writing a teacher biography

How to Write a Compelling Teacher Bio with Samples

A teacher’s solid online presence is essential, and a well-written bio is a crucial part of that. In this blog, I will guide you through creating a teacher bio that effectively showcases your skills, experience, and unique qualities to potential students and employers.

Understanding Your Audience:

As a teacher, your bio is your chance to introduce yourself to potential students and showcase your unique qualifications and teaching style. But before you start writing, it’s important to consider who will read your bio. Tailoring your bio to your audience can make all the difference in capturing their attention and standing out online.

Tailoring your bio to your audience: 

Once you have identified your audience, it’s time to tailor it to their interests and needs. For example, if you target students, highlight your experience teaching a particular subject or your success in helping students improve their grades. If your audience is parents, you should emphasize your approach to creating a positive and engaging learning environment for their children.

What do they want to know about you?

What strategies can be used to address the needs and interests of the individuals.

To make your bio more appealing to your audience, it’s essential to highlight the aspects of your teaching that align with their needs and interests. For example, if you know that your audience values a teacher who is passionate about their subject, you can showcase your enthusiasm for teaching and the topic you specialize in. If your audience is looking for a patient and understanding teacher, mention your experience working with diverse groups of students.

Highlighting Your Education and Experience:

Highlighting your education and experience is crucial when crafting a compelling teacher bio. This section of your bio lets you showcase your qualifications and expertise and helps you stand out in a crowded field of educators. Here are some key points to keep in mind when highlighting your education and experience in your teacher bio:

Emphasizing relevant degrees and certifications:

One of the first things potential students or parents will look for in your bio is your educational background. Make sure to highlight any relevant degrees or certifications that you have earned, as they demonstrate your commitment to your field and showcase your knowledge and skills. This includes your teaching degree, advanced degrees, or specialized certifications in a specific subject or teaching method.

Highlighting teaching experience and accomplishments: 

In addition to your education, showcasing your teaching experience and accomplishments is essential. This can include the years you have been teaching, any awards or recognition you have received, and any notable achievements in your teaching career. This not only highlights your expertise but also shows your dedication and passion for teaching.

Including any specialized training or expertise: 

Below are the some high quality teacher bio examples :.

1. John Smith is a veteran teacher with over 20 years of classroom experience. He holds a master’s degree in education and is passionate about helping students achieve their full potential. John is known for his dynamic teaching style and ability to connect with students on a personal level. His classes are challenging, but also engaging and fun.

4. Karen Lee is a highly qualified science teacher with over 15 years of experience teaching in both public and private schools. She is a graduate of MIT and is passionate about STEM education. Karen’s classes are hands-on and interactive, with a focus on real-world applications of science. She also encourages students to participate in science competitions and has mentored several award-winning teams.

7. Jane Smith is a certified elementary school teacher with 10 years of experience in the classroom. She is passionate about integrating technology into her lessons and has been recognized for her innovative teaching methods by both her colleagues and superiors.

10. Michael Johnson is a high school music teacher with a Master’s degree in music education from Juilliard School of Music. He has conducted several award-winning school orchestras and is an accomplished pianist and composer.

13. Fiona Brown is a high school science teacher with a passion for making science accessible and engaging for all her students. She has collaborated on several research projects with her students and has been recognized for her work by several scientific organizations.

How to Make Your Education and Experience Stand Out In a Crowded Field: 

In a competitive field like education, making your education and experience stand out is essential. One way to do this is by using specific and quantifiable examples in your bio. For example, instead of just mentioning that you have a teaching degree, you could say, “I have a Bachelor’s degree in Education from XYZ University, where I graduated with honors and received the Outstanding Student Teacher Award.” This showcases your education, highlights your achievements, and sets you apart from others.

Showcasing Your Teaching Philosophy and Approach:

 why it’s important to share your teaching philosophy: .

Sharing your teaching philosophy is essential for building trust and credibility with potential students and their parents. It allows them to understand your values, beliefs, and approach to teaching, giving them a glimpse into what they can expect in your classroom. It also helps them determine if your teaching style aligns with their child’s learning needs and goals.

How to Effectively Communicate Your Approach to Teaching: 

 including specific examples and anecdotes: , making your teaching style and methods clear and appealing: .

In addition to your philosophy, it’s essential to highlight your teaching style and methods. This could include your technology use, approach to classroom management, or strategies for differentiating instruction. Please explain how your teaching style benefits students and why it makes you stand out as an educator. Use positive and enthusiastic language to make your approach appealing and exciting to potential students and their parents.

Adding Personal Touches and Unique Qualities:

Sharing personal experiences and interests that relate to teaching: ,  highlighting unique qualities and strengths that set you apart: .

What makes you stand out as a teacher? Is it your ability to connect with students on a personal level? Your creativity in lesson planning? What is your passion for a particular subject? Whatever it may be, highlight these unique qualities and strengths in your bio. This will help you differentiate yourself from other teachers and show potential students and parents what makes you unique as an educator.

How to Strike a Balance Between Personal and Professional In Your Bio: 

Tips for writing a strong and engaging bio:,  keep it concise and focused:.

You want to provide enough information to give readers a sense of who you are and what you offer, but you want to ensure they get all the details. Stick to the most relevant and impressive aspects of your education and experience.

Use a friendly and approachable tone: 

Incorporate keywords and buzzwords:, proofread and edit for clarity and impact:.

Before publishing your bio, proofread and edit it for clarity and impact. Check for spelling or grammatical errors, and ensure that your sentences flow well and are easy to understand. You want your bio to be polished and professional.

Use a call to action to encourage further engagement:

Conclusion:.

In conclusion, crafting a compelling teacher bio is essential in building your online presence as an educator. It allows you to showcase your unique qualities and experiences and effectively communicate your teaching philosophy to potential students and parents. By following the tips outlined in this blog, you can create a bio that stands out and captures your audience’s attention.

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5 Tips for Creating a New Teacher Bio

Last week, while teaching Make Money Teaching DIY Classes , a student asked me:

Do you have any tips for creating a bio (one that instills confidence or actually might draw students to your class), especially when one is just starting out and may not have much teaching experience yet?

The word biography is defined as “a written account of another person’s life.” And of course, “bio” is short for the word biography. (I guess that explains why bios are almost always written in third person and not first person… I always wondered about that!)

Out of curiosity, I also looked up the origin of the word Bio. The root of the word in Greek means life, and in Latin means living. So, you could think of a bio as a chance to share with your future students what in your life has lead you to the moment where you will be teaching this topic or class for them. Obviously, if you have teaching experience – share that. But if you don’t, there are plenty of other things you can include.

From the Archives: Lori’s Bio, Circa 2002

Here are My Top 5 Tips for Creating a New Teacher Bio

1. Tell them your experience with the thing you’re teaching.

Let’s say you’re teaching a class on soap making. How long have you been making soap? Do you sell it? Where? Why did you start making it? If you make it for gifts, are your friends beating down your door to get it? What makes your soap recipe special?

Ex. Alana has been a soapmaker ever since 2014 when she took a class and was hooked. Her all-natural cocoa butter & mint soap is sold at quirky mom & pop shops throughout the Bay Area.

Side Note: If you’re not yet confident about WHAT you’re teaching, then it’s probably not a good idea to have strangers spend their hard earned money to learn from you. You don’t need to be a know-it-all “expert,” but be sure your recipes are thoroughly tested and your understanding of the entire process is solid before “teaching” others.

2. Share WHY you are teaching this topic.

Enthusiasm is contagious. If you’re passionate about bath fizzies, tell us why! Let people know that ever since you learned how to make this fabulous product, your life hasn’t been the same. And how you want everyone to experience that too. You can also convey your enthusiasm and passion about teaching. For me, the act of teaching is as exciting & important as what I’m teaching (this is precisely why I’ve decided to share my knowledge about teaching).

Ex. Susie is so passionate about using & making natural deodorants, that she will never buy a big-brand deodorant/antiperspirant again. More importantly, she can’t wait to share her knowledge with you in this unique class.

3. Let them know about any teaching experience you’ve had.

My first real teaching experience was at The University of Hawaii as an undergrad, teaching 9 students in a program called Freshmen Seminar where everyone sat on the floor (including me). Then, to cover my tuition while in graduate school, I was awarded a teaching assistantship and taught several Public Speaking 101 labs with about 35 students each (this time, we got to sit in chairs in a real classroom). My first soap class bio briefly mentioned my experience working as a teacher and my master’s degree. It didn’t have anything to do with soapmaking, but if nothing else, I felt it might give people some confidence in my teaching ability, and that helped me feel more confident.

If you’ve never had any experience teaching anyone in any capacity, just skip this one and move on to #4.

4. Add a little bit about who you are, outside of this topic & teaching.

This is your chance to let your personality shine through. You could try to keep it related, like saying that you love to garden or cook healthy meals for your family. Or, you could offer something completely unexpected and quirky like you have a pet snake! Think about what other crafty adventures you have been on that your future students might appreciate. Being authentic is an attractive quality that will hopefully pique the interest of your target audience.

5. Don’t lie or exaggerate in your bio.

I know this seems like an obvious break in integrity (and it is), but artificially inflating experiences to make yourself look a little better is not uncommon. CareerBuilder.com surveyed over 2,500 hiring managers and 56% reported catching job candidates lying on their resumes. The most frequent “fib” was embellishing one’s skills or capabilities. Whether it’s stretching the truth about your teaching history or your proficiency in the chosen topic, just say no. You certainly don’t want to embarrass yourself and find your nose growing by the end of your class.

Well, I really hope these tips will help anyone trying to write a bio as a new teacher. If you find them useful, please let me know in the comments below.

