Slow Reveal Graphics for Social Studies

The term "slow reveal graphics" is borrowed from mathematics education, where teachers sometimes use slow reveal graphs to help students learn how to make sense of data. We changed the word "graph" to "graphics" because we think the slow reveal technique is equally useful for making sense of maps and timelines, two other types of data visualizations we use in social studies.

Slow reveal graphics are highly engaging instructional tools teachers use to aid students in making sense of data visualizations. Rather than showing all the components of a data visualization at once, slow reveal graphics work in reverse, displaying the most stripped-down version of the data visualization first. This means the first image students are presented with is a graph, map, or timeline free of any titles, labels, keys, and horizontal or vertical axes. All that is visible to students are the geometrical objects that represent the data, such as the lines or bars.

Teachers then encourage students to engage in discussion about what they notice in the visual. For example, if a line graph was used in a slow reveal activity, discussion would focus exclusively on its line to begin. Students may make observations about its upward or downward trends or severe spikes or dips. After the basic geometry of the data visualization is shown, teachers methodically reveal layers of the data visualization. Each time the teacher uncovers a layer, they pause and allow students sufficient time for observation, deep thinking, and class discussion. This process opens up all kinds of instructional opportunities -- for gathering background content knowledge, assessing what students know about different types of data visualizations, or prompting inquiry.

Use this website to learn more about the slow reveal technique and find resources for teaching slow reveal graphics in social studies.