Video Biographies

Make biography writing fun by having students transform their factual research into a compelling digital documentary.

Engage

Introduce your students to biographies by reading Shark Lady by by Jess Keating or by watching an episode of Netflix's The Who Was like this one about George Washington Carver

A great biography is also a great story. A biography needs to include facts, but a simple listing of them may not be compelling. Work together to brainstorm questions students can ask to make a biography more interesting. For example:

• Was this person admirable or simply famous?
• What personal qualities helped/hindered this person?

Provide a list of suggested people that you can support with appropriate research resources. Assign the video biography research template to help students find information about a person and the time period they lived.

Research Template

Create

When research is complete, students should use page 4 in the template to develop a storyboard plan for transforming their research into a video biography. The storyboard has 6-panes they can use to share information. Students can use each pane to show what is one one page.

When the storyboard is complete, students can use page 5 to write a script for their video biography. Writing one paragraph for each scene or page in their project, makes it easier to create.

Next, have students start a new, blank project. Students should use the microphone tool to record one paragraph to each page.

Students can use the paint tools, image and video buttons to add visuals to each page to support their recorded narration.

Share

Have the teams download their work as a video and share the biographies with the rest of the class or at a school assembly or even on a local access television station.

Standards

NCSS– Curriculum Standards for Social Studies

Individual Development and Identity– Personal identity is shaped by one’s culture, by groups, and by institutional influences.

Examination of various forms of human behavior enhances understanding of the relationships among social norms and emerging personal identities, the social processes that influence identity formation, and the ethical principles underlying individual action.

Common Core Anchor Standards for English Language Arts - Grade 4-12

Writing Standards

Text Types and Purposes

3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences.

Production and Distribution of Writing

4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
6. Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others

Research to Build and Present Knowledge

7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.