Activity Overview
Indigenous people of the Southwest are famous leaders, artists, athletes, activists, and 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 an indigenous person from the Southwest region and then create a biography poster highlighting their life and 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:
- Geronimo (1829 - 1909)
- Anselmo Valencia Tori (1921–1998)
- Emory Sekaquaptewa (1928–2007)
- Diane J. Humetewa (1964 - )
- Linda Lomahaftewa (1947 - )
- Jacoby Ellsbury (1983 - )
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 Southwest 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 Southwest are famous leaders, artists, athletes, activists, and 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 an indigenous person from the Southwest region and then create a biography poster highlighting their life and 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:
- Geronimo (1829 - 1909)
- Anselmo Valencia Tori (1921–1998)
- Emory Sekaquaptewa (1928–2007)
- Diane J. Humetewa (1964 - )
- Linda Lomahaftewa (1947 - )
- Jacoby Ellsbury (1983 - )
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 Southwest 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 People of the Southwest Biographies
Organize a Classroom Gallery Walk for Biography Posters
Encourage students to share their biography posters by setting up a gallery walk. This activity boosts engagement and helps students learn from each other's research.
Arrange posters around the classroom at student eye level
Display each student’s poster on the walls or desks so everyone can view them easily. Spacing out posters prevents crowding and makes the walk comfortable.
Assign students to circulate and view each poster
Direct students to walk around the room, taking time to observe each biography poster. Encourage them to read about different figures and notice design choices.
Provide a simple reflection worksheet or sticky notes
Give students tools to jot down interesting facts, questions, or compliments about their classmates’ posters. This supports active engagement and positive feedback.
Lead a class discussion to highlight key learnings
Facilitate a group conversation about what students discovered and which Indigenous leaders inspired them. This reinforces learning and fosters appreciation for diversity.
Frequently Asked Questions about Indigenous People of the Southwest Biographies
What is a biography poster activity for Indigenous people of the Southwest?
A biography poster activity for Indigenous people of the Southwest is a project where students research a notable Native American individual from the region and create a visual poster displaying their life, achievements, and cultural impact. This helps students learn history through real-life examples and fosters empathy and cultural understanding.
How do I help students choose an Indigenous person from the Southwest to research?
Encourage students to pick from a list of famous Indigenous leaders, artists, athletes, or activists from the Southwest, such as Geronimo or Jacoby Ellsbury. You can provide a starter list or let students explore school-approved resources to discover someone who interests them.
What should be included in an Indigenous biography poster for a classroom project?
An effective Indigenous biography poster should include the person’s name, image, birth/death dates, and key accomplishments. Adding a character illustration, timeline, and descriptive words or images about their impact makes the project more engaging and informative.
Why is it important to study biographies of Indigenous people from the Southwest in school?
Studying biographies of Indigenous people from the Southwest helps students develop a deeper, more personal understanding of Native American culture, history, and contributions, while challenging stereotypes and building empathy.
Are there templates available for biography posters on Indigenous Southwest figures?
Yes, there are biography poster templates that students can use or customize for their projects. These templates make it easier to organize information and add creative touches while meeting assignment requirements.
More Storyboard That Activities
Indigenous Peoples of the Southwest
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