One of the most exciting times of the school year is when we dive into biographies!
Not only do the kids love biography project time, but so do I! Why? Here are some of the reasons why I just LOVE biography project time:
- students are engaged and actively reading nonfiction
- students are applying a wide range of reading strategies as they read this form of nonfiction
- students learn from one another as they are reading about different people
- biography reports and projects ties together reading and writing in an authentic way
Sounds great, right? It is true! SO much goodness comes from completing biography projects. On top of all of that, students work independently on the project and feel a huge sense of accomplishment and pride when they are done.
But before all of this goodness can happen, we start small. We kick off our biography unit and project by reading high-quality picture books that truly illustrate the elements that are found in biographies, like these.
This list of 8 picture books includes titles that are must adds to your upper elementary classroom. And bonus, grab the FREE organizer and activity to use with any of these books to help you kick off biographies in your classroom!
Shark Lady written by Jess Keating
The only thing more engaging than reading about sharks is
reading about the woman who just swam with the sharks. This biography tells the
story of Eugenie Clark. I love this picture book biography because it begins
the story of Eugenie's life with her as a young girl. The reader goes on a
journey learning about her life and her actions to make her dream of becoming a
marine biologist a reality. I especially love the book's last pages that
include informational paragraphs about sharks, the timeline of Eugenie Clark's
life, and the author's note.
Dinosaur Lady written by Linda Skeers
One of the reasons why this book makes my list of top
biography picture books is because there are so many examples that help
students discover the character traits of Mary Anning, like being determined,
brave, and curious. This biography book is a great choice to read during a biography unit and a character trait unit. This exciting story will shock some
of your students as they learn that Mary Anning discovered dinosaur fossils and
bones before the word dinosaur was even invented! With all the goodies at the
end of this book, too, your students will love to read and reread this book. The
last pages include informational paragraphs about fossils, Mary Anning's life
timeline, and the author's note. This highly engaging story is a must-read in
your class.
WHOOSH! written by Chris Barton
This story of Lonnie Johnson and his super soaking invention
was recently recommended to me, and I instantly fell in love with it! This book
begins with Lonnie Johnson as a young child who enjoys making things work and
being challenged. Students will easily relate to Lonnie and his failures with
some of his inventions. The reader follows Lonnie through his young adult life,
his adult life, and all of his ups and downs. This book is filled with amazing
illustrations and diagrams that kids love to check out. The author’s note at
the end will certainly encourage students to dream big and come up with the
next best invention.
Breaking the Ice written by Angie Bullaro
You don't have to be a hockey lover or even a sports fanatic
to love the story of Manon Rheaume, the first woman to play in the National
Hockey League. This picture book is the perfect match for upper elementary
students. It is filled with important dates, figurative language, dialogue, and
excellent word choice. Manon's story Remind students that working hard and
failure go hand in hand with trying to achieve your goal. As with the other
picture books included in this list, the afterword, real photographs, and
timeline at the end of the book truly bring to life for the students that this
story is a true story.
King of Ragtime written by Stephen Costanza
The King of Ragtime tells the story of the talented
Scott Joplin. This biography is another perfect read-aloud for upper elementary
students. The author gives great detail about all elements of Scott's life
beginning in his childhood, while the illustrator supports the vivid story with
beautiful pictures on each page. With rich vocabulary, onomatopoeia, and an
easy-to-follow sequential telling of Scott's life, Students will be engaged and
learn how important it is to follow their dreams. I especially love that this book allows you to bring music into your classroom, which is sure to catch the attention of your musically talented students.
Helen's Big World written by Doreen Rapport
Helen's Big World not only makes my list of top biographies
to read with your class, but it also holds a spot on my Women's History Month Picture
Book List, too. That is because I always look forward to reading this book year
after year. I may be a little biased because I have driven by her beautiful
home in Connecticut on my way to teach each morning for many years. See her Connecticut
home here. Her story is one of pure inspiration for both students and adults
alike. The author of this book does a fantastic job of bringing the story of
Helen Keller to life through rich text and beautiful illustrations. I especially
love the powerful quotes throughout the book, the focus on both the struggles
and accomplishments of Helen Keller's life and the sign language chart included
in the book. Definitely a must-read!
Martin's Big Words written by Doreen Rapport
This biography is part of Doreen Rappaport's biography
series. All of the books in this series are just right for upper elementary
students, include powerful quotes and illustrations, and get students
critically thinking about the focus person of the book. This one, about Martin
Luther King, Jr, is no exception. While many students may have heard a story or
two about Dr. King, the powerful quotes woven throughout the book will leave
students with a lasting impression about the accomplishments, struggles, and
determination of Martin Luther King, Jr. No matter what other book you have read
about Dr. King, read this one during your biography unit.
KIDSTORY: Anthology of 50 Children and Young People Who Shook Up the World written by Tom Adams
I love having anthologies in the classroom, like this biography
anthology. They are perfect for when you do not have a lot of time to read
aloud to your students. This one tells the story of 50 exceptional children and
young people who left their mark on the world. I especially love this book because the
contents page categorizes the biographies by topic, with ten amazing children
for each subject. For example, one topic is “Create and Dream.” This category
has ten mini-biographies about children like Louis Braille and Shirley Temple. Each
biography in the book is only two pages long, making it the perfect quick read
for each day of your biography unit. From Emma Watson to Pocahontas, this
anthology has a wide range of children and young adults to read and learn about
each time you pick it up. With a beautiful mix of photographs, illustrations,
and quotes, your students will enjoy reading as they put their nonfiction reading skills to the test. This book is one that you will love to visit each
day and that your students will love to borrow again and again.
While there are so many biography picture books that you can share with students, these make my list because of their unique stories. These are books that your students probably have not heard...yet! Add them to your own stack of read-aloud books and watch student engagement soar as you read each of these powerful biography stories.
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