Biography Project Letter - sent home today:)

Here is the information that we sent home today.  The students are viewing a variety of biographies in class with me today.  The biographies featured in class today are:  Princess Diana, Thomas Edison, Ludwig van Beethoven and Neil Armstrong.  I am just getting their brains thinking of an important historical person that would interest them to do their project on.

November 15, 2011

A Special Biography Project

Dear Families,

            Here is your chance to share some quality time with your child while learning together about a famous historical person who has made a positive impact on our world.  Below you will find the directions for this exciting activity.  You can share your enthusiasm for learning by helping your child complete this project.  The minutes you spend reading together can count for your child’s nightly reading.

1. Week of November 14:  Pick a biography of a famous person from history.  A trip to our wonderful Woodstock Public Library would be a great idea, yet your child will be given time in our school library as well.  (Mrs. Scott is aware of this project and will be supporting research & reading as well.)    See pictures and ideas on the back.  **Please have your child bring in the book they chose by November 21^st for approvalJ.
2. Weeks of November 21^st and 28^th:  Read the book with your child.  Perhaps you’ll want to take turns reading pages.  By reading together you will all learn about the famous person and be able to discuss ideas for a small speech.  It may be helpful to make a simple timeline of important events in the person’s life and the historically significant contributions of this person.
3. Week of December 5^th:  Using a large stiff piece of poster board or cardboard, cut out holes for your child’s face and hands;  then have your child decorate the board to look like a painted portrait of the famous person, dressed in clothing appropriate for the person and time period.  (Drawing, painting, or “building” a 3-D frame around the picture will complete the look.)  Invite your child to be creative, to use his/her imagination and have fun!
4. December 12^th – date of speech:  Have your child prepare and memorize a one-minute speech pretending to be that famous person, such as:  “Hello, my name is Eleanor Roosevelt.  I was born in…..I am famous because…, etc.  Then practice, practice, practice!
5. On December 15, 16, 19^th we will perform our Living Museums.  The date you will perform will be circled.

Thanks so much for your help with this special project.  It is sure to be an enjoyable and enriching experience for all.

Happy reading,

Mrs. Laidig and Ms. Korkus

Speech Planning sheet, use some or all of these ideas, add some of your own.

Hello, my name is __________________________________________

I was born on_________________________, in ____________________

When I was ____________________ I ___________________________

One important thing that I did was ______________________________

One thing that happened to me was _____________________________

I am famous because ________________________________________

People will remember me because ______________________________

I died on ___________________________________, but I will never be forgotten because _______________________________________________.