1. PRESENTATION TASK
Classroom Context: This performance assessment focuses on a fifth-grade teacher, Ms. Hernandez, who is preparing a unit on the branches of the United States government.
Background: As part of the study on branches of the U.S. government, Ms. Hernandez would like to present to her students a brief slide show presentation outlining the three branches. She would like the presentation to consist of one introductory slide and one slide on each of the three branches of government, and she would like to have each slide in the presentation advance manually.
Available Files:
Graphics can be found on the same wiki page as this PowerPoint skills app link.

2. The Task: Ms. Hernandez has asked the Master Technology Teacher for assistance in creating the presentation.
Using your knowledge of presentation software, create a model slide show presentation to Ms. Hernandez’s specifications. In creating this presentation, you should:
Create an introduction slide that provides the subject, date and teacher’s name.
Create slides 6 through 9 using the files provided by Ms. Hernandez. Each slide should contain a title, an appropriate graphic image and text provided displayed as a bulleted list.
Animate the entry of the text of slides 6 and 8 (the animations should occur automatically and not require a mouse or keyboard click).
Animate the entry of the graphics in slides 7 and 9 (the animations should occur automatically and not require a mouse or keyboard click).

3. Formatting:
Use appropriate transitions to communicate effectively without distracting from the content of the presentation.
Use a color scheme appropriate for audience members including those who may be color-blind.
Use the principles of design to format the text and graphics to communicate to the intended audience.
Provide a brief explanation defending your selections above in the notes section of the introduction slide.

4. Executive branch (president and vice president)
(Slide #3)
The Executive Branch
Executive branch (president and vice president)
President is also commander in chief
President appoints cabinet
President oversees federal agencies
Executive branch enforces laws
(Slide #4)
The Judicial Branch
Judicial branch (supreme and federal courts)
Cases involve federal laws
Supreme Court has nine justices
One chief justice, eight associate justices
(Slide #1)
Branches of Government
Three branches of United States government
Legislative, executive, and judicial branches
Each branch has its own responsibilities
All three branches work together
Each branch keeps others in check
(Slide #2 )
The Legislative Branch
Legislative branch (representatives and senators)
Legislative branch is also called Congress
Each state has two senators
Number of representatives depends on population
Introduce and vote on new laws

5. Branches of the U.S. Government
I selected a larger text size so that those in the back of the room can read the words more easily. I changed the default font to Times New Romans because the spacing between the letters allows for an easy read. The contrast in the font color and the color theme should be appropriate for fifth graders and color-blind viewers. The titles of each slide are aligned to left because the eyes naturally read from left to right. The transition of the animated text and images are set to quickly fade onto the screen with bullet points set to fade in all at once to minimize the distraction.
Ms. Hernandez September 17, 2014

6. Branches of Government
Three branches of United States government
Legislative, executive, and judicial branches
Each branch has its own responsibilities
All three branches work together
Each branch keeps others in check

7. The Legislative Branch
Legislative branch (representatives and senators)
Legislative branch is also called Congress
Each state has two senators
Number of representatives depends on population
Introduce and vote on new laws

8. The Executive Branch Executive branch (president and vice president)
President is also commander in chief
President appoints cabinet
President oversees federal agencies
Executive branch enforces laws

9. The Judicial Branch Judicial branch (supreme and federal courts)
Cases involve federal laws
Supreme Court has nine justices
One chief justice, eight associate justices