Raise your hand if you’re comfortable speaking in front of others.
For most students, that’s a hard ask. Not because they don’t have ideas — but because they’ve never had enough practice to feel confident sharing them. School rarely provides that practice in a structured, consistent way.
The students who do become confident speakers have one thing in common: they’ve practiced in realistic settings, repeatedly, with feedback.
What NFR Teaches — and Why It Works
MEK’s Nonfiction Reading program gives grades 4–7 students a full presentation cycle every week. They read a nonfiction article, develop a clear argument, build a simple PowerPoint to organize their key points, and present to the group.
That last piece — the PowerPoint — matters more than it might seem. When students have a structured visual to anchor their speaking, they’re less likely to lose their train of thought, rush through nerves, or go off-topic. The slides become a tool for communication, not just decoration. And over 18 sessions, that structure becomes natural.
Students who complete NFR consistently say the presentations were the most valuable part of the program. They’re not just more comfortable speaking — they’re better at thinking on their feet, organizing ideas quickly, and handling the moment when all eyes are on them.
That confidence doesn’t stay in the classroom. It shows up everywhere.
Summer 2026 — Nonfiction Reading (NFR)
Grades 4–7 | Englewood Cliffs Campus (Hybrid Available) Mon / Wed / Fri | 12:30–2:00 PM | July 6 – August 14
Enroll by April 4 and save 15% on group classes.
