Biography Day 2020 Friday, March 6, 2020 9:00-10:00 a.m. New Elementary Gym
Biography Day is a fun and exciting time in third grade! Students learn to research and present on a historical subject. We cover several state learning standards in the process of preparing for Biography Day, but the real treat is how excited students get to present their hard work! I hope this page clarifies what Biography Day is all about and how students prepare for it.
Please keep in mind that this timeline is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances such as snow days, technology availability, illness, absences, etc. We allow plenty of time to complete the project amid these circumstances, so if your student gets a bit behind, don't worry! :) We will be ready for Biography Day!
January 10: A note goes home to parents explaining Biography Day. The note also contains a list of suggested subjects. Students will choose their top 3-5 choices.
January 15: List of chosen subjects due. Students will choose their biography subjects in class. We get together as an entire third grade and draw names for students to choose their subjects.
January 15 - 28: Teacher prep time to gather research resources for chosen biography subjects
January 28 - February 12: We will complete biography research in class on the school days within these dates.
February 13 - Notecards will go home for students to practice their presentations at home. We will also practice lots at school!
February 13 - 21: We will complete biography posters in class on the school days within these dates.
February 21: Biography posters and materials such as printed pictures, maps, etc. will be sent home to decorate the tri-fold presentation boards. (See below for details.)
February 21 - March 2: Decorate presentation boards at home.
March 3: Biography boards due
March 3 - 5: We will practice presentations in class with the completed boards.
March 6: Biography Day! 9:00 - 10:00 in the new elementary gym. Students will need to come to school dressed as their biography subject. (See FAQs for more details.)
Students will begin by researching their biography subjects. They will be given a template as a guide for their areas of research with directions on each section. As this is the first large research project their elementary careers, this is completed with a lot of teacher guidance. Students use books, encyclopedia articles and other scholarly sources for information. In addition to our school library, I check out books from the Greene County Library for research. We also conduct guided research on online encyclopedias and articles using child-safe searches. Once students have completed their research, they will decorate their Google Slides presentation. All of this work will be completed at school. Here is an example of the blank template versus a completed slide:
Posters will be completed at school and will be provided. These will get sent home to be placed in the center of the tri-fold presentation boards. The posters look like this:
Once posters are sent home, your student is ready to decorate the tri-fold presentation board!
Tri-fold presentation boards can be purchased at Dollar General. The Greenfield location is aware of Biography Day and the increased inventory needed, so they should have some in stock! They are ordering extra stock for mid-February. Other places to purchase boards are: select Wal-Marts and teacher supply stores as well as Michael's. If you are in need of financial assistance purchasing a board, please message me or send a note with your student and it will be taken care of discreetly.
When your student is ready to decorate the board, please remember the following:
Board decorations should fit the theme of the biography subject. For example, music notes would be appropriate for Elvis. A rope or twine border would be appropriate for Annie Oakley. Props may also be brought in. For example, baseball gear for Babe Ruth or apples for Johnny Appleseed. Be creative and have fun! We hope this is a fun family activity! Here are some examples of some completed boards.
On Biography Day, students will come dressed as their subject. We do have some items and costume pieces at school, however we are very limited. If you need help with costuming, please let me know by February 10 so I can do my best to accommodate. Tip: Many parents in previous years have asked to borrow items from their Facebook friends and have had great success!
Shirley Temple
Amelia Earhart
Johnny Appleseed
On Biography Day, students will come to school dressed as their biography subject. The presentations will begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 10:00 a.m. Presentations are about a minute in length. Instead of students presenting one at a time in front of the entire audience, instead, the projects are set up much like a science fair. Students will give their presentations to individuals and small groups as they approach. The students have worked very hard on these projects. We encourage you to visit as many presentations as you can. After presentations are over, students are welcome to change into their regular clothes or stay dressed as their subject the remainder of the school day. Check out the slideshow below to get an idea of what Biography Day is like!
Thank you for all you do to help your student prepare for this special day!
Q: What if I can't find anything for my student to wear for Biography Day? A: Mrs. Beeson graciously allows third graders to raid her costume closet in the music room. While there is no guarantee that she'll have something to fit each biography subject, there is a chance we can find something in her closet. If we need to borrow something from her closet, please let me know by February 10.
Q: Will I need to purchase a presentation board? Where can I find one? A: Dollar General sells presentation boards. The manager is aware of Biography Day and the increased inventory needed, so they should have some in stock! They are ordering extra stock for mid-February. Other places to purchase boards are: select Wal-Marts and teacher supply stores. If you are in need of financial assistance purchasing a board, please message me or send a note with your student and it will be taken care of discreetly.
Q: Are friends and family members invited to Biography Day? A: Absolutely! Please invite anyone who would make the day more special!
Q: Will students be presenting in front of a large group on Biography Day? A: Instead of students presenting one at a time in front of the large group, instead, the projects are set up much like a science fair. Students will give their presentations multiple times throughout the hour for individuals and small groups as they approach each student.
Q: Do I need to help my student with research? A: All of the research can be completed at school, but if there is something you would like to do at home to provide enrichment for this activity, please do!