middle school biography assignment

Assignment Biography: Student Criteria and Rubric for Writing

Researching an Individual Aligned to Common Core Writing Standards

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The genre of  biography can also be categorized in the sub-genre of  narrative nonfiction/historical nonfiction. When a teacher assigns a biography as a writing assignment, the purpose is to have a student utilize multiple research tools to gather and to synthesize information that may be used as evidence in a written report about an individual. The evidence gained from research can include a person’s words, actions, journals, reactions, related books, interviews with friends, relatives, associates, and enemies. The historical context is equally important. Since there are people who have influenced every academic discipline, assigning a biography can be a cross-disciplinary or inter-disciplinary writing assignment. 

Middle and high school teachers should allow students to have a choice in selecting the subject for a biography. Providing student choice, particularly for students in grades 7-12, increases their engagement and their motivation especially if students select individuals they care about. Students would find it difficult to write about a person they do not like. Such an attitude compromises the process of researching and writing the biography.

According to by Judith L. Irvin, Julie Meltzer and Melinda S. Dukes in their book  Taking Action on Adolescent Literacy:

"As humans, we are motivated to engage when we are interested or have real purpose for doing so. So motivation to engage [students] is the first step on the road to improving literacy habits and skills" (Chapter 1).

Students should find at least three different sources (if possible) to make sure the biography is accurate. A good biography is well-balanced and objective. That means if there is disagreement between sources, the student can use the evidence to state that there is a conflict.  Students should know that a good biography is more than a timeline of events in a person's life.

The context of a person's life is important. Students should include information about the historical time period in which a subject lived and did her/his work. 

In addition, the student should have a purpose for researching another person's life. For example, the purpose for a student to research and write a biography can be in a response to the prompt:

"How does this writing this biography help me to understand the influence of this person on history, and quite possibly, this person's impact on me?"

The following standards-based criteria and scoring rubrics can be used to grade a student-selected biography. Both criteria and rubrics should be given to students before they begin their work. 

Criteria for a Student Biography aligned to Common Core State Standards

A General Outline for Biography Details

• Birthdate /Birthplace
• Death (if applicable).
• Family Members.
• Miscellaneous (religion, titles, etc).

Education/Influences

• Schooling.Training.
• Work Experiences.
• Contemporaries/Relationships.

Accomplishments/  Significance

• Evidence of major accomplishments.
• Evidence of minor accomplishments (if relevant).
• The analysis that supports why the individual was worthy of note in their field of expertise during his or her life.
• Analysis why this individual is worthy of note in their field of expertise today.

Quotes/Publications

• Statements made.
• Works published.

Biography Organization using the CCSS Anchor Writing Standards 

• Transitions are effective in assisting the reader to understand shifts.
• Ideas within each paragraph are fully developed.
• Each point is supported by evidence.
• All evidence is relevant.  
• Important terms are explained to the reader.
• Purpose of each paragraph (introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion) is clear.  
• Clear relationship between topic sentence(s) and paragraph(s) that came before is evident.

Grading Rubric: Holistic Standards with Letter Grade Conversions

(based on extended response Smarter Balanced Assessment writing rubric)

Score: 4 or Letter Grade: A

Student response is a thorough elaboration of the support/evidence on the topic (individual) including the effective use of source material. The response clearly and effectively develops ideas, using precise language:

• Comprehensive evidence (facts and details) from source materials are integrated.
• Relevant, and specific clear citations or attribution to source materials.
• Effective use of a variety of elaborative techniques.
• Vocabulary is clearly appropriate for the audience and purpose. 
• Effective, appropriate style enhances content.

Score: 3  Letter Grade: B

Student response is an adequate elaboration of the support/evidence in the biography that includes the use of source materials. The student response adequately develops ideas, employing a mix of precise and more general language:  

• Adequate evidence (facts and details) from the source materials is integrated and relevant, yet the evidence and explanation may be general.
• Adequate use of citations or attribution to the source material.  
• Adequate use of some elaborative techniques.
• Vocabulary is generally appropriate for the audience and purpose.
• The style is generally appropriate for the audience and purpose.

Score: 2 Letter Grade: C

Student response is uneven with a cursory elaboration of the support/evidence in the biography that includes the uneven or limited use of source material. The student response develops ideas unevenly, using simplistic language:

• Some evidence (facts and details) from the source materials may be weakly integrated, imprecise, repetitive, vague, and/or copied.
• Weak use of citations or attribution to source materials.
• Weak or uneven use of elaborative techniques.
• Development may consist primarily of source summaries.
• Vocabulary use is uneven or somewhat ineffective for the audience and purpose.
• Inconsistent or weak attempt to create the appropriate style.

Score: 1 Letter Grade: D

Student response provides a minimal elaboration of the support/evidence in the biography that includes little or no use of source material. The student response is vague, lacks clarity, or is confusing:

• Evidence (facts and details) from the source material is minimal, irrelevant, absent, incorrectly used. 
• Insufficient use of citations or attribution to the source material.
• Minimal, if any, use of elaborative techniques.
• Vocabulary is limited or ineffective for the audience and purpose.
• Little or no evidence of appropriate style.
• Insufficient or plagiarized (copied without credit) text.
• Off-topic. 
• Off-purpose.
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Fun Middle School Biography Assignment

Have you thought about assigning a middle school biography assignment to your students?

In the blog post, Why Teach Biographies? , I explained why teaching biographies in middle school is important. Students at this age are often very interested in themselves and their friend groups and sometimes forget to think about the world around them and the people within it. This blog post explains 5 reasons why teachers should consider adding middle school biography assignments to their class reading lists or unit plans. 

What is a Middle School Biography Assignment? 

To understand a biography assignment, you need to know what a biography is. When we look at the history of an individual, the compiled data about that individual written out thoughtfully is a biography. 

Rather than a list of dates, a biography tells the detailed story of someone’s life written by someone who has interviewed or researched the person they are writing about.  In comparison, a memoir or autobiography is usually written by the person who is the subject of the book. 

A biography assignment is when a student is assigned the role of an author writing an account of someone’s life. Students can think of an important person in history, a person who inspires them, or even a famous athlete, activist, or musician. 

Why Should Kids Read Biographies? 

Just like the traditional book report, the report that often accompanies biography units is usually very similar to a traditional book report. It is important that some sort of assessment occurs at the end of any unit.  

Additionally, when students are reading individual biographies of their own choosing, teachers often like to make these assessments include an oral portion.

Not only does this help improve students’ speaking and listening skills and cover these curriculum objectives, but it also allows all students to get at least a bit of background on many individuals instead of just the person about whom each student read.  

So this is our challenge: As teachers, how do we create an engaging and quality end-of-unit project without everyone beginning, “My biography was about…”?

Middle School Biography Assignment

One great way to fulfill these needs is to use this Middle School Biography Assignment . After finishing reading their books, students will create a life map outlining the important events in their chosen person’s life. 

Once these maps are finished, each student will provide a written explanation of his or her map and then create an oral presentation on it to give to classmates.  This assignment works well with any biographies, memoirs, and autobiographies. It can be done as an individual project or in small reading groups and lit circles.  

This Middle School Biography Assignmen t includes everything you need for a great project with the biographies that you already teach and that are already in your classroom or school library.   The resource includes an assignment sheet, detailed lesson plan and teacher directions, graphic organizers, and both levelled and points-based assessment rubrics.  

Use this Middle School Biography Assignment to help engage your students when learning about important people and times in history. Purchase this resource in Canadian dollars through my Shopify store . 

Some Suggested People For Students To Research

• Barack Obama
• Malala Yousafzai
• Bethany Hamilton
• Katherine Johnson
• Trevor Noah
• Chris Hadfield

You can look for more ideas about inspiring Canadians in the article “ 20 Canadian Heroes You Might Not Know About—But Should “.

Biography units can be fun and interesting. Don’t let a worn-out assessment kill yours! Use this middle school biography assignment idea to help your students get excited about reading this genre.

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How to Write a Biography: Upper Elementary to Middle School

Writing a biography can be a daunting task. When students hear the assignment of writing a biography, they may have thoughts of long, boring essays or a tedious 10-page book report. There are various ways to tackle writing a biography, and they can even be fun in the process! Let’s look at some less intimidating ways to get your kiddos to write a biography, whether in elementary or middle school.

Step 1: Read a Biography

The first step for students before writing a biography is to read one. They need to see a real-life example before tackling their own biography assignment. Elementary students can read biography picture books or Who Was? biography novels. Biography picture books are especially interesting to students as the splendid pictures bring the person to life. 

