Biography Writing Project and Wax Museum
In both reading and writing, we are going to be exploring a new genre of study:
biography. By the end of our unit, you are going to be familiar with various text
structures of how biographies are written as well as writing your own biography
placemat.
Your goals for this project will include:
write paragraphs that have topic sentence, details, and a concluding
sentence
write complete sentences using correct punctuation and grammar
determining importance when notetaking
putting notes and ideas into your own words, rather than copying directly
from a text
telling events in chronological order
use of a timeline as a text feature
organize text appropriately
citing sources
creating a display piece that appeals to your audience
create a wax museum that portrays your person accurately
Step 1 – Who do you want to research?
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In your writing notebook, brainstorm a list of people that you would like to
learn more about. This can be authors, movie stars, singers, scientists,
astronauts, etc. Write down as many you can think of over the next day or
two.
Step 2 – Gathering Information
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You will use different resources to collect information on your person. You
can use books from our school library, Noblesville Public library, as well as
using the internet. You must use at least 3 sources.
We will be discussing using trusted websites and internet safety when
researching online. We will also discuss how to take notes in your own
words rather than copying directly from a text.
You will want to keep a page in your notebook for citing sources.
All notetaking will be done in your writing notebook. You might want to
divide your notebook into the different categories when collecting notes,
such as: timeline, person’s life, contribution to society/culture,
character traits, and sources used. These will be the main topics you
will be researching.
Step 3 – Writing
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Once you have gathered all your information, you will use yellow lined
paper to begin your drafting.
During this time, we will be discussing and practicing how to write
detailed paragraphs that include topic and concluding sentences. We will
learn why we write biographies in chronological order, as well as how we
can organize our text in other ways that will appeal to our reader.
Make sure you label each section of your writing. That will make it easier
to put it on your placemat, which is your final piece.
On your placement you must include:
o Timeline
o Written paragraph that includes details on their life
o What was the significance of the person’s life? How has it impacted
our life, culture, society?
o Character trait of that person and evidence to support the trait
o Sources used
Go through the writing process of drafting, revising, and editing your
pieces. Use the editing checklist, a friend, and your teachers to help you.
I will also conference with you to make sure you are meeting the goals of
this project.
Step 4 – Placemat (the published piece)
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After you have gone through the writing process you will create a
placemat as a final published piece.
Take a look at the different examples of placements. Discuss with a friend
why they are visually appealing.
On your placement you must include:
o Name of person you researched
o Picture of person – either drawn or from the internet
o Timeline
o Written paragraph that includes details on their life
o What was the significance of the person’s life? How has it impacted
our life, culture, society?
o Character trait of that person and evidence to support the trait
o Sources used
Step 5 – Living Wax Museum
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Your job is to be an expert on your person. On a designated day, we will
invite guests to come visit our living museum.
During this time you will recite the information you learned about your
person. You will take on the role of this character (think of the actors at
Connor Prairie. They took on the roles of colonists).
You will be graded on how well you portray the person you researched.
Your point ___________/46
Signficance/contribution to
society or culture explained
Character trait and
evidence
Correct paragraph
structure – indenting,
complete sentences, and
punctuation
Sources cited – at least 3
sources
Presentation is neat and
appealing to audience
Wax museum -
Person’s name visible
Picture included
Timeline – with 6
important dates
Life detailed in a
paragraph
Few to none
Some of the time
2 sources
Somewhat neat
Accurately depicts,
but not dressed as
person (or vice versa)
All the time
3 sources cited
Neat and effort given
Accurately depicts
person and dressed
appropriately
Not dressed as
person, and can not
portray person
accurately
No effort given
0-1 source cited
No character trait or
evidence
Character trait, no
evidence
Character trait and
evidence included
Few to no details
Not included
Not included
0-2 dates were
included
0
No explanation
Some details
Included
Included
3-5 dates included
3
Somewhat explained
Many facts to portray
life and in
chronological order
Detailed paragraph
explained
Included all and more
5
Biography Rubric