“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
Learning a new program can be difficult, but this "All About Me" activity is sure to excite students of all ages. It's also a great way to introduce them to a biography unit or teach them how to use new technology! In this activity, students will create a spider map that illustrates five aspects of them!
Here are some topics that students can include:
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create an All About Me spider map.
Student Instructions:
Grade Level 6-8
Difficulty Level 1 (Introducing / Reinforcing)
Type of Assignment Individual
Type of Activity: Biography
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Writing and Grammar usage | All of the descriptions are detailed and complete. They answer the prompts accurately and are written using correct grammar. | Most of the descriptions are detailed and complete. There are some grammatical errors. | Only some of the descriptions are detailed and complete. There are many grammatical errors. |
| Illustrations | All of the illustrations clearly depict the answers to the prompts using appropriate characters, scenes and items. | Most of the illustrations depict the answers to the prompts using appropriate characters, scenes and items. Some are unclear or unfinished. | Only a few of the illustrations depict the answers to the prompts using appropriate characters, scenes and items. Most are unclear or unfinished. |
| Effort | All of the work is complete, thorough, and neat. It is evident student put forth a lot of effort. | Most of the work is complete, thorough, and neat. It is evident student put forth some effort. | Only some of the work is complete, thorough, and neat. It is evident student did not put forth adequate effort. |
Learning a new program can be difficult, but this "All About Me" activity is sure to excite students of all ages. It's also a great way to introduce them to a biography unit or teach them how to use new technology! In this activity, students will create a spider map that illustrates five aspects of them!
Here are some topics that students can include:
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create an All About Me spider map.
Student Instructions:
Grade Level 6-8
Difficulty Level 1 (Introducing / Reinforcing)
Type of Assignment Individual
Type of Activity: Biography
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 5 Points | Emerging 3 Points | Beginning 1 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Writing and Grammar usage | All of the descriptions are detailed and complete. They answer the prompts accurately and are written using correct grammar. | Most of the descriptions are detailed and complete. There are some grammatical errors. | Only some of the descriptions are detailed and complete. There are many grammatical errors. |
| Illustrations | All of the illustrations clearly depict the answers to the prompts using appropriate characters, scenes and items. | Most of the illustrations depict the answers to the prompts using appropriate characters, scenes and items. Some are unclear or unfinished. | Only a few of the illustrations depict the answers to the prompts using appropriate characters, scenes and items. Most are unclear or unfinished. |
| Effort | All of the work is complete, thorough, and neat. It is evident student put forth a lot of effort. | Most of the work is complete, thorough, and neat. It is evident student put forth some effort. | Only some of the work is complete, thorough, and neat. It is evident student did not put forth adequate effort. |
Encourage students to think beyond the basics by asking open-ended questions about their interests, experiences, and dreams. This sparks creativity and helps each student’s spider map reflect their individuality.
Demonstrate by creating your own spider map in front of the class. Share personal stories and explain your choices for each aspect. This gives students a clear, concrete model to follow and makes the activity more relatable.
Provide students with blank spider map templates or digital graphic organizers. Guide them to jot down keywords or draw quick sketches for each section, making their ideas visible and organized before starting the final project.
Pair up students or form small groups to discuss their ideas and receive feedback. This sharing process can inspire new thoughts, build confidence, and help students refine their final choices for the All About Me map.
Highlight unique and creative ideas during class discussions or display completed maps. Recognizing effort encourages students to take risks and think more deeply about what makes them special.
The 'All About Me' spider map activity is a creative project where students illustrate five unique aspects of themselves using a visual organizer. It helps students introduce themselves, practice technology skills, and serves as a fun way to begin a biography unit.
Teachers can use the 'All About Me' activity as a springboard for biography units by encouraging students to share personal interests, backgrounds, and stories. This builds connection and lays the foundation for exploring biographies of others.
Creative topics for an 'All About Me' project include favorite books or movies, hobbies, family backgrounds, favorite animals, school subjects, seasons, and personal symbols or colors.
Students develop digital literacy by learning to navigate new programs, select and insert images or symbols, organize ideas visually, and use creative tools to personalize their spider maps.
Start by having students write 'All About Me' in the center. Then, guide them to add headers for each aspect, choose relevant images or symbols, use backgrounds and colors, and encourage creativity while making sure each section expresses something unique about themselves.
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher