Demonstrate flexibility in assuming a variety of group roles and take responsibility for tasks that achieve group goals including:

• sticking to topic or focus and posing relevant questions
• supporting ideas with examples and reasons
• listening to the ideas of others and thinking about what they are saying
• extracting essential information from others' input
• building on the ideas of others and contributing relevant information and ideas in group discussions
• getting the floor in respectful ways including the sharing circle
• using questioning and paraphrasing to invite all group members into the discussion
• defining individuals' roles and responsibilities and setting clear goals
• acknowledging the ideas and contributions of individuals in the group
• understanding the purpose of the team project and ground rules for decision making
• maintaining independence of judgment and offering dissent courteously
• selecting a leader/spokesperson when necessary
• interacting purposefully, confidentially, and ethically in a variety of situations
• evaluating and adjusting own roles to align with the group's purpose.

Select, use, and evaluate critically a variety of before (page 23), during (page 24), and after (page 25) strategies to construct and communicate meaning when speaking.

Understand and apply the language cues and conventions (page 17) to construct and communicate meaning when speaking.

Prepare and present oral presentations that:

• exhibit a structure appropriate to the context, audience, and purpose
• group related ideas and maintain a consistent focus
• include smooth transitions
• support judgments with sound evidence and well-chosen details
• make skillful use of rhetorical devices
• provide a coherent conclusion
• employ appropriate eye contact (cognizant of cultural variations and norms), speaking rate, volume, enunciation, inflection and gestures to communicate ideas effectively.

Prepare and present an interview (real or imagined) with an important person from history (First Nations, Métis, Saskatchewan, Canadian, or international) that:

• shows evidence of background research before the interview
• includes evidence of pre-planning (including thoughtful questions) about how to begin the interview, the purpose, facts that will be used in middle, and what might be used to conclude the interview
• asks open-ended questions that require more than yes/no answers
• asks about the person's place in history, as well as his/her successes and failures
• lets the character speak in his/her true voice.

Introduce and thank a speaker and:

• tell who was speaking and why
• include a sketch of the speaker's life, activities, interests, and job/occupation as they relate to the speech topic
• provide appropriate information in a clearly organized manner
• mention particular talents or experiences that would be of interest to the audience
• turn to the speaker to invite him/her to the podium by repeating the speaker's name
• establish goodwill toward the speaker
• show sincerity and enthusiasm
• use suitable language, clarity, tone, and volume, and maintain effective postures.

Present a dramatic reading and:

• understand the text and prepare carefully
• rehearse thoroughly
• introduce the text by telling the title, the type of text, who wrote it, and when, as well as something about the life and times of the author
• make a brief statement of the theme and why the text was chosen
• bring the text to life and convey what the author intended to convey when the text was written
• deliver with expression and vigour, using vocal interpretation and appropriate gestures, to make the meaning, feeling, or mood clear.

Use oral language that is respectful and inclusive to help establish and maintain relationships within the classroom, to collaborate to get things done, and to value and support others.

Adapt oral presentations and the discussion to best suit the audience and style.

Demonstrate an understanding of, and appreciation for, the role of language in the organization and celebration of special events.

Give spoken instruction to help others perform specific tasks.