And then get on out there, be yourself, and be confident in your abilities. It’s okay to tell people the truth & say: “This is my first time teaching a class like this, and I’m a little nervous.” Then your big secret is out, and you can relax and enjoy the experience. To quote Zig Ziglar, “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”

If you’re a good fit for teaching, you’ll love it, and people (in the form of students) will be drawn to you. I’d better end this here… I really need to go update my bio.

This article is part of a series of posts designed to help people who are considering teaching classes. If you want to get paid to share your passion with others, check out Lori’s Make Money Teaching DIY Classes , 10-Steps for Launching Your First Class , or BOTH in the Teaching Classes Bundle . Also be sure to subscribe to our blog so you don’t miss a post.

Tags: Lori Nova Endres

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How to Write a Teacher Biography

Rose mathews, 28 jun 2018.

Sometimes supplying a short biography, rather than a resume, is required for professional purposes. In these cases, it's best to have a thorough yet succinct and compelling profile on hand. The bio can be chronological, starting with earliest influences and reasons for becoming a teacher. Or you can work backwards, describing your current professional duties first and then earlier experiences, including college and student teaching.

Explore this article

• Make Form Follow Function
• Review Your Teaching Highlights
• Connect Teaching Past and Present
• Give It a Personal Touch

1 Make Form Follow Function

Tailor your teacher bio to meet the specific requirements of the application or publication in which it will appear. Eastern Illinois University recommends that student teachers keep their biographies to seven paragraphs. This format is likely intended for a hiring school administrator seeking in-depth understanding of an applicant's teaching philosophy.

Depending on what the biography is used for, however, a professional full-time teacher's bio can be as short as a paragraph. Teacher biographies, for example, may appear on a school website to be read by parents and students. For this reason, teachers should have two biographies on file, a full-length and an abbreviated version.

2 Review Your Teaching Highlights

Spend some time brainstorming about your accomplishments, taking note of career and personal highlights. Start by looking at your resume to jog your memory. Remember, this isn't the time to be humble. Talk with a supportive colleague or friend for suggestions about your most noteworthy achievements and special talents. Read other teachers' bios for ideas about form and content. Then, create an outline that defines the best placement for these assets.

3 Connect Teaching Past and Present

Some essential details for your bio are early academic successes, especially if they're relevant to your current role. For example, if you won your state spelling bee as an elementary student and you now administer the spelling bee program for the school, that's relevant and compelling information that the reader will want to know.

You should include where you went to college and what type of educational training you focused on -- whether you trained to be an advanced placement teacher or a music teacher, for example. Any academic honors should be noted, as well as any significant student-teaching experiences. Make sure to connect these formative experience to your current role at your academic institution -- what classes you teach, teams you coach, or clubs you advise.

4 Give It a Personal Touch

A bio is more than a list of professional accomplishments. It's the story of a person's life, and that story is more compelling when it includes personal information. The story of why teachers enter the profession can be engaging and memorable; telling your most rewarding teaching experience can define you and your values in a positive way, too. You might want to reveal how your family life, hobbies or volunteer work influence your teaching. Stories of education models and favorite teachers are also effective in providing a prospective employer with an idea of what kind of teacher you really are and aspire to be.

• 1 Forbes: What to Do When You Need a Bio Rather Than a Resume
• 2 Scholastic: Write a Biography

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How to Write a Biography

Biographies are big business. Whether in book form or Hollywood biopics, the lives of the famous and sometimes not-so-famous fascinate us.

While it’s true that most biographies are about people who are in the public eye, sometimes the subject is less well-known. Primarily, though, famous or not, the person who is written about has led an incredible life.

In this article, we will explain biography writing in detail for teachers and students so they can create their own.

While your students will most likely have a basic understanding of a biography, it’s worth taking a little time before they put pen to paper to tease out a crystal-clear definition of one.

What Is a Biography?

A biography is an account of someone’s life written by someone else . While there is a genre known as a fictional biography, for the most part, biographies are, by definition, nonfiction.

Generally speaking, biographies provide an account of the subject’s life from the earliest days of childhood to the present day or, if the subject is deceased, their death.

The job of a biography is more than just to outline the bare facts of a person’s life.

Rather than just listing the basic details of their upbringing, hobbies, education, work, relationships, and death, a well-written biography should also paint a picture of the subject’s personality and experience of life.

Full Biographies

Teaching unit.

Teach your students everything they need to know about writing an AUTOBIOGRAPHY and a BIOGRAPHY.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ( 26 reviews )

Features of a Biography

Before students begin writing a biography, they’ll need to have a firm grasp of the main features of a Biography. An excellent way to determine how well they understand these essential elements is to ask them to compile a checklist like the one-blow

Their checklists should contain the items below at a minimum. Be sure to help them fill in any gaps before moving on to the writing process.

The purpose of a biography is to provide an account of someone’s life.

Biography structure.

ORIENTATION (BEGINNING) Open your biography with a strong hook to grab the reader’s attention

SEQUENCING: In most cases, biographies are written in chronological order unless you are a very competent writer consciously trying to break from this trend.

COVER: childhood, upbringing, education, influences, accomplishments, relationships, etc. – everything that helps the reader to understand the person.

CONCLUSION: Wrap your biography up with some details about what the subject is doing now if they are still alive. If they have passed away, make mention of what impact they have made and what their legacy is or will be.

BIOGRAPHY FEATURES

LANGUAGE Use descriptive and figurative language that will paint images inside your audience’s minds as they read. Use time connectives to link events.

PERSPECTIVE Biographies are written from the third person’s perspective.

DETAILS: Give specific details about people, places, events, times, dates, etc. Reflect on how events shaped the subject. You might want to include some relevant photographs with captions. A timeline may also be of use depending upon your subject and what you are trying to convey to your audience.

TENSE Written in the past tense (though ending may shift to the present/future tense)

THE PROCESS OF WRITING A BIOGRAPHY

Like any form of writing, you will find it simple if you have a plan and follow it through. These steps will ensure you cover the essential bases of writing a biography essay.

Firstly, select a subject that inspires you. Someone whose life story resonates with you and whose contribution to society intrigues you. The next step is to conduct thorough research. Engage in extensive reading, explore various sources, watch documentaries, and glean all available information to provide a comprehensive account of the person’s life.

Creating an outline is essential to organize your thoughts and information. The outline should include the person’s early life, education, career, achievements, and any other significant events or contributions. It serves as a map for the writing process, ensuring that all vital information is included.

Your biography should have an engaging introduction that captivates the reader’s attention and provides background information on the person you’re writing about. It should include a thesis statement summarising the biography’s main points.

Writing a biography in chronological order is crucial . You should begin with the person’s early life and move through their career and achievements. This approach clarifies how the person’s life unfolded and how they accomplished their goals.

A biography should be written in a narrative style , capturing the essence of the person’s life through vivid descriptions, anecdotes, and quotes. Avoid dry, factual writing and focus on creating a compelling narrative that engages the reader.

Adding personal insights and opinions can enhance the biography’s overall impact, providing a unique perspective on the person’s achievements, legacy, and impact on society.

Editing and proofreading are vital elements of the writing process. Thoroughly reviewing your biography ensures that the writing is clear, concise, and error-free. You can even request feedback from someone else to ensure that it is engaging and well-written.

Finally, including a bibliography at the end of your biography is essential. It gives credit to the sources that were used during research, such as books, articles, interviews, and websites.

Tips for Writing a Brilliant Biography

Biography writing tip #1: choose your subject wisely.

There are several points for students to reflect on when deciding on a subject for their biography. Let’s take a look at the most essential points to consider when deciding on the subject for a biography:

Interest: To produce a biography will require sustained writing from the student. That’s why students must choose their subject well. After all, a biography is an account of someone’s entire life to date. Students must ensure they choose a subject that will sustain their interest throughout the research, writing, and editing processes.

Merit: Closely related to the previous point, students must consider whether the subject merits the reader’s interest. Aside from pure labors of love, writing should be undertaken with the reader in mind. While producing a biography demands sustained writing from the author, it also demands sustained reading from the reader.

Therefore, students should ask themselves if their chosen subject has had a life worthy of the reader’s interest and the time they’d need to invest in reading their biography.

Information: Is there enough information available on the subject to fuel the writing of an entire biography? While it might be a tempting idea to write about a great-great-grandfather’s experience in the war. There would be enough interest there to sustain the author’s and the reader’s interest, but do you have enough access to information about their early childhood to do the subject justice in the form of a biography?

Biography Writing Tip #2: R esearch ! Research! Research!

While the chances are good that the student already knows quite a bit about the subject they’ve chosen. Chances are 100% that they’ll still need to undertake considerable research to write their biography.

As with many types of writing , research is an essential part of the planning process that shouldn’t be overlooked. If students wish to give as complete an account of their subject’s life as possible, they’ll need to put in the time at the research stage.

An effective way to approach the research process is to:

1. Compile a chronological timeline of the central facts, dates, and events of the subject’s life

2. Compile detailed descriptions of the following personal traits:

•      Physical looks
•      Character traits
•      Values and beliefs

3. Compile some research questions based on different topics to provide a focus for the research:

• Childhood : Where and when were they born? Who were their parents? Who were the other family members? What education did they receive?
• Obstacles: What challenges did they have to overcome? How did these challenges shape them as individuals?
• Legacy: What impact did this person have on the world and/or the people around them?
• Dialogue & Quotes: Dialogue and quotations by and about the subject are a great way to bring color and life to a biography. Students should keep an eagle eye out for the gems that hide amid their sources.

As the student gets deeper into their research, new questions will arise that can further fuel the research process and help to shape the direction the biography will ultimately go in.

Likewise, during the research, themes will often begin to suggest themselves. Exploring these themes is essential to bring depth to biography, but we’ll discuss this later in this article.

