Grade 8 Fall — Multi-Source Synthesis, Formal Academic Style, and the Verbals/Voice/Mood Suite
Lesson 20 100 min eng.g8.f.lesson_20.synthesis_symposium

Synthesis Symposium — public oral synthesis with multimedia

Skills targeted
Objectives
  • Students deliver a 3-minute synthesis argument with multimedia visual aid.
  • Students field 60-second moderated Q&A.
  • Students write a 1-paragraph synthesis-of-peers reflection after the Symposium.
Vocabulary
Symposiumpanelmoderated Q&Aaudiencesynthesis-of-peers

Lesson plan

Warm-up

5 min

Audience welcomed. Quick-share among presenters: 'I'm presenting on ___ and I want my audience to leave understanding ___.'

Teacher moves
  • Affirm presentation goals
  • Connect: today the conversation goes public
Media
M-8-F-SPK-20-A Photograph
Photo of classroom configured as Symposium: presenter podium at front with visual-aid mounting, audience seated in semi-

Photo of classroom configured as Symposium: presenter podium at front with visual-aid mounting, audience seated in semi-circle, timer visible. Multicultural classroom. Print-ready 8.5x11 reference for teachers setting up.

Direct instruction

5 min

Welcome to the Synthesis Symposium. Each of you will deliver a 3-minute synthesis argument with multimedia visual aid. You will field 60 seconds of moderated Q&A. You will be scored on the 5-criterion delivery rubric (opening hook / context+thesis clear / synthesis body — cross-source connections named / so-what offered / multimedia aid supports argument). After all presentations, you'll write a 1-paragraph synthesis-of-peers reflection — what did you learn from listening to your classmates that you can carry into G8-spring?

Checks for understanding
  • Audience: have your rubrics ready
  • Presenters: visualize success — eye contact, pace, breath
Media
M-8-F-SPK-20-B Chart Physical / non-image

5-criterion rubric: (1) Opening hook engages; (2) Context+thesis clear (synthesis claim named); (3) Synthesis body — cross-source connections named, ≥2 sources referenced; (4) So-what offered; (5) Multimedia aid SUPPORTS argument (not decorates). Scoring 4-3-2-1 per criterion. Print-ready 8.5x11.

Guided practice

75 min
Tasks
  • Each student delivers 3-minute synthesis + 60-second Q&A. (Class of 25-30: this is 5-6 students per day if scheduled across multiple sessions; full Symposium can be 2 sessions.)
    scaffold Timers; 5-criterion rubric (audience scoring)
  • Audience scores each presenter on 5-criterion rubric. Q&A questions invited.
    scaffold Rubric copies

Formative assessment

3 min
Exit ticket
  • Submit your 1-paragraph synthesis-of-peers reflection.
scoring Substance about ≥3 peer presentations + 1 G8-spring takeaway = mastery

Closure

2 min
Moves
  • Celebrate the term's work
  • Preview G8-spring: capstone composition + public speaking

Homework

15 min
Tasks
  • Complete portfolio: 3-2-1 self-reflection + synthesis essay + multimedia aid + 1-paragraph synthesis-of-peers reflection. Submit to portfolio binder.

Exercises in this lesson

eng.g8.f.ex_38
After the Symposium, write a 1-paragraph synthesis-of-peers reflection. What did you learn from listening to ≥3 of your classmates'...
 synthesis of peers reflection · diff 3

Differentiation

Scaffolds
  • 5-criterion rubric
  • Timer with 30-sec warning
  • Encouragement and applause norms set
Extensions
  • Extended Q&A for students who request 90-sec
  • Audience can ask follow-up questions
English Learners
  • Bilingual rubric for audience scoring (presenter's language)
  • Audio-only option respected without stigma
Ieps 504s
  • Pre-recorded video submission accepted
  • Audio-only presentation accepted
  • Reduced Q&A to 30 seconds

Teacher notes

The Synthesis Symposium is the term's culminating event. Two sessions may be needed depending on class size. Invite family/community as audience if possible. The synthesis-of-peers reflection is critical for transfer — students articulate what they LEARNED from other students' synthesis topics. Save audio/video for portfolios. Compare across the year: G7-spring Showcase + G7-fall Forum + G8-fall Symposium — see student growth in public speaking arc.