Biography Unit

1. Biographies & Autobiographies
SLO 1.1: Experiment with language and forms
- experiment with a variety of forms of oral, print, and other media
texts to discover those best suited for exploring, organizing, and
sharing ideas, information and experiences
SLO 2.1: Use prior knowledge
- apply knowledge of organizational structures of oral, print and other
media texts to assist with constructing and confirming meaning
SLO 2.1: Use textual cues
- use text features…to enhance understanding of ideas and information
- identify and use the structural elements of texts…to access and
comprehend ideas and information
SLO 2.2: Experience various text
- make connections between own life and characters and ideas in oral,
print, and other media texts
SLO 3.1: Focus attention
- use note-taking or representing to assist with understanding ideas
and information, and focusing topics and investigation
SLO 3.2: Use a variety of sources
- locate information to answer research questions using a variety of
sources…
SLO 3.2: Access information
- use a variety of tools…to access information
- skim, scan and read closely to gather information
SLO 3.2: Evaluate sources
- evaluate the congruency between gathered information and research
purpose and focus, using pre-established criteria
SLO 3.3: Organize information
- organize and develop ideas and information into oral, print or other
media texts with introductions that interest audiences and state the
topic, sections that develop the topic, and conclusions
SLO 3.3: Record information
- make notes on a topic, combining information from more than one
source; use reference sources appropriately

2. SLO 3.4: Share ideas and information
- communicate ideas and information in a variety of oral, print and
other media texts…
- select appropriate visuals, print, and/or other media to inform and
engage the audience
SLO 4.1: Revise and edit
- use paragraph structures in expository and narrative texts
SLO 4.1: Enhance legibility
- experiment with a variety of software design elements, such as
spacing, graphics, titles and headings, and font sizes and styles, to
enhance the presentation of texts
SLO 4.3: Present Information
- use various styles and forms of presentations, depending on content,
audience and purpose
SLO 4.3: Use effective oral and visual communication
- demonstrate control of voice, pacing, gestures and facial expressions;
arrange props and presentation space to enhance communication
Rationale
This unit provides students with an opportunity to explore and create
non-fiction texts. By starting with the creation of an autobiography,
students immediately have a personal connection with the genre. When
students create a biography, they are provided with the opportunity to
choose who they are learning about, while learning important research
skills.
Assessments
“Paperbag Autobiography”: 7 – 45 minute periods (1 introduction, 4
work, 2 presentation)
Materials: computers for PowerPoint/Microsoft Word, cue cards
Biography Book: 10 – 45 minute periods (1 introduction, 5 research, 4
writing)

3. Materials: computers for research, library books, iPads, Book Creator
app, biographyresearch.wordpress.com
“Paper Bag” Autobiography
An autobiography is the story that a person tells about their own life.
You are going to write and present your own autobiography to the class.
You will need 4 items that you can fit into a paper bag (or 4 pictures
of items to put into a PowerPoint presentation).
For each item you will need to write one strong lead sentence (why
you chose your item), and at least four supporting sentences
(explaining why this is important to you) onto a cue card.
You will be presenting your autobiography to the class. You will have
4 class periods to work on this.
Items:
representative of who you are
creative
/4
Lead Sentences:
well thought-out
/4
Supporting Sentences:
provide important information
interesting information
well thought-out
/4
Presentation:
enthusiastic
spoken clearly and loudly
/3
Total:
/15

4. Biography Project
A biography is an account of someone’s life written by someone else.
You are going to write your own biographies. You need to pick someone
from the list of people below, and research their life. You can use the books
provided, and you can also use the sites that have been put on
www.biographyresearch.wordpress.com .
People To Choose From:
Alexander Graham
Bell
Amelia Earhart
Anne Frank
Benjamin Franklin
Bill Gates
Chris Hadfield
Coco Chanel
Emily Murphy
Harriet Tubman
Harry Houdini
Helen Keller
Irene Marryat Parlby
J.K. Rowling
Jackie Robinson
Jeanne Mance
Louis Riel
Lucy Maud
Montgomery
Mahatma Gandhi
Marie Curie
Molly Brant
Mother Teresa
Nellie McClung
Nelson Mandela
Pablo Picasso
Queen Ellizabeth II
Roberta Bondar
Rosa Parks
Samuel de
Champlain
St. Marguerite
Bourgeoys
Terry Fox
Thomas Edison
Walt Disney
You need to find the following information:
Where & when they were born?
What are 2 or 3 interesting things about their childhood?
Where did they go to school?
What did they do after high school (or whenever they finished school)?
What inspired them? What kind of training did they do (university,
apprentice, etc.)?

5. What did they do after they finished their training?
What kinds of things did they accomplish?
Who have they influenced?
Do they have a famous quote? What is it?
After you’ve gathered all of your information, you can begin putting
together your project. Your final project will be a book from the Book
Creator app on the iPads. You will need at least 9 pages (including a Title
Page and a Table of Contents). You need to include at least 1 paragraph
per page (not including the Title Page and Table of Contents). If you have
time after you’ve completed all of your paragraphs, then you may
include pictures. You may not include any images in your book until after
you have shown all of your completed paragraphs to Mrs. Gajdostik or
Miss. Martyn.
Content: /10
 Is your information correct?
 Is your information interesting?
 Is the information you included important?
 Do you have enough information?
Conventions: /10
 Are your paragraphs complete?
 Does your writing make sense?
 Are there run-ons?
 Are there sentence fragments?
Organization: /5
 Is your project logically organized?
 Is it easy to read?
Total: /25
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