Research Skills:

Researching for biography writing is an excellent way for students to hone their research skills in general. Developing good research skills is essential for future academic success. Students will have opportunities to learn how to:

• Gather relevant information
• Evaluate different information sources
• Select suitable information
• Organize information into a text.

Students will have access to print and online information sources, and, in some cases, they may also have access to people who knew or know the subject (e.g. biography of a family member).

These days, much of the research will likely take place online. It’s crucial, therefore, to provide your students with guidance on how to use the internet safely and evaluate online sources for reliability. This is the era of ‘ fake news ’ and misinformation after all!

COMPLETE TEACHING UNIT ON INTERNET RESEARCH SKILLS USING GOOGLE SEARCH

Teach your students ESSENTIAL SKILLS OF THE INFORMATION ERA to become expert DIGITAL RESEARCHERS.

⭐How to correctly ask questions to search engines on all devices.

⭐ How to filter and refine your results to find exactly what you want every time.

⭐ Essential Research and critical thinking skills for students.

⭐ Plagiarism, Citing and acknowledging other people’s work.

⭐ How to query, synthesize and record your findings logically.

BIOGRAPHY WRITING Tip #3: Find Your Themes In Biography Writing

Though predominantly a nonfiction genre, the story still plays a significant role in good biography writing. The skills of characterization and plot structuring are transferable here. And, just like in fiction, exploring themes in a biographical work helps connect the personal to the universal. Of course, these shouldn’t be forced; this will make the work seem contrived, and the reader may lose faith in the truthfulness of the account. A biographer needs to gain and maintain the trust of the reader.

Fortunately, themes shouldn’t need to be forced. A life well-lived is full of meaning, and the themes the student writer is looking for will emerge effortlessly from the actions and events of the subject’s life. It’s just a case of learning how to spot them.

One way to identify the themes in a life is to look for recurring events or situations in a person’s life. These should be apparent from the research completed previously. The students should seek to identify these patterns that emerge in the subject’s life. For example, perhaps they’ve had to overcome various obstacles throughout different periods of their life. In that case, the theme of overcoming adversity is present and has been identified.

Usually, a biography has several themes running throughout, so be sure your students work to identify more than one theme in their subject’s life.

BIOGRAPHY WRITING Tip: #4 Put Something of Yourself into the Writing

While the defining feature of a biography is that it gives an account of a person’s life, students must understand that this is not all a biography does. Relating the facts and details of a subject’s life is not enough. The student biographer should not be afraid to share their thoughts and feelings with the reader throughout their account of their subject’s life.

The student can weave some of their personality into the fabric of the text by providing commentary and opinion as they relate the events of the person’s life and the wider social context at the time. Unlike the detached and objective approach we’d expect to find in a history textbook, in a biography, student-writers should communicate their enthusiasm for their subject in their writing.

This makes for a more intimate experience for the reader, as they get a sense of getting to know the author and the subject they are writing about.

Biography Examples For Students

• Year 5 Example
• Year 7 Example
• Year 9 Example

“The Rock ‘n’ Roll King: Elvis Presley”

Elvis Aaron Presley, born on January 8, 1935, was an amazing singer and actor known as the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Even though he’s been dead for nearly 50 years, I can’t help but be fascinated by his incredible life!

Elvis grew up in Tupelo, Mississippi, in a tiny house with his parents and twin brother. His family didn’t have much money, but they shared a love for music. Little did they know Elvis would become a music legend!

When he was only 11 years old, Elvis got his first guitar. He taught himself to play and loved singing gospel songs. As he got older, he started combining different music styles like country, blues, and gospel to create a whole new sound – that’s Rock ‘n’ Roll!

In 1954, at the age of 19, Elvis recorded his first song, “That’s All Right.” People couldn’t believe how unique and exciting his music was. His famous hip-swinging dance moves also made him a sensation!

Elvis didn’t just rock the music scene; he also starred in movies like “Love Me Tender” and “Jailhouse Rock.” But fame came with challenges. Despite facing ups and downs, Elvis kept spreading happiness through his music.

Tragically, Elvis passed away in 1977, but his music and charisma live on. Even today, people worldwide still enjoy his songs like “Hound Dog” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Elvis Presley’s legacy as the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll will live forever.

Long Live the King: I wish I’d seen him.

Elvis Presley, the Rock ‘n’ Roll legend born on January 8, 1935, is a captivating figure that even a modern-day teen like me can’t help but admire. As I delve into his life, I wish I could have experienced the magic of his live performances.

Growing up in Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis faced challenges but found solace in music. At 11, he got his first guitar, a symbol of his journey into the world of sound. His fusion of gospel, country, and blues into Rock ‘n’ Roll became a cultural phenomenon.

The thought of being in the audience during his early performances, especially when he recorded “That’s All Right” at 19, sends shivers down my spine. Imagining the crowd’s uproar and feeling the revolutionary energy of that moment is a dream I wish I could have lived.

Elvis wasn’t just a musical prodigy; he was a dynamic performer. His dance moves, the embodiment of rebellion, and his roles in films like “Love Me Tender” and “Jailhouse Rock” made him a true icon.

After watching him on YouTube, I can’t help but feel a little sad that I’ll never witness the King’s live performances. The idea of swaying to “Hound Dog” or being enchanted by “Can’t Help Falling in Love” in person is a missed opportunity. Elvis may have left us in 1977, but he was the king of rock n’ roll. Long live the King!

Elvis Presley: A Teen’s Take on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Icon”

Elvis Presley, born January 8, 1935, was a revolutionary force in the music world, earning his title as the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Exploring his life, even as a 16-year-old today, I’m captivated by the impact he made.

Hailing from Tupelo, Mississippi, Elvis grew up in humble beginnings, surrounded by the love of his parents and twin brother. It’s inspiring to think that, despite financial challenges, this young man would redefine the music scene.

At 11, Elvis got his first guitar, sparking a self-taught journey into music. His early gospel influences evolved into a unique fusion of country, blues, and gospel, creating the electrifying genre of Rock ‘n’ Roll. In 1954, at only 19, he recorded “That’s All Right,” marking the birth of a musical legend.

Elvis wasn’t just a musical innovator; he was a cultural phenomenon. His rebellious dance moves and magnetic stage presence challenged the norms. He transitioned seamlessly into acting, starring in iconic films like “Love Me Tender” and “Jailhouse Rock.”

However, fame came at a cost, and Elvis faced personal struggles. Despite the challenges, his music continued to resonate. Even now, classics like “Hound Dog” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love” transcend generations.

Elvis Presley’s impact on music and culture is undeniable. He was known for his unique voice, charismatic persona, and electrifying performances. He sold over one billion records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling solo artists in history. He received numerous awards throughout his career, including three Grammy Awards and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Elvis’s influence can still be seen in today’s music. Many contemporary artists, such as Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, and Justin Timberlake, have cited Elvis as an inspiration. His music continues to be featured in movies, TV shows, and commercials.

Elvis left us in 1977, but his legacy lives on. I appreciate his breaking barriers and fearlessly embracing his artistic vision. Elvis Presley’s impact on music and culture is timeless, a testament to the enduring power of his artistry. His music has inspired generations and will continue to do so for many years to come.

Teaching Resources

Use our resources and tools to improve your student’s writing skills through proven teaching strategies.

BIOGRAPHY WRITING TEACHING IDEAS AND LESSONS

We have compiled a sequence of biography-related lessons or teaching ideas that you can follow as you please. They are straightforward enough for most students to follow without further instruction.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 1:

This session aims to give students a broader understanding of what makes a good biography.

Once your students have compiled a comprehensive checklist of the main features of a biography, allow them to use it to assess some biographies from your school library or on the internet using the feature checklist.

When students have assessed a selection of biographies, take some time as a class to discuss them. You can base the discussion around the following prompts:

• Which biographies covered all the criteria from their checklist?
• Which biographies didn’t?
• Which biography was the most readable in terms of structure?
• Which biography do you think was the least well-structured? How would you improve this?

Looking at how other writers have interpreted the form will help students internalize the necessary criteria before attempting to produce a biography. Once students have a clear understanding of the main features of the biography, they’re ready to begin work on writing a biography.

When the time does come to put pen to paper, be sure they’re armed with the following top tips to help ensure they’re as well prepared as possible.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 2:

This session aims to guide students through the process of selecting the perfect biography subject.

Instruct students to draw up a shortlist of three potential subjects for the biography they’ll write.

Using the three criteria mentioned in the writing guide (Interest, Merit, and Information), students award each potential subject a mark out of 5 for each of the criteria. In this manner, students can select the most suitable subject for their biography.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 3:

This session aims to get students into the researching phase, then prioritise and organise events chronologically.

Students begin by making a timeline of their subject’s life, starting with their birth and ending with their death or the present day. If the student has yet to make a final decision on the subject of their biography, a family member will often serve well for this exercise as a practice exercise.

Students should research and gather the key events of the person’s life, covering each period of their life from when they were a baby, through childhood and adolescence, right up to adulthood and old age. They should then organize these onto a timeline. Students can include photographs with captions if they have them.

They can present these to the class when they have finished their timelines.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 4:

Instruct students to look over their timeline, notes, and other research. Challenge them to identify three patterns that repeat throughout the subject’s life and sort all the related events and incidents into specific categories.

Students should then label each category with a single word. This is the thematic concept or the broad general underlying idea. After that, students should write a sentence or two expressing what the subject’s life ‘says’ about that concept.

This is known as the thematic statement . With the thematic concepts and thematic statements identified, the student now has some substantial ideas to explore that will help bring more profound meaning and wider resonance to their biography.

BIOGRAPHY LESSON IDEA # 5:

Instruct students to write a short objective account of an event in their own life. They can write about anyone from their past. It needn’t be more than a couple of paragraphs, but the writing should be strictly factual, focusing only on the objective details of what happened.

