10 things to do with Biography in the Classroom

1.       Have students write biographies. Using some of the same methods of “LIVES OF”, kids can write their own autobiographies, or write portraits of their neighbours, kids in their classroom, teacher, families, their favourite creative person or hero. This activity could be used to teach research skills, especially the all-important one of how to use the library.

2.      Make creative bookmarks based on heroes or heroines from history.

3.      Have you class write and illustrate its own book: FUTURE LIVES OF THE STUDENTS: FAMILY, FAME, FORTUNE. Each student will write a brief autobiography of themselves as future adults. What did the students accomplish? What were their highs and low’s? What quirky, funny things took place? What have the neighbours noticed?

4.      Explore the subject of creativity. How do people create? What is it like to live a creative life? What are the secrets of success?

5.      Put on imaginary talk shows with students playing the roles of famous people. Learn how to interview people, how to make a list of interesting questions and go about finding the answers, how to take another’s point of view.

6.      Make a “hero quilt” using your favourite method of classroom quilting, such as having each student contribute a decorated piece of heavy construction paper. Students will each pick a hero from history and illustrate in words and pictures on a “quilt square”.

7.      Design imaginary “hero fanny packs”. What personal items would each hero be likely to be carrying around?

8.     Use these life stories as a way of exploring history. What was going on during these people’s times? How and why did things change? Why, for example, there were so few women in early literature and art history? How did wars and upheavals influence the creation of masterpieces?

9.      Use these biographies as a way of discussing how religion can be a factor in shaping a person’s life. Look up a famous person’s religious affiliation and discuss how this was an influence.

10.  Use biographies as a way of discussing tolerance of or discrimination against women, minorities, or people who stand out as “different”. How did prejudices of the times shape each person’s life? How did each person cope?