Biographical Wax Museum
Project and Presentation
Project and Presentation Due Dates:
Completed Time-Lines on Large Index Cards: Due on Friday March 21st
Daytime Presentation Date and Time: Monday March 24th Time to be determined later.
Evening Presentation Date and Time: Monday evening, March 24th 6:00 to 7:00
Dear Students and Parents of our Third Grade Classes:
Our next enrichment project will be for each student to complete a written biography time line on a
person who has inspired them because of an achievement, or overcoming a challenge in their life. This is
not an idol, but rather a hero who is a model for something you are interested in achieving yourself.
Examples: A musician you listen to, because you want to excel at playing the piano. An author of books
you enjoy, because you love to read or write. A well know surgeon like Bertha Van Hoosen from Stoney
Creek Village right here in Rochester, because you would like to go into the medical field or become a
doctor or nurse yourself. The purpose of this assignment is for several reasons. First, each of us will
have the opportunity through this experience, to learn about many people who have found success,
because they worked hard and persisted at something they wanted to achieve. You will learn what it
takes to become successful at something in life. Second, you will be completing a timeline, which is one
of our 3rd grade curriculum standards. Third, you will have another experience in oral presentation for a
greater audience. Fourth, this will be an opportunity to become creative in putting together your
costume and designing an artistic button box for your presentation. Fifth, you will be able to apply the
use of technology to research and produce a finished piece. In addition, along with all our projects this
year, you are learning the importance of planning and the time management necessary to complete an
assignment in a timely manner with quality in mind. You are given an entire month to work through this
project to completion and have it turned in on time. There will be time given for each child to gather
information while in media here at school, but the final project should be completed at home following
the guidelines on the rubric attached that will be used for the purpose of a final grade. We hope you
find this project both educational and enjoyable as you learn about a person of interest to you.
Your Third Grade Teachers.
Biographical Project and Presentation Instructions & Rubric
Used For Your Final Grade
1) Read-Research: You will find a book and or other source to read about a person that
has inspired you to learn about something new, or grow in an interest you already
have. Information completed in media will be coming home March 7th. This information
will help in putting together the speech & time line that is due on March 21st
2) Speech: After reading and taking notes, using note cards you will put together a 1 to 2
minute memorized speech summarizing your biography in first person (example: “I was
born in…) You will become this person for the 1 or 2 minutes. The note cards are to be
used to memorize but you should not plan on using them when you present. Your
grade is based on sharing your presentation from memory! These note cards can be
used to help you put together your time line as well.
3) Time-Line: You are to put together a time line that will be on display sharing 8 to 10
facts about your biographical person. Examples: You may choose some of these or
others that are more appropriate for your person are fine too.
1. Where was their birth place?
2. How old were they when they pursued their talent?
3. What made your person achieve their goal in life?
4. Was there someone who inspired them?
5. When did they achieve their goal?
6. If they received a special recognition, why and when.
7. Did they contribute something to make our world better because of what they did?
8. How would you like to be like the person you wrote about?
9. If they are still living what are they doing now? Or if they have been deceased what
year did they die?
10. If you could share anything with this person, what would you like to tell them?
4) Costume and Button Box: This is where the fun begins! You will create a costume to
wear that resembles your Biographical person. This can be done using old clothing,
hats, & props that represent your character. Next you will take a small box, such as a
shoe box, and come up with a way that others will be able to make you come alive.
Example would be to make a push button on top of the box. You have the option to be
as creative as you want here. Even a bit of technology or adding an artistic touch or
maybe some sort of sound could be incorporated. This is really all up to you with the
support of an adult. Remember this is a portion of your grade, not the whole grade.
This gives those of you with the desire for creativity a unique way to come alive! The
purpose here is to reach all the various ways individuals show their learning talents.
Important Tips to Remember and Use While Preparing for Your
Wax Museum Presentation
a) You will become a living wax person that cannot show emotion,
move, or talk unless your “on” button is pushed. When turned
on, you will provide your audience with your 1 to 2 minute
speech from memory about your special biographical person.
b) You must be prepared on the day of our Museum exhibit and
performances to get a full grade.
c) You need to plan and prepare in stages for this presentation.
