CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.8.5

ELA8th GradePresentation of Knowledge and Ideas

The Standard

Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Speaking and Listening Standards

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students choose images, charts, audio, or video that make a point easier to understand. They place each item where it supports a claim and explain its relevance.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student uses readable, relevant media and places it where it supports a specific point. They label sources and explain what the audience should notice.
Common Misconceptions: Students often add decorative images that do not support their point. Others crowd slides with text, use unreadable charts, or play clips without explaining their connection.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Give students a claim and three possible visuals. Have them choose one and write two sentences explaining how it supports the claim.

Lesson moves

Give groups a short article and poster paper. They create one chart and one image caption that make the article's main claim clearer.
Show two slides supporting the same claim, then ask: Which slide helps more, and what specific feature makes the evidence clearer?
Play Media Match: teams pair claim cards with chart, photo, audio, or video cards and justify each match in 20 seconds.
Have students redesign a school announcement with a map, schedule graphic, or short demonstration clip for families attending an event.

Free download