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https://sbt-core-www-c7bcewead6hdg8dr.eastus-01.azurewebsites.net/lesson-plans/stamped-by-jason-reynolds-and-ibram-x-kendi/biography
Lesson Plan Overview
Template and Class Instructions
Student Rubric
Lesson Plan Overview
Lesson Plan Overview
Stamped introduces students to a "people's history" of racism in America through the narratives of dozens of different figures from the last 500 years that had an impact on the history of slavery. Students can use a graphic organizer to write notes as they learn about their person. They will then create a biography poster highlighting their person’s major accomplishments.
These posters can be printed out, laminated and hung around the room as a visual reminder of these notable people and their accomplishments. Students can also present their posters to their classmates, sharing their knowledge about their person. Thus combining research, writing and public speaking skills into one powerful assignment
Find more biography poster templates to add to this assignment if desired!
Example of Historical Figures in Stamped to Research
- Gomes Eanes de Zurara
- John Cotton
- Richard Mather
- Cotton Mather
- Thomas Jefferson
- Benjamin Franklin
- Phillis Wheatley
- William Lloyd Garrison
- Frederick Douglass
- Harriet Beecher Stowe
- Abraham Lincoln
- W.E.B. Du Bois
- Booker T. Washington
- Ida B. Wells
- Marcus Garvey
- Jack Johnson
- Angela Davis
- Zora Neale Hurston
- John F. Kennedy
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Lyndon B. Johnson
- Malcolm X
- Langston Hughes
- Ma Rainey
- James Baldwin
- Audre Lorde
- Muhammad Ali
- Ronald Regan
- Public Enemy
- George Bush
- Bill Clinton
- George W. Bush
- Barack Obama
- Michelle Obama
Template and Class Instructions
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 historical figure mentioned in Stamped. Create a poster that includes their important accomplishments.
Student Instructions:
- Choose a famous person.
- Using school resources, conduct research on a famous person or event and take notes using a graphic organizer.
- On the poster, include your person’s name and dates of birth, death and major accomplishments in sequence.
- Add appropriate scenes, characters and items to illustrate your poster.
Requirements: Person’s image, name, dates of birth/death, 1-3 major accomplishments, 1-6 illustrations
Lesson Plan Reference
Student Rubric
Student Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
Biography Poster Rubric
Create a biography poster that highlights the important facts about a famous or historic person, character or god.
| 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. |
Lesson Plan Overview
Stamped introduces students to a "people's history" of racism in America through the narratives of dozens of different figures from the last 500 years that had an impact on the history of slavery. Students can use a graphic organizer to write notes as they learn about their person. They will then create a biography poster highlighting their person’s major accomplishments.
These posters can be printed out, laminated and hung around the room as a visual reminder of these notable people and their accomplishments. Students can also present their posters to their classmates, sharing their knowledge about their person. Thus combining research, writing and public speaking skills into one powerful assignment
Find more biography poster templates to add to this assignment if desired!
Example of Historical Figures in Stamped to Research
- Gomes Eanes de Zurara
- John Cotton
- Richard Mather
- Cotton Mather
- Thomas Jefferson
- Benjamin Franklin
- Phillis Wheatley
- William Lloyd Garrison
- Frederick Douglass
- Harriet Beecher Stowe
- Abraham Lincoln
- W.E.B. Du Bois
- Booker T. Washington
- Ida B. Wells
- Marcus Garvey
- Jack Johnson
- Angela Davis
- Zora Neale Hurston
- John F. Kennedy
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Lyndon B. Johnson
- Malcolm X
- Langston Hughes
- Ma Rainey
- James Baldwin
- Audre Lorde
- Muhammad Ali
- Ronald Regan
- Public Enemy
- George Bush
- Bill Clinton
- George W. Bush
- Barack Obama
- Michelle Obama
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 historical figure mentioned in Stamped. Create a poster that includes their important accomplishments.
Student Instructions:
- Choose a famous person.
- Using school resources, conduct research on a famous person or event and take notes using a graphic organizer.
- On the poster, include your person’s name and dates of birth, death and major accomplishments in sequence.
- Add appropriate scenes, characters and items to illustrate your poster.
Requirements: Person’s image, name, dates of birth/death, 1-3 major accomplishments, 1-6 illustrations
Lesson Plan Reference
Student Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
Biography Poster Rubric
Create a biography poster that highlights the important facts about a famous or historic person, character or god.
| 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 Stamped Biography Posters
1
How to Differentiate Biography Poster Assignments for Diverse Learners
Adapt the assignment by providing scaffolded graphic organizers, sentence starters, or word banks to support students at varying reading and writing levels. Offering choices—such as written, audio, or visual presentations—empowers all students to shine and ensures equitable access to the content.
2
Model creating a sample biography poster for your class
Demonstrate the process using a document camera or projector to show each step, from researching a figure to designing the layout. Seeing a real example helps students understand expectations and inspires their own work.
3
Guide students in using reliable sources for research
Introduce age-appropriate databases or library books and discuss how to identify trustworthy websites. Teaching source evaluation builds critical research skills students will use across subjects.
4
Encourage peer feedback and revision before finalizing posters
Organize a gallery walk or small group sharing session where students give each other constructive feedback using a simple rubric. Peer review fosters collaboration and helps students improve their projects before the final display.
Frequently Asked Questions about Stamped Biography Posters
What is a Stamped biography poster assignment?
A Stamped biography poster assignment invites students to research a historical figure featured in Stamped, summarize their key accomplishments, and create a visually engaging poster. This activity combines research, writing, and presentation skills while exploring the history of racism in America.
How do I create a biography poster for Stamped?
To create a Stamped biography poster, select a historical figure from the book, research their life and achievements, and organize your notes using a graphic organizer. Include their image, name, birth/death dates, and major accomplishments, plus illustrations that represent their impact.
What should be included in a Stamped biography poster?
Each Stamped biography poster should feature the person's name, dates of birth and death, 1-3 major accomplishments, their image, and 1-6 relevant illustrations. This helps visually highlight the individual’s contributions and significance.
Where can I find templates for biography posters?
You can find biography poster templates online through educational resource sites, teacher marketplaces, or by searching for free downloadable templates. These can be customized to fit your Stamped assignment needs.
Why use biography posters to teach about Stamped?
Biography posters make learning about historical figures in Stamped interactive and memorable. They help students practice research and presentation skills while fostering a deeper understanding of the people who shaped American history and the fight against racism.
More Storyboard That Activities
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
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© 2026 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
