Slide Show Studio: Create a Presentation That Gets Noticed

Materials for the Week

• Computer, tablet, or phone with presentation software (such as Google Slides, PowerPoint, Keynote, or a free alternative)
• Internet access or other reliable research sources
• Notebook or document for planning and notes
• Timer and headphones (optional)
• Optional: paper, markers, and sticky notes for planning slides away from a screen

Week-long project: Fisher will create and deliver a short, engaging slide presentation about a topic of personal interest. Choose something you’re curious about—such as a game, sport, musician, invention, hobby, animal, or local place. A classroom learner could present to classmates; a homeschooler could present to family or a friend; a trainer could present to a small group.

Day 1: Pick a Topic and Know Your Audience

Objective: Fisher will choose a focused topic, identify a target audience, and write a one-sentence purpose for the presentation.

Success criteria: The topic can be explained in a short presentation, the audience is clear, and the purpose says what listeners should learn, think, or do.

Introduction

Hook: Think of a presentation you actually wanted to keep watching. What made it interesting? Was it the topic, the speaker, the visuals, or a surprising fact?

Today, you’ll choose a topic and plan who you’re speaking to. By the end of the week, you’ll have a complete slide show and a chance to present it.

Body: Explore and Choose

1. I do: Model turning a broad topic into a focused one. For example, “music” could become “How video-game soundtracks help create suspense.” Explain that a useful purpose might be: “I want my audience to understand how game music changes the way a scene feels.”
2. We do: Brainstorm a few possible topics together. For each, ask: “Who might find this interesting?” and “What could they learn?”
3. You do: Choose a topic, then write:
   • My topic is…
   • My audience is…
   • My purpose is…
   Make a quick mind map of what you already know and what you want to find out.

Transition: Now that you know what you want to share, the next step is finding trustworthy information to support it.

Conclusion

Recap: A strong presentation starts with a focused topic, a real audience, and a clear purpose. Fisher can share the topic and purpose aloud, in writing, or as a quick sketch.

Quick check for understanding: Can Fisher explain the topic in one sentence, name the intended audience, and say what the audience should get from the presentation?

Support and stretch: If choosing is difficult, offer three topic options or use a favorite hobby as a starting point. For an extra challenge, narrow the topic further and explain why that focus will suit the audience.

Day 2: Research, Check, and Take Notes

Objective: Fisher will gather at least three relevant facts from reliable sources, record where they came from, and identify one detail that could surprise or interest the audience.

Success criteria: Notes are in Fisher’s own words, facts support the presentation’s purpose, and sources are recorded so they can be credited.

Introduction

Hook: Imagine you tell your audience an amazing fact, and they ask, “Where did you find that?” What would help you answer confidently?

Today, you’ll find evidence for your topic and keep track of your sources. You don’t need to become an expert on everything—focus on useful information your audience can understand.

Body: Find Evidence

1. I do: Model checking a source. Look for who created it, when it was published or updated, what evidence it gives, and whether another trustworthy source supports its claims. Show the difference between copying a sentence and recording its meaning in your own words.
2. We do: Review one source together. Decide which details answer a question about the topic and which are interesting but not useful.
3. You do: Write three to five research questions. Find answers using suitable sources, take brief notes in your own words, and record each source’s title and link or other identifying details. Mark one “wow” detail that might make a good opening.

Engagement option: Turn research into a “fact hunt.” Give each question a check mark when you find a supported answer. Research can be done online, with books, or by interviewing a knowledgeable person.

Transition: You now have the building blocks. Tomorrow, you’ll arrange them into a story your audience can follow.

Conclusion

Recap: Useful research answers the presentation’s questions, comes from sources worth trusting, and is recorded in your own words. Share one fact and explain why it matters.

Quick check for understanding: Can Fisher show three relevant notes, point to the sources, and explain one way to check whether a source is trustworthy?

Support and stretch: Provide a short list of preselected sources or complete one research question together. For an extra challenge, compare two sources and explain any difference in their claims.

Day 3: Build a Clear Storyboard

Objective: Fisher will organize the presentation into a logical beginning, middle, and ending, and plan a slide sequence that supports its purpose.

Success criteria: The storyboard has an engaging opening, an ordered set of key ideas, and a conclusion that reinforces the main message.

Introduction

Hook: If someone asked you to explain your topic during a short car ride, what would you tell them first—and what would you save for last?

Today, you’ll decide how your information fits together. A presentation is more than a pile of facts; it guides the audience from one idea to the next.

