Researching real people helps students to gain a more concrete and compassionate understanding of the culture, lives and diverse perspectives of people who were involved in the American Revolution. Giving students the perspective of those who lived during a time period helps them go beyond simply memorizing dates and names to acquire a more substantial, empathetic and realistic view of the period. In this activity, students will create a biography poster for an important person from the American Revolution.
Teachers can assign students specific people or events or 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. Once students have completed their posters, they can be printed out, laminated and hung around the room as a visual reminder of notable people from the time of the American Revolution. 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.
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Due Date:
Objective: Research a famous or notable person. Create a biography poster that highlights their major accomplishments.
Student Instructions:
Requirements: Person’s image, name, dates of birth/death, accomplishment.
Set up a gallery walk to encourage students to view and discuss each other’s biography posters. This active approach gets students moving, fosters peer learning, and highlights diverse perspectives from the American Revolution.
Display each student’s poster on the walls, desks, or bulletin boards where everyone can see them clearly. Having posters at eye level makes it easier for students to observe details and stay engaged as they rotate.
Group students so they begin at different posters to prevent crowding. Smaller groups ensure all students can closely examine each biography and have meaningful discussions.
Give each group a set of prompts (e.g., "What was this person’s main contribution?" or "How did their actions impact the Revolution?") to focus their attention and spark thoughtful conversation. Guiding questions help deepen understanding and keep students on task.
Have groups move to the next poster every few minutes, leaving positive comments or questions on sticky notes. This builds classroom community and helps students appreciate different research and presentation styles.
To create engaging American Revolution biography posters, guide students to research a notable figure, gather key facts like birth/death dates and major accomplishments, and use both images and descriptive words. Encourage creativity through visuals and sharing posters with classmates for a well-rounded, interactive learning experience.
Great figures for student biography projects on the American Revolution include George Washington, Abigail Adams, Ben Franklin, Phyllis Wheatley, Marquis de Lafayette, and Crispus Attucks. Including diverse leaders and unsung heroes gives students a broader perspective of the era.
An effective biography poster should include the person's name, image, birth and death dates, and a summary of their major accomplishments. Adding quotes, character illustrations, and relevant visuals can make the poster more engaging and informative for classmates.
Researching real people helps students build empathy and a deeper understanding of the American Revolution. It moves learning beyond rote memorization, letting students see multiple perspectives and connect personally with the people who shaped history.
Yes, you can find biography poster templates online or create your own to guide students. Templates help structure the project by providing spaces for key facts, images, and accomplishments, making it easier for students to organize and present their research.