I assigned my 5th graders Powerpoint presentations on the early settlers (New England, Middle Colony, Southern Colony) and the rubric included a MAXIMUM of 5 words per slide.

“Ideally, you will choose an image that represents your topic for the slide – consider a primary source, such as a drawing – and then add key words that will remind you of the content for that slide,” I instructed.

“Five words? Only five words?” They asked.

“Yes. Key words to remind you of what to say.”

Because who wants to read paragraphs on a slide?

They went to work, buzzing like angry bees. This would require them to know the material very well.

The kids had a major cow over this.

But they delivered expertly!