South Dakota ELA 9-10.SL.4.b

ELAGrades 9–10Speaking & Listening

The Standard

9-10.SL.4: Present content appropriate to the audience, task, and purpose while respecting intellectual property.

Demonstrate effective nonverbal communication (eye contact, facial expressions, gestures, presence, and proximity).

South Dakota English Language Arts Standards (2025)

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students use their body language to help an audience follow what they say. They choose where to look, how to stand, and when a movement adds meaning.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student giving a short talk looks around the room without staring at one person. Their gestures match their words, and they leave others comfortable space.
Common Misconceptions: Some students think good eye contact means looking at one person the whole time. Others use large gestures for every point or stand so close that a listener steps back.
How to Assess It: Ask each student to give a 30-second explanation of how to get to the library. Watch for natural gaze, one useful gesture, and comfortable distance from the listener.

Lesson moves

Tape three standing spots on the floor; students give the same announcement from each spot and compare how the distance feels.
Ask partners: How can a speaker show attention without staring? Discuss two options and when each works.
Give pairs bingo cards labeled gaze, purposeful gesture, and steady posture; students mark each they spot during 30-second talks about favorite foods.
Have students rehearse a 30-second job interview greeting with a partner, checking posture, comfortable distance, and natural gaze.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 9-10.SL.4.b, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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