In 2015, the NCFCA introduced a new Speech category- Biblical Presentation. Having coached several qualifying National BP's, including the first place National Champion. I analyzed the Biblical Presentation category and saw this as an exciting opportunity for competitors to learn a new interpretation skill. Here is how we tackled the learning curve of this new speech...
By: Heather Neumann
Every year I can't wait to see what partnerships God will bring together! Duos can bring a lot of joy to one's heart, however sometimes it can bring frustration and disappointment. As a duo- you are a team. And if you are not siblings- your team includes your duo partner’s family.
Kristi and I both agree that we don’t know what those 5-7 random judges will want to hear or see in the final round in the middle of June (at The National Championship). Some competitors stew and anguish over picking their piece or topic. Some cut and recut, some choose new pieces all together… Mid-season!
Here is some advice when picking your perfect Interp piece… Continue reading “Picking YOUR Perfect Interp Piece”
By: Heather Neumann
You have ten minutes… That's 600 seconds to convey your Original Interp. Don't let that scare you! But you do want to make sure you answer some important questions…
Lasting Impact! is excited to announce “Online Apol”… Coming in October!
Have you been wanting to start Apologetics, but aren’t sure how to get started?
Did you want weekly accountability in your Apologetics Journey?
Do you want to be better prepared for Apologetics this season?
More Info… Coming Soon!
By: Heather Neumann
This is probably one of the most asked questions for my kids and me. The fact of the matter is, I have "a vault" of stashed possible Interp pieces for future years and for kids I coach. I know Kristi has one too! Once we find a book that could be a possible speech, they go in to "the vault"... Ok so really, it's just a book shelf, but it sounds so much more exciting as a vault! So, where did find them? It's like looking for treasure...
By: Heather Neumann
Anyone with an idea or concept is capable of giving a powerful speech! But what if that theme has been done before? What if Cinderella was done last year? The Sneeches has been done thousands of times! No one can claim ownership of an idea. However you can claim ownership of your OWN Speech. And just like you are unique - the Speech you create will become uniquely yours! You don't even have to come up with a rocket science invention.
By: Chap Bettis
As a parent or a teen, you are trying to determine your priorities for the coming year. You can’t do everything. But what is best?
By: Anna Johansen
I stood at the double doors clutching a blue folder in my nervous hands, already overwhelmed. There were hundreds of teenagers in there– confident, talented, experienced, suit-wearing, future-lawyer-type speakers and debaters. Over 400 of them. The girls wore heels and curls and lipstick; the guys hauled briefcases full of debate evidence and articles from the Economist.
While I was watching the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony last year (yes, I watched all three hours- I mean Brett Favre, including some other great players were receiving awards)… I was struck by two things…
Whether you feel creative or not… I encourage you to write! Make your students write! There is probably nothing more rewarding in “The Interp World of Speech” than being able to Interp your own work. Here you have the ability to create your storyline, characters, and you will be able to tweak your story whenever you want, because it's yours!
Here are some tips to help you with your Original Interp…
As we move into the season where some organizations are preparing for Regionals, others Nationals… Another level of competition never-the-less. Regardless of what happens next it is an accomplishment to make it thus far. Can you imagine if it was all just over- no play-offs, no award ceremony, no finish line… Here is the perspective of my dear friend, Gina Reynolds…
By: Gina Reynolds
I recently encountered an attitude that really frustrated me. I guess I should not be surprised in this day and age of changed curriculum and tolerance. We are supposed to applaud everyone, and there are no winners or losers, right?!!? Seriously, this type of thinking is so flawed.
You may be able to try to take competition out of the classrooms, shelter your kids from the “pain”, work to suppress the natural desire to succeed, or portray an attitude that you don’t care but why would you try to do this?
Competition is not only helpful, the American way and all that, but also a very Biblical principle.
1 Corinthians 9:24 ESV “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.”
The writer here is talking about a broader subject but assumes as a universal principle that if you enter a race you do so to win. You are “competing”; it is a given. Our very nature tells us to succeed and do our best. It’s part of life.
We are to strive to do our best. The Bible tells us in 1 Cor. 10:31 ESV, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” I’ve had this one up on my kitchen wall for years. And yes, the writer was talking about food for idols but the principle remains. We are to strive to “glorify” God. Does it really glorify God if we don’t “run is such a way as to win?”
God wants and expects our best. No, we will not always “win”, but if we strive for that we are constantly improving and “doing our best”. It’s a principle I like to call Excellence.
It reminds me of the saying, “If a thing is worth doing, it’s worth doing well.”
But can we do things “excellently” apart from competition? Sure, it may be possible. But I have to tell you, if I know I’m bringing my Apple Pie to the fair for judging I am more careful that my crust looks perfect than if I’m serving it for Sunday dinner. Maybe it’s just me, but I seriously doubt it!
I’ve seen it in teaching speech to students. When it’s just for a class the students are not as motivated to turn out an “excellent” speeches, but when they are required to give it at a competition their level of time and effort to do well goes up significantly.
So PLEASE don’t pretend you are not competing when you are, don’t pretend you don’t care, and certainly don’t act like you are all spiritual for having these attitudes. Most certainly please don’t criticize others who are striving to win. God does want us to run in such a way as to win, so go for it!
Iron does sharpen iron, so don’t let yourself get rusty.
Gina Reynolds is the wife to Chris for 28 years and the homeschool mother to Logan (23), Taylor (20), Ariel (19), and Lexie (16). She enjoys encouraging and helping other homeschool moms by leading a local co-op, speaking at conventions and women’s events, vrepresenting Total Language Plus curriculum for the states of MI/IN/OH and IL, coaching speech and debate, and blogging on various subjects of interest to many homeschool families (http://ginareynolds.com.)
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