Solebury School's 2019-2020 Academic Bulletin

Public Speaking: The purpose of this class is to allow students to acquire the techniques and methods of
formal speaking and presentations and to develop the ability to speak extemporaneously. The students
experience a variety of practical applications and at least five different kinds of speeches including
speaking to inspire, to inform, to persuade, to demonstrate and to entertain. Students are evaluated: on
each of their formal prepared speeches; on their performance in improvisational speaking; and on their
final speech in front of the whole school. This class may also be taken for English credit. 2 credits
No Textbook Required
Teach2Serve: Giving: In this two trimester honors course, which is a requirement of the Teach2Serve
program, students will study the history of philanthropy and social service in the public, private, and nonprofit
sectors and identify the motivations, strengths and limitations of each. Students will become
familiar with the actors in the process, the barriers that exist, the points of entry, and the pathways to
change. Along the way, they will develop such skills as teambuilding, listening, conflict resolution,
negotiation, resource mobilization, and fundraising. Lessons will be communicated more concretely
through an examination of articles, books, and case studies related to an area of need chosen by the
class. This course will also include workshops and opportunities to meet with dynamic social
entrepreneurs and professionals working in the non-profit world. Course requirements include readings,
journal responses, group projects and presentations, and a grant proposal. Open to students in the
Teach2Serve program only. 4 credits. Winter and Spring trimester
No Textbook Required
Teach2Serve: Developing Capstone: (spring trimester, year 2): Students planning to continue for a
second year of Teach2Serve will need to complete a summer internship or volunteer experience and write
up a project proposal in the fall. In the winter trimester, students will begin meeting twice a week as a
cohort and one-on-one with an instructor to conceive, plan, develop and implement a capstone project,
which is a proposed solution to a social or environmental problem identified by the student. Students start
by listening to those in the affected community, educating themselves, educating others, and defining
their goals. They will develop and practice an elevator pitch so they can succinctly communicate what
they hope to accomplish with their project. Next, they will write a vision and mission statement; a project
proposal in which they identify their goals, assets, logistics, marketing plan, recruiting plan, and
governance; a preliminary budget; a fundraising proposal; and a self-evaluation. The focus of this studentdirected
program is on learning by doing. Open to students accepted from the Teach2Serve program
only. 2 credits.
No Textbook Required
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