Once they have completed this, it’s time to rewrite the paragraph, but they should include some opinion and personal commentary this time.

The student here aims to inject some color and personality into their writing, to transform a detached, factual account into a warm, engaging story.

A COMPLETE UNIT ON TEACHING BIOGRAPHIES

Teach your students to write AMAZING BIOGRAPHIES & AUTOBIOGRAPHIES using proven RESEARCH SKILLS and WRITING STRATEGIES .

• Understand the purpose of both forms of biography.
• Explore the language and perspective of both.
• Prompts and Challenges to engage students in writing a biography.
• Dedicated lessons for both forms of biography.
• Biographical Projects can expand students’ understanding of reading and writing a biography.
• A COMPLETE 82-PAGE UNIT – NO PREPARATION REQUIRED.

FREE Biography Writing Graphic Organizer

Use this valuable tool in the research and writing phases to keep your students on track and engaged.

WRITING CHECKLIST & RUBRIC BUNDLE

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (92 Reviews)

To Conclude

By this stage, your students should have an excellent technical overview of a biography’s essential elements.

They should be able to choose their subject in light of how interesting and worthy they are, as well as give consideration to the availability of information out there. They should be able to research effectively and identify emerging themes in their research notes. And finally, they should be able to bring some of their personality and uniqueness into their retelling of the life of another.

Remember that writing a biography is not only a great way to develop a student’s writing skills; it can be used in almost all curriculum areas. For example, to find out more about a historical figure in History, to investigate scientific contributions to Science, or to celebrate a hero from everyday life.

Biography is an excellent genre for students to develop their writing skills and to find inspiration in the lives of others in the world around them.

HOW TO WRITE A BIOGRAPHY TUTORIAL VIDEO

OTHER GREAT ARTICLES RELATED TO BIOGRAPHY WRITING

How to write an Autobiography

How to Write a Historical Recount Text

15 Awesome Recount & Personal Narrative Topics

Personal Narrative Writing Guide

Crafting the Perfect Teacher Bio

July 22, 2019

Becoming a successful music teacher doesn’t just happen overnight – it takes years of hard work! So it makes sense that you’d want to list all of your achievements, qualifications and experience in your teacher bio. However, that’s not always the best way to communicate to students who you are.

So, how do you strike the right balance between education, experience, personality and teaching style? Does the image you want to present as a teacher come through when you read it?

Here are some helpful do’s and don’ts for crafting the perfect teacher bio:

Take a look at your existing teacher bio and think about how it comes across to a prospective new family.

Instead of “I hold a Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate of Music Degree in vocal performance from Berklee College of Music where I studied with Professor ABC, and I also attend various conferences as a member of NATS,” try something like “I have a doctorate degree in vocal performance from Berklee College of Music, and over 10 years of experience teaching piano. I work with students of all ages and levels and love incorporating fun games and activities into lessons.”

Don’t have a website yet for your About Me? Every music studio needs a website these days, and My Music Staff makes it easy to get one. Choose a template, paste in your text and drag ‘n drop your pages however you want – My Music Staff will do the rest! Sign up now for a free 30-day trial!

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How to Write a Biography

Last Updated: May 28, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Stephanie Wong Ken, MFA . Stephanie Wong Ken is a writer based in Canada. Stephanie's writing has appeared in Joyland, Catapult, Pithead Chapel, Cosmonaut's Avenue, and other publications. She holds an MFA in Fiction and Creative Writing from Portland State University. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,874,206 times.

Writing a biography can be a fun challenge, where you are sharing the story of someone’s life with readers. You may need to write a biography for a class or decide to write one as a personal project. Once you have identified the subject of the biography, do your research so you know as much about them as possible. Then, dive into the writing of the biography and revising it until it is at its finest.

Researching Your Subject

• If the subject does not give you permission to write the biography, you may want to choose a different subject. If you decide to publish the biography without the subject’s permission, you may be susceptible to legal action by the subject.
• If the subject is no longer alive, you obviously do not need to ask permission to write about them.

• You may create research questions to help focus your research of the subject, such as, What do I find interesting about the subject? Why is this subject important to readers? What can I say that is new about the subject? What would I like to learn more about?

• For in person interviews, record them with a tape recorder or a voice recorder on your computer or phone.
• You may need to interview the subject and others several times to get the material you need.

• You may also want to visit areas where the subject made a major decision or breakthrough in their life. Being physically in the area can give you a sense of how the subject might have felt and help you write their experiences more effectively.

• When researching the time period ask yourself: What were the social norms of that time? What was going on economically and politically? How did the social and political climate affect the subject?

• You may also include historical events or moments that affected the subject on the timeline. For example, maybe there was a conflict or civil war that happened during the person’s life that affected their life.

Writing the Biography

• You may end up focusing on particular areas of the person’s life. If you do this, work through a particular period in the person’s life chronologically.

• For example, you may have a thesis statement about focusing on how the person impacted the civil rights movement in America in the 1970s. You can then make sure all your content relates back to this thesis.

• Flashbacks should feel as detailed and real as present day scenes. Use your research notes and interviews with the subject to get a good sense of their past for the flashbacks.
• For example, you may jump from the person’s death in the present to a flashback to their favorite childhood memory.

• For example, you may focus on the person’s accomplishments in the civil rights movement. You may write a whole section about their contributions and participation in major civil rights marches in their hometown.

• For example, you may notice that the person’s life is patterned with moments of adversity, where the person worked hard and fought against larger forces. You can then use the theme of overcoming adversity in the biography.

• For example, you may note how you see parallels in the person’s life during the civil rights movement with your own interests in social justice. You may also commend the person for their hard work and positive impact on society.

Polishing the Biography

• Revise the biography based on feedback from others. Do not be afraid to cut or edit down the biography to suit the needs of your readers.

• Having a biography riddled with spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors can turn off your readers and result in a poor grade if you are handing in the text for a class.

• If the biography is for a class, use MLA , APA , or Chicago Style citations based on the preferences of your instructor.

Biography Help

Community Q&A

• Be careful when publishing private or embarrassing information, especially if the person is not a celebrity. You may violate their "Right of Privacy" or equivalent. Thanks Helpful 31 Not Helpful 5
• Have the sources to back up your statements about the subject's life. Untruthful written statements can lead to litigation. If it is your opinion, be clear that it is such and not fact (although you can support your opinion with facts). Thanks Helpful 16 Not Helpful 15

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• ↑ https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/writing/how-to-write-a-biography.html
• ↑ https://au.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-write-a-bio
• ↑ https://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/3-tips-for-writing-successful-flashbacks
• ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-write-bio/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/
• ↑ https://www.plagiarism.org/article/how-do-i-cite-sources

About This Article

Before you write a biography, gather as much information about the subject that you can from sources like newspaper articles, interviews, photos, existing biographies, and anything else you can find. Write the story of that person’s life, including as much supporting detail as you can, including information about the place and time where the person lived. Focus on major events and milestones in their life, including historical events, marriage, children, and events which would shape their path later in life. For tips from our reviewer on proofreading the biography and citing your sources, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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10 Yoga Teacher BIO examples

Yoga teachers are essential to the practice of yoga, providing the guidance and instruction necessary to help students reach their goals. Whether you are looking for a private teacher, or you are building your teaching staff for a studio, it is important to have a well-rounded group of teachers that each brings something unique to the table. From different styles of yoga to unique teaching methods, each yoga teacher’s bio provides a glimpse into his or her background and experience. The following are 20 Yoga teacher bio examples that showcase the talent and experience of some of the top teachers in the field.

Yoga teacher bio examples

2. Megan Smith is a passionate yoga instructor who has been teaching for the past 5 years. Her classes are a combination of Hatha and Yin styles and may include elements of meditation and chanting. Megan is known for her attention to detail and her ability to make yoga accessible to beginners.

4. Jack Smith is a dedicated yoga instructor who has been teaching for the past 7 years. He specializes in Iyengar and Ashtanga styles and is known for his ability to make yoga accessible to all students. His classes focus on alignment and breath work, and he often incorporates pranayama into his classes.

5. Sarah Doe has been teaching yoga for the past 4 years and is passionate about helping her students find balance in their practice. Her classes focus on alignment and proper technique, and she combines elements of Vinyasa and Hatha styles. Sarah also offers private classes and workshops.

6. Pete Smith has been practicing yoga for the past 8 years and teaching for the past 5. His classes emphasize the importance of breath and movement, and he is known for his ability to make yoga accessible to all levels of students. His classes are challenging, yet nurturing, and always leave students feeling energized and renewed.

8. Michael Smith has been practicing yoga for over 12 years and teaching for the last 8. His classes focus on alignment and proper technique, and he combines elements of Vinyasa and Hatha styles. He is passionate about helping his students find balance in their practice, and his classes are known to be both challenging and nurturing.

9. Jenny Doe is an experienced yoga teacher who has been teaching for the past 12 years. Her classes focus on proper alignment and breath work, and she often incorporates pranayama into her classes. Jenny is passionate about helping her students find balance in their practice, and her classes are known to be both challenging and supportive.

More Yoga teacher bio examples are coming soon…

3 Creative Ideas for Teaching Biographies Your Students Will Love

There is so much power in teaching our students about history using biographies. We can all learn from the success and failures of others. But biographies often get a bad rap of being dry and boring. It doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, through this genre, our students can practice many different reading skills and strategies. That’s why I use graphic organizers that will allow my students to recall information from the biographies in creative ways. I am excited to share these 3 creative ideas for teaching biographies using fun and exciting graphic organizers I know your students will love!

