show and tell
Guidelines for ‘Show & Tell’ at RHS:
The following guidelines are designed to help make our children’s Circle-Time sharing opportunities fun and exciting; quite simply, wonderful learning experiences for everyone.
Schedule your child’s ‘Show and Tell’ two or three days before the desired date and be sure to bring all necessary ‘props’ to school on that exact date.
This will help keep your child from being disappointed as well as to help the teachers plan their Circle Time curriculum to include your child’s ‘Show & Tell’.
Please prepare your child for Show and Tell.
This is a parent-participatory activity that you will need to help prepare and practice a bit at home; not something to be delivered by the child without sufficient time and preparation. The purpose for the activity is to encourage and build upon the student’s verbal and group leadership skills. This is an opportunity for parents to help their child ‘teach’ something to their friends. Exciting and thoughtful objects like preserved insects, animals, and family trips, are just some examples of ideas for Show and Tell topics.
Please notify Head Teacher Alex (abrownlee@russianhillschool.org), in advance, if your child is planning to bring in a live animal.
When preparing at home, use the following as an aid to guide your child in his/her up-coming 'show & tell' experience:
1. What is your child going to talk about?
Note: Toys are not generally appropriate for Show & Tell because they often have very little learning value and are difficult for the child to share. Please avoid the following: stuffed animals, stickers, paint and markers (and other 'messy arts' supplies), as well as 'happy meal'- type toys.
2. What are friends and teachers going to learn from your child? Practice the presentation with your child using the five “W’s” (who? what? where? when? why?). This is important for to prepare your child sufficiently and help build his/her motivation and self-esteem through leadership!
Once the Show and Tell is prepared.. now what?
Place all items for the upcoming show-and-tell event in a bag or box for transportation. Submit a Show and Tell form (on this webpage to the right) for the teacher to guide your child during his / her presentation if/when necessary).
Visual poster-board presentations are sometimes helpful, while not expected.
Parents often request to be present during their child’s demonstration. This is meant to be an activity that supports child independence and self-esteem in the classroom; one that helps them embody the teacher role for a few minutes while they capture their peer’s attention with their thoughtful Show & Tells. Of course, parents are welcome; however, it runs the risk of changing the dynamic of their delivery.
Note: Take-home souvenir treats for classmates, accompanying you child’s ‘Show &Tell’ are neither common nor encouraged.