3rd Annual SpellX

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VAKTivity note to CRPs: there are three short Youtube videos to cue up for this lesson. 1. Search Parisa Khosravi TEDx Big Sky The Power of The Power of Finding Your Voice from 13:08 -15:22 2. Search Thom Thumb TEDx Sydney Beatboxing from 0:17-2:10 Search for Comedy Minute with Will and Tom SpellX2021

If you haven’t heard the news, there’s a BUZZ in the SPELLERVERSE about an upcoming event called SpellX. The name itself is INTRIGUING, because it sounds both familiar and MYSTERIOUS, especially with that “X” at the end! Since we want everyone to know about it, this lesson will DISPEL (or get rid of) any mystery surrounding SpellX and explain why it might sound familiar. Plus, not only is this a lesson about SpellX, but it’s also your INVITATION to attend!

Spell BUZZ EVENT LESSON
What mystery will we dispel? SpellX
The name is intriguing because it is so what? MYSTERIOUS
Aside from this being a lesson, what else is it for you? It’s also your…what? ________ INVITATION
What does dispel mean? GET RID OF, ELIMINATE
What’s one word that starts with the letter X?

SpellX is an annual event organized by the team at I-ASC [pronounced “I ask”], in collaboration
with its Nonspeaking Leadership and the Spellers & Allies Network. If you don’t already know,
I-ASC is an ACRONYM (a short form made of the first letters of each word) for the International
Association for Spelling as Communication. Producing a big Speller event is an ideal way for
I-ASC to press forward in its MISSION “to advance communication access for nonspeaking
individuals globally through training, education, advocacy and research”. What better way than
to show the world a variety of things on the minds of nonspeakers AND let us all hang out
together at the same time?

Spell ALLIES GLOBAL
Name one of the collaborators I mentioned that is organizing SPELLX I-ASC/ NONSPEAKING LEADERSHIP/ SPELLERS AND ALLIES
I-ASC is the what for the International Association for Spelling as Communication? ACRONYM
Advancing communication access for nonspeakers globally is I-ASC’s what? MISSION

Name one way through which I-ASC advances communication access for nonspeaking individuals. TRAINING/ EDUCATION/ ADVOCACY/ RESEARCH

Since you’re invited, let’s go over the event details.
What is it? Think of SpellX as a TEDx-style event, live-streamed for an international audience
and featuring original, pre-recorded presentations by nonspeaking, minimally speaking and
unreliably speaking multimodal AAC users from around the world. If you aren’t familiar with
TED talks, here’s a brief history lesson:

(Image from youtube TEDx Channel)

VAKT: Point to the logo that looks familiar.

In 1984, a group of thought leaders (people with innovative and creative minds) were featured at a conference to share some of their best original ideas with respect to TECHNOLOGY, entertainment, and design. ( these three make up the acronym T.E.D). It was a hit, and by 1990, TED events started being produced ANNUALLY under the slogan “ideas worth spreading”. TED events are held around the world throughout the year. The TED organization also grants licenses to host local community events called TEDx events. Over the years, the “talks” expanded to other modes of expression, and the topics covered branched out to areas of the Arts, Culture, Science, and Social Justice. Really, anything goes at TEDx; however, as a general rule, presenters refrain from promoting any commercial, religious, or political AGENDA. SpellX is similar to TEDx, but dare we say, better!

Spell ENTERTAINMENT AGENDA
Give me one of the words that make up the TED acronym. TECHNOLOGY/ ENTERTAINMENT/DESIGN
Which word from the TED acronym starts on the 3rd stencil (S-Z)? TECHNOLOGY
What is the slogan for TED Talks? IDEAS WORTH SPREADING

What was the first year of the annual TED conference? 1990
Then how many years has the annual main TED conference been going on? 2020-1990=30
Name one type of agenda presenters to refrain from promoting. COMMERCIAL, RELIGIOUS, POLITICAL
What does annually mean? EVERY YEAR

No matter what innovation or message presenters are sharing, it is usually done through
creative storytelling. I’ll give you some examples. The first one hits close to home. In 2018,
PARISA KHOSRAVI presented a moving Tedx talk about her dear son PAYAM’s journey in life
before and after the discovery of spelling out his thoughts on a letterboard.

VAKT: Let’s watch a couple of minutes of Parisa’s TEDx Talk.
[Note to CRP: Google/Youtube search: Parisa Khosravi TEDx Talks the Power of The Finding your
Voice and play from 13:08 -16:05]

Not only is Parisa a great presenter, but a year after this video went viral, Payam represented
nonspeakers at the United Nations World Autism Awareness Day!

Spell YOUTUBE PRESENTER
Who’s TedX presentation are we talking about? PARISA KHOSRAVI
Who is Parissa’s son? PAYAM
What year did Parissa give this talk? 2018
What is her talk about? LIFE BEFORE AND AFTER SPELLING
What does it mean if something goes viral?
What are your thoughts on this clip?
Where did Payam present? UNITED NATIONS WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY

Parisa presented classic storytelling via spoken narration, however not everyone needs to speakto pull off creative storytelling. Our next video shows the presenter TOM THUMB sharing his story through BEATBOXING (a form of vocal percussion/drumming using one’s
mouth). Watch this!

VAKT [TEDx Tom Thum Beatbox Brilliance Sydney (0:17 to 2:10)]

Now that’s some “next level” motor planning, even for those without motor differences! He
must have been practicing for years and years because, as you know, beatboxing is NOT typical
of people that speak!