Teaching Biographies can be Exciting

When teaching biographies in my classroom I like to immerse my students into the lives of the person they are learning about. From decorating the classroom to dressing up like the person we are studying, the possibilities are endless. This really helps to “bring the person to life” and make the learning more engaging and realistic for our students.

No matter what biography you are focusing on, these 3 creative ideas for teaching biographies are going to be so fun your kids will be begging for more!

1. EXTRA! EXTRA!

Read all about it in this year’s edition of the 3rd grade Daily Times. And that’s the hook! One of my favorite ways to immerse my students into learning is to turn them all into little reporters. At the end of our biography unit, we create a newspaper. It includes articles about each of the people of influence we focused on. I can’t tell you how excited my students get when they hear they will be writing and “publishing” a newspaper!

I like to put students in groups of 3 or 4. Then, give each one a person they will be focusing on. As a group, they must choose graphic organizers to will help them record information about their person. They can read an article that I provide, get information from a book, or research the person on a safe search site.

After reading the information about their person, they use the graphic organizers they chose to record important information about the person. This is the “interview” for the article.

Pulling it all Together

Next, it’s time to put the information from the graphic organizers all together. They will write all of the information in one article that will be included in our newspaper. The newspaper can be tangible if you want your students to assemble it and include their own drawings. But, it can also be digital with each group focusing on specific slides. This can then be projected on a whiteboard or viewed on a tablet or computer.

Not only is it a great way for students to learn from informative text, but it also gives you a fun and easy way to assess their learning. Sharing the newspaper in the school library is sure to be a hit. Teachers or librarians can read the newspaper articles to classes when they visit the library. So cool!

This really is such a great way for me to teach biographies in an easy way my students love!

2. The Life and Times…

This is a fun timeline activity that begs to be interactive! When teaching biographies, I love to use timelines because it gives students a concrete visual of when key events took place. This helps students better able to identify with the life of the person they are studying.

For example, if we are focusing on Amelia Earheart, I create a huge timeline that goes around my classroom. We start at the beginning and focus each day on an aspect of her life. We add information to the timeline as we go, and this is where those awesome graphic organizers come into play.

With a cause and effect graphic organizer, I can ask my students to think critically about events in the life of Amelia Earheart. Then we can discuss how those events shaped her future. As we learn about other things that are happening in the world, we can add those to the timeline as well.

I can’t tell you how awesome it is to get those “lightbulb” moments! I love when students make connections between world events and the person they are studying.

The end of our timeline activity concludes with a flipbook with all the information we have learned about Amelia Earheart. My kids really love this activity because they are allowed to get up and walk around. They take their clipboards to make notes from the timeline to help them complete the information for the flipbook. It’s a great way for them to show off their learning when they take it home.

3. Pick a Person

This is a really fun way to build excitement when teaching biographies. I put the names of all the people I want my students to choose from when working on their biographies. Then, after arranging my class into 4 or 5 groups, it’s time for the choosing ceremony. Each team gets to reach inside a basket and draw the name of a person. This will be the person they will be responsible for reporting on at the end of the unit.

Next, each group has to do some research on the person of influence they will be focusing on. This could mean a special trip to the library for the group to check out a book, some safe search research on the computer, or even a look through our biographies section of our class book boxes. I think this is a great way to give your students a little independence and responsibility they will be overjoyed to get.

Graphic organizers are so great for biographies because there is so much information available out there. It can feel overwhelming for kids to try to organize their thoughts and recall important facts and details about the lives of the people we are studying. They are a great way to get our students to really focus on what’s important and what they want to include in their presentations.

The Presentations

Now, it’s time for the really fun part! I give my students some time to think about how they could present their information to the class. Some groups like to use technology and create a video slideshow, a recorded skit, or even a self-made news clip featuring their famous person. Other groups may want to get creative and make a poster with visual images representing the information they learned about the person they are focusing on.

If a free choice scenario isn’t your cup of tea, consider making a list of presentation options you would be comfortable with. By giving students some choice in their final presentation you really get to see them tap into strengths and creativity. No matter how you choose to have your students present the information, chances are they will have a blast doing it!

Grab Your Free Biography Graphic Organizers

I have put together my favorite graphic organizers to use when teaching biographies and you can grab them for free! Just join the Keep ’em Thinking community to get access to the Free Resource Library. You can find these biography graphic organizers and lots more!

Just sign-up below and grab your free graphic organizers today!

Teaching Biographies is a Breeze

Teaching biographies really is a breeze! With customizable graphic organizers to help your students, they will not only focus on the information they are learning but recall it.

And . . . if you need some ready-to-use biographies check out the Keep ’em Thinking store . You can find a variety of biography resources that are perfect to use with the graphic organizers.

Be sure to save these creative ways for teaching biographies ideas to your favorite Pinterest teacher board so you can come back any time for even more fun and exciting biography activities!

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Best Practices for Teaching Biographies

Listen to the full episode to hear best practices for teaching biographies:

Teaching literacy is often surrounded by the genre of fiction. Students understand the characteristics and plot elements, which results in them independently reading fictional books on their own. But there’s another type of genre, nonfiction, and more specifically biographies, which they’re less familiar with. 

February is the perfect time for teaching biographies by incorporating Black History Month. But even without that, incorporating biographies into your classroom is so important. While it’s not as initially engaging as fiction, there are ways to pique students’ interest with this genre. In today’s episode, I’m sharing my simple and best practices for teaching biographies. 

Oftentimes, students don’t like what they don’t understand, so getting them to understand biographies is the first step. Throughout the episode, I walk you through my five simple steps of exploring biographies in order to get students interested in this type of genre. With this exploration, you’ll help students understand how this genre works, how to identify it from a group of texts, and how to recognize the main purpose of this genre. 

Fiction is a genre students already enjoy, but by incorporating these best practices for teaching biographies, this will soon be a genre students will be engaged in and exploring all on their own.

In this episode on teaching biographies, I share:

• 5 tips for teaching biographies in creative and engaging ways
• Why February is the perfect opportunity to teach biographies
• How class findings can be turned into anchor chart references for your students 
• A class example on how to creatively teach biographies

Resources Mentioned:

• Join the Writing Made Simple Membership
• Biography Graphic Organizer Freebie
• Grab my free Step-by-Step Writing routine!
• Episode 118, Using Morning Meeting to Support Black History
• Episode 119, 5 Black History Month Activities for Elementary Students

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About The Literacy Dive Podcast:

Do you find yourself seeking new ideas when it comes to literacy instruction in elementary classrooms? The Literacy Dive Podcast was created to offer actionable steps and to share information for teachers, like you, who are always looking to improve their craft! ELA is our jam and we are excited to dive into all things reading and writing with you!

Your host, Megan Polk, is the creator and owner behind The Literacy Dive and loves to support students and their teachers with curriculum, literacy instruction, best practices, and engaging literacy activities.

Dive in with us every Monday for a new episode from Megan! She, and her guests, will chat about various literacy topics and will bring you tips and tricks that can easily be implemented in your classrooms. You can tune in wherever you get your podcasts! Listen to The Literacy Dive Podcast

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I am a literacy specialist and curriculum designer who loves sharing tips and ideas to help students thrive in literacy! It brings me joy to await those a-ha moments and to see light bulbs turn on!

I have a huge passion for reading and writing and love to co-mingle the two any chance I get! You can expect to learn new strategies and ways to keep your students engaged during your literacy block! I am so glad you’re here!

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Ready to merge vocabulary AND writing TOGETHER?!! Grab this sample of high-impact writing prompts that will give meaningful practice with both important skills! Perfect for 2nd-6th grade teachers!

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5 Fun Biography Research Projects: Easy Research and Writing Templates

Looking for fun biography research projects that both challenge and engage your elementary students? I’ve got you covered! From a biography report template to a digital biography project, I’m sharing my favorite ways to spark students’ curiosity and creativity as they investigate important figures. 

In this post, you’ll find tips for teaching biography research and writing, a list of handy biography research sources, and unique projects and activities that students (and teachers) love!

Why Biography Research Projects?

Nothing packs an educational punch like biography research! Research combines reading, writing, and learning all for a meaningful purpose. And the best part is that students love these fun projects, all while enjoying the many benefits.

With biography research projects, students will:

• Develop research skills
• Apply reading comprehension strategies
• Improve informational writing
• Build independence
• Integrate Social Studies and Science
• Grow organizational skills

Digital Biography Research Projects

For a flexible, ready-to-go biography project that takes minimal prep and works with any figure, past or present, consider a digital biography report .  

The beauty of a digital project is that it’s easily adapted to meet all kinds of needs (student ability, time available, depth of research, etc.) and students LOVE digital projects! The Biography Digital Research Report provides a guided research experience that can be completed totally online or with print texts. (Or a combination!)

Students just add their information to each Google slide and create a beautiful biography presentation for any figure. Plus, students can use the digital report to create a written essay using the included template and rubric.

Biography Research Report Booklets

Guided biography research booklets are the perfect way to support students as they venture into the world of research! These handy templates help students organize their information as they create a unique biography report using a tabbed mini-book.

Booklets are available for over 50 figures, including scientists and inventors, authors and artists, historical figures, amazing women, and more!

You can grab the  Martin Luther King, Jr. Biography Research Booklet  FOR FREE or click the image below to see all the figures available!

Lapbook Biography Research Projects

For a more hands-on biography activity, students can create a lapbook that includes their research and a final written report. Lapbooks are a great way to organize information while creating a final presentation students can be proud of!

My students love doing biography research and writing with these ready-to-go lapbook templates. You just need a large piece of construction paper or a file folder to create the base of the lapbook, then students attach template pieces as they learn about the figure of their choice.

Autobiography Writing Planner Templates

Reading and writing biographies is powerful, but why not bridge that work into having students write their own autobiographies? Once students understand the structure and purpose of a biography, they can really dig deep into creating their own!

