Matthew C. Winner

Web Dropin 1

May 25, 2006

What Makes a Biography?

The last big project of 4th grade will be for you to complete a biography about one of your classmates. But before we get started, let’s find out exactly what a biography is made of.

This activity will give you an opportunity to explore the genre of biographies by investigating a number of online biographies of famous Americans. We will be investigating biographies on the website Biographies for Kids (http://gardenofpraise.com/leaders.htm). Follow the steps bellow to complete our biography investigation.

Step 1: Choose a partner. I suggest working with the person you will be doing a biography about.

Step 2: Go to Biographies for Kids and select a biography that interests you.

Step 3: Read through the entire text carefully.

Step 4: Complete the graphic organizer below using the information you found on the website.

** Print the organizer and choose one group member to record your answers. Make sure both of your names are listed at the top of the organizer and check your answers for accuracy.

Biography Web Research

Names: ___________________________________________    Date: ________

Name of historic figure?
Birth and death date?
Why do we remember him or her?
What are three interesting facts you learned from this biography?	1. 2. 3.
In your own words, what is a biography?