End of Year Student Presentations
Students Exit Class By Showing Mastery in Culminating Project
Exit Exhibitions are a hallmark of the Coalition of Essential Schools. However, this culminating project can be a tool that any teacher can use.
Exit Exhibitions allow students to show what they have learned throughout the year in a presentation or performance. To take this culminating project and use it in any classroom, teachers need to direct students to collect work throughout the year that shows mastery. What makes this project unique is that the culminating project should be guided by a committee prior to the presentation and then graded by this same committee.
History of the Exit Exhibition
In the article Performance and Exhibitions: The Demonstration of Mastery from Horace, Kathleen Cushman describes an exit exhibition as “a demonstration by the student in front of a review committee, at which he or she shows off the essential skills learned in the high school year.” Students should show proof of understanding and some imaginative capability. The exit exhibition should be evaluated and a way for students to express themselves.
A Language Arts Culminating Project Example
One example for a language arts class is as follows. At the end of the year, students are given a tri-fold display board and a table to show their work. Each student must display 20 pieces with a theme for his or her best writing from the year.
Items to display must include the following 10 writing types, but should number 20:
- research paper
- poem
- literary analysis
- informational essay
- literary comparison essay
- persuasive essay
- descriptive essay
- video clips of speaking
- short story
- business letter
The remaining 10 types are the student’s choice. Examples might include art with written reflection or description, personal narrative, different types of poetry, resume, character sketch, video taped poem, scene from a play, etc.
Committees Are Important to Guide Culminating Project
Students need to select a committee of three-to-five people to help choose the 20 pieces and to attend the year-end parent night when the Exit Exhibitions will be presented. This committee should include at least one person who is not a family member. The committee should include people who are experts in the area of language arts or who can help the student organize the culminating project.
A Table with a Tri-fold Display Board Makes a Great Visual
After the 20 pieces are selected, students need to put together a display of their work. It should be colorful and creative. Each student will have a table to display his/her work on the night of the presentation. A cardboard tri-fold backdrop should be used so that the pieces can be displayed for all to see.
Organizational Ideas for Individual Student Presentations
Students could organize the presentation in the following way. Most teachers require note cards.
INTRODUCTION – try to grab the audience’s attention with a question, fact or anecdote
- The student introduces himself/herself.
- He or she tells the theme.
- The student discusses the writing process, love of writing or how or when the writing is completed.
BODY OR MAIN PART OF PRESENTATION
- The student should describe pieces. There will be 20 on display, but the student should briefly tell about 10. When the student discusses the pieces, he/she needs to tell what the pieces are about and why they are treasured.
- The student should choose two to read aloud or to discuss more in-depth.
CONCLUSION
- The student should close by summing up the presentation and by making a memorable point.
- The student should ask for questions.
Assessment Criteria for Culminating Project
The key words for assessment are
- quality
- completeness
- creativity
Exit Exhibition Night
Select a night to invite committee members, family, staff and administrators to see the presentations. Cookies and punch are a nice touch.
