Responding to A Sound of Thunder by Writing PowerPoint Presentations

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Students learn the steps necessary to create PowerPoint slides.

OBJECTIVE

Students Will:

1. Create a PowerPoint presentation about time travel.
2. Deliver an oral presentation.

MATERIALS

1. Computers with PowerPoint software
2. LCD Projector
3. Time Travel PowerPoint Presentation — Student Sample (PPT)
4. Teacher PowerPoint Presentation — Teacher Template (PPT)
5. Students' The Big Question graphic organizer from Lesson Two
6. Students' PowerPoint Rubric from Lesson Two
7. Research Information Printable
8. Design Your Presentation Printable
9. Transparencies
10. Overhead Projector

SET UP AND PREPARE

1. Schedule time in school's computer lab for Days 2-5, if necessary.
2. Prepare LCD Projector and computers with PowerPoint software and the Time Travel PowerPoint Presentations.
3. Make sure that students have their PowerPoint Rubrics and their Big Question graphic organizers from Lesson Two.
4. Make transparencies for the Research Information and Design Your Presentation printables.
5. Copy the Research Information and Design Your Presentation printables for each student.

DIRECTIONS

Day 1

Step 1: Introduce this lesson by asking the students to recall both the short story A Sound of Thunder and what they saw in the Time Travel PowerPoint presentation during Lesson One. Further the discussion and ask for a few volunteers to share what they learned from Lesson Two's group activity. Replay the student example of the Time Travel PowerPoint Presentation, asking the students to pay attention to the detail of the slides, i.e. the text, background, and images on each slide.

Step 2: Share with the students that they will create their own Time Travel PowerPoint Presentations today. Ask them to find their Big Question graphic organizer. Using the Research Information transparency, model for the students how to transfer the information from their graphic organizer to the Research Information handout. Ask for a volunteer to share the information from his or her graphic organizer. Complete the transparency using this information. Distribute the Research Information printable to the class and allow time for them to fill in all their textual information for the seven slides using their own graphic organizer.

Days 2-3

Step 3: Distribute the Design Your Presentation printable to each student, instructing the students to follow along while they observe. Using the Teacher PowerPoint Presentation, model Steps 1-9 for the class. Allow time for students to write down any ideas they have for their own slides on the back of their handout. Upon completion, briefly review the PowerPoint Rubric with the class.

Step 4: In your computer lab or using classroom computers, allow time for students to design their slides using their Design Your Presentation handout. Instruct students to compare their presentations with their PowerPoint Rubric to make sure they have covered all the required steps when finished. You may want to have students work in pairs to evaluate each presentation with the rubric.

Day 4-5

Step 5: Share with the students that today they will be presenting their Time Travel PowerPoint Presentations with the class. Using your computer lab or classroom computer with projector, ask for volunteers to begin sharing their project. Students should hand you their PowerPoint Rubric before presenting so that you can evaluate the presentation as they share.

Step 6: Close the lesson by asking students their thoughts, feelings, and questions about creating their own Time Travel PowerPoint Presentations.

ASSESS STUDENTS

Written Outcome:

Use the PowerPoint Rubric to assess each student's PowerPoint Presentation.

Teacher Observation:

1. How well were the students able to clearly present their presentation?
2. How creative were their slides?
3. Did they clearly explain their Time Travel expedition?

ASSIGNMENTS
Complete PowerPoint Presentation.

HOME CONNECTION
Ask students to share their assignments with their parents.

EVALUATE THE LESSON

1. Did students understand the steps necessary to complete a PowerPoint Presentation?
2. How could you use PowerPoint software in other lessons?
   

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