Body: Shape the Message

1. I do: Model a simple outline: an opening hook and topic; two or three main ideas with evidence or examples; and a conclusion that sums up the message. Explain that each slide should have one main job.
2. We do: Put a few sample ideas in order. Ask: “What does the audience need to know first?” and “Which point best supports the purpose?”
3. You do: Create a storyboard using paper, sticky notes, or a digital outline. Plan about 5–8 slides:
   • Opening: hook and topic
   • Middle: key ideas, examples, or a short sequence of steps
   • Ending: main takeaway and, if appropriate, a question for the audience
   • Final slide or notes: source credits
   Add a short note beside each slide describing what you will say.

Choice: Fisher can organize the middle by timeline, problem and solution, comparison, or “three things to know.” Choose the structure that best fits the topic.

Transition: With the plan in place, tomorrow you’ll turn it into slides that are easy and enjoyable to follow.

Conclusion

Recap: A clear presentation has a beginning that earns attention, a middle that develops the main ideas, and an ending that leaves the audience with something to remember. Talk through the storyboard as if it were already a presentation.

Quick check for understanding: Can Fisher explain the purpose of each planned slide and show how the sequence supports the presentation’s main message?

Support and stretch: Provide a storyboard template with slide headings or use fewer slides. For an extra challenge, remove one planned slide and decide whether the presentation still makes sense.

Day 4: Design the Slides and Rehearse

Objective: Fisher will create a draft slide show using readable text and relevant visuals, then rehearse the presentation at least once and identify one improvement.

Success criteria: Slides are readable, consistent, and focused on one main idea at a time; visuals support the message; rehearsal produces one specific revision.

Introduction

Hook: Which would you rather look at while someone is speaking: a slide crowded with paragraphs or one clear image and a few useful words? Why?

Today, you’ll build the slide show and practice presenting it. Slides should help the audience understand you—not compete with you for attention.

Body: Build and Practice

1. I do: Model improving a crowded slide: shorten the text, make the key idea easy to spot, choose a readable size, and use a visual only if it helps explain the point. Remind Fisher to credit borrowed facts and visuals.
2. We do: Review one draft slide together. Ask: “Can the audience read this quickly?” “Is the main point obvious?” and “Does the visual help?”
3. You do: Build the slides using the Day 3 storyboard and Day 2 notes. Use short phrases rather than copying whole research paragraphs. Add source credits. Then rehearse aloud with a timer; a target of about 3–5 minutes is flexible. Practice with a family member, classmate, or by recording yourself.

Feedback opportunity: Ask a listener for one “I understood…” comment and one “I wonder…” question. If rehearsing alone, note one part that felt smooth and one part to improve.

Transition: You have a draft and feedback. Tomorrow, you’ll polish the final version and present it.

Conclusion

Recap: Readable slides use concise text, purposeful visuals, and a clear layout. Rehearsing helps you notice what needs adjusting. Fisher chooses one revision to complete today or carry into tomorrow.

Quick check for understanding: Can Fisher point to one slide where the visual supports the message, identify one source credit, and name one improvement based on rehearsal or feedback?

Support and stretch: Offer a simple slide template, speech-to-text, or a shorter presentation. For an extra challenge, add a demonstration, brief audience poll, or a carefully chosen data visual.

Day 5: Present, Reflect, and Celebrate

Objective: Fisher will deliver the finished presentation, communicate its main message, respond to at least one audience question or comment, and reflect on strengths and next steps.

Success criteria: The presentation has a clear beginning, organized ideas, supportive slides, and a clear takeaway; Fisher presents to the chosen audience and completes a reflection.

Introduction

Hook: What is one thing you hope your audience will remember after the final slide disappears?

Today, you’ll share what you’ve created. Before presenting, take a breath, check that the slide show works, and remember: the goal is to communicate, not to be perfect.

Body: Present and Reflect

1. I do: Model a quick presentation warm-up: stand or sit comfortably, speak clearly, look toward the audience or camera, and pause between ideas. Explain that it’s fine to glance at notes.
2. We do: Check the opening slide and first sentence together. Confirm the audience can see or hear the presentation, whether in person or online.
3. You do: Deliver the presentation to a family member, class, small group, or recorded audience. Invite at least one question or comment. Afterward, complete this reflection:
   • One thing I did well was…
   • One audience reaction I noticed was…
   • Next time, I would…

Assessment: Use the success criteria to review the presentation: focused purpose, trustworthy information and credits, logical order, readable slides, clear delivery, and a memorable takeaway. Give specific feedback by naming one strength and one next step.

Conclusion

Recap the week: Fisher chose a topic and audience, researched carefully, organized ideas, designed slides, rehearsed, and presented. Celebrate one skill that improved and one creative choice that made the presentation personal.

Quick check for understanding: Can Fisher state the presentation’s main takeaway and describe one way the slides or speaking helped the audience understand it?

Support and stretch: Fisher may present to one trusted person, use speaker notes, or submit a recording. For an extra challenge, invite follow-up questions, revise the slide show using audience feedback, or create a shorter version for a different audience.