Indigenous people of the Plateau region are famous artists, historians, activists, among many other professions. Researching real people helps students to get a more concrete and compassionate understanding of the culture, lives, and perspectives of Native Americans. In this activity, students will research a person and then create a biography poster highlighting their accomplishments.
Using one of the templates or starting from scratch on the poster layout, students will build up a profile of their chosen figure. Depending on requirements or complexity, students can add timelines to their posters. However, the wide variety of characters, scenes, and items makes it very easy for students to customize their project to fit any guidelines.
Find more biography poster templates to add to this assignment if desired!
Some examples of people to research:
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Due Date:
Objective: Research a famous or notable person that is of Indigenous heritage from the Plateau Region. Create a Biography Poster that highlights their major accomplishments.
Student Instructions:
Requirements: Person’s image, name, dates of birth/death, accomplishment.
Spark curiosity and build background knowledge by inviting students to share what they know about Indigenous peoples of the Plateau region. Ask open-ended questions and display images to prompt interest before assigning research topics.
Encourage students to select individuals with varied roles such as artists, leaders, activists, and writers. Highlighting diversity ensures richer class discussions and a more comprehensive understanding of the Plateau region's heritage.
Demonstrate how to use age-appropriate websites, books, and databases to find reliable information. Show students how to take notes and organize facts for their posters.
Explain the importance of crediting sources, even in elementary grades. Show how to list books, websites, or interviews at the bottom of their poster using kid-friendly citation styles.
Set up a classroom gallery walk where students can present and celebrate each other's work. Encourage students to ask questions and offer positive feedback to foster a respectful learning community.
A biography poster activity for Indigenous Peoples of the Plateau region is an educational assignment where students research a notable Native American figure from the Plateau area and create a visual poster highlighting their life, achievements, and impact. This helps students gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous history and culture.
Students can research Indigenous leaders from the Plateau region by using school library resources, trusted online databases, and books focusing on Native American history. Look for information about their early life, major accomplishments, and contributions to their communities.
A K-12 biography poster should include the person's name, image, dates of birth (and death if applicable), key accomplishments, and visuals or words that describe their significance. Using a template or starting from scratch are both good options for creativity.
Examples of notable Indigenous figures from the Plateau region include Chief Kamiakin, Chief Joseph, Jackson Sundown, Claudia Kauffman, and Sherman Alexie. These individuals made significant contributions in leadership, arts, and activism.
Learning about Indigenous people through biography projects helps students develop empathy, cultural awareness, and a concrete understanding of Native American histories and perspectives, making social studies more engaging and relevant.