A PowerPointT Geography Report!

• PRINT
• EMAIL

This lesson assumes that students have already learned the skills to conduct research, have been given the report questions that need to be answered, have had library time to find answers, and are now ready to transfer their information to a PowerPointT presentation. The lesson is adapted from: PowerPoint Made Very Easy by Timothy Greene available in The Teacher Store.

OBJECTIVE

Students will:

1. Conduct research on a geographic location.
2. Complete worksheet 1: Geography Report Planning.
3. Follow and complete worksheet 2: Design Your Presentation.
4. Deliver an oral PowerPointT presentation.
   

MATERIALS

1. Computer(s) with PowerPointT software
2. LCD projector The worksheets listed below are taken from: PowerPoint Made Very Easy by Timothy Greene
3. Worksheet 1: Geography Report Planning
4. Worksheet 2: Design Your Presentation
5. Rubric: Grading Sheet for PowerPointT Project 

SET UP AND PREPARE

1. Schedule student time with the school library to do original research.
2. Check to make sure students have gathered information for their report and have located at least three resources for this geography report.
3. Copy a class set of worksheets 1, 2, and 3 for all students.
4. Schedule time with the school's computer lab.
5. Create a teacher example of this project to share with students.

REPRODUCIBLES

1. Geography Report Planning
   
   
2. Design Your Presentation
   
   
3. Grading Sheet for PowerPoint Presentation
   

DIRECTIONS
Day 1
Step 1: Introduce your sample PowerPointT presentation to the class and allow students to ask questions about your information when you are finished.

Step 2: Have students pull out all of their previously conducted research, i.e. notes, outlines, printed material.

Step 3: Distribute Worksheet 1 and explain to students that they will begin planning their PowerPointT presentation. Working independently, students will follow the directions on the worksheet.

• Slide 1: Title the research presentation.
• Slide 2: Describe the location you chose. (For example, where is this place located? What type of weather does this location have? What are the physical elements of your location? Is it near a lake? Near mountains? Why did you choose this location?)
• Slide 3: Describe the attractions that might bring tourists to this location. (For example, what types of recreation are available? What can you do for fun? Are there any historical places located here?)
• Slide 4: List reference resources.

Day 2
These steps can be modified for classrooms with one computer.

Step 1: Distribute Worksheets 2 and 3.

Step 2: Read over Worksheet 2: Design Your Presentation Take students through these steps using the LCD projector.

Step 3: Have students review Worksheet 3: Sample Slides. Students can use this as a visual guide when creating their own slides.

Step 4: Students begin planning the slides they will create.

Day 3–4: In the computer lab

Step 1: Students will begin designing their presentation using Worksheet 1. Students will follow the steps from Worksheet 2.

LESSON EXTENSION
Students deliver their presentations to the class.

ASSESS STUDENTS
Rubric: Grading Sheet for PowerPointT Project

ASSIGNMENTS

1. If time permits, allow students to include more advanced features such as action buttons, text animation, and transitions.
2. Students conduct peer evaluations of each other's presentations.

EVALUATE THE LESSON
Was there enough time? Were the students successful in completing the assigned worksheets? Were students able to accurately fill out worksheet 1 and find the necessary research?

Did students understand how to follow written directions, using worksheet 2? Did students benefit from seeing a presentation example beforehand? Did students benefit from the use of an LCD projector?

Were students engaged while working in groups or independently? Were students successful at creating at least four basic slides? Did the PowerPointT Presentation seem to enhance students' research presentations?


• Teacher Store
• 

  The Teacher Store

  Word Workshop for Teachers Word Workshop for Teachers helps you turn a common productivity tool into an uncommonly valuable resource. Quickly and easily learn to: Create newsletters and mail-merge letters Create Web Quests and Web pages Incorporate graphics, movies, and Internet links And more! Each book comes with a CD-ROM (Mac/Win compatible) packed with clip art, templates, and sample files from students and teachers around the country! Microsoft Word software not included. $35.00 Professional Book | Grades K-12

  
  Word Workshop for Teachers
  Grades K-12 $35.00
  
• Scholastic Store
• 

  The Scholastic Store
  	Scholastic Dictionary of Synonyms, Antonyms, and Homonyms With over 20,000 clear and concise entries, students will have synonyms and antonyms at their fingertips. And for kids who don't know their "principal" from a "principle," this handy guide also contains 2,000 homonyms. It's the perfect thesaurus for kids on the go. $5.59 You save: 20% books;paperback books;reference | Ages 10-14

  
  Scholastic Dictionary of Synonyms, Antonyms, and Homonyms
  Ages 10-14 $5.59
  

A Trip to the Homeland
Children learn about their countries of heritage by developing a travel log and booking mock travel reservations.

Amazing Facts about My City and State
Imparts a geography lesson plan focused on interesting facts about the city and state in which students live. The lesson uses reading and research...

What's in a Name?
Shares a lesson plan on business letter writing. Students are required to write a persuasive letter arguing that a confection company should...