Looking for timely, in-depth commentary to use with your social studies or language arts students? For December, Sound Learning features American Public Media's Word for Word.

Each week Word for Word presents speeches from respected venues like the National Press Club, the Chautauqua Institution, the Aspen Institute and other prestigious venues across the country. The program achieves a rare balance, featuring top policymakers, thinkers and opinion leaders from the left, right and center. Host Melinda Penkava, a 15-year veteran of public radio, provides the crucial background information and context. Then the microphone is opened up to give the influential speakers the time they need to make a nuanced argument.

Use the speeches and the lesson template below to provide your students with practice in taking notes and analyzing arguments. All speeches broadcast by Word for Word are streamed online or available in a convenient weekly podcast.