8Th Grade Biography Project

8th Grade Biography Project Due Wednesday February 29, 2012

You have the option of reading about any person that you choose. You must get your biography approved no later than Monday February 13, 2012. Each student must choose a different person. Get your topic approved early to get your first choice. You are required to bring your book to school by Monday February 13th; you will be given time to read during independent reading time. This will not be enough time to complete your biography. You MUST read each night at home. This is required homework every night between the day your book is approved and February 26th. Please give yourself enough time to complete a project that shows effort and that you are putting forth your greatest ability. This is being graded in Literacy and Information Literacy. You have several options for your project:

1) Create a timeline using http://www.ourtimelines.com/create_tl_2c.html or http://www.teach-nology.com/web_tools/materials/timelines/

2) Create a Power Point presentation which must follow the template at: http://sms.iwcs.k12.va.us/iprojectprojects/biotemplate.ppt#256,1,Who Am I?

3) Using Microsoft Publisher to create a newsletter with the following information: 1 article about the person’s childhood/family 1-2 articles about the person’s contributions 1 article about something going on during history within the person’s life that influenced him/her

4) If you have a different idea, you can submit it for approval.

No matter which project you choose, you must include: Historical figure name, your name, date, grade, school, appropriate graphic or illustration

 Introduction – catch the reader’s interest and let them know who your report is about. Tell what this person is most famous for.  Tell about your person’s background including: date and place of birth hardships education childhood family influences in their life other important information  Details about the most special achievement or achievements that makes this person important in American History. Describe any obstacles (difficulties, problems) they had to overcome to become successful.  Effect of their life and accomplishments on others, for example their family, hometown, our country, or the world.  Conclusion – date and place of death (if deceased), summary statement about your person, emphasize a point, or end in an appropriate, clever way. Sixth Grade Biography Report Due Wednesday February 29, 2012

You must choose an inventor for your project. You must get your biography approved no later than Monday February 13, 2012.

Each student must choose a different person. Get your topic approved early to get your first choice. You are required to bring your book to school by Monday February 13th; you will be given time to read during independent reading time. This will not be enough time to complete your biography. You MUST read each night at home. This is required homework every night between the day your book is approved and February 26th. Please give yourself enough time to complete a project that shows effort and that you are putting forth your greatest ability. This is being graded in Literacy and Information Literacy. Title Page Historical figure name, your name, date, grade, school, appropriate graphic or illustration

Paragraph 1 Introduction – catch the reader’s interest and let them know who your report is about. Tell what this person is most famous for.

Paragraph 2 Tell about your person’s background including: date and place of birth hardships education childhood family influences in their life other important information

Paragraph 3 Details about the most special achievement or achievements that makes this person important in American History. Describe any obstacles (difficulties, problems) they had to overcome to become successful.

Paragraph 4 Effect of their life and accomplishments on others, for example their family, hometown, our country, or even the world! Paragraph 5 Conclusion – date and place of death (if deceased), summary statement about your person, emphasize a point, or end in an appropriate, clever way.

Resources Page List all resources using appropriate format (We will go over this in class.)

Speech Requirements

Written Speech due February 27th Memorized by February 29th

You must write and memorize a 1-2 minute speech about your person. It should be written in first person including the main highlights of their life and accomplishments. Use the information from your written report. Put it on a note card and practice with good expression and body language. Dress up for extra credit! YOU WILL BE SPEAKING AS IF YOU ARE THE PERSON YOU HAVE CHOSEN. Grading Rubric for Oral Book Report

Student’s Name: ______Date: ______

Oral Book Report ~ Biography

Book Report complete (10 points)

Have and interesting opening (5 points)

Speak loudly, clearly & slowly (10 points)

Make eye contact with the audience (10 points)

Tell why the person is famous (20 points)

Show evidence of preparation (10 points) Tell person’s life story in a sequential, well organized order. (15 points) Keep audience engaged and interested (5 points)

Costume and/or Props (15points)

Total Points (100 possible)

Grade ______

A 93 – 100 C+ 79-77 A- 92-90 C 76-73 B+ 89-87 C- 72-70 B 86-83 D 69-66 B- 82-80 F 65 or below 7th Grade Biography Report Due Wednesday February 29, 2012

You have the option of reading about any United States President that you choose. You must get your biography approved no later than Monday February 13, 2012.

Each student must choose a different person. Get your topic approved early to get your first choice. All students must have their biographies in class by February 13th. You will be given time to read during independent reading time. This will not be enough time to complete your biography. You MUST read each night at home. This is required homework every night between the day your book is approved and February 26th. Please give yourself enough time to complete a project that shows effort and that you are putting forth your greatest ability.

You will create a Historical “Facebook” page using the template provided to you by Mrs. McNeiece. (This is not actually on Facebook.) This project is getting graded in Literacy and Information Literacy.

Your grade will be based on how well you follow the directions in the template, the amount of detail you include, and your creativity. See the rubric for specific scoring. Facebook Profile Exemplary Good Poor

10--8pts 7-5 pts 4-2 pts Profile Name Exemplary Good Poor Profile name is visible. Profile name is difficult Profile name is not there to find. at all.

About Me Exemplary Good Poor About Me portion About Me describes the Not clear or accurate. provides examples that individual, however is Few examples given. describe the individual not completely accurate. clearly and accurately.

Profile Information Exemplary Good Poor Profile and information Profile is unclear. Details Profile and information is are accurate and clearly are not consistent incomplete, and has described. inaccurate details.

Groups and Friends Exemplary Good Poor Has at least 6 friends Has less than 5 friends 3Has less than 3 friends and 3 groups that groups, and groups that and 3 groups and does accurately reflect accurately reflect not accurately reflect common likes and common likes and likes and dislikes. dislikes. dislikes

Pictures and Aesthetics Exemplary Good Poor Has 6 or more pictures 4-5 pictures that Has 3 or fewer pictures that accurately describe describe the character. to describe character. the character.

Creativity and Neatness Exemplary Good Poor Profile is extremely Profile is somewhat Profile is not creative creative and neat creative and neat and neat

Wall Exemplary Good Poor Comments/Organization Profile is easy to read, Profile is readable, Profile is not neat, and is and in order. Has at however is not easy to hard to follow. Has 4 or least 7 comments follow. Has between 5 - fewer comments posted posted on Wall which 6 posted comments. on their Wall. depicts events/topics important in this person's life.