A "Show and Tell" activity is a common classroom exercise, especially in early elementary school, where participants bring an object from home and talk about it to an audience. The activity develops storytelling, communication, and public speaking skills. Children typically describe the item, explain why they chose it, where they got it, and share stories connected to it. One popular variation involves students presenting a found object multiple times, first describing it as themselves, then presenting it as if they were a younger character (like a five-year-old), encouraging improvisation and creativity. Examples of items used in show and tell include favorite toys, family photos, nature treasures (like leaves or rocks), handmade crafts, personal projects, and more. Themes can be introduced to keep the activity fresh, such as family, hobbies, travel, nature, science, history, or math-related items. Here is a brief outline of a typical show and tell activity:
- Students select an item to share.
- They describe the item and its significance.
- They speak in full sentences, often with a time or sentence limit.
- They may present the item from different character perspectives or with clues for guessing.
Show and tell activities can be extended with theme-based or educational focuses to enhance engagement and learning. It is a valuable tool for building confidence, self-expression, and peer connections.
