Handouts
ABOUT TUSC
What is TUSC:
TUSC is the acronym for the Totally Unbelievable (or Unique) Speaking (or Speakers') Club
TUSC is a highly structured activity that encourages all students in a class to learn and practise communication skills. At a chosen time in each school cycle, all students gather to talk and listen. Each student has a special role. Over a period of weeks, students rotate through all of the essential roles and participate in many of the optional roles.
Teachers who use TUSC regularly attest to its success as a way of developing oral/aural communication skills.
Parents
Purposes of TUSC:
- To provide regular, structured yet an open and flexible vehicle by which to address the Language Arts communication outcomes in the curriculum with support to Math, Social Studies and Science
- To provide positive, low risk environment where experiences which contribute to the growth of self-esteem and confidence of each child are the norm.
- To create a non-threatening forum for teacher, peer, and self evaluation
Advantages:
- Simple Requirements
- A room and tables which can be set up in a circular fashion
- A chart to show rotation of tasks
- A file/binder for the various forms
- A block of time approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour per week or cycle
Curricula Based
Customizable. Choose your outcomes, design a task
Multitude of language opportunities
Active listening required
Presentation based
Information skills/inquiry skills easily integrated
Includes Math problem solving, science experimentation , Social Studies , technology or research options
Assessment ongoing, (evaluative over long term)
Supports open concept and diversified abilities/potential
Brain Friendly
Real world experience/skills
Open to all comfort levels
Decisions must be made
Is a "how to" simulation
Variety
Storytelling
Role playing
Immediate feedback/positive reinforcement built in
Little teacher talk
Expectations are high but can be met
Do-able
Flexible,adaptable
Tested effective at Gr 4 and up
Once started, it runs itself
Peer run (chaired, responsibility) ready to roll, use as is , then change to suit students, teacher needs
Some roles require the use of technology. You will see the computer mouse in the role description
Some roles require the student to speak with a teacher in advance of the meeting, especially if equipment is required. You will see the apple icon in the role description
TUSC ROLES
TIPS AND TOOLS
MEETING GUIDELINES
- Decide when we should meet
- Decide how frequently we should meet
- Decide on the length of session
- Equipment requirements
ASSESSMENT
Contact Tom Stimson (thomas.stimson at lrsd.net) for information about the TUSC process or handouts.
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