Writing A Biography

Writing biographies of early American Jews is a great way for students to learn more about individual colonies and daily life in early America. Biography projects can also help students think about who matters and what makes a person important or worth remembering. This in turn can help them think about how they want to shape their own lives. Do they want to be remembered for something they did or acts of kindness? Is it better to be a solitary genius or someone who builds community? Are any of these qualities mutually exclusive or do they overlap?

On the People page, I have included a list of all the individuals mentioned on the website. Ask students to pick a person and research them further, or choose an early American Jew who they have heard of before using the site. Using the RESOURCES on the People page, have them research their person. Things they might want to research include:

1. Where they were born [A biographical dictionary of early American Jews: colonial times through 1800]
2. Where they lived and/or died [A biographical dictionary of early American Jews: colonial times through 1800]
3. Who was in their family [First American Jewish Families: 600 Genealogies, 1654-1988]
4. How they made a living [A biographical dictionary of early American Jews: colonial times through 1800]
5. What were they best known for? [A biographical dictionary of early American Jews: colonial times through 1800; I Spy With Rebecca Gratz’s Eye Glossary]
6. Did they have a portrait made? [Loeb Portrait Gallery]
7. Do we know what their tombstone looks like [Jewish Atlantic World Database]
8. (For older students) Did they leave behind any documents? [Center for Jewish History]

Second, have students organize their ideas. One way for younger students is to use the Bio Cube format developed by ReadWriteThink.

Once they have completed the worksheet they can use this Template to create a cube:

Or you may want to have them present their findings using Google Sides, Prezi, or Book Creator instead. If so, you may find these worksheets useful.

Older students (grades 7-8) can be encouraged to use the biography assignment to expand their essay writing skills. After they have done their research, this essay map can be a great way to get them started on organizing their ideas. This rubric can help you clarify your expectations for students.

Love the work your students did? With their (and their parents’) permission, send me an image or link, and I will create a gallery so other people can share in your nachas.