8^th Grade 3^rd Quarter Media Center Project

Biography…it’s all about PEOPLE!

(Other final product options may be available at true project kickoff.)

Each student will choose a person to research.  This person must be approved by the student’s Language Arts teacher.  Using various sources, students will research their chosen person.  Over the course of the project, each student will be using research skills which will count towards the final grade, along with the final product and oral presentation.  Grades for this project will be assigned by the Language Arts teacher.

 Final Product (pick one):

1. Song- Write a song (Any kind…rap, hip hop, familiar tune, etc…) which incorporates all of the facts from the Biographical Information Needed section.  Lyrics must be handed in.  Must be able to be performed as a song, not just read aloud.  See oral presentation requirements below to ensure proper length of song.
2. Wax Museum- Using all of the facts from the Biographical Information Needed section, write a script to be turned in as if you actually are the person you are studying.  It is to be written in 1^st person, present tense point of view…For example, if you were George Washington you would write, “My name is George Washington.  I am the first president of the United States…etc…).  During your presentation of your script, you will dress as the person you are researching.  See oral presentation requirements below.

Biographical Research Information Needed:

(The fill-in research packet is found below under Section Files.)

Important Facts:  Full name, date and place of birth (and death, if applicable; reason for death), family (married, single, children, parents’ jobs, etc.), education (where, when, what degrees), job or jobs held throughout their lifetime [*need answers to all…if not applicable, please note]

Famous Facts:  Why is your person famous?  Have they won any awards and why did they win those awards?  What have they done to be remembered?  How have they made a difference in society and/or history?  [*need answers to all]

Fun Facts:  Hobbies, interests, odd bits of information about your person, unusual quirks, little known facts, etc. [*at least 5]

Reflection:  Why did you pick this person?  What would be difficult about being this person?  What would be fun about being this person?  What are your personal thoughts about the person you’ve studied?  [*at least two 5 sentence paragraphs]

Resource Use:

Each student must use a minimum of 3 different types of resources to find their information.  These may include: books (one of the resources MUST be a book), encyclopedias, videos, magazines, newspapers, internet, TV interviews, and online databases.  Wikipedia does not count as a valid resource.  Go to LibraryPoint.org, click on “Articles and Databases” located on the right side of the screen, choose “Biography in Context”, type in your library card (or phone number), and search your person!  You may also use one of the Encyclopedia Brittanica options.  Databases are awesome resources and totally reliable and accurate!  The citation for this resource is at the end of the chosen article (bottom of the page).  *A database is considered a different resource from a website.*

Works Cited Page:

Students must give credit to the sources they have used in their project.  Each student must complete a Works Cited page.  Examples of how to cite sources can be found on the HH Poole Fusion website at http://stafford.poole.schoolfusion.us/.  On the left hand side of this site, click on “Library.”  After that, click on “How to Cite Information.”  If you scroll to the bottom of that page, there is also a Works Cited Example Page attached. 

Due Date and Presentation:

The due date for students to hand in their final projects is the week of March 12, 2012.  The specific day depends on teacher/block.    

- Students will then present their projects during Library/Language Arts class. 
- The oral presentation portion will be graded on items such as length (3-5 minutes), volume/clarity, eye contact, expression, creativity/effort, and content. 
- Students may use one 3x5 index card for their oral presentation.

To Be Turned In:

Students need to turn in the Final Product (as described above), along with their Biographical Research Information Packet and typed Works Cited page.  All of this needs to be attached by paper clip or staple when turned in.

*Chick-Fil-A of Garrisonville, Maggie Moo's, Pizza Hut, and H.H. Poole's PTO are proud sponsors of our reading programs.*