Presentation

In the Presentation stage, the teacher presents content and models strategies to students in an engaging manner. The students complete interactive presentation activities. This whole group instruction stage works to convey important curricular information, facilitate student participation and motivation, and integrate technology. This step begins with the teacher reiterating the Challenge Question that the students will be able to answer by the end of the lesson. Next, teachers use presentation accommodations, activities, tools, and strategies to elicit student connections to the content.

Content presentations may be enhanced by the use of explanatory tools.  Common explanatory tools include:

• Cueing (e.g., such as using a laser pointer to focus attention on key concepts).
• Analogies, to connect new learning to something the student knows.
• Models, to provide visual or sensory experiences that serve as memory aids.
• Mental imagery, to visualize pictures for improving memory.
• Graphic organizers, to create relationships, organize information, and emphasize important points.
• Multimedia, to provide visual and auditory enhancements that spark engagement and memory.

Other strategies that help to augment teacher presentations include:

• Highlighting words and concepts.
• Showing diagrams and charts that highlight relationships.
• Using think-aloud strategies to model process skills.
• Incorporating Smart Boards to enhance motivation and attention.