Here are some picture books we recommend for younger students: 

I Am Rosa Parks by Brad Meltzer

The Girl Who Thought in Pictures by Julia Finley Mosca

On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne

Upper elementary students love the Who Was? novel series. These books are more challenging, contain some pictures, and are age-appropriate. We recommend:

Who Was? Anne Frank  by Anne Abramson

Who Were? The Tuskegee Airmen by Sherri L. Smith

Who Was? Selena  by Max Bisantz

Middle school-aged students can read a variety of biographies from sixth graders reading Who Was? to advanced readers conquering even adult biographies. Some biographies or autobiographies my middle school students have read and loved are: 

I Am Malala by Malala Youfsazai

Gifted Hands The Ben Carson Story by Gregg Lewis

Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Copeland

Step 2: Research a Person

Once students have read a biography to gain an understanding of what one looks like and how it is organized, as well as more about the person they are learning about, they can complete research from the biography or autobiography. A simple graphic organizer to help students organize crucial information would suffice. Important information that the student should gather from their book includes: 

• Birthdate and Birthplace
• Death Date and Place If Deceased
• Childhood/Family
• Adult Family
• Major Accomplishments
• Major Obstacles
• Lessons we can learn from this person’s life

Step 3: How to Write a Biography Tips

As a teacher, you can provide choices for students or provide a project students can tackle. Some biography projects require students to write a biography in a different format than a typical essay.

Paper Bag Biography

For elementary grades, a paper bag biography book report is an interesting way to create a biography. Once students have read their biography or autobiography, they color the front of the paper bag with a picture of the person as well as display the person’s name. On the back of the paper bag is written the major accomplishments, obstacles, and a lesson learned from this person’s life.

On one side of the bag is written fun facts and on the other side is written basic information such as birthdate, birthplace, family, death date, etc. Inside the paper bag, students place varying objects that symbolize the life of the person and explain or write about them. 

Cereal Box Biography

This same concept can be completed with a cereal box. Students would utilize construction paper and glue over the cereal box instead. They can create a cute name for their cereal that coincides with the person they’re learning about as well. For instance, a biography about Sugar Ray Leonard, a professional boxer, could become Sugar Rays on a cereal box biography report. 

Pizza Box Biography

Speaking of food, a pizza box biography report is something I have utilized for years in the classroom. It combines creativity, art, and writing to display a biography. A simple Google search can give you tons of templates, instructions, and student sample pictures to choose from. I’m not certain of the original creator of this project, but it is amazing!

Students decorate the outside and inside cover of a pizza box with pictures and facts of their person. Next, they create a pizza out of construction paper and each slice displays important information. They can use their creativity to decorate each slice with toppings. Some students create a flap that goes over their slice of information and on the flap are toppings they’ve drawn such as mushrooms, pepperoni, and peppers. I am always impressed with how students use their creativity to design elaborate pizzas!

Here is the link to a FREE pizza box biography book report guideline I have used for years. 

Biography in a Can

Keeping with the theme of biography projects centered around food containers, have your students grab a clean chip or coffee can (with a lid). After reading a biography, students will decorate their can based on whom they’re learning about. We recommend the Who Is? , Who Was? and I Am books for this.

Next, students will use a graphic organizer to gather information from their book and then turn that research into an index card biography report. The various index cards are then stored inside the can for easy access for presentations. This project promotes independent student research, incorporates art, and is plain fun. It is definitely engaging for students.

Grab the whole project, including graphic organizers , index card templates , a pre-design sheet , and a rubric below. 

Grab your Biography Research Project today.

Our Biography Research Project will guide your students through Biography Research with ease. In addition, this unique research project helps them to learn more about important figures, as well as write and create some awesome biographies.

Bonus: Our Biography Research Project is a great way to display your students’ work for the admiration of parents, admin, and fellow students. Your class will be the envy of your school.

MLA Biography Essa y

As students move into seventh and eighth grade, there is a huge focus on learning to write an MLA essay. Because of this, I require students to write a biography essay or book report. Using a detailed template, students write their biographies. Each paragraph is thoroughly explained and chunked to display the life of the person they’re investigating. Here is a simple template of how I have seventh-grade students organize their biography essays:  

1st paragraph contains:

Title of your biography and the author’s name. The book is a biography of __________, who was born on (Date) ______________ in (Birthplace) ____________________. Why did you choose to read this book? Write a brief summary of their well-known accomplishments.

2nd, 3rd, 4th Paragraph contains:

A summary of their life. Make sure their life is in sequence. Tell of major life accomplishments, major disappointments, and major obstacles they faced. Tell of their childhood, adulthood, etc.

5th Paragraph contains:

What is the most interesting fact about this person? Explain why. How would you describe this person? If you could meet your person, what questions would you ask him or her? Why? Would you recommend this biography to a friend? Why or why not?

6th Paragraph: Conclusion Paragraph

What are the major life lessons a reader can learn from this person’s life? 

Step 4: Publish through Technology

Students can create biography presentations by using Google Slides , all the while utilizing pictures, quotes, and thematic decor to make their project come to life. Slidesgo.com is an amazing template resource in which students can make their presentations fit a theme and be a bit more aesthetically pleasing and exciting. 

Furthermore, Canva has a plethora of resources students can use to create biographies, from a standard presentation to infographics to creating an eBook . Canva is an awesome resource. It contains varying fonts, pre-loaded graphics, and the ability to upload pictures online. Canva has become a favorite tool of our students here lately!

Writing a biography can be challenging but in a great way! Reading biographies such as picture books to novels, this readily prepares students to conquer biography writing. By presenting options such as activities or a detailed template for an essay, students can feel interested and ready to tackle the world of biographies.

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It's My Life: Multimodal Autobiography Project

• Resources & Preparation
• Instructional Plan
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In this unit, students write autobiographies, illustrate them, and set them to music. Music is a powerful tool to evoke emotion, and students will carefully select songs to accompany the stories from their lives. Students brainstorm lists of important events in their lives, along with images and music that represent those events. They then create storyboards in preparation for the final PowerPoint project. After making revisions, they present their final projects to their peers in class. If PowerPoint is unavailable, students might create posters and play soundtracks using cassette or CD players.

Featured Resources

Stapleless Book : Students use this online tool to plan each slide of an autobiographical PowerPoint presentation.

From Theory to Practice

According to William Kist, "students should be able to both read critically and write functionally, no matter what the medium." We have "broadened the concept of literacy" (cf. Kist) to include multimodal projects so that no student will feel isolated, and every student will gain knowledge and understanding from the sharing of ideas. As the NCTE Statement on Multimodal Literacies states, "The use of different modes of expression in student work should be integrated into the overall literacy goals of the curriculum and appropriate for time and resources invested." This lesson plan encourages such integration by asking students to create multimodal presentations. Further Reading

Common Core Standards

This resource has been aligned to the Common Core State Standards for states in which they have been adopted. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, CCSS alignments are forthcoming.

State Standards

This lesson has been aligned to standards in the following states. If a state does not appear in the drop-down, standard alignments are not currently available for that state.

NCTE/IRA National Standards for the English Language Arts

• 4. Students adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language (e.g., conventions, style, vocabulary) to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes.
• 5. Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes.
• 6. Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and nonprint texts.
• 8. Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g., libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthesize information and to create and communicate knowledge.
• 12. Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and the exchange of information).
• It’s My Life Assignment
• Presentation Music and Image Planner
• It’s My Life Project Rubric
• Sample Multimodal Autobiography
• It’s My Life Self-Assessment

Preparation

• Arrange for the use of a computer lab, projector, and CD player.
• Familiarize yourself with PowerPoint. Visit the PowerPoint in the Classroom Website and the PowerPoint tutorials on adding sound and adding music for helpful information and guides. You may also choose to share these Web resources with your students.
• Create a model autobiography presentation for students to view (optional).
• Review fair use and copyright guidelines before having students use copyrighted music and images in their projects.
• Make copies of the Copyright and Fair Use Guidelines for School Projects , It’s My Life Assignment , Presentation Music and Image Planner , Sample Multimodal Autobiography , It’s My Life Self-Assessment , and It’s My Life Project Rubric sheets for your students.
• Test the Stapleless Book on your computers to familiarize yourself with the tool and ensure that you have the Flash plug-in installed. You can download the plug-in from the technical support page .

Student Objectives

Students will

• examine the lyrics to songs and describe how the music and words relate to their life stories.
• organize their thoughts and express their stories by using PowerPoint presentations.
• improve technical skills by familiarizing themselves with PowerPoint.
• evaluate their own work.

Session One

• Present the PowerPoint autobiography assignment to students and explain the required elements. If you have created a model presentation, you can use it to present the concept to students.
• Students will select five important events in their lives. Using written summaries of these events, they will create PowerPoint multimodal autobiographies.
• Students may use recordings from the radio or their personal music collections.
• Students will follow guidelines for fair use of copyrighted images and music. (Explain that this topic will be discussed in detail in the next session.)
• Student will present their slideshows in class. Slideshows are limited to 5–10 minutes in length.
• Students will respond to their peers’ presentations in writing.
• First day of school (e.g., preschool, kindergarten, first grade, middle school, high school)
• A special family trip or vacation
• A family event or milestone
• A personal achievement (e.g., first place in a competition)
• A personal loss
• Explain that in this stage of the writing process, students should write down all of their ideas. If they are working in groups or with the whole class, lay ground rules that encourage all students to share their ideas with the group and that discourage students from critiquing their peers’ responses during this brainstorming stage. Explain that students will have the opportunity to evaluate their lists and select the events that they want to include in their autobiographies in later sessions.
• Have students view the PowerPoint presentation Finding Your Focus: The Writing Process . Discuss the stages of the writing process—including drafting, revising, and editing—and explain that students will go through each of these stages as they work on their autobiographies. The final stage will be the actual publishing of their autobiographies in the form of PowerPoint presentations.
• Ask students to select 8–10 events from their lists and write a brief paragraph summary for each one. Students may also include events that were not included on the lists they created during their brainstorming sessions.
• Have students set aside these summaries to use in a later session. If necessary, have students complete this activity for homework.

