Brianna Graham

Writing Biographies Lesson

Grade Level Range: 4-6

Objective:

4.2.1 (State Standard) Students will apply the writing process to plan, revise, edit, and publish writing using correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, and other standard conventions appropriate for grade level

4.2.2 (State Standard) Students will write for a variety of purposes and audiences in multiple genres

Lesson Procedure:

1. Have a discussion with the class on what they think the term biography means, (brainstorm on the board)

2. Talk about the definition (a written account of another person’s life according to dictionary.com)3. Talk about what the definition of an autobiography is ( a history of a person’s life written or told

by that person according to dictionary.com)4. I will then read the book Partner in Revolution: Abigail Adams and we will take time as a class

and discuss what makes up a biography5. I will share an example of a biography that I wrote and I will model what a biography needs in it

(see attached handout).6. The students will then write their own biography either on someone that they know or they will

conduct research on someone that they choose from an appropriate source. They also can choose to write an autobiography.

7. I will then have the students volunteer to share their work that they wrote

Assessment:

See attached rubric

BiographiesBailey, H. M. (1964). 40 American Biographies. Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc.

Evento, S. (2004). Sitting Bull. Scholastic.

Keenan, S. (2003). Scholastic Book of Outstanding Americans. New York: Scholastic Reference.

Meeker, C. H. (1998). Partner in Revolution: Abigail Adams. New York: Benchmark Books.

Pinkney, A. D. (2009). Sojourner Truth's Step-Stomp Stride. New York: Disney-Jump.

Name:______________________

Yes/No Checklist AND Rubric Criteria based for Biographies

Yes/No Checklist Based on Directions

1) The proper heading is on my paper2) I have the person I am writing the paper over as a title3) I have the form filled out for my biography

On Your Way On Target Evidence for being on target

On Ahead

Knowledge Understands what a biography is and what it includes

Skills Student is able to properly write a biography or autobiography with proper facts.

Dispositions Student gives the impression that they understand how to write a biography or autobiography. Student also feels comfortable sharing information that they have found with peers

Worksheet for how to write a biography:

Full name:

Date of birth:

Place of birth:

Where they grew up:

Any siblings? If so list them:

Accomplishments:

Why are they important?:

Are they still alive? If not when was date of death?:

Anything else that you might have found to be interesting: