Activity Overview
Researching real people helps students to get a more concrete and compassionate understanding of the culture, lives and history of others. It also allows them to bring history to life! In this activity, students will research a historical Puritan and create a Biography Poster about them. Students may choose from a list of suggested people, or teachers can assign each student a different Puritan.
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!
Possible Puritans to Research
- John Winthrop
- Thomas Dudley
- John Harvard
- Roger Williams
- Anne Hutchinson
- John Cotton
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Research a famous or notable Puritan from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Create a Biography Poster that highlights their major accomplishments.
Student Instructions:
- Choose a person.
- Using school resources, conduct some research and learn more about your chosen person.
- On the poster, include your person’s name and dates of birth (and death if applicable). Choose a character that resembles your person. Add words and images to describe your person’s accomplishments.
Requirements: Person’s image, name, dates of birth/death, accomplishments.
Lesson Plan Reference
- [ELA-Literacy/W/4/2] Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
- [ELA-Literacy/W/4/7] Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
- [ELA-Literacy/W/4/8] Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; take notes and categorize information, and provide a list of sources.
- [ELA-Literacy/RI/4/7] Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | The description includes at least five important facts about the famous or historic figure. | The description includes less than five important facts or it includes information that is not pertinent to the famous or historic figure. | The description is incomplete and does not contain important information about the famous or historic figure. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items that are appropriate to the famous or historic figure. They enhance the poster by symbolizing or illustrating important facts about the figure. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items are mostly accurate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items is too limited or incomplete. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Storyboard text is difficult to understand. |
How to Teach Massachusetts Bay Colony Biographies Using Timeline Construction
Introduction to Massachusetts Bay Colony Biographies
Begin by introducing the concept of biographies and their significance in understanding historical figures from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Explain that a biography is a story of a person's life, highlighting key events and contributions. Provide an overview of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the key figures the students will be studying. Share the importance of understanding their roles in shaping the colony.
Selection of Historical Figures
Assign each student or group a historical figure from the Massachusetts Bay Colony to research. Offer a list of notable figures, such as John Winthrop, Anne Hutchinson, or Roger Williams. Encourage students to choose based on their interests.
Research and Timeline Creation
Instruct students to conduct research on their assigned historical figure. They should gather information about their early life, major life events, contributions, and any challenges or conflicts they faced. Have students create a biographical timeline using poster boards or digital tools. The timeline should include key events, dates, and illustrations or images that represent the person's life. Encourage them to organize the events chronologically.
Presentation and Discussion
Have students present their biographical timelines to the class. During the presentations, each student or group should explain the significance of the events and contributions of their historical figure. Foster class discussions by asking questions related to the impact of these figures on the Massachusetts Bay Colony and how their lives reflect the values and challenges of the time.
Frequently Asked Questions about Biography Poster for Massachusetts Bay Colony
What types of visuals can be used in storyboards to represent the interactions and conflicts between the settlers of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and indigenous peoples?
In storyboards depicting interactions between settlers and indigenous peoples in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, you can use visuals such as: Illustrations of Meetings: Visualize encounters between settlers and Native Americans, featuring elements like the exchange of goods, language barriers, and gestures. Maps: Show the geographical locations of settlements and interactions, including important sites like trading posts, alliances, or conflict zones. Symbolic Imagery: Use symbols like a shaking hand to represent peaceful agreements and conflict symbols (e.g., crossed weapons) to symbolize clashes or wars. Text Bubbles: Include text bubbles or captions to provide context, quotes, or explanations of specific events within the interactions.
Can storyboards be adapted to showcase the changing political and social landscape of the Massachusetts Bay Colony over time, from its founding to the Salem Witch Trials?
Storyboards are adaptable tools that can effectively showcase the evolving political and social landscape of the Massachusetts Bay Colony over time. To achieve this, you can: Use Timeline Layouts: Create a visual timeline with key dates and events, depicting how the political and social landscape transformed from the colony's founding to the Salem Witch Trials. Multiple Frames: Utilize multiple frames within the storyboard to highlight different periods or significant turning points in the colony's history. Portray Key Figures: Include illustrations of influential individuals, such as John Winthrop and Roger Williams, who played pivotal roles in shaping the political and social climate. Symbolic Imagery: Use symbols or visual cues that represent changing dynamics, such as a gavel to signify legal developments or a church steeple to depict religious influences.
What visual elements can be included in storyboards to depict the differences in daily life between the Massachusetts Bay Colony and other early American colonies?
To illustrate the distinctions in daily life between the Massachusetts Bay Colony and other early American colonies in storyboards, you can incorporate visual elements like: Clothing: Show the distinctive clothing styles of settlers and the unique attire of indigenous peoples in the region or colonists in other areas. Architecture: Depict the varied architectural styles of homes and buildings, contrasting the Puritan structures with those found in other colonies. Crops and Agriculture: Use visuals of crops, livestock, and farming techniques to highlight differences in agricultural practices. Lifestyle Scenes: Create scenes of daily life, such as Puritan worship services or indigenous hunting, fishing, and gathering, to emphasize cultural distinctions. Environment and Landscape: Showcase differences in the natural environment, including local flora and fauna, in the Massachusetts Bay Colony compared to other regions. By including these visual elements, storyboards can effectively convey the unique aspects of daily life in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and its differences from other early American colonies.
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