Public Speaking at WHPS
Finding Your Voice. Learning to Use It Well.
At WHPS, public speaking develops both organically and with a great deal of intention. Children have frequent opportunities to speak in front of others, but the larger goal goes beyond presentations. We want them to become increasingly comfortable speaking up for themselves and others, expressing an idea clearly, advocating effectively, navigating disagreement, and handling life's inevitable conflicts with confidence and respect.
The goal is a child who increasingly knows that their voice matters, and has the confidence and skills to use it thoughtfully.
Practice With Purpose
A Skill That Grows Through Real Life at School
That practice is woven naturally into school life: Morning Meetings, serving as class greeters, leading assemblies and events, sharing at publishing celebrations, presenting culminating work in our Maker Program, and countless smaller moments when children learn to speak, listen, respond, and contribute.
This parent-friendly page is a simplified view of our much more detailed teacher progression. Teachers use the full progression to see what a child can already do, identify what they are ready to work on next, and help shape individual goals.
The progression helps us see what comes next. Frequent, meaningful opportunities help children find their voice.
TK Through 8th Grade
See How Public Speaking Skills Grow
Open any area to follow the simplified progression from TK through 8th grade, from early comfort speaking in a group to increasingly clear, prepared, responsive, and confident communication.
Volume & Clarity
TK
Uses voice to express wants/needs; may speak in front of familiar adults briefly
K
Speaks clearly in show-and-tell or circle time
1st
Projects voice to be heard across a room
2nd
Speaks clearly with increased projection
3rd
Voice is audible and expressive
4th
Uses tone and volume to match message
5th
Dynamic voice; uses emphasis for impact
6th
Speaks with professional tone and control
7th
Voice adjusts to message and context
8th
Professional quality speaking voice
Eye Contact
TK
Looks toward teacher or familiar adult when speaking
K
Makes some eye contact with audience
1st
Looks at audience occasionally
2nd
Maintains consistent eye contact
3rd
Good eye contact with audience across room
4th
Eye contact with entire room
5th
Connects with audience through eye contact
6th
Maintains engagement through intentional eye contact
7th
Strategic use of eye contact to emphasize ideas
8th
Sustained, confident eye contact with varied audience
Body Language
TK
May fidget; learning to sit or stand still
K
Learns to stand/sit facing audience
1st
Starts to use gestures intentionally
2nd
Uses gestures and facial expressions to support meaning
3rd
Controlled posture and movement
4th
Purposeful body movement; avoids distracting habits
5th
Incorporates purposeful gestures and stance
6th
Poised, intentional use of body language
7th
Movement adds presence; supports communication
8th
Confident posture; expressive gestures reinforce meaning
Pacing
TK
Speaks quickly or slowly; pacing not intentional
K
Begins to use more natural pacing with reminders
1st
Uses appropriate pacing with teacher modeling
2nd
Speaks at a steady, appropriate pace
3rd
Smooth pacing without rushing
4th
Well-paced with pauses for effect
5th
Confident and consistent pacing throughout
6th
Pacing shows mastery and intention
7th
Uses silence and pacing for effect
8th
Purposeful rhythm and pacing throughout speech
Audience Awareness
TK
Not yet aware of audience needs
K
May shift topic without awareness of audience understanding
1st
Begins to explain ideas to peers
2nd
Considers what peers might not understand
3rd
Adjusts explanation based on audience reaction
4th
Anticipates audience questions or confusion
5th
Tailors message to audience background
6th
Reads and reacts to audience feedback
7th
Engages audience with relevance and tone
8th
Persuasive and adaptive to audience needs
Preparation
TK
Participates in group recitations or chants
K
Practices a short sentence or phrase
1st
Prepares a short presentation with teacher support
2nd
Practices presentation multiple times
3rd
Prepares with written notes or cue cards
4th
Practices independently and makes revisions
5th
Rehearses and adapts for time or format
6th
Practices delivery with minimal notes
7th
Prepares independently and seeks feedback
8th
Plans, refines, and rehearses with autonomy
Content Organization
TK
Tells simple ideas or experiences out of order
K
Tells about a single event with some order
1st
Has a beginning, middle, and end
2nd
Presents ideas in logical order with transitions
3rd
Includes an introduction and conclusion
4th
Organizes speech with strong transitions
5th
Well-developed, logical flow of ideas
6th
Creates cohesive arguments or narratives
7th
Organizes complex ideas with transitions and signposting
8th
Structured speech with layered ideas and clear purpose
Visual Aids
TK
N/A
K
May show an object or drawing
1st
Uses simple visuals or props
2nd
Creates basic posters or digital slides
3rd
Uses visuals to reinforce key points
4th
Designs visuals to clarify or enhance ideas
5th
Polished visuals; integrates with talk
6th
Visuals enhance and are used fluently
7th
Uses advanced tools (e.g., media, charts)
8th
Seamless integration of visuals and media
Response to Questions
TK
N/A
K
May answer simple yes/no questions
1st
Answers basic follow-up questions
2nd
Responds to 1-2 questions with teacher guidance
3rd
Handles Q&A with short, clear answers
4th
Responds to questions with elaboration
5th
Handles multiple or challenging questions
6th
Responds thoughtfully and stays on message
7th
Handles follow-up questions with evidence and poise
8th
Responds flexibly with composure and depth
Confidence
TK
May need adult encouragement to speak in group
K
Beginning to speak in front of class with support
1st
Shows growing comfort in classroom presentations
2nd
Begins to show poise in front of peers
3rd
Demonstrates calm and interest while speaking
4th
Appears self-assured and knowledgeable
5th
Speaks with confidence and composure
6th
Shows strong self-awareness as a speaker
7th
Speaks with authority and enthusiasm
8th
Commanding presence; inspires audience confidence
Elementary at WHPS
Come Hear Our Students Find Their Voice
Visit WHPS and see how speaking, listening, leadership, reflection, and self-advocacy become part of everyday school life.