An autobiography writing template makes it easy for students to plan their ideas and write a thoughtful and cohesive text. The planning pages, rubrics, and graphic organizers guide students through the process.

Biography Research Pendants Project

For quick and fun biography research projects, consider making pendants to hang in the classroom. Students research their figure online, or using print texts, and create a simple display with important facts.

The Black History Pendant Projects set includes 12 important figures from history and 2 versions of each pendant (a simple and more challenging version). You can grab the Martin Luther King, Jr. pendant for FREE in the Preview on TPT. Just click the image below.

Biography Research Online Sources

When it comes to biography research projects, students need access to accurate, kid-friendly, appropriately leveled texts.

Print sources are wonderful, but it’s often hard (or even impossible!) to find biographies for every figure students want to research. Plus, it can be a challenge to find multiple copies or various titles on the same figure. Online sources to the rescue!

Depending on the grade-level, you might prefer to search the information and print copies for students, or allow students to do their own online research. Be sure students are ready with knowledge about how to find reliable sources and how to avoid clicking ads!

Here are some safe and reliable websites for students:

Britannica Kids: Biographies (kid-friendly, great selection)

Academy of Achievement (amazing biographies with photographs, but more complex, great for teacher-guided work)

National Women’s Hall of Fame (large collection, short biographies)

Mr. Nussbaum (wide variety of people, short biographies, *intrusive ads)

Ducksters (short and simple biographies)

Biography Research Print Sources

If possible, I try to incorporate some print sources to go with all our biography research projects. Luckily, there are so many amazing biography series for kids now! I’ve included links to some of my favorites below!

*These are affiliate links, but I only share resources I truly love!

The “Who Was…?” Chapter Book Series : Engaging biographies written in a story-like format. Kids love these books!

Time for Kids Biographies : Packed with nonfiction text features, these biographies focus on facts and include beautiful photographs and images.

National Geographic Kids Biographies: Similar to “Time for Kids,” these short biographies are packed with facts and photos!

“The Story of…” Biographies: Beautifully illustrated longer biographies that students adore!

Biography research projects are perfect for end-of-year projects, independent study, group work, content integration, and more! Allow students to follow their curiosity as they dive into meaningful research and self-directed learning!

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Teaching Biographies: Activities and Ideas

Teaching with biographies and ben franklin.

• ELEMENTARY TEACHING , INTEGRATED CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES

Teaching Biographies To Elementary Students (Grades 1-5) in 2024

Teaching biographies can feel intimidating at first, but once you have a solid understanding of the genre, a roadmap of how to teach it, and teaching resources and activities, it’s easy! This post will equip you with all of that and more! You’ll feel prepared (and maybe even excited) about teaching biographies (especially if you are using this biography project and these biography activities )!

The Benefits Of Students Reading Biographies

There are so many benefits of teaching biographies and autobiographies! Readers are transported into that person’s life. They learn all about the person’s achievements, struggles, culture, life lessons, and personality. Biographies can also teach us about the world through the eyes of the subject while allowing the reader to make connections to them. Most students can find biographies they enjoy when they find people to read about that connect with their likes and dislikes to top it off. 

How To Introduce The Biography Genre To Students

The easiest way to introduce and teach biographies is by gathering as many biographies and autobiographies as possible from your classroom library, school, and public library. Make sure that all the books you collect are around your student’s reading levels. This idea works for any theme.

Then, set out the books you collected on each of your students’ tables and have them explore. Ask them to write down what they notice. What do all the books have in common? Have students write down their findings on chart paper. 

Next, have each table share with the class what they noticed. They should come up with some ideas like: 

• They are all about people.
• The person accomplished something big.
• They all include essential dates or a timeline of the person’s life.
• They included real pictures or illustrations of the person.
• The books all tell factual information, and there are no made-up stories.

Lastly, tell students that books with these characteristics are called biographies or autobiographies. Be sure to tell students the difference between biographies and autobiographies too. Create an anchor chart to hang up for students to reference throughout your biography unit! 

4 Ideas For Biography Mini Lessons

After introducing biographies, try one of these mini-lesson ideas for teaching biographies! 

• Have students pick a person they are interested in learning more about. Then have them find books about the person and complete a research project about that person to present to the class. You could even take it a few steps further and have students share what they learned in costume as the person they researched in a wax museum activity! 
• Have students create a social media page of the person they learned about in their biography
• Have students read about a person of interest, and then write journal entries as that person. 
• You could make it seasonal! Around fall, have students paint a pumpkin like a person they read about and present important events or accomplishments as they share their pumpkin. In spring, students could make biography flowers where the center was a photo of the person, and the petals are important events and accomplishments. 

Strategies For Using Mentor Texts To Model Reading Biographies

Teaching biographies is simple when you use these strategies!

First, pick any biography or autobiography mentor text and read it aloud. Ok, maybe not ANY. Be sure to choose one that will be engaging to your students. Think about the things they enjoy and go from there. I love picture books because students can generally read them in one session. (Make sure you preview the text first and mark with sticky notes to remember to stop and discuss during the read-aloud!)

Stop at important dates, accomplishments, life lessons, or significant life events to discuss. I even stop to discuss any figurative language or text features included. This will help students with both reading and writing! Students generally have TONS of connections to share during biography read alouds that lead to great conversations. 

How To Teach Students To Write Biography Reports

One way to help students learn how to write biographies is to write their first one about themselves! Students can brainstorm what should be included in their biography by creating a timeline that includes important events in their life. Then, they use the timeline to help them write their biography in chronological order. You can model this with a biography about yourself on an anchor chart for students to use if they need help. This is also an excellent way to get to know each other at the beginning of the year! 

When it comes to writing biographies about other people, students need to have read several biographies to get an idea of how authors organize this type of writing. When you read aloud, be sure to point out that authors of biographies generally write the story of the person’s life from beginning to end. So students will need to be familiar with sequential order/chronological order text organization. Have students fill in a timeline when you model during read alouds. Point out that biographies usually focus on a part of the person’s life that taught them a life lesson. This biography project and biography activities are great resources for teaching biographies.

Resources for Teaching Biographies

Here are some resources for teaching biography:

1. Biography Project for Elementary Students

Are you looking to begin using a biography project ? Perhaps you are just looking for something better than you already use. If so, this is the resource you need! It is a great resource for teaching elementary students about biographies.

This is a great project to complement a genre study of biographies, an author study, social studies concepts and more. I’ve recently updated the entire product so that it now includes an option to do the Living Biography Museum where families come into school and the students “perform” in character OR can instead be used simply as an independent research project in class or as a homework assignment.

The twist is that instead of having the students dress in costume (which can be a hassle for the parents since most kids can’t put their own costume together) they make a poster board costume with a space for their head to pop through.

A-DOR-ABLE!!!

In the past I’ve done the living museum and had students prepare a brief speech to recite in character. This year I opted to send it home as a homework project and will instead take their photos with their poster board and display them with the written report.

This download now includes BOTH the original version and my new and improved updated version as well. If you have high achieving students who need enrichment this is a perfect activity for them to do on their own or you can use it with an entire class. It’s ideal for grades 2-5.

This biography project contains everything you need to have your students complete a project of their very own to present in class or at a Living Biography Museum.

What is included in this biography project?

Make teaching biographies fun by incorporating this biography project , which includes the following:

• Grading rubrics / criteria checklist
• Graphic organizer to plan writing
• Graphic organizer to record sources
• Student writing pages
• Poster board visual directions 

5 Reasons Why Teachers Love It

Below are 5 reasons why teachers love using this resource for teaching biographies.

• This comprehensive biography project includes differentiated materials, so all you will be able to meet all of your students’ needs and your they will feel successful.
• The project makes a challenging concept accessible for elementary students.
• This resource facilitates a fun hands-on learning experience that offers opportunities for students to practice important skills without them even realizing it.
• This print and go resource will save you lots of time planning and prepping.
• It is aligned to the Common Core Standards, so it will give you peace of mind knowing your students are practicing important grade level skills.

How to Implement the Project in Your Classroom

You can either do a Living Biography Museum where families come in to school and the students perform in character or it can instead be used simply as an independent research project in class or as a homework assignment.

How I Used the Resources in My Classroom to Teach Biography

We had so much fun making these bio poster boards.

As a bonus, the kids learned a ton.

I started by having them complete oodles of activities from my biography activities packet which acquainted them with a whole bunch of famous folks.

Then I had them work in teams to research Benjamin Franklin. They had discussions about why he was famous. They talked about his accomplishments. Finally, they each wrote about him in the 1st person and performed a monologue as if they were Ben.

To make it oh-so-much-more-fun, I gave them each a poster board to use as a “costume.”

I’m now having them each select their own historical figure of choice to repeat the process as an independent project at home.

I seriously loved this project. The kids did too.

They enjoyed walking around wearing their poster boards and singing, “Who flew a kite in a storm and made history… Ben Franklin Square Pants.”

They also enjoyed having “conversations” with each other while wearing the poster board.

Kid 1: Hey Ben

Kid 2: Yo Ben

Me: **Listening carefully how this conversation is going to go.**

Kid 1: Ben, I really liked how you proved lightning was electricity.

Kid 2: Thanks Ben. You know you’re awesome, right? I mean, you signed the Declaration of Independence and all.

Kid 1: I know dude, right? I totally rock!

And then there was the boy who did a stellar job with his presentation… and then ended it by yelling, “Thank you Philadelphia. Ben Franklin has left the building.”

Third graders make me laugh.

2. Biography Activities for Elementary Students

These biography activities are great resources for teaching biographies to elementary students. It provides teachers with no prep printable biography activities that can be used over and over when studying any person.

