
