Teacher: Eva Krebs
Subject Area: English
Grade Level: 8th grade (13-14 yrs.)
Unit Title: Creative Writing
Lesson Title: Biography Journal
Performance Objectives:
Upon completion of this lesson, the student will be able to know what a biography is, how to interview people, write a biography.
By the end of this activity students will be able to:
· Write a biography
· Interview a people
Materials:
· Book- "The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy)" by Barbara Kerley
· Biography Helper- Hand Out
· Interview Sheet
· Biography Journal Sheet
· Color pencils/crayons
References:
Kerley, Barbara. (2010). The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy). New York: Scholastic Press.
Preparation:
· Open discussion on what a biography is
· Definition of biography
◦ Nonfiction writing that tells the true story of another person’s life
· Read "The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy)" by Barbara Kerley
Presentation:
· Provide the students with the "Biography Helper- Hand Out" and go over it with the class
· Ask students to organize Susy's biography steps into the steps provided in the hand out
· Importance of lesson:
◦ Understand biographies
◦ Interview
◦ Write biography
· Introduce activities to the audience in an orderly fashion:
◦ Break off into dyads
◦ Interview partner
◦ Write biography
◦ Illustrate biography
Application:
· Break off into dyads
· Each student will conduct two interview:
◦ Their partner
◦ Common friend
· Write a short biography about their partner (three biography journal sheets)
· An illustration is required in each biography page
Evaluation:
· Selected students will read their biography to the class
· The class will analyze the biographies read and break them into its components
Closure:
· Students will be asked share their thought on other things Susy could have had written about Mark Twain
Assigned Student Work:
· Interview a family member
· Write biography
· Illustrate biography