Do not wait until the last week to try and put together your
time-line and have your speech memorized. Plan a little each
week. Then practice your speech in front of others before the
Wax Museum Day comes.
d) Confirm through your media class who you will become for the
Wax Museum. Teachers will keep a class list of your choice.
e) Use your time wisely in media when given the chance to
research or find information about your person. You will be
receiving a grade for your effort in this setting too.
f) Have fun with this project! Remember this person you are
choosing is to inspire you. Become the person, feel their
success and enjoyment in what they did. Maybe someday you
really will follow in their footsteps.
g) Finally, pay attention to the rubric of how you will receive your
grade for your work. Follow the instructions, check for accuracy
in spelling, neatness on your work, along with completing all
the expectations and be ready to turn everything in on time.
Biographical Project and Presentation
Grading Rubric
Read-Research: Identified book or sources used.
Total earned
Title of book or source & author listed on your first time-line = 10 Points + ______
card.
Speech: 1 to 2 minutes memorized, clearly spoken
= 30 Points + ________
when button is pushed. Remaining in wax position otherwise.
Time-Line: 8 to 10 facts clearly written/typed in sequential
= 30 Points + ________
order with correct sentence format, proper punctuation “”, periods etc.
Costume and Button Box: Grade will be based on dressing
= 30 Points +________
the role and having a start-up button done to your creative ability.
Accumulated Points __________
(100 total possible)
Additional Comments from your teacher:
Student’s Name:________________________________________
#___________
Biographical Person:_____________________________________
Turned in and Prepared for presentation on time
Yes
or
No
(Minus 10 points for not being prepared on time)
Final Grade 1 out of 4:
4 being 90 to 100
3 being 80 to 90
2 being 70 to 80
1 being 69 and below
Your final grade is a ___________
Your Name_________________________________________
#_________
Date you started gathering info:___________Date you completed getting info: ____________
Biographical Research Guide for Person of Interest
This research guide will help you organize the information necessary to complete
your time line for your Wax Museum Project. Have Fun!
Biography Person of Interest:_________________________________________
Fact One: My person was born in___________________________(Place)
They were born on_______________________________________(Date)
Fact Two: Family background facts & details such as parents, siblings:
The person I am writing about comes from a family of:
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Fact Three: (Education)
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Facts Four and Five: (Early Years – childhood ) Share two facts here.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Your Name:_________________________________________________#______
Biographical Research Guide page 2:
Facts Six and Seven: (Later Years –adult) Share two facts here.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Facts Eight – Ten: (Achievements, recognitions, how this person has made a
difference in our world. How you have been inspired or maybe what you would
share with your biographical person if you had the chance).
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Documentation of sources, books, articles, internet where you got your
information including title, author (copyright-extra):
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Note from Mrs. Luci
Your children have been busy learning about biographies and gathering information for their
biography projects during their Media Center time. We have discussed researching books and
websites, primary/secondary sources, and the importance of citing your sources. They are currently
working on completing the research guide on their chosen person using books in the library and preselected biography websites. This information will be used to create their notecards and timeline.
Depending on your child and how independently they work and/or how well they use their time, they
may or may not complete all the information necessary for their research guide during Media. If not,
it will be important for your child to complete the guide at home. You may use books and/or the
Internet to accomplish this. I have posted some pre-selected, “kid-friendly” biography sites on my
website, Mrs. Luci’s Media (www.mrsluci.com). If your child needs to finish his/her research guide
at home, these may be useful. Please be advised that even though these sites are “kid-friendly”, they
are still Internet sites and would be best researched with you present. You will also find a link to this
biography packet in case you need additional copies of anything. I will be adding other relevant
information as necessary.
There are two ways you can access my website from home:
1. Type www.mrsluci.com directly into the URL. Go to the Third Grade Page and click on
Biography Project.
2. Go through the RCS website to Musson’s home page, go to the Media Center, and click the
link to Mrs. Luci’s Media website. Go to the Third Grade Page and click on Biography
Project.
**If you aren’t finding what you need and want to search other sites, click on the Research tab
and you will find kid-friendly search engines like Google Junior and Safe Search for Kids. There
is also a valuable resource provided to us that you can access at home – Encyclopedia Britannica
Online! You will find that link on the Research page as well. User id: rcs22 / Password: rcseb.
Please contact me if you have any questions. I can’t wait to see the finished products!
Mrs. Jackie Luci
jluci@rochester.k12.mi.us