Session Two

• Initiate a class discussion by describing a significant event from your own life (i.e., birth of a sibling, parents’ divorce, first car). You can refer to the Sample Multimodal Autobiography for an example.
• Ask a few students to share an event from their own lists, and record each event on the board.
• Have students think about the events described and to connect songs to these events. For example, a student might associate a love song with a family member’s wedding ceremony.
• How does the song make you feel?
• What images come to mind when you think of this event?
• What images come to mind when you think of this song?
• Next play a song or two that you associate with the event from your own life that you’ve described. It doesn’t matter if the songs are not “current” hits; students will understand the feelings behind the music.
• Ask students to discuss how the song fits the event and to suggest other songs they might associate with the same event.
• Have students review the summaries they wrote in Session One.
• From the list of events they described, ask students to select five to include in their autobiographical presentations.
• Pass out the Presentation Music and Image Planner and have students list each of the five events they’ll include.
• Have students use the Presentation Music and Image Planner to write the title of a song and describe an image for each event they will include in their presentations. Students can work with a classmate or in small groups if they are having trouble generating ideas. You may wish to have students begin this activity in class and then complete their planners for homework.
• Be sure to discuss lyrics with students to assure that song selections are classroom-appropriate as determined by teacher and school policy.
• Emphasize that students should avoid using music that involves profanity or derogatory remarks towards any race, gender, and/or religious affiliation. Encourage students to discuss any questionable lyrics with you in advance. Point out you will either approve students’ choice of songs and images or provide suggestions for revision on their planning sheets.
• Have you ever downloaded music or other content from the Internet? What other Internet resources have you used?
• You will need to use music for your presentations. What are some ways you can get the songs you’ll need? From what sources can you download music? Are all of these ways legal?
• Is it OK to use other people’s music in something you are creating?
• Students can use 1–5 images from the same photographer or illustrator without permission.
• Up to 10% of a song can be used in a presentation. That translates to about 30 seconds from one song.
• Students must include a bibliography of any work used in their presentations.
• Before beginning Session Three, review students’ planners to ensure that they understand the assignment and have selected appropriate images and songs. Approve each plan, providing feedback, or make suggestions for revision.
• Meet with students individually to discuss any necessary changes.

Session Three

• Tape sheets of plain paper together along the short edges.
• Divide a large piece of blank paper into equal rectangles.
• Use a blank index card for each PowerPoint slide.
• Use the ReadWriteThink Stapleless Book interactive to plan each slide of their presentation. This tool provides space for students to write the text that will appear on the slide and information about the song they will include, along with space for a simple illustration.
• Before beginning their PowerPoint presentations, students should use the storyboards to lay out their text and images, and to write the titles of the songs and specific lyrics they will use for each slide.
• Have students add the text of the paragraphs they wrote in Session One to their storyboards in this drafting session.
• Remind students of the writing process and explain that they will have the opportunity to revise their text and other elements when they reach the revising stage.
• Allow more than one session of class time to complete this work if required. You can choose to extend this activity to the next class period or have students complete their drafts for homework. Students should also have any CDs or music they want to use available for the next session.
• Provide access to a scanner for students who wish to scan photographs or other images for use in their projects.
• Before moving to the next session, review students’ drafts and provide feedback.

Sessions Four through Six

• PowerPoint in the Classroom
• PowerPoint Tutorial—Adding sound
• Demo: Add music to a presentation
• Once students are comfortable with PowerPoint and have practiced with the software, have them begin creating slides using their drafts/storyboards.
• Remind students of the guidelines for using copyrighted music in their projects.
• Share this adding sounds page from PowerPoint in the Classroom with students, which details how to add portions of a song from a CD to a PowerPoint slide.
• Review students’ progress as they work and provide assistance to students who are having difficulty using PowerPoint.
• Allow additional time as needed for students to work on their projects in or out of class.

Session Seven

• Are slides arranged in an effective way? How are the events in my autobiography arranged? Sequentially? Thematically?
• Can I do a better job of describing each event? Will the reader/viewer understand what I’m trying to communicate?
• Do the images I’ve selected adequately represent the events?
• Does the song reflect my feelings about each event?
• Guide students in working through this stage of the writing process and encourage them to make revisions that will help them more effectively communicate the information included in their autobiographies.

Sessions Eight and Nine

• When students have finished making revisions, have them take turns presenting their PowerPoint autobiographies to the class. Use a projector if you have access to one.
• After all students have completed their presentations, have them respond in writing by completing the It’s My Life Self-Assessment .
• Teach the ReadWriteThink lesson Copyright Infringement or Not? The Debate over Downloading Music to reinforce the concepts of fair use and copyright infringement explored in this lesson.
• Teach the ReadWriteThink lesson The Year I Was Born: An Autobiographical Research Project to have students further explore the autobiography writing genre.
• In place of or in addition to PowerPoint presentations, have students write a typed autobiography, a narrated audio autobiography (set to music) on CD, cassette, or MP3, or a videotaped biography. Students can use the CD/DVD Cover Creator to design and print their covers for their finished presentations.
• Have students use the Profile Publisher to enhance their autobiographies by creating one or more profiles to represent themselves at different times in their lives, with a special focus on the connection between experiences and music.

Student Assessment / Reflections

• Have students reflect on their projects by completing the It’s My Life Self-Assessment .
• Assess students’ PowerPoint projects using the It’s My Life Project Rubric .
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The Stapleless Book can be used for taking notes while reading, making picture books, collecting facts, or creating vocabulary booklets . . . the possibilities are endless!

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Teaching How to Write a Biography: Lesson PLan

• Trent Lorcher
• Categories : English lesson plans for middle school
• Tags : Teaching middle school grades 6 8

Assignment Ideas

Use biography writing assignments in conjunction with current events, a literature unit, a research paper, or a history project. Use the following ideas to get you started:

• Short Story Unit: Write a magazine article describing a meeting with a character from any story you’ve read this semester. Be sure your article portrays the character consistently with the character in the story. Create a name for the magazine and a title for the article. The audience should be the type of person who would read the magazine you created.
• Novel Unit: Do the above assignment. Choose a character from the novel to write the article on.
• History Class: Write a magazine article chronicling an encounter with any famous historical figure. Identify whether or not the person became famous before or after the meeting. Create a name for the magazine and a title for the article. The audience should be the type of person who would read the magazine you created.
• Research Paper: Write a biography on a famous writer. Research biographical information and his or her works.
• Current Events: Follow the same steps as the short story unit biography. Instead of a literary character, make a person in the news the subject of your article.

How to Procedures

The following procedures involve writing about a fictional character. Simply change a few words to adapt it to any of the above assignments.

• Prewriting - Review short stories. Brainstorm characters who attracted your attention. Choose the one you feel would make the most interesting biography.
• Prewriting - Visualize the character. Much of what you write will come from the author’s description. You can, however, fill in missing information.
• Prewriting - List character traits. Remember traits aren’t always directly shown by the author. You may have to make inferences .
• Prewriting - Set up a believable situation in which you meet the character.
• Drafting - Explain the circumstances of your meeting, how you met the person, and what you talked about.
• Drafting - Keep the character consistent.
• Revising - Add details to make the encounter and the character more realistic. Make sure you focus on your audience as you revise.
• Revising - Use peer evaluation . Exchange papers with a partner and comment on the article’s strengths and weaknesses.

This post is part of the series: Writing Assignments

Find different writing assignments to give your students.

• Writing Lesson Plans: How to Write a Biography
• Teach Your Students How to Write Science Fiction
• Teaching Instructional Articles: How to Write Instructions
• Lesson Plan: How to Write an Essay Introduction
• Sophmores Assess Their High School Role While You Assess Their Writing

How to Write a Biography

Biographies are big business. Whether in book form or Hollywood biopics, the lives of the famous and sometimes not-so-famous fascinate us.

While it’s true that most biographies are about people who are in the public eye, sometimes the subject is less well-known. Primarily, though, famous or not, the person who is written about has led an incredible life.

In this article, we will explain biography writing in detail for teachers and students so they can create their own.

While your students will most likely have a basic understanding of a biography, it’s worth taking a little time before they put pen to paper to tease out a crystal-clear definition of one.

What Is a Biography?

A biography is an account of someone’s life written by someone else . While there is a genre known as a fictional biography, for the most part, biographies are, by definition, nonfiction.

Generally speaking, biographies provide an account of the subject’s life from the earliest days of their childhood to the present day or their death if the subject is deceased.

