One word at a time,,, 't is the season for ....





Social studies research fair is coming up. I , as a mother consider these school projects quite important because it pushes the student to expand the learning experience form just passive sitting and taking it in to observing, searching, organizing and presenting the findings.
Well, but there is a problem.. Erik struggles with his stuttering or difficulty forming words when he is nervous. I can see his wheels turning with the poster beside him but words would not come out. But the presentation is all about delivery of the content and no one would appreciate your knowledge if your presentation lacks organization, clarity and excitement. Oh boy. Last project he had in the fall he memorized the presentation, just about and he was able to mouth the words out quite well, according to his teacher without stuttering. He voiced such a relief that he did not stutter during the presentation because he practiced many times and he memorized the content. I was surprised he could memorize the data he was presenting so well... just like he memorizes his music. I very much would like see him achieve that again to increase his confidence in his speech.
This year, Erik did his research on Soo Lock in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, right across from Canada. I know his grandparents and other relatives in Michigan would be very proud of Erik's choice. I went on Amazon to search for books he needed for the research because they require a book source and not just internet sources. He wrote his research paper before the holidays. Thanks to the coordination between the social study's teacher and English teacher, the writing part was partially done as an English project over weeks. (a lot of the work was done as a homework at home,however) During the Christmas break, he built a model out of lego pieces to demonstrate in 3 D what happens at Soo Lock. Sven was his support staff... The poster was completed late last night so he has several days to practice presenting. Well, we did not have any free weekend last few weeks due to his piano competition. Well, as fas as the poster, it is not the power point or computer generated poster. It is the traditional tri-hold poster which requires pasting and cutting or cutting and pasting. The cutting and pasting is not Erik's forte so this is a rare time he enjoys taking my instructions.

As far as the presentation,,,, although he knows the content,,, wouldn't flow as easily... He tried tonight,, pretty good, but with quite a few silent pauses in between while he was trying to slowly speak his word one at a time and to not stutter....It was a bit awkward at times,,, but I believe in him with all my heart that, with practice, he would be able to articulate clearly to present his research project with confidence. I am cheering for him. I know he can do it. We have two more evenings to practice before he presents it to his class. He also presents it to the judges later next week for social studies research fair. Whether he gets selected to go to the state is not at all our goal. Erik would rather not go because he does not want to speak in front of people. These things may not be a big deal for many but it is for Erik because so much of the grading depends on his verbal delivery. I am committed to make this a positive experience so he can present with confidence,,,,,, one word at a time.

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