Activity Overview
Indigenous people of the Plateau region are famous artists, historians, activists, among many other professions. Researching real people helps students to get a more concrete and compassionate understanding of the culture, lives, and perspectives of Native Americans. In this activity, students will research a person and then create a biography poster highlighting their accomplishments.
Using one of the templates or starting from scratch on the poster layout, students will build up a profile of their chosen figure. Depending on requirements or complexity, students can add timelines to their posters. However, the wide variety of characters, scenes, and items makes it very easy for students to customize their project to fit any guidelines.
Find more biography poster templates to add to this assignment if desired!
Some examples of people to research:
- Chief Kamiakin (1800 - 1877)
- Chief Joseph (1840 - 1904)
- Jackson Sundown (1863 - 1923)
- Claudia Kauffman (1959 - )
- Sherman Alexie (1966 - )
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 Plateau 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 how it came to pass.
- 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, accomplishment.
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
Indigenous people of the Plateau region are famous artists, historians, activists, among many other professions. Researching real people helps students to get a more concrete and compassionate understanding of the culture, lives, and perspectives of Native Americans. In this activity, students will research a person and then create a biography poster highlighting their accomplishments.
Using one of the templates or starting from scratch on the poster layout, students will build up a profile of their chosen figure. Depending on requirements or complexity, students can add timelines to their posters. However, the wide variety of characters, scenes, and items makes it very easy for students to customize their project to fit any guidelines.
Find more biography poster templates to add to this assignment if desired!
Some examples of people to research:
- Chief Kamiakin (1800 - 1877)
- Chief Joseph (1840 - 1904)
- Jackson Sundown (1863 - 1923)
- Claudia Kauffman (1959 - )
- Sherman Alexie (1966 - )
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 Plateau 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 how it came to pass.
- 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, accomplishment.
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 Indigenous Peoples of the Plateau Region: Biographies
Engage students with a class discussion before starting research
Spark curiosity and build background knowledge by inviting students to share what they know about Indigenous peoples of the Plateau region. Ask open-ended questions and display images to prompt interest before assigning research topics.
Guide students in choosing a diverse range of notable figures
Encourage students to select individuals with varied roles such as artists, leaders, activists, and writers. Highlighting diversity ensures richer class discussions and a more comprehensive understanding of the Plateau region's heritage.
Model effective research strategies with sample resources
Demonstrate how to use age-appropriate websites, books, and databases to find reliable information. Show students how to take notes and organize facts for their posters.
Teach students to cite sources simply and respectfully
Explain the importance of crediting sources, even in elementary grades. Show how to list books, websites, or interviews at the bottom of their poster using kid-friendly citation styles.
Facilitate a gallery walk for students to share their biography posters
Set up a classroom gallery walk where students can present and celebrate each other's work. Encourage students to ask questions and offer positive feedback to foster a respectful learning community.
Frequently Asked Questions about Indigenous Peoples of the Plateau Region: Biographies
What is a biography poster activity for Indigenous Peoples of the Plateau region?
A biography poster activity for Indigenous Peoples of the Plateau region is an educational assignment where students research a notable Native American figure from the Plateau area and create a visual poster highlighting their life, achievements, and impact. This helps students gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous history and culture.
How can students research Indigenous leaders from the Plateau region for a biography project?
Students can research Indigenous leaders from the Plateau region by using school library resources, trusted online databases, and books focusing on Native American history. Look for information about their early life, major accomplishments, and contributions to their communities.
What should be included on a biography poster for a K-12 classroom assignment?
A K-12 biography poster should include the person's name, image, dates of birth (and death if applicable), key accomplishments, and visuals or words that describe their significance. Using a template or starting from scratch are both good options for creativity.
Who are some notable Indigenous figures from the Plateau region appropriate for student research?
Examples of notable Indigenous figures from the Plateau region include Chief Kamiakin, Chief Joseph, Jackson Sundown, Claudia Kauffman, and Sherman Alexie. These individuals made significant contributions in leadership, arts, and activism.
Why is it important for students to learn about Indigenous people through biography projects?
Learning about Indigenous people through biography projects helps students develop empathy, cultural awareness, and a concrete understanding of Native American histories and perspectives, making social studies more engaging and relevant.
More Storyboard That Activities
Indigenous Peoples of the Plateau
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