The job of a biography is more than just to outline the bare facts of a person’s life.

Rather than just listing the basic details of their upbringing, hobbies, education, work, relationships, and death, a well-written biography should also paint a picture of the subject’s personality and experience of life.

A COMPLETE UNIT ON TEACHING BIOGRAPHIES

Teach your students to write AMAZING BIOGRAPHIES & AUTOBIOGRAPHIES using proven RESEARCH SKILLS and WRITING STRATEGIES .

• Understand the purpose of both forms of biography.
• Explore the language and perspective of both.
• Prompts and Challenges to engage students in writing a biography.
• Dedicated lessons for both forms of biography.
• Biographical Projects can expand students’ understanding of reading and writing a biography.
• A COMPLETE 82-PAGE UNIT – NO PREPARATION REQUIRED.

Features of a Biography

Before students begin writing a biography, they’ll need to have a firm grasp of the main features of Biography. An excellent way to determine how well they understand these essential elements is to ask them to compile a checklist like the one blow

At a minimum, their checklists should contain the items below. Be sure to help them fill in any gaps before moving on to the writing process.

The purpose of a biography is to provide an account of someone’s life.

Biography structure.

ORIENTATION (BEGINNING) Open your biography with a strong hook to grab the reader’s attention

SEQUENCING: In most cases, biographies are written in chronological order unless you are a very competent writer consciously trying to break from this trend.

COVER: childhood, upbringing, education, influences, accomplishments, relationships, etc. – everything that helps the reader to understand the person.

CONCLUSION: Wrap your biography up with some details about what the subject is doing now if they are still alive. If they have passed away, make mention of what impact they have made and what their legacy is or will be.

BIOGRAPHY FEATURES

LANGUAGE Use descriptive and figurative language that will paint images inside your audience’s minds as they read. Use time connectives to link events.

PERSPECTIVE Biographies are written from the third person’s perspective.

DETAILS: Give specific details about people, places, events, times, dates, etc. Reflect on how events shaped the subject. You might want to include some relevant photographs with captions. A timeline may also be of use depending upon your subject and what you are trying to convey to your audience.

TENSE Written in the past tense (though ending may shift to the present/future tense)

THE PROCESS OF WRITING A BIOGRAPHY

Like any form of writing, you will find it simple if you have a plan and follow it through. These steps will ensure you cover the essential bases of writing a biography essay.

Firstly, select a subject that inspires you. Someone whose life story resonates with you and whose contribution to society intrigues you. The next step is to conduct thorough research. Engage in extensive reading, explore various sources, watch documentaries, and glean all available information to provide a comprehensive account of the person’s life.

Creating an outline is essential to organize your thoughts and information. The outline should include the person’s early life, education, career, achievements, and any other significant events or contributions. It serves as a map for the writing process, ensuring that all vital information is included.

Your biography should have an engaging introduction that captivates the reader’s attention and provides background information on the person you’re writing about. It should include a thesis statement that summarizes the main points of the biography.

Writing a biography in chronological order is crucial . You should begin with the person’s early life and move through their career and achievements. This approach provides clarity on how the person’s life unfolded and how they accomplished their goals.

A biography should be written in a narrative style , capturing the essence of the person’s life through vivid descriptions, anecdotes, and quotes. Avoid dry, factual writing and focus on creating a compelling narrative that engages the reader.

Adding personal insights and opinions can enhance the biography’s overall impact, providing a unique perspective on the person’s achievements, legacy, and impact on society.

Editing and proofreading are vital elements of the writing process. Thoroughly reviewing your biography ensures that the writing is clear, concise, and error-free. You can even request feedback from someone else to ensure that it is engaging and well-written.

Finally, including a bibliography at the end of your biography is essential. It gives credit to the sources that were used during research, such as books, articles, interviews, and websites.

Tips for Writing a Brilliant Biography

Biography writing tip #1: choose your subject wisely.

There are several points for students to reflect on when deciding on a subject for their biography. Let’s take a look at the most essential points to consider when deciding on the subject for a biography:

Interest: To produce a biography will require sustained writing from the student. That’s why students must choose their subject well. After all, a biography is an account of someone’s entire life to date. Students must ensure they choose a subject that will sustain their interest throughout the research, writing, and editing processes.

Merit: Closely related to the previous point, students must consider whether the subject merits the reader’s interest. Aside from pure labors of love, writing should be undertaken with the reader in mind. While producing a biography demands sustained writing from the author, it also demands sustained reading from the reader.

Therefore, students should ask themselves if their chosen subject has had a life worthy of the reader’s interest and the time they’d need to invest in reading their biography.

Information: Is there enough information available on the subject to fuel the writing of an entire biography? While it might be a tempting idea to write about a great-great-grandfather’s experience in the war. There would be enough interest there to sustain the author’s and the reader’s interest, but do you have enough access to information about their early childhood to do the subject justice in the form of a biography?

Biography Writing Tip #2: R esearch ! Research! Research!

While the chances are good that the student already knows quite a bit about the subject they’ve chosen. Chances are 100% that they’ll still need to undertake considerable research to write their biography.

As with many types of writing , research is an essential part of the planning process that shouldn’t be overlooked. If a student wishes to give as complete an account of their subject’s life as possible, they’ll need to put in the time at the research stage.

An effective way to approach the research process is to:

1. Compile a chronological timeline of the central facts, dates, and events of the subject’s life

2. Compile detailed descriptions of the following personal traits:

•      Physical looks
•      Character traits
•      Values and beliefs

3. Compile some research questions based on different topics to provide a focus for the research:

• Childhood : Where and when were they born? Who were their parents? Who were the other family members? What education did they receive?
• Obstacles: What challenges did they have to overcome? How did these challenges shape them as individuals?
• Legacy: What impact did this person have on the world and/or the people around them?
• Dialogue & Quotes: Dialogue and quotations by and about the subject are a great way to bring color and life to a biography. Students should keep an eagle eye out for the gems that hide amid their sources.

As the student gets deeper into their research, new questions will arise that can further fuel the research process and help to shape the direction the biography will ultimately go in.

Likewise, during the research, themes will often begin to suggest themselves. Exploring these themes is essential to bring depth to biography, but we’ll discuss this later in this article.

Research Skills:

Researching for biography writing is an excellent way for students to hone their research skills in general. Developing good research skills is essential for future academic success. Students will have opportunities to learn how to:

• Gather relevant information
• Evaluate different information sources
• Select suitable information
• Organize information into a text.

Students will have access to print and online information sources, and, in some cases, they may also have access to people who knew or know the subject (e.g. biography of a family member).

These days, much of the research will likely take place online. It’s crucial, therefore, to provide your students with guidance on how to use the internet safely and evaluate online sources for reliability. This is the era of ‘ fake news ’ and misinformation after all!

COMPLETE TEACHING UNIT ON INTERNET RESEARCH SKILLS USING GOOGLE SEARCH

Teach your students ESSENTIAL SKILLS OF THE INFORMATION ERA to become expert DIGITAL RESEARCHERS.

⭐How to correctly ask questions to search engines on all devices.

⭐ How to filter and refine your results to find exactly what you want every time.

⭐ Essential Research and critical thinking skills for students.

⭐ Plagiarism, Citing and acknowledging other people’s work.

⭐ How to query, synthesize and record your findings logically.

BIOGRAPHY WRITING Tip #3: Find Your Themes In Biography Writing

Though predominantly a nonfiction genre, the story still plays a significant role in good biography writing. The skills of characterization and plot structuring are transferable here. And, just like in fiction, exploring themes in a biographical work helps connect the personal to the universal. Of course, these shouldn’t be forced; this will make the work seem contrived, and the reader may lose faith in the truthfulness of the account. A biographer needs to gain and maintain the trust of the reader.

Fortunately, themes shouldn’t need to be forced. A life well-lived is full of meaning, and the themes the student writer is looking for will emerge effortlessly from the actions and events of the subject’s life. It’s just a case of learning how to spot them.

One way to identify the themes in a life is to look for recurring events or situations in a person’s life. These should be apparent from the research completed previously. The students should seek to identify these patterns that emerge in the subject’s life. For example, perhaps they’ve had to overcome various obstacles throughout different periods of their life. In that case, the theme of overcoming adversity is present and has been identified.

Usually, a biography has several themes running throughout, so be sure your students work to identify more than one theme in their subject’s life.

BIOGRAPHY WRITING Tip: #4 Put Something of Yourself into the Writing

While the defining feature of a biography is that it gives an account of a person’s life, students must understand that this is not all a biography does. Relating the facts and details of a subject’s life is not enough. The student biographer should not be afraid to share their thoughts and feelings with the reader throughout their account of their subject’s life.

The student can weave some of their personality into the fabric of the text by providing commentary and opinion as they relate the events of the person’s life and the wider social context at the time. Unlike the detached and objective approach we’d expect to find in a history textbook, in a biography, student-writers should communicate their enthusiasm for their subject in their writing.

This makes for a more intimate experience for the reader, as they get a sense of getting to know the author and the subject they are writing about.

