*Public Speaking

*Critical Thinking

*Research Practice

*Impromptu

*Public Speaking *Critical Thinking *Research Practice *Impromptu

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📘 Curriculum – Grades 3–5 (Younger Students)

Overview

This version of the NextIdea Summer Boot Camp is tailored to younger students in Grades 3–5. The focus is on building confidence, storytelling, and clear self-expression in a fun, supportive environment. Activities are shorter, more guided, and use imaginative prompts to keep younger learners engaged.

📅 Core Program (Weeks 1–4)

Week 1: My Voice, My Story

  • Focus: Confidence and basic delivery

  • Activities: Fun introductions, name games, "My Favorite Thing" speeches (30–45 seconds)

  • Goal: Students feel safe, heard, and excited to speak in front of others

Week 2: Telling It Simply

  • Focus: Beginning structure (Beginning, Middle, End)

  • Activities: Story circles, fill-in-the-blank outlines, partner storytelling

  • Goal: Students begin building short speeches with basic structure

Week 3: Sharing My Opinion

  • Focus: Expressing ideas clearly and respectfully

  • Activities: "Would You Rather?" debates, feelings and reasons games

  • Goal: Students start using reasons to support what they believe

Week 4: Speaking Proudly

  • Focus: Showcase preparation and poise

  • Activities: Recap games, rehearsal rounds, showcase prep

  • Goal: Students give their best short speech to peers and families

Note: Week 4 sessions may run slightly longer to allow time for rehearsal and preparation.

⭐ Week 5: Family Showcase

  • Students present their favorite speech of the session in a friendly showcase format with parent attendance

📘 Optional Extended Program (Weeks 6–11)

Week 6: Imagination Speeches

  • Focus: Building fun, descriptive speeches

  • Activities: "If I Were President" or "My Dream Invention"

Week 7: Stories That Teach

  • Focus: Informing through storytelling

  • Activities: Pet care, fun facts, hobby explanations

Week 8: Emotions & Expression

  • Focus: Using voice and body to enhance speech

  • Activities: Emotion-based prompts, dramatic readings

Week 9: Big Ideas, Little Speeches

  • Focus: Introducing civic topics in an age-appropriate way

  • Activities: "Helping My School/Community" speeches

Week 10: Showcase Prep

  • Activities: Polishing and rehearsing their most confident speech

Week 11: Final Showcase Celebration 🎉

  • Students present a final, polished speech in front of families

🧠 Format & Approach

  • Sessions: 2x/week (1.5 hours each)

  • Speech time: 30–60 seconds, increasing over time

  • Games, movement breaks, and creativity-focused drills

Core Values Reinforced:

  • Confidence > Perfection

  • Imagination + Clarity = Power

  • Speaking up is something to celebrate

📘 Curriculum – Grades 6–8 (Older Students)

Overview

This advanced track of the NextIdea Summer Boot Camp is tailored for middle school students in Grades 6–8. It emphasizes structured speechwriting, extemporaneous delivery, persuasive thinking, and clarity under pressure. The program builds week by week toward strong speaking independence and real-time verbal fluency.

📅 Core Program (Weeks 1–4)

Week 1: Finding My Voice

  • Focus: Confidence, eye contact, and vocal presence

  • Activities: Intro speeches, storytelling drills, short peer responses (45–60 seconds)

  • Goal: Students speak with growing assurance and connect with the audience

Week 2: Speaking with Structure

  • Focus: Crafting clear, organized responses

  • Activities: Intro-body-conclusion framework, claim-reason-example drills

  • Goal: Students give 1-minute structured speeches with clear flow

Week 3: Persuade & Convince

  • Focus: Persuasive speech and delivery

  • Activities: Mini debates, hook development, quick counterpoints

  • Goal: Students construct simple persuasive arguments

Week 4: Showcase Prep & Spontaneity

  • Focus: Real-time thinking and preparing for presentation

  • Activities: Practice drills, Q&A warmups, peer coaching

  • Goal: Students prepare their strongest speech for live presentation

Note: Week 4 sessions may be extended if needed for rehearsal and feedback.

⭐ Week 5: Midpoint Showcase

  • Students present their strongest speech in a structured showcase with peer and family audience

📘 Optional Extended Program (Weeks 6–11)

Week 6: Inform to Empower

  • Focus: Informative speaking and issue framing

  • Activities: Explain a policy, teach a concept, current events breakdowns

Week 7: Argumentation & Rebuttal

  • Focus: Responding to opposing views

  • Activities: Point-counterpoint sparring, logic chain building

Week 8: Personal Narrative & Impact

  • Focus: Blending personal story with persuasive goals

  • Activities: Values speeches, mentor moments, reflective writing + delivery

Week 9: Speaking for Change

  • Focus: Civic speeches and leadership presence

  • Activities: Problem-solution framework, call-to-action practice

Week 10: Speech Refinement & Peer Coaching

  • Activities: Editing, live feedback sessions, individualized practice

Week 11: Final Showcase 🎤

  • Students deliver their polished final speech with confidence to an invited audience

🧠 Format & Expectations

  • Sessions: 3x/week (1.5 hours each)

  • Speaking time: 1–2 minutes with extended peer + instructor feedback

  • Students are expected to participate in drills, write short outlines, and actively reflect

Core Values Reinforced:

  • Thoughtful speech > fast speech

  • Challenge yourself with purpose

  • Your voice, when grounded, can move others

🎓 Curriculum – Grades 9–12 (Advanced Coaching Track)

Overview

This exclusive one-on-one coaching program is designed for high school students (Grades 9–12) who are seeking a more intensive, competitive-focused experience. It is ideal for students preparing for speech and debate tournaments, extemporaneous speaking competitions, or pursuing leadership through public speaking.

This track is open to all interested high school students and offers highly tailored one-on-one instruction. It includes rigorous training, research assignments, and advanced performance feedback.

This program is really what your student makes of it—we have detailed techniques, structured strategies, and experienced coaching to offer, but the direction and intensity will be shaped by each student's goals. To ensure alignment, we require an introductory meeting to understand the student's interests, needs, and aspirations before regular sessions begin.

As someone who earned admission to UCLA and has competed extensively in extemporaneous speech, I understand the academic and extracurricular demands placed on high school students. This program isn’t just speech coaching—it’s mentorship. My goal is to guide each student not only in refining their speaking skills but also in developing the mindset, resilience, and intellectual curiosity needed to thrive in competitive environments and beyond.