This unit was designed to enhance the study of individuals. The activities can be used as part of a genre study or within the content areas. I have also used them with author studies and have had the children complete them as autobiographies about themselves.

What is included in this resource?

This biography activities resource includes 7 activities. Learn about them below!

1. Biography Poster

Students gather information about any individual and use their research to create an 8.5 x 11 inch poster. The poster has spaces to record the person’s name, date of birth, place of birth, interesting facts, reasons of importance and character traits. They then draw a portrait of their individual.

2. My Life in Pictures: A Scrapbook Biography Project

To complete this biography, activity the student will take on the role of the individual they are studying. The student can either draw illustrations or print and attach photos highlighting important parts of the individual’s life. The student then writes captions. This biography report is so much more fun than writing an essay and more pages can be added as enrichment.

3. Top-Down Topic Web

This graphic organizer shows the relationships to the main idea and details. They represent main ideas in a hierarchy. These research-based tools help the students to comprehend what they have read because it organizes ideas in a systematic, visual graph.

4. The Important Book Biography Activity

The Important Book is a great book for teaching students about writing patterns. This activity was modeled after the format of that book and was designed to encourage students to identify key, important facts about the person they are studying. It makes a great bulletin board display.

5. Body Biography

A Body Biography project is a combination of artwork and writing. The packet includes a poster to use as directions or to display with the students’ completed biography projects. They complete sections such as a speech bubble with a quote by the individual, a thought bubble to show what they have thought about, shoes labeled with places the person has been, a heart filled with character traits. They then draw objects in the hands that relate to the person and create a background that tells the viewer more about the historical figure.

6. Timeline Biography Report

Unlike a lengthy written report, this is a creative way to showcase important events in the person’s life. Students identify key moments and tell about them in words and pictures. They are added to a foldable accordion booklet in sequential order.

7. I AM Poem

An I AM Poem is typically completed as an autobiography. I also have my students do one about themselves to learn more about them. The format is also great for showing what they know about a person they have learned about. The students take on the role of that person to write the poem in the first person.

• These biographies activities are high-interest for students, so they’ll be motivated to learn through reading and researching.
• This comprehensive resource includes differentiated materials, so all you will be able to meet all of your students’ needs and your students will feel successful.
• Your principal, colleagues and school librarian will be impressed by the creative methods of sharing learned information and the integrated learning that takes place.
• The resources can be used with an biography study and be used over and over again.

How to Implement it in Your Classroom

It’s part of our social studies curriculum and technically it is a study of Massachusetts Biographies, but we began learning about the genre with a mini-study of Martin Luther King Jr.

I read several picture books and the students buddy read a free printable reader from A to Z.

We created a top-down web listing information that we learned about MLK.

Then I read The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown, and the students completed an activity I created for my biography packet that was inspired by the book. They used the same format as Brown’s book to compose their own version, “The important thing about Martin Luther King Jr. is…”

Finally, each of my friends made a portrait of MLK using the directions from TLC. They came out crazy cute. I hung each of them up even though I’ll probably take them down and send them home soon. They were just too adorable not to display.

Today, we did another activity (The I Am Poem) from the biography activities packet and a craftivity to go with it. I really feel like I am able to get to know my students on a completely different level through projects like these. They really open up and share such sweet ideas and insight into who they are.

3. Biography Picture Books

Belo are 4 high-quality biography children’s books for elementary students.

1. Martin’s Big Words by Doreen Rappaport

Martin’s Big Words by Doreen Rappaport is a nonfiction picture book that teaches children about the life and dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Students will learn what life was like for Martin growing up and how he became a leader in the fight for equal rights.

Throughout the book, the author includes actual quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. This book explains how Martin Luther King Jr. encouraged people to use their words to make change and the impact he had on the country. This story follows Martin all the way from childhood through the end of his life.

I liked this book so much I added it to my Starts With a Story collection! Grab these Martin’s Big Words activities to deliver a highly engaging and purposeful interactive read aloud!

2. The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles

The Story of Ruby Bridges details the struggles that six-year old Ruby Bridges endured when she was chosen to attend an all-white, segregated school as a black girl.

All of the other students’ parents pulled their children out of school because of her, and so she was forced to attend class all alone. She was escorted by U.S. Marshalls every morning, as she had to listen to jeers and insults being thrown at her while she was entering the school.

Despite these hardships, Ruby’s courage through non-violent actions did so much for the civil rights movement, and later that year, two white boys started to attend school with her. This inspirational true story teaches children that, no matter what age you are, anyone can be a trailblazer for change.

I liked this book so much I will be adding it to my Starts With a Story collection! Grab these The Story of Ruby Bridges activities to deliver a highly engaging and purposeful interactive read aloud!

3. The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca

The story The Girl Who Thought in Pictures follows the life of Temple Grandin. The story starts off with Temple being born, and the doctors thinking that she needed to be sent away because she was different. Temple liked to watch things spin, did not like loud noises or crowds, anything that was itchy, or big squeezy hugs. She also did not talk until she was three. Temple got diagnosed with Autism. Her mom said that Temple was “different, not less.”

When Temple goes to school, the children there would tease her relentlessly. One day, Temple’s mom thinks that it would be better for Temple to stay on her aunt’s ranch. There, Temple finally feels comfortable and explores ways to help animals. Temple goes to college and gets three degrees! Now she travels the world giving speeches and spreading hope. She spreads the message that the world needs brains of all kinds.

I liked this book so much I added it to my Starts With a Story collection! Grab these The Girl Who Thought in Pictures activities to deliver a highly engaging and purposeful interactive read aloud!

4. Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpre by Anika Denise

The sixth picture book on the list of books that are great for teaching biographies is Planting Stories . It is a biographical picture book about Pura Belpre, who was the first Puerto Rican Librarian in New York City. When she started working the library, she realized that there weren’t any of the stories and folktales that she was familiar with in Puerto Rico. She decides to share her stories during story hour and through puppet shows, and eventually publishes a book.

Pura travels across the country and from classroom to classroom planting her story seeds and educating about her homeland. When she returns to the library, she sees that her story seeds have bloomed and everyone is telling her stories. Students will love learning about Pura and how she shared her stories with children everywhere.

I liked this book so much I added it to my Starts With a Story collection! Grab these Planting Stories activities to deliver a highly engaging and purposeful interactive read aloud!

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Making biographies fun (with two freebies).

It’s never too early to start teaching biographies to students. Many intermediate teachers will teach strong biography units, but integrating them in primary is excellent, too! I’m gathering up some ideas for making biographies fun in your class!

Start by teaching the genre.

Always start each genre with an introductory lesson. To help with making biographies fun, I suggest a biography anchor chart that you can laminate and keep in your classroom throughout the unit or throughout the entire year. Below, you will see a sample anchor chart for biographies. AND I’m linking the letters and clipart for you for  FREE ! That way, you can replicate a similar anchor chart for your students.

(Link:  Biography Header Freebie )

2. Integrate reading into students independent and partner reading time.

Utilize all the time you can with biographies. Plug them into daily centers and even book bins for students to read during downtime. If you’re giving primary students biography books to read independently or with a partner, make sure to provide them with easy readers. Biographies are tough for students to understand because sometimes they don’t have any background knowledge. So, prevent them from having more difficulty reading their biographies by giving them easy readers to get through independently. Check out these affiliate links to books I suggest from Amazon that are ideal for making biographies fun.

Making Biographies Fun with My Favorite Picks

• Jesse Owens
• Misty Copeland
• Barack Obama
• Alexander Hamilton
• Thomas Edison

12 Leveled Biography Set

3. Have a weekly (free) challenge for review.

I blogged about this fun weekly challenge several months ago. I love it! So, what you’ll do is at the beginning of every week, you will give students a social studies or science clue. Throughout the week, as they read passages in folders and books at their reading centers, they will try to find out what the mystery clues are. It’s a great concept for making biographies fun for primary students. Check out my examples below. Also, click through to  my old blog post  to watch my video of me discussing this fun freebie.

(Link:  Mystery Freebie Blog Post )

4. Tie in technology and reading.

Whenever it comes to science and social studies, Pebble Go and Brain Pop Jr. are necessities for my lessons. If you have been keeping up with my blog, you’ll notice I mention these two wonderful websites quite often. Below, I’ll show you their biography features! Sign up today to get access to all these videos and online content.

(Source:  PebbleGo Biographies ) In the picture above, you can see the categories of biographies! There is a lot to pick from. And within each, there are even more subcategories. Pebble Go offers so many options for making biographies fun. Go check them out.

In the picture below, you can see how I’ve selected women (image of Harriet Tubman), then even more specific Civil Rights Leaders. So this is a selection of all of their biographies on women that were Civil Rights Leaders!

(Source:  PebbleGo Biographies )

(Source:  BrainPop Jr. Biographies ) You can see a selection of Brain Pop Jr.’s biographies in the picture above. And that is just some of them. There are way more! Their biographies come with animated movies, which my kiddos always responded well to. Check out the Amelia Earhart selection below. It shows the video and the follow-up activities for her!

(Source:  BrainPop Jr. Biographies )

5. Use readings as homework, so parents can also discuss the importance.

One option you have is to send passages home once a week for homework. These passages can be read with parents so that parents can discuss with their children their own relation or background knowledge of the person. This will help students see that they’re learning about these influential people at school and they are known outside of the classroom, too! It’s fun for them to see that their parents can tell them about what they’re learning during reading and social studies time. Also, you can choose to have one set passage for the entire class throughout the week, or you can send home a few for parents and children to pick. Then, students can write about the one they chose and what they learned.