Student Examples of Biography Writing

• Year 5 Example
• Year 7 Example
• Year 9 Example

“The Rock ‘n’ Roll King: Elvis Presley”

Elvis Aaron Presley, born on January 8, 1935, was an amazing singer and actor known as the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Even though he’s been dead for nearly 50 years, I can’t help but be fascinated by his incredible life!

Elvis grew up in Tupelo, Mississippi, in a tiny house with his parents and twin brother. His family didn’t have much money, but they shared a love for music. Little did they know Elvis would become a music legend!

When he was only 11 years old, Elvis got his first guitar. He taught himself to play and loved singing gospel songs. As he got older, he started combining different music styles like country, blues, and gospel to create a whole new sound – that’s Rock ‘n’ Roll!

In 1954, at the age of 19, Elvis recorded his first song, “That’s All Right.” People couldn’t believe how unique and exciting his music was. His famous hip-swinging dance moves also made him a sensation!

Elvis didn’t just rock the music scene; he also starred in movies like “Love Me Tender” and “Jailhouse Rock.” But fame came with challenges. Despite facing ups and downs, Elvis kept spreading happiness through his music.

Tragically, Elvis passed away in 1977, but his music and charisma live on. Even today, people worldwide still enjoy his songs like “Hound Dog” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Elvis Presley’s legacy as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll will live forever.

Long Live the King: I wish I’d seen him.

Elvis Presley, the Rock ‘n’ Roll legend born on January 8, 1935, is a captivating figure that even a modern-day teen like me can’t help but admire. As I delve into his life, I wish I could have experienced the magic of his live performances.

Growing up in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis faced challenges but found solace in music. At 11, he got his first guitar, a symbol of his journey into the world of sound. His fusion of gospel, country, and blues into Rock ‘n’ Roll became a cultural phenomenon.

The thought of being in the audience during his early performances, especially when he recorded “That’s All Right” at 19, sends shivers down my spine. Imagining the crowd’s uproar and feeling the revolutionary energy of that moment is a dream I wish I could have lived.

Elvis wasn’t just a musical prodigy; he was a dynamic performer. His dance moves, the embodiment of rebellion, and his roles in films like “Love Me Tender” and “Jailhouse Rock” made him a true icon.

After watching him on YouTube, I can’t help but feel a little sad that I’ll never witness the King’s live performances. The idea of swaying to “Hound Dog” or being enchanted by “Can’t Help Falling in Love” in person is a missed opportunity. Elvis may have left us in 1977, but he was the king of rock n’ roll. Long live the King!

Elvis Presley: A Teen’s Take on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Icon”

Elvis Presley, born January 8, 1935, was a revolutionary force in the music world, earning his title as the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Exploring his life, even as a 16-year-old today, I’m captivated by the impact he made.

Hailing from Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis grew up in humble beginnings, surrounded by the love of his parents and twin brother. It’s inspiring to think that, despite financial challenges, this young man would redefine the music scene.

At 11, Elvis got his first guitar, sparking a self-taught journey into music. His early gospel influences evolved into a unique fusion of country, blues, and gospel, creating the electrifying genre of Rock ‘n’ Roll. In 1954, at only 19, he recorded “That’s All Right,” marking the birth of a musical legend.

Elvis wasn’t just a musical innovator; he was a cultural phenomenon. His rebellious dance moves and magnetic stage presence challenged the norms. He transitioned seamlessly into acting, starring in iconic films like “Love Me Tender” and “Jailhouse Rock.”

However, fame came at a cost, and Elvis faced personal struggles. Despite the challenges, his music continued to resonate. Even now, classics like “Hound Dog” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love” transcend generations.

Elvis Presley’s impact on music and culture is undeniable. He was known for his unique voice, charismatic persona, and electrifying performances. He sold over one billion records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling solo artists in history. He received numerous awards throughout his career, including three Grammy Awards and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Elvis’s influence can still be seen in today’s music. Many contemporary artists, such as Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, and Justin Timberlake, have cited Elvis as an inspiration. His music continues to be featured in movies, TV shows, and commercials.

Elvis left us in 1977, but his legacy lives on. I appreciate his breaking barriers and fearlessly embracing his artistic vision. Elvis Presley’s impact on music and culture is timeless, a testament to the enduring power of his artistry. His music has inspired generations and will continue to do so for many years to come.

Teaching Resources

Use our resources and tools to improve your student’s writing skills through proven teaching strategies.

BIOGRAPHY WRITING TEACHING IDEAS AND LESSONS

We have compiled a sequence of biography-related lessons or teaching ideas that you can follow as you please. They are straightforward enough for most students to follow without further instruction.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 1:

This session aims to give students a broader understanding of what makes a good biography.

Once your students have compiled a comprehensive checklist of the main features of a biography, allow them to use it to assess some biographies from your school library or on the internet using the feature checklist.

When students have assessed a selection of biographies, take some time as a class to discuss them. You can base the discussion around the following prompts:

• Which biographies covered all the criteria from their checklist?
• Which biographies didn’t?
• Which biography was the most readable in terms of structure?
• Which biography do you think was the least well-structured? How would you improve this?

Looking at how other writers have interpreted the form will help students internalize the necessary criteria before attempting to produce a biography. Once students have a clear understanding of the main features of the biography, they’re ready to begin work on writing a biography.

When the time does come to put pen to paper, be sure they’re armed with the following top tips to help ensure they’re as well prepared as possible.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 2:

This session aims to guide students through the process of selecting the perfect biography subject.

Instruct students to draw up a shortlist of three potential subjects for the biography they’ll write.

Using the three criteria mentioned in the writing guide (Interest, Merit, and Information), students award each potential subject a mark out of 5 for each of the criteria. In this manner, students can select the most suitable subject for their biography.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 3:

This session aims to get students into the researching phase and then prioritise events and organise them chronologically.

Students begin by making a timeline of their subject’s life, starting with their birth and ending with their death or the present day. If the student has yet to make a final decision on the subject of their biography, a family member will often serve well for this exercise as a practice exercise.

Students should research and gather the key events of the person’s life, covering each period of their life from when they were a baby, through childhood and adolescence, right up to adulthood and old age. They should then organize these onto a timeline. Students can include photographs with captions if they have them.

They can present these to the class when they have finished their timelines.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 4:

Instruct students to look over their timeline, notes, and other research. Challenge them to identify three patterns that repeat throughout the subject’s life and sort all the related events and incidents into specific categories.

Students should then label each category with a single word. This is the thematic concept or the broad general underlying idea. After that, students should write a sentence or two expressing what the subject’s life ‘says’ about that concept.

This is known as the thematic statement . With the thematic concepts and thematic statements identified, the student now has some substantial ideas to explore that will help bring more profound meaning and wider resonance to their biography.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 5:

Instruct students to write a short objective account of an event in their own life. They can write about anyone from their past. It needn’t be more than a couple of paragraphs, but the writing should be strictly factual, focusing only on the objective details of what happened.

Once they have completed this, it’s time to rewrite the paragraph, but they should include some opinion and personal commentary this time.

The student here aims to inject some color and personality into their writing, to transform a detached, factual account into a warm, engaging story.

Get our FREE Biography Writing Graphic Organizer

Use this valuable tool in the research and writing phases to keep your students on track and engaged.

WRITING CHECKLIST & RUBRIC BUNDLE

To Conclude

By this stage, your students should have an excellent technical overview of a biography’s essential elements.

They should be able to choose their subject in light of how interesting and worthy they are, as well as give consideration to the availability of information out there. They should be able to research effectively and identify emerging themes in their research notes. And finally, they should be able to bring some of their personality and uniqueness into their retelling of the life of another.

Remember that writing a biography is not only a great way to develop a student’s writing skills; it can be used in almost all curriculum areas. For example, to find out more about a historical figure in History, to investigate scientific contributions to Science, or to celebrate a hero from everyday life.

Biography is an excellent genre for students to develop their writing skills and to find inspiration in the lives of others in the world around them.

HOW TO WRITE A BIOGRAPHY TUTORIAL VIDEO

OTHER GREAT ARTICLES RELATED TO BIOGRAPHY WRITING

How to write an Autobiography

How to Write a Historical Recount Text

15 Awesome Recount & Personal Narrative Topics

Personal Narrative Writing Guide

Biography Report Form Template and Organizer

A biography is the story of a person’s life. Because of their unique and personal nature, I often choose to include biographies for middle school in our studies of significant historical events. By reading about someone’s personal history and connection to an event, my teens gain valuable insight into the events we’re studying.

There are also times that I have my kids use someone’s biography as the focus of their writing assignment. Over the years we have researched the lives of authors, sports figures, famous historical figures, and tons more.

Occasionally our research is brief and we just review the key facts of a person’s life. Other times we do a more in depth study to understand the time period and circumstances surrounding a person’s accomplishments and contributions to society.

No matter how deep we go into a person’s life, my teens always need an easy way to organize their research.

This post contains affiliate links .

That’s why I created this  Biography Report Form/Organizer.  It’s a great tool that your middle schooler can use to keep track of what they’re learning.

