After listening to the brief descriptions of African American changemakers throughout history in the award winning books 28 Days and The Undefeated, students will choose one African American changemaker to research and then create a biography poster of important facts and visual attributes to represent that person.
These posters can be printed out, laminated and hung around the room as a powerful reminder of these notable people and their accomplishments.
Students can also present their posters to their classmates, sharing their knowledge about their person.
The posters could also be combined into a book or “dictionary” and that students could read to younger grades for a school-wide, community building activity!
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Due Date:
Objective: Research an important person highlighted in 28 days or Undefeated. Create a poster that includes their important accomplishments.
Student Instructions:
Requirements: Person’s image, name, dates of birth/death, 1-3 major accomplishments, 1-6 illustrations
Boost student engagement by organizing a class gallery walk. Display posters around the room so students can walk, observe, and learn about different changemakers. This interactive activity encourages curiosity, movement, and respectful peer feedback.
Arrange desks and wall space to create clear pathways for students to circulate. Hang each poster at eye level and number them for easy reference. This setup ensures all students can view every poster comfortably.
Give each student a gallery walk recording sheet or notebook. Ask them to jot down one new fact or inspiring detail about each changemaker as they move from poster to poster. This keeps students focused and accountable.
Provide sticky notes or feedback slips for students to leave kind, specific compliments on classmates' posters. This builds classroom community and encourages thoughtful reflection on each other's work.
Gather students together to share what they learned and which changemakers inspired them most. Encourage students to discuss surprising facts and the importance of diverse role models in history.
A biography poster activity for African American changemakers asks students to research a notable figure, then create a poster highlighting their life, major accomplishments, and visual elements. This helps students learn about history while developing research and presentation skills.
Guide students by sharing brief descriptions from books like 28 Days or The Undefeated, then let them select a changemaker who inspires them. You can provide a list of notable individuals or allow students to explore school resources for ideas.
A strong biography poster should include the person’s image, name, birth/death dates, 1-3 key accomplishments, and relevant illustrations or symbols. This makes the poster informative and visually engaging.
28 Days by Charles R. Smith Jr. and The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander are excellent, award-winning books that introduce students to influential African American figures through short biographies and illustrations.
Combine student posters into a class book or display them around the school. Students can present their posters or read them to younger grades, fostering community learning and celebration of Black History across grade levels.