Thematic Unit Slide Show

Subject Area: Any Subject
Grade Level: Middle Grades
Software Program: PowerPoint
Equipment Needed:
  • Computer(s)
Time Required: Several 40 minute sessions.
Instructions:
  • Choose a topic. It may science, social studies, or a personal interest of yours.
  • Research the topic and write a report for your topic.
  • Open Powerpoint, click on blank presentation (unless you want to use a template).
  • Choose the layout of your first slide. (This will be the one with a place for a title and subtitle.) Title it by clicking where it says "Click to add title" and then for the subtitle type in presented by (your name).
  • Click on format and from the menu choose background. Let click the rectangle and choose more colors. Make the slide an appropriate color for your show. You may choose to click on format and choose apply design if you would like one of the ready made templates for your background.
  • You are now ready to set the slide transition which will provide the effect when the slide progresses to the next. Click on slide show and choose slide transition. Choose effect by clicking on the "no transition" bar. Now choose an effect, click slow, fast, or medium. Make sure check marks are beside mouse click and automatically. Beside automatically, you will need to type the number of seconds that you want this slide to be shown. Keep in mind the number of seconds it will take to read the slide.
  • Click on Insert and New Slide. Choose a different layout. You may choose from a bulleted list, adding clipart, or inserting a graph or chart.
  • Use the audio recorder to nararate your slide. Click on Insert, then on movies and sounds, and then on record sound.
  • You may want to polish the look of your presentation by inserting pictures that you have scanned. It may even be pictures that you completed in paint or drew freehanded on paper. You may also at this point insert some word art.
  • When you have all of your slides completed, view your slide show by clicking on Slide Show and then view slide show.
  • Make sure you proofread and polish the look of your presentation.
  • Always remember to save only when and where your teacher tells you and in the method that the teacher has assigned.

Teacher options:

  • This project can be done in a computer lab in one class period, or over time in a one-computer classroom.
  • A teacher can begin by assigning a written report or science project from which the presentation will be drawn.
  • If you can, have more knowledgeable students to help the less knowledgeble ones to do their drawings and recordings.
  • Put the students' slide shows on a CD by using a CD Writer. You can then access all the presentations for the CD anywhere. This can also then be put to VCR tape.

     

Ideas for presentations:

Birds (or any animal, insect, or science topic)
Draw a picture of a bird and then record an audio caption telling about it. This caption might say, "Cardinals have crests that they can raise and lower."

America (or any country, war, important person, or social studies topic)
Allow the student to highlight stops along the highway as they tour the United States. A caption on a slide may read, "Nashville is known for its country music."

Student Preferences (Music, art, sports, etc. make great motivational topics)
A student could spotlight a specific type of music or a particular musician.

 

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Evaluation Rubric

Score/Task 1 (A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 5 (F)
Presentation This presentation has a min. of 10 slides. It contains a min. of 3 graphics, and the sound is complete. It is entertaining. It has correct English mechanics and usage. It also is attractive and helpful as resource material. It is complete and has a bibiliography. This presentation has a min. of 8 slides. It contains a min. of 1 graphic, and the sound is complete. It is entertaining. It has correct English with little or no mechanics and usage errors. It also is attractive and helpful as resource material. It is complete and has a bibiliography. This presentation has a min. of 5 slides. It contains a min. of 1 graphic, and the sound is complete. It is entertaining. It has minor mechanics and usage errors. It also is attractive and helpful as resource material. It is complete and may be lacking the bibiliography. This presentation is poorly done. Lacking in essentials for a good presentation, this presentation lacks informative information, creativity, and effort. It is incomplete with little or no time involved. This presentation is poorly done, incomplete, or not begun. Lacking in essentials for a good presentation, this presentation lacks informative information, creativity, and effort. It demonstrates no effort at all.
Beginning Report The written assignment is a minimum of 3 pages of handwritten material. It demonstrates research and origninal thoughts. It is obviously a topic and report that can be the foundation to a great report. The written assignment is a minimum of 2 pages of handwritten material. It demonstrates research and origninal thoughts, although it is in need of proofing better. It is obviously a topic and report that can be the foundation to a good report. Word, tone, or style indicates that this is not quality work. It needs work before it can be put into presentational form. Word, tone, or style indicates that this is not quality work. It needs work before it can be put into presentational form. May be illegible or portions copied from other sources. Word, tone, or style indicates that this is not quality work. Student has not taken time to prepare for constucting his/her presentaion. Will need to be redone.
Illustrations/Graphics A min. of 1 original graphic and 2 other illustrations. A min. of 1 original graphic and 1 other illustration. 0 original graphics but some other illustrations or original graphics and none from other sources. Graphics of one type or another. Graphics of poor quality. Number required missing. No graphics
Sounds Sound has been recorded and it highlights the presentation. Some sound may be missing or of poor quality, but complete. Sound adds to the presentation. Much sound is missing and/or poor quality. Sound is an addition to the presentation. The sound actually detracts from the quality of the presentation. No sounds.