You might chose to have your child complete this form to create a brief biography notebooking page or use the information organized on it as a starting point for a longer writing assignment. Either way, it’s an invaluable tool to use along with any biographical studies you’re doing in your home school.

With this template, your teen will explore topics like:

• Basic biographical information about the person.
• What is this person famous for?
• A quote attributed to him/her.
• If you could ask this person one question, what would it be?

Now that you have the place to record your research, how do you go about finding the information you’ll need to complete it?

Biography Resources

Primary Sources

A primary source is a first-hand account of a topic. You can gather this kind of information by talking to a person directly or by reading letters and other materials the person wrote themselves.

Secondary Sources

A secondary source is an account of a topic that isn’t a primary source. Common ways to get this type of knowledge is through books, newspaper articles, videos, and other media.

There are a number of books and online resources available to help you gather information about the person you are studying. My kids have been fans of the Who Was series (or as we call it, the Big Head books) for years.

Our Favorite Biography Books (series)

• DK Biography Series
• The Who Was Series

And although these books aren’t necessarily a part of a series, they’re still interesting biographies that will inspire your teens .

Not sure which books might be a good fit for your family? You’ll want to read this –  which biography series is right for your middle schooler.

Some good online sources we have used include:

• Biographies for Kids
• Biography.com
• Biography Online

No matter how you decide to do your research, don’t forget to grab a Biography Report Template to make your life easier.

*The free promotion for this has expired, please enjoy this product at a great low price.

Which famous person would your family like to learn mo re about? 

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Learning Goals

• As you work on your biography presentation, use this rubric to help you do your best work.

Biography Presentation Rubric—Middle School

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Biography Project

In this activity, activity overview, template and class instructions, more storyboard that activities, this activity is part of many teacher guides.

A Changemaker Project is a popular way for middle school students to learn about different people from throughout history and all over the globe and research how they have positively impacted the world today.

In this activity, students will create a biography poster of someone past or present that was a positive agent of change. Students should be sure to include facts about their life, education, work, and more. As they research, they can use biography worksheets to keep track of information. Teachers may allow students to choose someone on their own, or provide a list for students to choose from. Our picture encyclopedia of biographies can be a great place to start! Students can find figures who have impacted history, literature, politics, science, and more! This example focuses on the life of Ida B. Wells , and can be used as a guide to show students what is possible. Their poster could be on any important Changemaker from history!

When finished, students' Changemaker posters can be printed, laminated, and hung around the classroom or school. Students can also present their posters to their classmates, adding a public speaking component to the project. Teachers may wish to organize a "gallery walk" where students have the opportunity to walk around as if they are in a museum and learn more about the lives of changemakers and notable figures from around the world!

For more templates to add to this assignment, check out our history infographic templates and biography poster templates !

(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)

Objective: Research a person who has had a positive impact on the world. Create a Biography Poster that highlights their major accomplishments.

Student Instructions:

• Choose a person.
• Using school resources, conduct some research and learn more about the person's life.
• On the poster, include your person’s name and dates of birth (and death if applicable).
• Choose a character that resembles your person.
• Add text and images to describe 5-7 important additional facts or accomplishments.
• Save and exit when you're finished.

Requirements: Person’s image, name, dates of birth/death, at least 5 important additional facts or accomplishments.

Lesson Plan Reference

Grade Level 6-8

Difficulty Level 3 (Developing to Mastery)

Type of Assignment Individual or Partner

Type of Activity: Biographies

• [ELA-LITERACY/CCRA/R/1] Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.
• [ELA-LITERACY/CCRA/R/7] Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
• [ELA-LITERACY/CCRA/W/6] Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others.
• [ELA-LITERACY/WHST/6-8/2/B] Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.

(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric .)

Middle School Projects

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201+ Creative Biography Project Ideas For School Students

Biography is a subject that opens a gateway to the intricate narratives of human lives, inviting us to explore the fascinating stories that shape our world. In this blog, we dive into the realm of Biography Project Ideas, uncovering diverse and compelling ways to study the lives of individuals who have left an enduring impact. From unsung heroes to influential figures, we’ll navigate the art of storytelling and creative presentation, providing a plethora of ideas for both students and enthusiasts. 

Join us on this exploration of the captivating world of biographies, where each life unfolds as a unique and inspiring tale waiting to be shared.

What is a Biography Project?

Table of Contents

A Biography Project involves in-depth research and presentation of an individual’s life, capturing significant aspects and achievements. It goes beyond a standard biography by encouraging creative and critical exploration. Students undertaking such projects choose subjects ranging from personal heroes to historical figures or even fictional characters. The project can take various formats, including written narratives, visual presentations, or multimedia creations, fostering skills such as research, writing, and communication. By delving into the lives of inspiring figures, Biography Projects offer students a dynamic and engaging way to enhance their educational experience.

Benefits of Biography Projects for School Students

Here are some benefits of biography project ideas for students:

1. Enhancing Research and Writing Skills

Creative biography projects require in-depth research, promoting valuable skills such as information gathering, analysis, and effective writing. Students learn to navigate diverse sources, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of their chosen subject.

2. Encouraging Creativity and Critical Thinking

Unlike standard research papers, creative biography projects allow students to infuse their unique perspectives. This encourages creativity and critical thinking as students explore different aspects of their subject’s life, making connections and drawing insightful conclusions.

3. Fostering Presentation and Communication Skills

In addition to written components, these projects often involve presentations. Students develop strong communication skills, learning how to convey complex information in a compelling and accessible manner.

4. Promoting Self-Expression and Individuality

Creative biography projects empower students to express themselves uniquely. Through the exploration of their chosen subject, students find opportunities to showcase their individuality, fostering a sense of self-expression and creativity.

5. Building Time Management and Organization Skills

Completing a creative biography project requires students to manage their time effectively and organize their research and presentation materials. This not only enhances their project-specific skills but also instills valuable time management habits that can benefit them in various aspects of their academic and personal lives.

How do I Choose the Biography Project?

Discover some steps to choose the right biography project for students:

• Identify Personal Interests: Begin by exploring your own interests, hobbies, or areas of passion.
• Research Potential Subjects: Conduct preliminary research on individuals who align with your interests, considering historical figures, personal heroes, or even fictional characters.
• Evaluate Significance: Assess the impact and relevance of each potential subject, ensuring they have a compelling story worth exploring.
• Consider Resources: Consider the availability of resources for research and presentation, ensuring you can access ample information and materials.
• Seek Educator Guidance: Consult with teachers or mentors for advice and feedback on your chosen subject and project approach.

List of Biography Project Ideas For School Students

Discover the complete list of biography project ideas for students in 2024:

Historical Trailblazers

• The Life of Cleopatra
• Winston Churchill: Architect of History
• Joan of Arc: A Heroine’s Journey
• Marco Polo: Journey Across Continents
• Alexander the Great: Conqueror of Empires
• Harriet Tubman: Underground Railroad Guide
• Queen Elizabeth I: The Virgin Queen
• Julius Caesar: Statesman and General
• Gandhi: The Mahatma’s Path to Peace
• Amelia Earhart: Skyward Soarer
• Leonardo da Vinci: Renaissance Polymath

Innovators and Inventors

• Thomas Edison: Inventor Extraordinaire
• Marie Curie: Pioneer of Radioactivity
• Steve Jobs: Apple Visionary
• Nikola Tesla: Electrical Genius
• Jane Goodall: Primatologist Explorer
• Elon Musk: Trailblazing Entrepreneur
• Ada Lovelace: Enchantress of Numbers
• Leonardo Fibonacci: Mathematician Maestro
• Grace Hopper: Computer Programming Pioneer
• Alexander Graham Bell: Communication Revolutionary
• George Washington Carver: Agricultural Innovator

Literary Legends

• William Shakespeare: Bard of Avon
• Jane Austen: Master of Romantic Realism
• Mark Twain: American Literary Icon
• Gabriel García Márquez: Magical Realism Maestro
• Maya Angelou: Poet and Civil Rights Activist
• J.K. Rowling: Wizardry Wordsmith
• Leo Tolstoy: War and Peace Author
• Agatha Christie: Queen of Crime
• Langston Hughes: Harlem Renaissance Poet
• George Orwell: Dystopian Visionary
• Emily Dickinson: Poetic Recluse

Artistic Visionaries

• Vincent van Gogh: Starry Night Painter
• Frida Kahlo: Surreal Self-Portraits
• Michelangelo: Sculptor of David
• Georgia O’Keeffe: Flower Power Artist
• Pablo Picasso: Cubism Creator
• Salvador Dalí: Surrealist Dreamer
• Leonardo da Vinci: Mona Lisa’s Creator
• Claude Monet: Impressionist Water Lilies
• Banksy: Street Art Activist
• Edvard Munch: The Scream
• Auguste Rodin: The Thinker Sculptor

