Famous Peeps

A recent project that was spawned by a poorly thought out writing prompt on the ipt testing has really taken off. The prompt asked what famous person from history would you like to be and how would you change history. No student in my class could name a single famous person from history.

The project is a book containing profiles of famous people from history. We research the person and draw them. We write about their place of birth and time. I tell a story about something they did or play a movie. Then the kids write about what they learned. These profiles have hatched great discussions.

I try to do 2 males and then 2 females for gender equity.

Charles Darwin was first because it was close to his birthday. We talked about where humans came from, and how animals change.

Gandhi

Cleopatra we talked about how kings are appointed by God, but Pharaohs are gods.

Joan of Arc - When one girl found out Joan recieved messages from God she wonder how they were received. Then how loud was God's voice. My answer was so loud, Joan had to do whatever he said.

Archimedes of Syracuse - Kids were amazed that a single man held off the Roman army for 2 years using only MATH. Heh heh!

Thomas Jefferson

Frida Kahlo - Girls were most impressed by her Tom Boyishness and her gangrene. Teacher: One artist called her work a bomb wrapped in a ribbon. Student: "Why would you wrap a bomb in a ribbon?" Teacher: To make it look pretty.

I think either Eleanor Roosevelt or Queen Elizabeth are up next.