Spell BRILLIANCE NARRATION
What is the name of this presenter? TOM THUMB
What is Tom doing? BEATBOXING
What is beatboxing? A FORM OF VOCAL PRECUSSION/DRUMMING USING ONE’S MOUTH
Where did Tom present? SYDNEY
What did you think of Tom Thumb’s beatboxing?

Photos from SpellX promos, I-ASC social media

What will be presented at SpellX? The tagline for every SpellX is “Words Worth a Listen”. Like the TEDx events, the goal of any SpellX presentation is to spark conversation. Presenters at SpellX have up to 3.5 minutes each to share anything they are proud to share about themselves, their ideas, and their gifts. This might look like the classic TEDx talk like Parisa’s, or it can take the form of poetry, song, stand-up comedy, showcasing a talent, or who knows what else? There is no limit to creativity when it comes to topics or GENRE in conveying messages at SpellX. Presenters’ messages may be conveyed using audio-visual supports, slides, animations, AAC devices, natural voices, and of course, spelling, and typing. Presentations are video-recorded and submitted well in advance to ensure no one gets nervous that day and everyone can enjoy the event.

Spell GENRE TALENT
What is the tagline for every SpellX? WORDS WORTH A LISTEN
The goal of a presentation at SpellX is to do what? SPARK CONVERSATION
What is the maximum number of minutes a presentation can last? 3.5 MINUTES
Asides from a talk, name one type of presentation I just mentioned. STANDUP COMEDY, POETRY, SONG, SHOWCASING A TALENT
Name a stand-up comedian.
What’s one way a message can be conveyed in a presentation? SLIDES, AUDIO-VISUAL SUPPORTS, AAC SPEECH DEVICE, SPEAK, SPELL, ANIMATION
How should presentations be submitted? VIDEO/ VIDEO-RECORDED/ TAPED
Name a type of presentation you would hope to see at SpellX.

VAKT: Watch this comedy SpellX presentation. Comedy Minute with Will and Tom, SpellX2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTWf8yTqxBo

Where is it? SpellX is anywhere and everywhere! There will be up to six SPELLX “virtual SALONS” operating throughout the evening, representing different time zones: East Coast North America, West Coast North America, South America, Africa, the SOUTH PACIFIC, and one for the UK and Europe together. Each salon will produce its own session for a similar time zone. Because SpellX will always be a VIRTUAL event, you can participate or watch from your own home or with your own peeps, wherever you live. You can relax and enjoy presentations in as many salons as they are available to watch!

Spell VIRTUAL SALON
What different things are the six salons representing? TIME ZONES
Up to how many salons will there be at SpellX? 6
Give me the name of the area of one of the salons? EAST COAST NORTH AMERICA / WEST COAST NORTH AMERICA/ SOUTH AMERICA/ THE UK AND EUROPE/ AFRICA/ SOUTH PACIFIC I
Mentioned the UK. What does that stand for? UNITED KINGDOM
Name a country in Africa.
Aside from the 6 salons, when else do you think a salon can be added?

When is it? This event takes place on SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2022. This is the 3rd annual SpellX. This is an annual event, which means it occurs every year. Planning an event on a Saturday night usually means it’s a pretty big deal! Everyone is welcome. Because this is a salon-style event, it will start at 6:00 pm, no matter where in the world you live. Your friends at I-ASC will provide the exact times of the various salons outside your own region on their website.

Spell SATURDAY WELCOME
On what date is this event going to be held? NOVEMBER 19, 2022
What word did I use to indicate it’s held every year? ANNUAL
When can we expect the next SpellX to take place? NEXT YEAR / 2023
What time does the event start in each salon? 6:00 pm

RSVP: Whether you are a presenter or not, audience members must register online for “tickets” To access the link for SpellX, go to the Event page on www.i-asc.org and find the SpellX link to register. After you register, you will get an email with links to the Salons. This is how all audience members can access the Salons.

Fun fact: Did you know RSVP stands for “REPONDEZ S’IL VOUS PLAIT” (pronounced “re-pon-day see voo play”). That’s French, and it just means the hosts would like to know in advance if you’re coming and how many GUESTS you’re bringing. An RSVP also gives you information on how to get a hold of the host.

Spell RSVP GUESTS
What word does the V in RSVP stand for? VOUS
What’s a word that rhymes with vous (“voo”)? Blue, too, do,…….etc.
What other type of event invitation typically indicates an RSVP?
What does the SpellX audience register online for? TICKETS/ ACCESS LINK
An RSVP tells the hosts if you’re coming and how many, and what you are bringing.

How much does it cost? To keep the event as barrier-free as possible, tickets are free. To make this happen, corporate SPONSORS will pay for the costs of running the event in exchange for some advertising for their businesses. Having outside sponsors is also beneficial because they may help us spread awareness about spelling as communication to audiences that aren’t aware of our community. When you register for the event, it is always an option to make a DONATION that goes towards supporting I-ASC’s mission. A mission that we can all be a part of.

How much do tickets to I-ASC cost? NOTHING/ FREE
Who will pay the costs of running the event? SPONSORS
What will the sponsors get in exchange? ADVERTISING
When you register for the event, it is always an option to make a _______? DONATION
In a sentence or two, what to you is the most important way SpellX will further our mission?

Creative writing options:
Go ahead and write or brainstorm your ideas for a talk, song, poem, comedy show, or other
short presentation.
Lesson