Soap Box: How Did a Wooden Crate Become a Weekly Event in Schools?

Author: Kayla Siemens

What is a soap box? Literally speaking, it is exactly what it sounds like. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, shipping companies packed soap and dry goods in sturdy wooden boxes. However, this phrase that is commonly used in school and figurative languages isn't about the boxes themselves, nor is it about what is inside of them.

The reason soap boxes are so popular is because speakers, political activists, and street preachers flipped these empty wooden crates upside down to use a quick, elevated stages so crowds could see and hear them better in public parks or street corners.

As for figurative language, you may have heard someone soap boxes before, referencing the speeches given atop them.

• "On one's soapbox": An idiom meaning someone is passionately, and often reptitively, lecturing others about their pet cause or personal belief.

• "Get off your soapbox": A common phrase telling someone to stop preaching or acting morally superior about a topic.

• Modern digital platforms: Social media feeds, blogs, or interview segments are frequenty described as a modern person's "soapbox" to broadcast their views.

Presumably, by clicking on this article, you have heard Muerle briefing you about your soapbox. In schools—primarily Montessori schools—use the phrase when talking about a presentation or speech you have to do in front of a large crowd.

What should I do for this year's soap box? Honestly, anything educational or entertaining (AND SCHOOL APPROPRIATE) is perfect. If you want to impress your audience with your soapbox, pick an timely or interactive topic.

Timely soapboxes:

• Trends and Fads: Last year, students did a presentation on the 2016 clown rage. They explained the reason for it being advertisement for the new IT movie and how it unlocked new fears for a tremendous amount of people.

• Current Events: During the World Cup, a group presented on their favorite team, explaining why they believed their team would win the cup.

• Previous Events: Towards the end of the year, after the international trip, some of the students who attended wrote a summary of their experience with photos and pointers for people who were considering taking a school-supported trip.

Interactive topics:

• "I need a volunteer": In the beginning of the previous year, one student did a presentation on magician's illusions, even fooling Muerle with a card trick.

• Show and Tell: Our former student president, Gabriel, brought in his elderly dog for his soap box about why it's important to adopt animals of all ages—they all need love.

• Passion: Not all interactive soap boxes require bringing something special into the gym. For example, one student spent the beginning of their speech storytelling about an alien species whom control the Montessori school's education style, later on reveiling to the audience that their presentaion is about misinformation. I have never heard an audience so silent.

Don't worry too much about your soap box this year, have a good group and confidence in your presentation skills and you'll do just fine. I can't wait to see what you all have in store!