Biography Research Project on a Historical Figure
Throughout the school year we have many opportunities to learn about historical figures or people that influence our country and our world. There are months and special days set aside to honor many of these people. The goal of this project is to choose one of these historical figures to research and learn about in greater detail. English Language Arts and Social Studies objectives will be integrated through shared research, creating a timeline, and making visual and written representations of the information gathered.
To begin, please help your child choose a historic figure to do their project on. Then, we will collaborate with our librarian to research and create the timeline through Microsoft PowerPoint at school. Once we have assigned the students a famous person you may begin helping them generate information about their historic figure to add to the research we gather at school. We would like to have a diverse range of Americans represented. Some choices may come from presidents, explorers, inventors, military or national heroes, a person who broke the race/gender barrier and anyone else who has made a significant contribution to the world. Please fill out the Historical Figure Choice Form which is attached and send in as soon as possible.
Although parents are encouraged to support the student’s work by offering guidance, helping them gather resources, research, and other materials, all products turned in should reflect second grade work.
Objectives:
2.H.1.1 Use timeline to show sequencing of events.
2.H.1.2 Identify contributions of historical figures (community, state, nation, and world) through various genres.
2.C.1.2 Recognize the key historical figures and events that are associated with various cultural traditions.
W.2.7 Participate in shared research and writing projects
W.2.8 Recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.
Historical Figure Biography Project Outline
Project Sent Home:Thursday, January 30, 2014
Historical Figures Chosen: Monday, February 3, 2014
Final Project Due: Monday, March 3, 2014
Presentation Date:(Week of March 3, 2014)More information to come home soon
· Choose two historical figures that you might like to research, we will create a list of possible topics and we will each choose our topic at school on Monday, February 3.
· At home and school: Begin gathering information and dates about your historical figure’s life, contributions, and interesting facts that you may wish to include in your project after your teacher has assigned the person. Resources may include books, articles, historical documents, internet, etc.
· Keep all research gathered at home and at school in your Homework Folder so that you can access it both at home and at school when necessary.
· At school: Begin using research you gathered to create a timeline using Microsoft PowerPoint. Timeline must include at least 6 dates.
· At home: Begin planning and creating a visual presentation displaying information that you want to share about your famous historical figure. Examples of visual presentations include: posters, costume, brochure, advertisements, magazines, video, collage, skit, and so forth. The visual presentation is your choice so be creative!
· At home: Finally, include a written report as well. It should be no less than one paragraph long and answer the following questions.
1. What is your historical figure’s name, date of birth, and date of death if deceased?
2. Why did you choose this person?
3. What contribution did they make to impact American or world history?
4. What, if any, long and short term effects did their actions and/or contributions have?
· The project rubric (attached) gives a more detailed description of the project’s requirements and is the document we will use to assign grades.
Throughout the school year we have many opportunities to learn about historical figures or people that influence our country and our world. There are months and special days set aside to honor many of these people. The goal of this project is to choose one of these historical figures to research and learn about in greater detail. English Language Arts and Social Studies objectives will be integrated through shared research, creating a timeline, and making visual and written representations of the information gathered.
To begin, please help your child choose a historic figure to do their project on. Then, we will collaborate with our librarian to research and create the timeline through Microsoft PowerPoint at school. Once we have assigned the students a famous person you may begin helping them generate information about their historic figure to add to the research we gather at school. We would like to have a diverse range of Americans represented. Some choices may come from presidents, explorers, inventors, military or national heroes, a person who broke the race/gender barrier and anyone else who has made a significant contribution to the world. Please fill out the Historical Figure Choice Form which is attached and send in as soon as possible.
Although parents are encouraged to support the student’s work by offering guidance, helping them gather resources, research, and other materials, all products turned in should reflect second grade work.
Objectives:
2.H.1.1 Use timeline to show sequencing of events.
2.H.1.2 Identify contributions of historical figures (community, state, nation, and world) through various genres.
2.C.1.2 Recognize the key historical figures and events that are associated with various cultural traditions.
W.2.7 Participate in shared research and writing projects
W.2.8 Recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.
Historical Figure Biography Project Outline
Project Sent Home:Thursday, January 30, 2014
Historical Figures Chosen: Monday, February 3, 2014
Final Project Due: Monday, March 3, 2014
Presentation Date:(Week of March 3, 2014)More information to come home soon
· Choose two historical figures that you might like to research, we will create a list of possible topics and we will each choose our topic at school on Monday, February 3.
· At home and school: Begin gathering information and dates about your historical figure’s life, contributions, and interesting facts that you may wish to include in your project after your teacher has assigned the person. Resources may include books, articles, historical documents, internet, etc.
· Keep all research gathered at home and at school in your Homework Folder so that you can access it both at home and at school when necessary.
· At school: Begin using research you gathered to create a timeline using Microsoft PowerPoint. Timeline must include at least 6 dates.
· At home: Begin planning and creating a visual presentation displaying information that you want to share about your famous historical figure. Examples of visual presentations include: posters, costume, brochure, advertisements, magazines, video, collage, skit, and so forth. The visual presentation is your choice so be creative!
· At home: Finally, include a written report as well. It should be no less than one paragraph long and answer the following questions.
1. What is your historical figure’s name, date of birth, and date of death if deceased?
2. Why did you choose this person?
3. What contribution did they make to impact American or world history?
4. What, if any, long and short term effects did their actions and/or contributions have?
· The project rubric (attached) gives a more detailed description of the project’s requirements and is the document we will use to assign grades.