Activity Overview
Descendants of the Taíno people exist all over the Caribbean today. The imprint of the Taíno culture is felt in every facet of Caribbean life, from names of foods and cities to styles of art and music. Researching real people helps students to get a more concrete and compassionate understanding of the culture, lives and diverse perspectives of Indigenous peoples. Students will research a person and then create a Biography Poster highlighting their accomplishments.
Suggested Notable Caribbean People
- Roberto "Múkaro" Borrero is a Taíno community leader, an accomplished musician, and artist, as well as an internationally respected advocate for the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Anacaona (1474 –1504) also known as Golden Flower, was a Taíno cacique (chief), religious expert and poet born in Xaragua (Haiti). In 1503, Anacaona was arrested and hanged much to the horror of her people by order of the Spanish governor.
- Agüeybaná I (The Great Sun): Cacique who ruled Puerto Rico when Juan Ponce de Leon arrived.
- Agüeybaná II (The Brave): Cacique who was the brother of Agüeybaná I and who led the Taíno rebellion in 1511 in Puerto Rico (Borikén) against the Spanish colonizers.
- Guacanagaríx was one of five Taino caciques of Hispaniola (the area now called Haiti), and the first Cacique to befriend Columbus and helped save the men aboard the sinking Spanish vessel "Santa Maria" in Hispaniola. He also helped build Fort Navidad.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Research a famous or notable person that is of Indigenous heritage from the Caribbean region. Create a Biography Poster that highlights their major accomplishments.
Student Instructions:
- Choose a person.
- Using school resources, conduct some research and learn more about your chosen person.
- On the poster, include your person’s name and dates of birth (and death if applicable). Choose a character that resembles your person. Add words and images to describe your person’s accomplishments.
Requirements: Person’s image, name, dates of birth/death, accomplishments.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | The description includes at least five important facts about the famous or historic figure. | The description includes less than five important facts or it includes information that is not pertinent to the famous or historic figure. | The description is incomplete and does not contain important information about the famous or historic figure. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items that are appropriate to the famous or historic figure. They enhance the poster by symbolizing or illustrating important facts about the figure. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items are mostly accurate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items is too limited or incomplete. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Storyboard text is difficult to understand. |
Activity Overview
Descendants of the Taíno people exist all over the Caribbean today. The imprint of the Taíno culture is felt in every facet of Caribbean life, from names of foods and cities to styles of art and music. Researching real people helps students to get a more concrete and compassionate understanding of the culture, lives and diverse perspectives of Indigenous peoples. Students will research a person and then create a Biography Poster highlighting their accomplishments.
Suggested Notable Caribbean People
- Roberto "Múkaro" Borrero is a Taíno community leader, an accomplished musician, and artist, as well as an internationally respected advocate for the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Anacaona (1474 –1504) also known as Golden Flower, was a Taíno cacique (chief), religious expert and poet born in Xaragua (Haiti). In 1503, Anacaona was arrested and hanged much to the horror of her people by order of the Spanish governor.
- Agüeybaná I (The Great Sun): Cacique who ruled Puerto Rico when Juan Ponce de Leon arrived.
- Agüeybaná II (The Brave): Cacique who was the brother of Agüeybaná I and who led the Taíno rebellion in 1511 in Puerto Rico (Borikén) against the Spanish colonizers.
- Guacanagaríx was one of five Taino caciques of Hispaniola (the area now called Haiti), and the first Cacique to befriend Columbus and helped save the men aboard the sinking Spanish vessel "Santa Maria" in Hispaniola. He also helped build Fort Navidad.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Research a famous or notable person that is of Indigenous heritage from the Caribbean region. Create a Biography Poster that highlights their major accomplishments.
Student Instructions:
- Choose a person.
- Using school resources, conduct some research and learn more about your chosen person.
- On the poster, include your person’s name and dates of birth (and death if applicable). Choose a character that resembles your person. Add words and images to describe your person’s accomplishments.
Requirements: Person’s image, name, dates of birth/death, accomplishments.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Needs Improvement | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | The description includes at least five important facts about the famous or historic figure. | The description includes less than five important facts or it includes information that is not pertinent to the famous or historic figure. | The description is incomplete and does not contain important information about the famous or historic figure. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items that are appropriate to the famous or historic figure. They enhance the poster by symbolizing or illustrating important facts about the figure. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items are mostly accurate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the scenes, characters and items is too limited or incomplete. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Storyboard text is difficult to understand. |
How Tos about Biographies of First Nations of the Caribbean
Organize student research with a clear planning template
Prepare a research template for students to fill in key facts about their chosen person. This helps students focus on important details like birth date, major accomplishments, and cultural impact, making their work more structured and thorough.
Guide students to find and evaluate age-appropriate sources
Direct students to approved websites, library books, and multimedia resources. Discuss how to check for reliability and bias, ensuring students use accurate and respectful information about Indigenous figures.
Model creating a sample Biography Poster for the class
Demonstrate each part of the poster—name, image, dates, and accomplishments—using a well-known figure. Show how to add creative visuals and concise text so students understand expectations and presentation style.
Encourage peer feedback before finalizing posters
Organize a gallery walk or partner review where students exchange posters and offer constructive feedback. This fosters collaboration, helps catch mistakes, and encourages thoughtful improvements.
Celebrate and reflect on student learning with a classroom showcase
Host a presentation day where students share their Biography Posters and discuss what they learned about Caribbean Indigenous leaders. This creates a sense of accomplishment and deepens cultural understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions about Biographies of First Nations of the Caribbean
What is a Biography Poster project for Indigenous Caribbean figures?
A Biography Poster project is an activity where students research a notable Indigenous person from the Caribbean, then create a poster that highlights their name, image, dates, and major accomplishments. This helps students understand and celebrate the diverse contributions of Caribbean Indigenous peoples.
How can students research First Nations or Taíno leaders for classroom projects?
Students can use school resources like books, educational websites, and library databases to find information about First Nations or Taíno leaders. Recommended steps include choosing a person, gathering key facts, and focusing on their achievements and cultural impact.
Who are some notable Indigenous people from the Caribbean for student biographies?
Notable Indigenous Caribbean figures include Roberto "Múkaro" Borrero, Anacaona, Agüeybaná I & II, and Guacanagaríx. These leaders made significant contributions to their communities and the wider Caribbean.
What should be included on a student’s Indigenous Caribbean Biography Poster?
A student’s Biography Poster should feature the person’s name, image, dates of birth/death, and a summary of their main accomplishments. Words and images can highlight their impact and cultural significance.
Why is it important for students to research real Indigenous Caribbean people?
Researching real Indigenous Caribbean people helps students build a concrete and compassionate understanding of diverse cultures, perspectives, and histories, fostering respect and deeper learning about the region’s heritage.
More Storyboard That Activities
Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean
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