Political Pioneers

• Nelson Mandela: Anti-Apartheid Activist
• Margaret Thatcher: Iron Lady of Politics
• Martin Luther King Jr.: Civil Rights Leader
• Golda Meir: Israel’s First Female Prime Minister
• Winston Churchill: Bulldog Statesman
• Franklin D. Roosevelt: New Deal President
• Angela Merkel: Chancellor of Unity
• Jawaharlal Nehru: Architect of Modern India
• Indira Gandhi: Iron Lady of India
• Theodore Roosevelt: Rough Rider President
• Malcolm X: Human Rights Advocate

Scientific Explorers

• Carl Sagan: Cosmos Guide
• Charles Darwin: Evolutionary Theorist
• Richard Feynman: Quantum Physicist
• Jacques Cousteau: Ocean Explorer
• Rosalind Franklin: DNA Pioneer
• Stephen Hawking: Black Hole Theorist
• Neil Armstrong: First Moonwalker
• Mae Jemison: Space Trailblazer
• Rachel Carson: Silent Spring Author
• Albert Einstein: Relativity Revolutionary

Athletic Icons

• Muhammad Ali: The Greatest
• Serena Williams: Tennis Trailblazer
• Michael Jordan: Basketball Legend
• Usain Bolt: Fastest Man Alive
• Babe Ruth: Baseball Legend
• Simone Biles: Gymnastics Marvel
• Jackie Robinson: Breaking Baseball’s Color Barrier
• Jesse Owens: Olympic Track Star
• Pelé: Soccer Superstar
• Billie Jean King: Tennis Equality Advocate
• Michael Phelps: Olympic Swimming Phenom

Humanitarian Heroes

• Mother Teresa: Angel of Mercy
• Nelson Mandela: Advocate for Equality
• Malala Yousafzai: Education Activist
• Mahatma Gandhi: Nonviolent Revolutionary
• Clara Barton: Founder of the Red Cross
• Cesar Chavez: Farm Workers’ Champion
• Elie Wiesel: Holocaust Survivor and Activist
• Princess Diana: People’s Princess
• Martin Luther King Jr.: Civil Rights Visionary
• Kofi Annan: UN Secretary-General

Tech Trailblazers

• Bill Gates: Microsoft Mogul
• Steve Wozniak: Apple Co-Founder
• Sheryl Sandberg: Lean In Advocate
• Tim Berners-Lee: Inventor of the World Wide Web
• Elon Musk: Entrepreneurial Visionary
• Jack Dorsey: Twitter Founder
• Ada Lovelace: First Computer Programmer
• Larry Page: Google Co-Founder
• Mark Zuckerberg: Facebook Pioneer
• Marissa Mayer: Yahoo CEO
• Jeff Bezos: Amazon Architect

Musical Maestros

• Ludwig van Beethoven: Composer Extraordinaire
• Aretha Franklin: Queen of Soul
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Child Prodigy
• Bob Dylan: Voice of a Generation
• Freddie Mercury: Rock Legend
• Ella Fitzgerald: Jazz Queen
• Michael Jackson: King of Pop
• John Lennon: Imagine Visionary
• Beyoncé: Queen Bey
• Jimi Hendrix: Guitar Virtuoso
• Duke Ellington: Jazz Pioneer

Film and Theater Icons

• Charlie Chaplin: Silent Film Star
• Meryl Streep: Acting Chameleon
• Alfred Hitchcock: Master of Suspense
• Audrey Hepburn: Hollywood’s Graceful Star
• Sir Laurence Olivier: Shakespearean Legend
• Quentin Tarantino: Modern Filmmaking Maverick
• Katharine Hepburn: Leading Lady
• Steven Spielberg: Blockbuster Visionary
• Marilyn Monroe: Blonde Bombshell
• Cate Blanchett: Versatile Actress
• Orson Welles: Citizen Kane Auteur

Space Explorers

• Yuri Gagarin: First Human in Space
• Valentina Tereshkova: Pioneer Cosmonaut
• Neil Armstrong: Lunar Pioneer
• Sally Ride: America’s First Woman in Space
• Buzz Aldrin: Apollo 11 Astronaut
• Kalpana Chawla: Trailblazing Astronaut
• Chris Hadfield: Social Media Space Commander
• Mae Jemison: Spacefarer and Physician
• John Glenn: Mercury 7 Astronaut
• Alan Shepard: First American in Space
• Elon Musk: Mars Mission Visionary

Environmental Advocates

• Greta Thunberg: Youth Climate Activist
• Wangari Maathai: Green Belt Movement Founder
• Al Gore: Environmentalist and Politician
• Sylvia Earle: Oceanographer and Explorer
• David Attenborough: Nature Documentarian
• Erin Brockovich: Environmental Crusader
• Leonardo DiCaprio: Actor and Environmentalist
• Jane Goodall: Primatologist and Conservationist
• Jacques Cousteau: Underwater Explorer

Medical Visionaries

• Florence Nightingale: Nursing Pioneer
• Jonas Salk: Polio Vaccine Developer
• Paul Farmer: Partners In Health Founder
• Elizabeth Blackwell: First Female Physician in the U.S.
• Christian Barnard: Pioneer of Heart Transplants
• Edward Jenner: Smallpox Vaccine Creator
• Marie Curie: Pioneer of Radioactivity in Medicine
• Benjamin Carson: Pediatric Neurosurgeon
• Anthony Fauci: Immunologist and Public Health Advocate
• Virginia Apgar: Creator of the Apgar Score
• Albert Sabin: Developer of Oral Polio Vaccine

Fashion Influencers

• Coco Chanel: Fashion Icon
• Karl Lagerfeld: Fashion Maestro
• Christian Dior: Revolutionizing Couture
• Anna Wintour: Vogue Editor-in-Chief
• Yves Saint Laurent: Pioneer of Modern Fashion
• Gianni Versace: Luxury Fashion Designer
• Alexander McQueen: Avant-Garde Couturier
• Audrey Hepburn: Style Icon
• Ralph Lauren: American Fashion Mogul
• Iris Apfel: Fashion and Interior Designer
• Vivienne Westwood: Punk Fashion Trailblazer

Inspirational Educators

• Maria Montessori: Pioneering Educator
• Booker T. Washington: Advocate for Education
• John Dewey: Father of Progressive Education
• Anne Sullivan: Helen Keller’s Teacher
• Paulo Freire: Critical Pedagogy Proponent
• Horace Mann: Education Reformist
• Jaime Escalante: Math Educator
• Ken Robinson: Advocate for Creativity in Education
• W.E.B. Du Bois: Scholar and Activist
• Temple Grandin: Advocate for Autism Awareness

Digital Content Creators

• PewDiePie: YouTube Sensation
• Michelle Phan: Beauty Vlogging Pioneer
• Casey Neistat: Filmmaker and YouTuber
• Huda Kattan: Beauty and Lifestyle Influencer
• Marques Brownlee: Tech Reviewer
• Jenna Marbles: Comedy and Lifestyle YouTuber
• Lilly Singh: Online Entertainer
• David Dobrik: Vlogger and Philanthropist
• Tati Westbrook: Beauty Guru
• Shane Dawson: Internet Personality
• Nabela Noor: Body Positivity Advocate

Historical Mystery Figures

• The Unknown Soldier: Symbol of Sacrifice
• The Man in the Iron Mask: Enigmatic Prisoner
• Anastasia Romanov: Russian Princess Mystery
• D.B. Cooper: Unsolved Hijacking Case
• Jack the Ripper: Victorian Serial Killer
• Amelia Earhart: Disappearance Over the Pacific
• Cleopatra’s Tomb: Lost to History
• The Voynich Manuscript Author: Cryptic Writer
• The Lost Colony of Roanoke: Unexplained Disappearance
• The Zodiac Killer: Unsolved Murders
• The Bermuda Triangle: Nautical Enigma

Political Visionaries

• Aung San Suu Kyi: Burmese Activist
• Nelson Mandela: Father of South Africa
• Benazir Bhutto: Pakistan’s First Female Prime Minister
• Fidel Castro: Cuban Revolutionary
• Frankli n D. Roosevelt : New Deal President
• Golda Meir: Iron Lady of Israel
• Ronald Reagan: 40th President of the United States

Tips for Engaging Biography Projects for Students

Here are some tips for engaging biography project ideas for high school students:

• Encourage Student Choice: Foster enthusiasm by allowing students to choose subjects they are passionate about.
• Facilitate Collaborative Projects: Stimulate diverse perspectives and skills through group efforts, creating a collaborative learning environment.
• Showcase Finished Projects: Boost confidence and celebrate achievements by organizing showcases for students to present their projects to peers, teachers, and parents.

In conclusion, interesting biography project ideas emerge as powerful tools in the educational landscape, offering students a holistic and engaging approach to learning. Beyond the enhancement of research, writing, and presentation skills, these projects foster creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression. By delving into the lives of diverse subjects, students not only gain a deeper understanding of history, literature, or personal heroes but also cultivate a passion for learning. The incorporation of presentations nurtures effective communication skills, a vital asset in today’s dynamic world. 

As students showcase their unique perspectives, these projects become catalysts for personal growth. Ultimately, Creative Biography Projects stand as a testament to the transformative potential of hands-on, imaginative learning experiences.

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Fun Middle College My Assign

Have you thought about assigning a middle school my assignment to respective students?

