Biography of Historical Figure
Word Processing
Objective:
The student will present a Word Document identifying the characteristics of a historical
figure who exhibited a love of individualism or inventiveness. Example: Amelia Earhart
or Robert Fulton.
Technology Skills: (2D, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6C, 7A, 7B, 7C, 9B, 10A, 10B, 11B,
12B, 12C)
 Create and save a new document
 Acquire graphics using the Internet
 Keyword searches with different search tools
 Evaluate Internet data for appropriate use in project
 Model respect of intellectual property by not illegally copying another
individual’s electronic work.
 Determine the usefulness and appropriateness of digital information
 Include clipart and images
 Demonstrate appropriate use of layout attributes
TEKS:
(4) Culture. The student understands how historical figures and ordinary people helped
to shape our community, state and nation.
(B) identify historic figures such as Amelia Earhart and Robert Fulton who have
exhibited a love of individualism and inventiveness;
Duration of Lesson: approximately 2-3 lessons
Before the Computer:
 Teacher will instruct the class on information concerning historical figures being
studied.
 Teacher will instruct on copyright laws and citation of sources.
Procedure:
Internet Research
Harvesting Information and Graphics from the Internet
1. Direct students to click on Required Technology Lessons link on Student
Technology Resources and select the correct grade level.
2. Open Biography template.
3. Type your name in the designated area.
4. Name and save document to Home Directory (H: drive)
5. Minimize the planner and direct them to appropriate Internet links to find
biographical information and a graphic of the person.
6. To save pictures to your H: drive from the Internet:
 Right-click on the picture and select Save Picture As.
 Navigate to your H:drive.
 Rename the picture file if needed and click Save.
 From now on, navigate to H: drive and save pictures
Research historical figure by using the district databases provided on the campus library
pages. (EBSCO and Encyclopedia Britannica) Your librarian will need to provide the
appropriate passwords for each database.

If unable to locate enough information using the links, open Internet Explorer to
campus page and click on Library Catalog link.
 Click Web Path Express on the left-hand side.
 Type the name of the person or event in the search box.
SAVE OFTEN IN THIS PROJECT!
Fill out the Biography Document as information is located.
 Name of the person
 Date of birth
 Education
 Why is that person remembered by people today?
 Copy the web address to the Word document
 Click on the address bar at the top of Internet Explorer.
 This will highlight the address in blue.

 Press and hold the Ctrl key on the keyboard. While holding the Ctrl
key, press the V key on the keyboard one time and let go.
Multitask back to the Biography document to paste in the website
address.
 To multitask, click on the Biography button in the taskbar at the
bottom of the screen.
 Click on the Internet Explorer button to get back to the Internet
website.
7. Complete the Biography document.
8. Insert a graphic of the famous person at the bottom of the page.
 Click Insert>Picture>from file on the menu bar
 Navigate to your h:drive and locate the picture you saved.
 Double click the file to insert, or click on the file once and then click open.
 After the graphic is inserted, right click on the graphic then click on format
picture. Choose the Layout tab and click on the Tight icon. This will allow
the picture to be easily moved on the bottom of the page.
9. Copy and paste the URL’s for pictures and information citations to the Credit
line of your Word document as information is acquired.
 Click to highlight the web site address. Press Ctrl + C to copy.
 Click the PowerPoint taskbar button. Click beside a bullet inside the
text box of the Credit page, and then use Ctrl + V to paste the URL.
10. Save document, and print if desired.
Options for Enhancing Presentation
 Click Format>Background
 Click drop down arrow and choose More Colors or Fill Effects
 After choosing the background, click OK
Reminder: All backgrounds should be light in color and text easy to read.
IV. Assessment: (Revise rubric as desired)
Criteria for Rubric
The following is criteria used to evaluate student speeches. Record yes or no to
indicate whether the student met each criteria.
1. Does the presenter speak clearly so as to be understood by the audience?
2. Is the presenter loud enough to be heard?
3. Does the presenter stand straight and tall without making distracting
gestures?
4. Does the presenter use language that is appropriate for the audience? (Can
the presenter pronounce the words used? Does the audience know what the
presenter means?)
5. Does the presenter give an introduction? Ex. My name is ____. My famous
person is _____.
6. Does the presenter have a picture included?
7. Does the presenter include the credits for the internet sources?
8. Has the presenter used a variety of sources to collect information on the
topic?
Students can earn up to eight total points. They can earn one point for each yes. The scale
is as follows: Exceeds = 8; Meets = 6 to 7; Does Not Meet = 0 to 5.