Author Archives: Erik Palmer

About Erik Palmer

The #1 language art is speaking. By far. I'm committed to promoting the teaching of oral communication in all of its forms.

But what about the introverts?

Posted on January 2, 2023 by Erik Palmer

I get this question a lot when I do workshops. In my presentations, I point out that speaking well will benefit all students for their entire lives; I share a framework that makes the complex art of oral communication simple … Continue reading →

Posted in Speaking | 1 Comment

100 English Teachers Walk Into a Bar

Posted on November 1, 2022 by Erik Palmer

Originally published in California English          One hundred English teachers walk into a bar. One by one, the bartender asks them why they became English teachers. The first one says, “I love poetry! I write poetry and … Continue reading →

Posted in Speaking | 2 Comments

Speaking NOT “Public Speaking”: Why The Difference Matters

Posted on October 23, 2022 by Erik Palmer

I want all students to become better speakers. Every time I say that I get a response like “Oh yes, public speaking is so important!” I really dislike that response. Let me explain. The words have a terrible connotation. “Public … Continue reading →

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What’s it gonna be this year?

Posted on August 26, 2022 by Erik Palmer

Inevitably, there is some new initiative, some new program being introduced. If you have taught for a while, you have seen many of these come and go. Maybe last year was the year they introduced the new reading program that … Continue reading →

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Shortchanging Speaking

Posted on August 5, 2022 by Erik Palmer

A student turns in this paper: many people think that we should not have ginetticly modifyed foods we could be having health problems in the future if we eat them, Some studys say that they cause cancer. we should pass … Continue reading →

Posted in Speaking | 3 Comments

Don’t Follow Your Dreams

Posted on July 2, 2022 by Erik Palmer

Dreams have a mystique in America. Teachers tell students to follow their dreams. Friends encourage each other: Go for it! Never quit! You can be anything you dream of being!!! Except… A dream is a regular idea with a fancy … Continue reading →

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Never make a slide like this.

Posted on June 13, 2022 by Erik Palmer

I show people how to be more effective oral communicators. Part of that job is to make the complex simple. What does it take to deliver a talk well? What are the essential skills? How can those skills be condensed … Continue reading →

Posted in Speaking | 2 Comments

Don’t hit record! Don’t turn on the Zoom mic! Don’t Flipgrid! First…

Posted on May 12, 2022 by Erik Palmer

Fourth graders are learning about the Reconstruction. The teacher wants to test out his new green screen tools. He has students speak and posts the video on YouTube. A huge problem: he is so focused on the tech tool that … Continue reading →

Posted in Remote Learning, Speaking | Leave a comment

Ready for the Real World

Posted on May 8, 2022 by Erik Palmer

Read “Speaking Out” from Educational Leadership May 2022 issue Or click here.

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Redefining Reading

Posted on April 13, 2022 by Erik Palmer

[This was originally published at the HMH Shaped Blog. I am reposting it in response to the NCTE’s recent position statement which includes these lines: My wife recently rediscovered her grandmother’s copy of The Scarlet Letter. The edition was published … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment