Activity Overview
Researching real people helps students to gain a more concrete and compassionate understanding of the culture, lives and diverse perspectives of people who were involved in the American Revolution. Giving students the perspective of those who lived during a time period helps them go beyond simply memorizing dates and names to acquire a more substantial, empathetic and realistic view of the period. In this activity, students will create a biography poster for an important person from the American Revolution.
Teachers can assign students specific people or events or give students a choice. Teachers may wish to provide resources such as books or the online encyclopedia Britannica for students to read about their person. Once students have completed their posters, they can be printed out, laminated and hung around the room as a visual reminder of notable people from the time of the American Revolution. 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!
Suggested Figures of the American Revolution:
- George Washington
- Martha Washington
- John Adams
- Abigail Adams
- Ben Franklin
- John Hancock
- Thomas Paine
- Sam Adams
- Thomas Jefferson
- Alexander Hamilton
- Patrick Henry
- Mercy Otis Warren
- Mary Katherine Godard
- Sybil Luddington
- Molly Pitcher
- Deborah Sampson
- Lydia Darragh
- Ann Bates
- Phillis Wheatley
- Peter Salem
- Crispus Attucks
- James Armistead Lafayette
- Cornstalk of the Shawnees
- Guyashuta of the Senecas
- White Eyes of the Delawares
- Marquis de Lafayette
- Baron Friedrich Von Steuben
- Tadeusz Kościuszko
- Benedict Arnold
- Thomas Hutchinson
- Lord Dunmore
- Jonathan Boucher
- King George
- Lord Cornwallis
- Colonel Tye (Titus)
- Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea) of the Mohawks
- Molly Brant (Degonwadonti) of the Mohawks
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. 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
Researching real people helps students to gain a more concrete and compassionate understanding of the culture, lives and diverse perspectives of people who were involved in the American Revolution. Giving students the perspective of those who lived during a time period helps them go beyond simply memorizing dates and names to acquire a more substantial, empathetic and realistic view of the period. In this activity, students will create a biography poster for an important person from the American Revolution.
Teachers can assign students specific people or events or give students a choice. Teachers may wish to provide resources such as books or the online encyclopedia Britannica for students to read about their person. Once students have completed their posters, they can be printed out, laminated and hung around the room as a visual reminder of notable people from the time of the American Revolution. 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!
Suggested Figures of the American Revolution:
- George Washington
- Martha Washington
- John Adams
- Abigail Adams
- Ben Franklin
- John Hancock
- Thomas Paine
- Sam Adams
- Thomas Jefferson
- Alexander Hamilton
- Patrick Henry
- Mercy Otis Warren
- Mary Katherine Godard
- Sybil Luddington
- Molly Pitcher
- Deborah Sampson
- Lydia Darragh
- Ann Bates
- Phillis Wheatley
- Peter Salem
- Crispus Attucks
- James Armistead Lafayette
- Cornstalk of the Shawnees
- Guyashuta of the Senecas
- White Eyes of the Delawares
- Marquis de Lafayette
- Baron Friedrich Von Steuben
- Tadeusz Kościuszko
- Benedict Arnold
- Thomas Hutchinson
- Lord Dunmore
- Jonathan Boucher
- King George
- Lord Cornwallis
- Colonel Tye (Titus)
- Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea) of the Mohawks
- Molly Brant (Degonwadonti) of the Mohawks
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. 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 American Revolution Biography
Organize a Biography Poster Gallery Walk for Student Engagement
Set up a gallery walk to encourage students to view and discuss each other’s biography posters. This active approach gets students moving, fosters peer learning, and highlights diverse perspectives from the American Revolution.
Arrange posters around the classroom at eye level
Display each student’s poster on the walls, desks, or bulletin boards where everyone can see them clearly. Having posters at eye level makes it easier for students to observe details and stay engaged as they rotate.
Divide students into small groups and assign starting points
Group students so they begin at different posters to prevent crowding. Smaller groups ensure all students can closely examine each biography and have meaningful discussions.
Provide guiding questions for observation and discussion
Give each group a set of prompts (e.g., "What was this person’s main contribution?" or "How did their actions impact the Revolution?") to focus their attention and spark thoughtful conversation. Guiding questions help deepen understanding and keep students on task.
Rotate groups through each poster and encourage peer feedback
Have groups move to the next poster every few minutes, leaving positive comments or questions on sticky notes. This builds classroom community and helps students appreciate different research and presentation styles.
Frequently Asked Questions about American Revolution Biography
How can I help students create engaging American Revolution biography posters?
To create engaging American Revolution biography posters, guide students to research a notable figure, gather key facts like birth/death dates and major accomplishments, and use both images and descriptive words. Encourage creativity through visuals and sharing posters with classmates for a well-rounded, interactive learning experience.
What are some good American Revolution figures for student biography projects?
Great figures for student biography projects on the American Revolution include George Washington, Abigail Adams, Ben Franklin, Phyllis Wheatley, Marquis de Lafayette, and Crispus Attucks. Including diverse leaders and unsung heroes gives students a broader perspective of the era.
What should be included on an American Revolution biography poster?
An effective biography poster should include the person's name, image, birth and death dates, and a summary of their major accomplishments. Adding quotes, character illustrations, and relevant visuals can make the poster more engaging and informative for classmates.
How does researching real people from the American Revolution benefit students?
Researching real people helps students build empathy and a deeper understanding of the American Revolution. It moves learning beyond rote memorization, letting students see multiple perspectives and connect personally with the people who shaped history.
Are there templates available for American Revolution biography posters?
Yes, you can find biography poster templates online or create your own to guide students. Templates help structure the project by providing spaces for key facts, images, and accomplishments, making it easier for students to organize and present their research.
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