Activity Overview
There are many interesting and influential people throughout Canadian history that students can research to gain a deeper understanding of Canada's past and present. Researching real people helps students to get a more concrete and compassionate understanding of the culture, lives and diverse perspectives of different people. Students will research a person and then create a Biography Poster highlighting their accomplishments or notable moments.
Find more biography poster templates to add to this assignment if desired!
Notable Figures in Canadian History
- John Cabot (1449-1499)
- Jacques Cartier (1491-1557)
- Samuel de Champlain (1567-1635)
- The Count de Frontenac (1622-1698)
- Kateri Tekakwitha (1656–1680)
- Thanadelthur (1697–1717)
- Marquis de Montcalm (1712-1759)
- James Wolfe (1727-1759)
- Isaac Brock (1769-1812)
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 from Canadian history. 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
There are many interesting and influential people throughout Canadian history that students can research to gain a deeper understanding of Canada's past and present. Researching real people helps students to get a more concrete and compassionate understanding of the culture, lives and diverse perspectives of different people. Students will research a person and then create a Biography Poster highlighting their accomplishments or notable moments.
Find more biography poster templates to add to this assignment if desired!
Notable Figures in Canadian History
- John Cabot (1449-1499)
- Jacques Cartier (1491-1557)
- Samuel de Champlain (1567-1635)
- The Count de Frontenac (1622-1698)
- Kateri Tekakwitha (1656–1680)
- Thanadelthur (1697–1717)
- Marquis de Montcalm (1712-1759)
- James Wolfe (1727-1759)
- Isaac Brock (1769-1812)
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 from Canadian history. 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 Notable Canadians Biography Poster
Organize student research with a simple biography graphic organizer
Use a graphic organizer to help students gather and sort key facts about their chosen Canadian figure before creating the poster. This makes the research process more structured and ensures they include all required details.
Model how to find reliable information about historical figures
Demonstrate searching for trustworthy sources like library databases and reputable websites. Show students how to identify facts versus opinions and remind them to record where they found the information.
Guide students to summarize accomplishments in their own words
Encourage students to paraphrase what they learn about the figure’s achievements. Remind them not to copy text directly and to highlight what makes the person notable in a clear, student-friendly way.
Help students choose and create images for their posters
Support students in finding or drawing images that best represent their person’s life and accomplishments. Discuss copyright and creative commons resources for photos, or suggest drawing if images are hard to find.
Facilitate a gallery walk to share completed biography posters
Arrange a class gallery walk where students display their posters and learn from each other’s research. Encourage positive feedback and questions to build a supportive learning environment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Notable Canadians Biography Poster
What is a Notable Canadians Biography Poster activity?
A Notable Canadians Biography Poster activity is a classroom project where students research a famous Canadian and create a poster showcasing their life, accomplishments, and impact on Canadian history, using images and key facts.
How do students choose a notable Canadian for their biography poster?
Students typically select a notable Canadian from a teacher-provided list or their own research, focusing on individuals who have made significant contributions to Canadian history or culture.
What should be included on a biography poster for a Canadian historical figure?
A biography poster should include the person's image, name, birth/death dates, major accomplishments, and descriptive words or images that highlight their importance in Canadian history.
What are some examples of notable Canadians students can research for this project?
Examples of notable Canadians include John Cabot, Jacques Cartier, Samuel de Champlain, Kateri Tekakwitha, Thanadelthur, Marquis de Montcalm, and Isaac Brock, among others from early Canadian history.
Why is researching real people important in learning Canadian history?
Researching real people helps students gain concrete, compassionate understanding of Canada's culture and history by exploring diverse perspectives and personal stories.
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