After students have researched a notable figure of their choice, they expand their knowledge by delving into that person's life, feelings, and character through a series of written activities. Each activity is part of a compilation that will be put into their characters "suitcase" and shared with the class. Students will use a wide variety of skills that mesh language arts with social studies.

Students Will:

1. Write a letter from the historical figure's point of view using proper letter writing conventions.
2. Write about at least two props/artifacts that are representative of their subject's life.
3. Use Internet resources to gather images to use in their project.
4. Orally present what they have learned.

Directions

PART I: 2 Days
The Postcard

Step 1: Direct students to review the graphic organizer they completed in Lesson One. Ask students to think about what they believe their person's most important achievement was. Have students share their ideas. Tell students they will now need to "step into the shoes" of their notable person. While putting themselves in the place of their character, students will write a postcard or letter, telling a friend or family member about that great feat he or she has just accomplishment.

Step 2: Using chart paper or a white board, model the writing of this postcard for the class, using a well know figure that no student has actually researched and written about already. For example, if you choose to model the writing using Thomas Edison, you will write the postcard in first person, in Edison's voice, telling about the triumph he felt when his light bulb worked correctly. Have students help as you write the paragraph. Brainstorm different words and phrases for how Edison might have felt at that point in his life. Note: It is always very important to have the students actively involved whenever you are modeling a lesson. If students are just asked to sit there and watch you write on the board, they will soon be daydreaming of a far more interesting place.

Step 3: Distribute notebook paper to each student and allow them to draft their postcards. Remind students that they may be in a different time period and the language they choose should reflect that. While revising and editing, review the writing conventions for letters and make sure they have a greeting, body, closing and signature.

Step 4: When students have finished editing, distribute each person one 5 x 7 inch index card. Students should publish the final copy on the ruled side.

Step 5: After writing is complete students may decorate the front of their index card with a picture relevant to their topic. They may also want to create a stamp in the upper right hand corner of the card with the correct amount of postage for that time, along with an address.

PART II (2-3 days)
The photo scrapbook: In the second part of this lesson, students will create a photo album documenting a minimum of four important events in their person's life.

Step 1: To introduce this part, gather students around you on the carpet and show them a photo album you have brought to share. Discuss the types of photos that can be found in photo albums and why people take pictures. Explain photographs serve as a reminder of important events in our lives.

Step 2: Tell students they will now be creating a photo album that could have belonged to the person they studied. This album will contain at least five "photographs" that depict major life events or achievements for your person. Have students use their graphic organizer and any notes they may have from Lesson One to make a list of five or six events they would like to depict in the album.

Step 3: Using your school's computer lab or computer centers you have established guide your students as they use the Internet to look for images to match the significant events they chose in Step 2. Before students begin searching, discuss the size and type of photo that would be most suitable. Remind students that there will not be photos available for any people who lived before the camera was invented in the 1830's. Remember students must be closely supervised whenever searching the Internet for images. Try to use "kid-friendly" web sites designed specifically for children. When students have found images that are appropriate, have them print the pictures on white paper. If glossy paper is available, you may want to print on that in order to make the photos look more authentic.

Step 4: After students have collected all of their images, they will need to write captions that describe each one. Model the writing of these captions using printed photos you have collected. The caption should describe who is in the photo, when and where it was taken, what event the photo captures and it was significant. One caption is needed for each picture. Provide time for students to draft their captions. Have students peer edit and check them yourself for accuracy. Students can publish captions on 3 x 5 index cards in neat handwriting, or print them using the computer and their favorite word processing unit.

Step 5: To create the album, students can use 9 x 12 construction paper in a color of their choice, folded into a book and stapled at the crease. Students should then glue their photos to the pages with glue stick. One image per page works best. Published captions should be glued under the matching image. To finish the album, the cover can be decorated and given a title such as Thomas Edison's Favorite Photographs.

Part III: Gathering Artifacts (2 days)

Step 1: Ask students the first item they think of when they hear the name Thomas Edison (light bulb), George Washington Carver (peanuts), Alexander Graham Bell (telephone) and so on. Ask students what they think of when they hear the name of the person they studied. Discuss why these items are forever associated with the people responsible for them. Explain how artifacts are human-made objects that can tell social scientists a great deal about a person or group long after the person is gone.

At this time, pull out the artifact bag you prepared. Pull each item out of the bag and ask students what they think it tells about Benjamin Franklin and why it was a good choice to put in the artifact bag. Ask students to brainstorm a list of "artifacts" that would best tell the story of the person they researched.

Step 2: Inform students they are going to prepare their own suitcase filled with artifacts. Tell them they will need to bring in a minimum of four artifacts that reflect the life and accomplishment of their person. Remind students that no items should ever be removed from their homes, however, without their parent/guardian's permission. For each artifact, students should be able to explain to the class what the significance of the item is and why they chose it. Also, it is always a good idea to send home written instructions of what you have told the students in class. Even when you think they know what is expected, your directions can often be forgotten or lost in translation as the students go home. Allow students two days to return their artifacts to school.

Part IV: Putting It All Together for Meet a Hero Day
Step 1: Explain to students that the most exciting part of any project is when they get to show off all they have learned. They will have the opportunity to do this at a special event known as Meet Your Hero Day. On this day students will dress as their character and share with the class the contents of their bag.

Step 2: The day before your Meet Your Hero Day, have student pack their suitcases or bags with the following items they have previously created: their postcard, photo album, artifacts and the report they published in Lesson One. Provide class time for students to practice their presentations.

Step 3: On Meet a Hero Day, students walk to the front of the class with their suitcases. They open them and explain the contents one by one. The report from Lesson One may either be read aloud or played for the class on a previously recorded cassette tape. At the end of their presentation, students should raise their hands for compliments and questions.

Supporting All Learners

These types of hands-on response activities tend to engage students at all levels more than the standard paper and pencil activities. Still, you must be cognizant of those students who may fall behind or feel unsure of themselves during independent work times. To help with this, it is always good to assign students to be peer coaches. Every classroom has a few learners who can spare some of their work time to help others. Designate these people to be your coaches, students who can help out others in a bind.

You may also notice your shyer students may not seem eager to present their case to the class. It helps to provide a supportive environment by ending each presentation with compliments from the class. From experience, it seems once the more timid students hear the accolades their classmates are receiving they are eager to go in front of the class in order to receive their well-deserved praise.

Lesson Extensions

Wax Museum: A fun and creative way to show off all your class has learned is by turning your school into a Biography Wax Museum for one day. The fourth grade teachers in our building do this, and it is a special day for the whole school each year. Using a large space such as your gym or cafeteria, students dress as the person they researched and set up a tri-fold display board filled with all they have learned. Students then stand next to their board as "wax figures," perfectly still and silent while students and parents stream by them, viewing the wax museum displays.

Home Connection

Keep parents informed of what is going on in the classroom at all times, through newsletters and notes, especially when there are homework assignments and special events involved. Ask parents to come in and help when you are working with students to find images on the computer in Part II. Invite parents in for Meet a Hero Day where they can see and hear all the student presentations.

Assignments

1. Write and decorate a postcard giving a first person account of a great accomplishment.
2. Find images and create a photo album documenting important events in their person's life.
3. Gather at least four props that are representative of something important about their person's life.
4. Compile all items into one suitcase to present to the class.

Evaluation

1. Did you schedule your time properly for this lesson?
2. Do you need more or less time for any of the parts or steps?
3. Did you choose items that you were able to model effectively?
4. Were the students actively engaged as they created the different components that went into their suitcase?
5. Were the captions for the photographs well done using peer editing?