Researching real people helps students to gain a more concrete understanding of the culture, lives, and diverse perspectives of people who lived in ancient times. It helps them go beyond simply memorizing dates and names to acquire a more substantial, empathetic, and realistic view of the period.
Teachers can assign students a specific person or they may give students a choice. Teachers may wish to provide resources such as books or the online encyclopedia Britannica for students to read about their person.
Giving students a graphic organizer to fill in as they read is helpful to pick out the most important facts and details. After students conduct their research and fill out a note-taking sheet or graphic organizer, students can create a Biography Poster using a template from StoryboardThat with images and text that highlight the key events and accomplishments of their person.
These posters can be printed out, laminated, and hung around the room as a visual reminder of notable people from the time of ancient China. Students can also present their posters to their classmates, sharing their knowledge about their person, thus combining research, writing, and public speaking skills into one powerful assignment.
Find more biography poster templates to add to this assignment if desired!
Some examples of people to research:
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Research a person from ancient China. Create a poster that includes important details and engaging imagery.
Student Instructions:
Requirements: Person’s image, name, dates of birth/death, major accomplishments
Many students struggle with finding an appropriate source, so if you are doing a biography project it is a good idea to offer students a reliable source to start with. Whether an encyclopedia entry or an article, having the information ready to go takes a huge burden off the students.
As students read through the biographical information, help them understand and classify what they are reading by offering a graphic organizer. Whether a spider map or a storyboard, these visual cues aid in understanding.
Even with a graphic organizer, students will still need help with placing the key elements of a person's life onto a poster. Assist them in creating bullet points, adding illustrations, and making everything fit nicely on the page.
Many students can get overwhelmed by too much text in a book or article, but can learn just as much information by reading it on a visual aid such as a poster. Illustrations and other graphics also help students learn and are an added benefit of posters.
Although each person lives their lives differently, there are some key elements when looking at someone's life. Early life and education are important, as well as any family connections and life accomplishments. These unique qualities in each individual are important to highlight in a biography.