Student+Packet



February 2013

Dear Sixth Grade Parents:

For the next six weeks your child will be working on a biography project. Each student has chosen a person they are interested in researching, and has selected at least one book about this person.

Over the next three weeks, students will be learning all they can about the person they have chosen to research. They will be taking notes, and writing a lengthy “autobiography” about this person. On **April 11th**, each student will become their person as part of a Living History Museum. The Museum display will be held on **Thursday, April 11th**both during the day, and in the evening. **Please hold this date!!!!!!**

The emphasis on this project is for the students to become good researchers. This includes reading at least one book, and using at least two other resources. The goal is for each student to learn all they can in whatever ways they can about their person. This includes talking with and interviewing everyone and anyone. This does not include unsupervised searches on the Internet. Jenny Murphy, our computer teacher, and I will work with the kids about how to find reliable Internet sources.

Included in this packet is a calendar with project due dates. Please look at the calendar with your child, and help them map out what s/he will do when. Because of the long-term nature of the project, and students having different daily commitments, this will help in planning time to complete the project. Please fill in the calendar with your child, and send it back to school.

Thanks,

Geri Belle

BIOGRAPHIES PROJECT

GOALS

Each person will choose and research the life of a well-known person.

Research will include reading one book length biography and at least two other resources, which can be: a documentary film, another book, an article in a magazine or newspaper, and/or an interview.

Each person will write a fictionalized autobiography that is between 5 and 15 typed pages double spaced.

Each person will create a timeline on the person researched.

Each person will condense the autobiography to a notecard to be placed on a large timeline.

Each person will find or draw a picture of the character researched to be included with the large timeline.

Each person will dress as the character he or she has researched and become part of a living history museum.

Name

REQUIREMENTS- Checklist for Biographies Project ___ Make an illustrated folder for all materials made and collected for the project__ _ Read a minimum of 3 resources on your subject ___ Take notes and complete a jot list__ _ Organize your notes (possible outline) ___ Write a 5-15 page fictionalized autobiography__ _ Rough draft ___ Final draft__ _ Create a costume for your character ___ Create a board for your character__ _ Create a timeline based on the life of your character ___ Find or create a picture of your character__ _ Condense your autobiography to a notecard for large timeline ___ Create 5-10 questions about your character to be asked during the living history museum.

TIME TABLE By **February 25**- Have a folder with the name of your character and an illustration that has to do with your character By **February 27**- Read a short article on your character By **February 28-**Decide on time periods to be used for notes By **March 19**- Complete Research and review jot list with your supervisor By **March 20**- Turn in Costume Plan By **March 28**- Turn in Rough Draft By **April 1**- Have 2 pictures of your character By **April 2**- Turn in a board with your name in pencil By **April 3**- Turn in Cover By **April 8**- Turn in Completed Individual Timeline with visuals AND Final Draft of your Autobiography By **April 9**- Complete Board
 * April 10 ** - Dress Rehearsal
 * April 11 ** - Living History Museum

IMPORTANT DATES: Passover- March 25/26, MCAS- March 21 and 22, Good Friday- March 29