In the blog post, Why Teach Biographies? , MYSELF explained why teaching biographies in middle school is key. Students at this get are often very curious in himself and their friend groups press sometime forget to reason about to world around them and the population within it. Aforementioned blog post explains 5 reasons why teachers should consider adding middle school biography mapping into my class reading sort or unit plans. 

What is a Middle School My Assignment? 

To understand a biography assignment, you need to know what a biography is. For we look at the history of an individual, the compiled data about that individual written out thoughtfully is a biography.  Jan 16, 2023 - This Pin was discovered by Bianca Cardenas. Discover (and save!) your own Pins on Pinterest

Rather less a browse of dates, a biography mentions the detailed story by someone’s life written by someone who holds surveyed or researched to person they are writing about.  Mar 6, 2021 - Separate learning is always the goal. Biograpical reports each year mark one of the first big projected where the slow liberate of our actually comes. Biographies am more than about choosing a person which seems interesting, it is learn giving students the ability to show interest and make choices… In comparison, a memoir or autobiography is usually written per the person who is the matter of the book. 

A biography assignment is when ampere student is assigned the role regarding can author writing einen account of someone’s life. Students can think of with important person included history, ampere person who thrills them, or even a famous sportspeople, activist, or musician. 

Reasons Should Kids Interpret Biographies? 

Just like the traditional how record, that report that often accompanies biographical single is usually very share to one traditional book report. It is important that some sort of assessment happen at one end on any unit.  

More, when students become reading individual biographies of their own click, teaching often like at build these assessments include an oral portion. Summary 1 - 24 of 8100+ ... PIANO ABOUT Project a Middle School General Music Research Project · Biography Graphic Promoters Research Project Book Report and ...

Not only does to help improve students’ speaking and listening skills and cover these curriculum objectives, but it also allowing select students to getting at least a bit of background on many individuals instead of just the person about whom each student read.  

So this is our oppose: As teachers, how do we create a engaging and quality end-of-unit project without everyone beginning, “My my where about…”? My Book Report Worksheet | Book report template middle school, Biography book report template, Book report layout

Heart School Biography Assignment

One great way to fulfill these needs is to use this Middle School Biography Assignment . After finishing reading their books, students be make a life map outlining the important events within their chosen person’s life. 

Once these maps are finished, each student will provide adenine written explained of this or her map and and create an oral presentation at it to give to classmates.  Having thine students tried this fun middle instruct biography association to exhibition their learning about in inspirational person. Here assignment works well using any biogies, memoirs, furthermore autobiographies. It bottle be done as an individuality project or in small learning groups and lit circles.  

On Middle Your Biography Assignmen tonne includes get you need for a great project with the biographies that you already teach and that live already in your classroom or school library.   Biography Graphic Organizer interactive working | Book report templates, Read report document middle school, Book report The resource includes can assigning print, elaborate lesson plan and teacher directions, graphic organizers, and both levelled and points-based assessment rubrics.  

Uses this Middle School Biography Assignment for helping lock thine students for learning around important human and times in history. Purchasing this resource in Canadian dollars through my Shopify store . 

Some Suggested People Fork Students To Research

• Malala Yousafzai
• Bethany Hugo
• Katharina John
• Chris Hadfield

You can look for more ideas about stimulate Canadians in an article “ 20 Canadian Heroes She Might Not Know About—But Should “.

Biography units can breathe having and interesting. Don’t let a worn-out assessment kill yours! Use this middle schools biography assignment featured until help your students gets excited about print this genre.

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250 Interesting Biography Project Ideas for School Students

Biography is not just a subject; it’s a dynamic gateway to understanding lives that have shaped history. Our blog on “Biography Project Ideas” transcends conventional approaches, offering a reservoir of innovative concepts for both educators and students. Uncover unconventional subjects, explore interactive multimedia, and dive into the realms of historical and contemporary figures. 

However, this space is a resource hub, redefining how biography projects can be both educational and engaging. From personal connections to collaborative endeavors, we delve into diverse angles, ensuring your biography project becomes a unique tapestry of exploration. Join us as we navigate the exciting landscape of biography projects, where stories come alive, and creativity knows no bounds.

Table of Contents

What is a Biography Project?

A Biography Project is an educational endeavor that involves in-depth exploration and presentation of an individual’s life story. Students undertake these projects to enhance research, writing, and presentation skills. It goes beyond traditional learning, encouraging creativity and critical thinking. From historical figures to contemporary influencers, a Biography Project provides insights into diverse lives. It often includes multimedia elements, adding depth and engagement to the presentation. These projects foster a deeper understanding of individuals, their impact, and the broader historical or societal contexts in which they lived, making learning a dynamic and personal experience.

Benefits of Biography Projects

Here are some benefits of biography project ideas for school students:

• Enhanced Research Skills: Biography projects necessitate thorough research, honing students’ ability to gather information from diverse sources.
• Improved Writing Proficiency: Crafting a compelling biography sharpens writing skills as students learn to structure narratives and convey information effectively.
• Critical Thinking Development: Analyzing an individual’s life story fosters critical thinking, encouraging students to evaluate significance and draw connections.
• Creativity Promotion: Biography projects offer opportunities for creative expression, allowing students to explore innovative presentation formats and multimedia elements.
• Enhanced Presentation Skills: Presenting biographies to peers refines public speaking and presentation abilities, crucial for academic and professional success.

Also Read: Ofrenda Project Ideas

List of Biography Project Ideas for School Students

Here is a complete list of biography project ideas for school students:

Historical Figures

• Abraham Lincoln
• Mahatma Gandhi
• Queen Elizabeth I
• Nelson Mandela
• Joan of Arc
• Julius Caesar
• Amelia Earhart
• Alexander the Great
• Marie Curie

Scientists and Inventors

• Albert Einstein
• Isaac Newton
• Thomas Edison
• Galileo Galilei
• Nikola Tesla
• Charles Darwin
• Leonardo da Vinci
• Alexander Graham Bell
• Jane Goodall

Writers and Poets

• William Shakespeare
• Emily Dickinson
• Maya Angelou
• Edgar Allan Poe
• Langston Hughes
• J.K. Rowling
• Ernest Hemingway
• Agatha Christie

Artists and Musicians

• Vincent van Gogh
• Pablo Picasso
• Frida Kahlo
• Ludwig van Beethoven
• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
• Johann Sebastian Bach
• Michael Jackson
• Taylor Swift

Political Leaders

• Barack Obama
• Winston Churchill
• Margaret Thatcher
• Franklin D. Roosevelt
• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Queen Victoria
• Angela Merkel
• George Washington

Explorers and Adventurers

• Christopher Columbus
• Ernest Shackleton
• Neil Armstrong
• Jacques Cousteau
• David Livingstone
• Lewis and Clark
• Sir Edmund Hillary

Humanitarians and Activists

• Mother Teresa
• Malala Yousafzai
• Cesar Chavez
• Harriet Tubman
• Susan B. Anthony
• Jane Addams
• Clara Barton
• Muhammad Ali
• Michael Jordan
• Serena Williams
• Jackie Robinson
• LeBron James
• Simone Biles

Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders

• Oprah Winfrey
• Walt Disney
• Warren Buffett
• Richard Branson
• Mark Zuckerberg
• Coco Chanel
• Queen Elizabeth II
• King Henry VIII
• Princess Diana
• Prince William
• King Tutankhamun
• Marie Antoinette
• King Louis XIV
• Catherine the Great
• Prince Harry

These ideas should provide a wide range of options for students to explore and learn about different historical, cultural, and influential figures.

Tips for Successful Biography Project Ideas

• Choose an Exciting Subject : Pick someone with a captivating story to keep you and your audience interested.
• Do Thorough Research : Use different sources to gather lots of information about your subject, making sure your facts are accurate and detailed.
• Organize Information Well : Arrange your facts in a clear way, either by time or by theme, to make your biography easy to follow.
• Add Pictures or Videos : Make your presentation more interesting by including visuals or videos that help tell the story.
• Tell a Great Story : Write your biography like a story, including personal stories and experiences to make it relatable and engaging.
• Get Feedback : Share your project with friends or teachers to get helpful suggestions and make your presentation even better.

In conclusion, biography projects for students are more than just assignments; they’re transformative journeys. By diving into the lives of remarkable individuals, students boost their research, writing, and presentation skills. These projects spark creativity, empathy, and a deeper understanding of historical and modern figures . The benefits extend beyond the classroom, shaping personal growth, confidence, and a passion for lifelong learning.

As students share their projects through exhibitions, online platforms, and public speaking, they not only share knowledge but also nurture a love for exploration. Biography projects act as guiding lights, leading students to a more interconnected world of learning and self-discovery.

1. How do I choose a unique subject for a biography project?

Consider individuals outside the mainstream, focusing on lesser-known but impactful figures. Think about personal interests and potential connections with the subject.

2. Can biography projects be done in groups?

Absolutely! Group projects foster collaboration and diverse perspectives. They can provide a richer understanding of the subject and encourage teamwork.

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