February 3, 2014
Dear Parents,
Since February is Black History Month and President’s Day, our students will be
assigned a biography project on a famous African American or U.S. President. Please
review the lists provided with your child and help him/her select a person they’re
interested in researching. The lists are not all-inclusive, and students are encouraged to
study someone they’re not very familiar with to make this a more worthwhile learning
experience.
Students are being given a packet to help with outlining and completing this
project. Please make sure they are working on it a little each night – do not wait until the
last minute! Make sure your student writes in his/her own words and does not copy
directly from books, the internet, or any other source. This will not be accepted. Your
child must use at least 2 sources for gathering information to complete the project. Any
additional sources are encouraged, so go beyond the minimum! This project has 2
parts – the written report and the visual project. Your child may not just hand in an
outline as their report – they must write or type the written report in paragraph
form.
The visual part of the project may be a “Living Bio Board” or a “Bottle Buddy”.
Details and photos are included in the packet, and your child may decide which one
they’d like to do to share with their written report.
The final report and project will be due on Thursday, February 27th. Please
complete and return the bottom of this sheet by the end of the week to let us know the
name of the person your child will be researching. Please feel free to send a note or
email us if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Third Grade Teachers
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________We received information about the Biography Project and we are aware of the due date (Feb.
27) and expectations. We understand this project counts as 2 test grades (ELA and Social Studies).
My child will be doing a report on __________________________________________.
The visual project we chose to do is the _____ Living Bio Board / ______ Bottle Buddy.
Parent
Signature
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Child’s
Signature
Written Report and Bibliography:
You will write a written or typed report on your famous person. Make sure the information is in a logical
order. Here is an outline that may help you when writing your paper:
Paragraph 1 - Introduce the person by telling the person’s name and why they are important. Do not
write “My report is on…”
Paragraph 2 - This paragraph should include:
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Where and when was the person born?
Where did this person grow up?
What did/does this person do for a living?
Paragraph 3 – This paragraph should include:
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Why is this person famous?
What did the person do to become famous?
How has this person made a difference in other people’s lives?
Paragraph 4 – This paragraph should include:
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Give some interesting facts about the person.
A conclusion or wrap-up sentence.
Bibliography – Fill out the attached bibliography sheet and attach it to your written report. You must use
at least 2 sources.
DO NOT COPY INFORMATION DIRECTLY FROM A SOURCE…YOU WILL NOT GET CREDIT FOR
YOUR REPORT.
Presentation Options:
Choose one of the following options for your visual presentation:
Living Bio Board – You will need a piece of poster board for this project. Cut out a hole for your face and
arms. Draw your person around the cut outs. Make sure you think about what the person would have
worn, their hair, etc. The background should be completely colored with illustration(s) that relate to the
person. At the bottom of your poster, create a timeline with 5-10 important dates related to your person.
You may use words and pictures on your time line. See attached diagram in this packet.
Bottle Buddy – Use a 2 or 3 liter bottle, emptied and cleaned. (Sand in the bottom will help it stand up.)
You will decorate the bottle to look like your famous person. Many pictures can be found online with the
search of “biography bottle buddies”. An example picture is included in this packet. Some items you may
want to use include a Styrofoam ball for the head, felt, paint, yarn for hair, cloth, construction paper, etc.
Be creative!
Bibliography of Sources – You must have at least 2 sources.
Book:
Title: ___________________________________________________________________________
Author: ________________________________________________________________________
Name of Publisher: _______________________________________________________________
Place Published: _________________________________ Date Published: ___________________
On-line Resource:
Title: ___________________________________________________________________________
Internet Address: ________________________________________________________________
Date you used this site: ___________________________________________________________
Encyclopedia:
Title: ___________________________________________________________________________
Volume Letter: ___________ Volume Number: ______________ Date: ____________________
Name of Publisher: _______________________________________________________________
Article Title: ______________________________________________________________________
Pages Used: _____________________________________________________________________
Book:
Title: ___________________________________________________________________________
Author: ________________________________________________________________________
Name of Publisher: _______________________________________________________________
Place Published: _________________________________ Date Published: ___________________
On-line Resource:
Title: ___________________________________________________________________________
Internet Address: ________________________________________________________________
Date you used this site: ___________________________________________________________
Encyclopedia:
Title: ___________________________________________________________________________
Volume Letter: ___________ Volume Number: ______________ Date: ____________________
Name of Publisher: _______________________________________________________________
Article Title: ______________________________________________________________________
Pages Used: _____________________________________________________________________
Report Notes – This is to help with taking notes, and may not be turned in as your written report.
Person’s Name: ______________________________________________________________________
Date of Birth: _________________________________________________________________________
Place of Birth: ________________________________________________________________________
Date and Place of Death (if applicable): ____________________________________________________
Family and Childhood Information: ________________________________________________________
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What did this person do for a living? _____________________________________________
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Why
is
this
person
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famous?
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How has this person made a difference in other people’s lives? ________________________________
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Interesting information and other facts (include dates and events that were important): ___________
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