1.

Ensure that the group members share an integrated view of the project: One of the biggest and painfully visible issues with group projects is that it becomes clear that the work was doled out to team members and while everyone knows their part, no one knows the whole picture. Take the time to discuss your respective work products, key findings/conclusions and ensure that there is a unified and complete view of the project. 2. Before preparing presentation materials, the group must think through the following:

You need to interest your audience in the first 60 seconds or youve lost them. The group should develop an engaging opener..a reason for the audience to be interested. You need to plan your messagebefore you begin writing your presentation. Key points; necessary supporting points; examples; summary of key findingsand take-aways. The goal is not to show how much you know..it is to concisely and briefly deliver key points, insights and conclusions.

3. Building the presentation: Remember, business plans seeking millions of dollars in funding can be pitched in a dozen or fewer slides. Keep your deck briefmake every slide count.

Ideally, have one person build the presentationit allows you to standardize on graphics, fonts and importantly, on a single voice. Nothing is worse than disjointed presentation materials that dont flow and look like they were created in a blender.

The best approach is always one-main point per slide. (Or, no slides at all.) Pictures are bestwith brief captions or sidebars Plan on your narrative and speaking points filling in all of the words that are not on the slides.

4. Helping the group and individuals prepare to present: Since your slides are crisp and clean, every speaker must plan out their presentation narrative. I like to print my slides, handwrite my major points (no more than 3 to 5) and then practice delivering these points until I dont need notes. Other important planning issues:

Create transitions between speakers Plan on the team leader conducting group introductions. CREATE AN ENDING. Too many groups end with thats all. That works for a cartoonnot for a project presentation. Coordinate the slide advancement in advancenot during the presentation.

5. Getting yourself ready-prepare your attitude: Its time to tackle the irrational demons that bedevil so many classroom (and professional) speakers. Think through the following:

Remind yourself that there is little to fear. The audience is on your side. They want you to succeed. Unless you disrespect the audience, they are there for you.

Remember that your goal is to always inform, share and even entertain. Entertaining does not mean that you have to tell jokesbut having the mind of an entertainerensures that you focus on pleasing your audience.

Sit down the night before the presentation and imagine that you were an audience member for your own presentation. Jot down a list of what you would like to learn. Review that list before the presentation.

6. Immediately before the presentation, remind yourself of the following:

Smile while speaking. Your smile is infectious. Eye contact please. Or at least pick different spots in the room slightly above head level and move your eyes to each spot in a random fashion. Project your voice. Many students forget to project, and the audience has to struggle to hear. Be loud and proudalways with a smile. If you have an accentor if you are a mumbler, you will need to focus on both projecting and enunciating! Modulate your voice. Raise volume for emphasislower volume for intensity. Avoid talking in a monotone.

7. During the presentation:

Smile, project your voice, and make eye contact. Present with confidence, and be part of the group in the room, not a talking head. Enthusiasm and passion are a speakers best friends! Show and share yours. Modulate your voice. Notes: if you must have them in your hand, dont read from them. An occasional glance is fine. Reading is never fine. DONT READ YOUR NOTES! Posturedont stand defensively (no arms crossed)dont get in the fig-leaf pose (use your imagination) and dont get in the T-Rex pose (again, use your imagination). No hands in pockets, either. Pick a base positionhands at the side with occasional, simple gestures. Vary it slightly so that you dont become a mannequin. (Thanks, Tim Koegel for these posture suggestions!)

Be conscious of your timing. If youve practiced and if you know your key pointsmake them and keep moving. Briefly recap your key points and then transition to your next speakerintroducing him/her by nameand perhaps topic.

8. After the presentation: Q/A: Many a great group presentation crashes on the rocks of a mismanaged Question and Answer session. Consider the following:

Pre-plan for someone to be the question moderator. The moderator should restate the question and then direct it to the appropriate person. If you dont understand the question, ask the questioner for clarification. If you dont know the answer, do not make it up. Develop the habit of saying, Im not certain, but that is an important question that I would love to look into for you. Keep your answers brief. Resist the urge to share everything you know. The moderator should sense when the question is answered/over and move on. No need to get defensive with an audience member that disagrees. Its OK to agree to disagree.

Thank you to Artpetty.com for sharing this information with us. We really appreciate that there are people out there that are kind enough to sacrifice some of their own time to help teens with their problems. They are willing to help them grow and to be ready for the future big thanks!! Full Link: http://artpetty.com/2010/04/16/9-tips-for-nailing-the-classroom-group-project-presentation/