Biography lessons second grade

Introduce informational writing in 2nd grade with a biography writing project!
This 5 week informational writing unit will help you teach your second grade students to write biographies and lab reports!
In this unit, students improve reading and writing standards and skills as they explore biographies of famous leaders and change agents.

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People Who Changed the World

Unit Summary

In this biography-based unit, students explore biographies of changemakers around the world. The unit has three main sections. In the first section, students research and learn about people who have changed the world by inventing or discovering something new. In this section, students will explore how inventions or discoveries can change the world and what it takes to turn an idea into action.

In the second section, students research and learn about people who have changed the world by making the world and environment a better place for everyone. In the third section, students research and learn about people who have changed the world by standing up for what they believe in and fighting for what others think is impossible. In this section, students will explore the ways some leaders have persevered in the face of obstacles and stood up for themselves or their ideas when many had stopped believing in them. Additionally in this section, students are asked to compare and contrast two biographies about the same person. Compare and co

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Grade: 01

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.1.9

Identify basic similarities in and differences between two texts on the same topic (e.g., in illustrations, descriptions, or procedures).

Grade: 02

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.9

Compare and contrast the most important points presented by two texts on the same topic.

Grade: 03

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.9

Compare and contrast the most important points and key details presented in two texts on the same topic.

Grade: 04

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.9

Integrate information from two texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.

Grade: 05

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.9

Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.

Grade: K

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.K.9

With prompting and support, identify basic similarities in and differences between two texts on the same topic (e.g., in illustrations, descriptions, or procedures).

Grade: 01

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.2

Write informative/explanatory texts in which the

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7 Helpful Tips for Biography Projects & Biography Graphic Organizers

Are you searching for biography activities for elementary students? This guide covers how to teach biography projects with fun (free) anchor charts, book lists, and project ideas. Let’s make biography lessons fun!

**1. Start by teaching the genre.**

Always start each genre with an introductory lesson. To help with making biographies fun, I suggest a biography anchor chart that you can laminate and keep in your classroom throughout the unit or throughout the entire year. Below, you will see a sample anchor chart for biographies. AND I’m linking the letters and clipart for you for FREE! That way, you can replicate a similar anchor chart for your students.

(Link: Biography Header Freebie)

2. Integrate reading into students independent and partner reading time.

Utilize all the time you can with biographies. Plug them into daily centers and even book bins for students to read during downtime. If you’re giving primary students biography books to read independently or with