biography project

Biography report directions are below.  

Biography Report—Due __February  25, 26, 27________________ 

You will report on a famous person from American history.  You will read a biography (a book about his/her life) and make a presentation about this famous American.  As you read, you will need to take notes about the person.  You may also want to use the internet to help you find out more information, but most of your information will come from the book.  This will be a Social Studies and Language grade.

You need to have chosen your person by_____Tuesday, February 5^th ____.  You may choose a book from my collection or get one from the library or bookstore. 

PRESENTATION:  Your presentation will have two parts: a speech and a poem.

Part One—Your Speech

        You will become your famous person!  You will pretend that you are that person and give a 3-5 minute speech about yourself to the class.  You will need to rehearse your speech at home.  You may have index cards with important notes to help you remember your important ideals for your speech.  (Do not read your entire speech, just write down important notes.  I will demonstrate this in class.) You may also memorize your speech. 

Include the following in your speech:

·        Where was this person born?  When?

·        Where did this person grow up?

·        What did this person do for a living?  What were this person’s jobs?

·        Why is this person famous?  What did he/she do to become famous?

·        Interesting information about this person.

·        You need to dress up as the person.  You can bring props to show the class, too.

Your speech should sound like a story about your life, not a bunch of dates.  It should be interesting to listen to!

Part Two—Poem

Your “The Important Thing” poem needs to follow this pattern.  Rewrite the poem on another sheet of paper and fill in the blanks with your famous American’s information.  Write in CURSIVE!!!

The important thing about ________________________ is that he / she _________________________.  (tell what s/he is famous for)

S/He _________________________.  (tell one thing s/he did)

S/He ________________________. (tell another thing s/he did)

S/He _________________________. (tell a third thing s/he did)

But the important thing about ______________________________ is that s/he was ____________________________________________________.  (tell the most important thing about your person—what he/she did or was).

Here is an example poem:

The Important Thing

The important thing about Saint Nicholas is that he was the bishop of Myra.  He gave money to three poor girls so they could get married.  He sold his horse to rescue a boy who was about to be a slave.  He calmed a storm at sea when he was on a boat.  But the important thing about Saint Nicholas is that he was the reason we have Santa Claus today. 

Here are some famous Americans you can choose from.  You don’t have to choose only these, though, as long as your person is a famous American from history.  Questions?  See Ms. Danforth.

 Ben Franklin                Martin Luther King, Jr.            Babe Ruth

Jackie Robinson           Albert Einstein                         Mark Twain

Lewis & Clark                Louis Armstrong                       Charles Lindberg

Edith Wharton             Betsy Ross                                Emily Dickinson

Helen Keller                 Pocahontus                               Alexander Graham Bell

George Washington Carver                                           Amelia Earhart

Thomas Edison             Andrew Jackson                       Neil Armstrong

Sitting Bull                   Aaron Burr                               Rosa Parks

Davy Crockett              Squanto                                    Sacagawea

Beverly Cleary              Fred Astaire                            Hank Aaron

Daniel Bone                  Maya Angelou                           Eva Adams

Louisa May Alcot          Mary McLeod Bethune              George Washington

Abraham Lincoln          Jesse Owens                       

Your presentation will be graded for:

Content—important ideas are included

Organization—your speech has a beginning, middle, and end

Language—you use appropriate and interesting words.  You explain any words that the audience might not know.  You can pronounce correctly the words in your speech, too!

Delivery—you speak clearly with appropriate eye contact, body posture, and volume.  3—5 minutes long.

Visuals—you are dressed as this person.  You are wearing specific things to look like this person.  You may have a prop.

You will receive a grade in Language (speaking) and in Social Studies for this project. 

Don’t procrastinate.  Do a little bit each day.  We will sign up for presentations in class.  Presentations will be on Feb. 25, 26, 27.  Poems are due on the day of your presentation. 

------------------------------cut and return by February 5^th ---------------

I understand my project is due on ______________________.

Name___________________________________________

The famous American I will be reporting on is __________________.

Parent signature________________________________________

**Parents—students will need your help and guidance with this project.  Please make sure, however, that the work is your child’s.  Thanks!