Biography and Science Bundles

(Resources in Pic:  Biography Bundle  and  Science Bundle )

6. Let the kids be teachers!

Find clipart online or on TPT of the influential people that you are researching. Then, split your classroom into as many groups as the persons you’re discussing. Give each group of students markers, chart paper, a picture of the person, and a few books on that person. Then, allow them to research that person with their group and create a chart for each person. Afterward, when they are finished creating their chart, allow them to practice their Speaking and Listening skills by presenting their work to the class.

Freebie Idea

Another idea would be to grab the freebie from #1 and allowing your class to work in groups to present on the genre itself!

FREE BIOGRAPHIES HEADER!

For more, download the biography header! When you sign up, you’ll be delivered this freebie directly to your email inbox.

7. Stock up on biographies from TPT!

In my store, you will find over 30  biographies ! I have biographies for 30 influential people. In each of these biography sets, you can get a passage, cut and paste timeline, fact writing research page, writing sheet. Plus, a flip book that includes a passage, comprehension questions, true and false sort, and a writing page.

• Mother Teresa Biography Pack  (or in the Biography Bundle )
• Henry Ford Biography Pack  (or in the Biography Bundle )
• Susan B. Anthony Biography Pack  (or in the Biography Bundle )

Biography Bundle

Want more social studies blog posts to read?

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• Read more about: Freebies , Reading Blog Posts , Social Studies Blog Posts , Uncategorized

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Biography Writing Teaching Resources

A collection of resources to use when teaching your students about the biography text type. Resources include planning templates, checklists, writing scaffolds, sequencing activities, posters and word wall vocabulary. You can download PowerPoints to introduce the biography text type and there are also lesson plans and unit plans.

• Teaching Resource 24
• Lesson Plan 9
• Unit Plan 1
• English  35
• Text Types  26
• Writing  26
• Informative Writing  25
• Comprehension Texts  5
• Speaking and Listening  4
• British Monarchy  2
• Reading Comprehension  2
• British History  2
• Reading Passages  2
• Australian History  1
• Information Report  1
• Historical Figures  1
• Foundation Year 1

resource types

• Templates 9
• Worksheets 9
• Writing Templates 3
• Flipbooks 2
• Writing Checklists 2
• Checklist Templates 2
• Classroom Posters 2
• Classroom Bulletin Boards 1
• Teaching Slides 1
• Classroom Decor 1
• Brochure Templates 1
• Word Walls 1
• Graphic Organisers 1
• Craft Activities 1

availability

File formats.

• Printable PDF 21
• Adobe Reader (.pdf) 10
• Microsoft Word (.docx) 7
• Microsoft Word Template (.dotx) 5
• Google Slides 4
• Microsoft PowerPoint Template (.potx) 3
• Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx) 2
• Teach Starter Publishing 35

Let's Research! Information Report Templates

Conduct, organise, and display research about books, people, planets, animals, states, and countries with a versatile set of report writing templates.

Biography Template

Guide your students with this Biography Template.

Biography Text Type Poster With Annotations

A poster about the biography text type, including an annotated example.

Biography Research Template

A research template for older students to use when writing a biography.

Biography Writing Checklist – Structure, Language and Features

A checklist for students to use when proofreading and editing their biography writing.

Writing Biographical Texts PowerPoint

A 29 slide editable PowerPoint template to use when teaching older students about the structure and language features of biographical texts.

Biography Sentence Starters

Biographies can be interesting and fun to write... with a little bit of inspiration and help to get them started!

Biography Writing Bump It Up Wall

A visual display for your classroom to help students ‘bump up’ their biography writing.

Malala Yousafzai Biography – Read and Respond Worksheet

A comprehension activity related to a biographical text.

NAPLAN-Style Assessment Rubric – Biographical Texts

Use this NAPLAN-style rubric to assess students’ biography writing as you prepare students for Year 5 tests.

J. K. Rowling Biography – Worksheet

A comprehension worksheet for a biography from the Year 5 magazine (Issue 2).

Jamie Oliver Biography – Worksheet

A comprehension worksheet for a biography from the Year 3 magazine (Issue 2).

Biography Brochure Template

A brochure template to use when writing biographies.

Biography Writing Checklist

Now your students can make sure that they have everything they need in their biography.

Dr Mae Jemison – Biography Structure Sorting Task

A sorting task to help students learn about the structure of a biography.

Human Histories: Terrific Tennis Players – Worksheet

A comprehension worksheet for a human histories article from the Year 2 magazine (Issue 2).

Human Histories: Popular Performers

A comprehension worksheet for a human histories article from the Year 1 magazine (Issue 2).

Human Histories: Amazing Achievements - Read and Respond Worksheet

Australian Hero Triorama Project

Identify and encourage research into notable Austrailian heroes with a triarama project.

Biography Writing Word Wall

A set of 30 vocabulary words related to biography writing.

Biography Flip Book Template

A flip book template to use when writing biographies.

Dr Mae Jemison Biography – Worksheet

A comprehension worksheet for a biography from the Year 4 magazine (Issue 2).

King Charles III Biography Template - Mobile

Research and learn about King Charles III with this hanging biography template.

King Charles III Biography Planner Flipbook

Research and learn about King Charles III and discover biography writing.

• Biography Writing for Year 4
• Biography Writing for Year 5
• Biography Writing for Year 6

• Robert Weisberg

• Edwin E. Huddleson, Jr. Professor of Law

Faculty Co-Director, Stanford Criminal Justice Center

weisberg@stanford.edu

• 650 723.0612
• Humberto Comparan
• Room N221, Neukom Building
• Stanford Criminal Justice Center (SCJC)
• Access to Justice
• Constitutional Criminal Procedure
• Criminal Law
• Criminal Prosecution
• Criminology/Criminal Law Policymaking
• Internet & Cyberlaw
• Plea Bargaining & Juries
• Policing & Gun Policy
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• White Collar Crime

Robert Weisberg, JD ’79, works primarily in the field of criminal justice, writing and teaching in the areas of criminal law, criminal procedure, white collar crime, and sentencing policy. He also founded and now serves as faculty co-director of the Stanford Criminal Justice Center (SCJC), which promotes and coordinates research and public policy programs on criminal law and the criminal justice system, including institutional examination of the police and correctional systems. In 1979, Professor Weisberg received his JD from Stanford Law School, where he served as President of the Stanford Law Review . He then served as a law clerk to Chief Judge J. Skelly Wright of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and Justice Potter Stewart of the U.S. Supreme Court. After joining the Stanford law faculty, he served as a consulting attorney for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the California Appellate Project on death penalty cases, and he continues to consult on criminal appeals in the state and federal courts. Professor Weisberg is a three-time winner of the law school’s John Bingham Hurlbut Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Before entering the field of law, Professor Weisberg received a PhD in English at Harvard and was a tenured English professor at Skidmore College. Drawing on that background, he is one of the nation’s leading scholars on the intersection of law and literature and co-author of the highly praised book,  Literary Criticisms of Law .

• BA City College of New York 1966
• MA 1967; PhD (English) 1971 Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
• JD Stanford Law School 1979

Related Organizations

• Criminal Procedure: Adjudication
• Criminal Procedure: Investigation
• Directed Professional Writing
• Directed Research
• Discussion (1L): How Does Criminal Law "Know" the Truth?
• Externship, Special Circumstances
• Police and Prisons: German and American Approaches to Reform and Abolition
• Policy Practicum: Moving Forward from Dobbs

Affiliations & Honors

• Affiliated Faculty, Program in Modern Thought and Literature
• Recipient, John Bingham Hurlbut Award for Excellence in Teaching, Stanford, 1985, 2005
• Publications

Policy Practicums

California Penal Code Revision Project

COVID-19 and the Effect of Video Technology on Indigent Defense Services (807U)

Expanding Access to the Legal Bar for the Formerly Incarcerated

Moving Forward from Dobbs (808V)

Policing and Technology

Rethinking penal code enhancements in california, state law enforcement access to customer records of communication companies.

Tools for Re-Entry: Practices, Apps, and Services

Veterans treatment courts.

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Meanings and Measures of Recidivism

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1st Edition

Writing, Imitation, and Performance Insights from Neuroscience Research

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Description

This book reconsiders imitation as a valuable pedagogical approach in Writing Studies. Countering concerns about product-oriented teaching, formulaic writing, paternalistic or elitist pedagogy, and plagiarism, the book maintains that the use of imitation can offer a writer greater insight and help to develop a clear writerly identity. Positing that writers often use imitation as a step toward developing new directions, structures, and styles, and that this imitation is indeed a form of performance, the author explores the neuropsychological aspect of imitation to show how it is a valid form of writing instruction. She explains how learning, experience, and role playing are manifested in the brain and influence one’s sense of self, one’s identity. The book emphasizes that imitation can provide students with opportunities to perform habitually as writers, readers, and critical thinkers, enabling them to develop new understandings and confidence in their ability to improve. It also includes suggestions for classroom application, written by Craig A. Meyer. This book offers important insights for scholars and teachers of writing and composition, education, and communication studies.

Table of Contents

Irene L. Clark is Professor of English and Director of Composition at California State University, Northridge, USA. She has published in The Journal of Basic Writing , College Composition and Communication , WPA Writing Program Administration , Composition Forum , WAC Journal , Writing Center Journal , and Journal of Writing Assessment . Her books include Concepts in Composition: Theory and Practice in the Teaching of Writing , 3rd edition (2019). Her recent scholarship focuses on identity, imitation, critical thinking, and neuropsychological research.

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19 Facts About Tim Walz, Harris’s Pick for Vice President

Mr. Walz, the governor of Minnesota, worked as a high school social studies teacher and football coach, served in the Army National Guard and chooses Diet Mountain Dew over alcohol.

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By Simon J. Levien and Maggie Astor

• Published Aug. 6, 2024 Updated Aug. 9, 2024

Until recently, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota was a virtual unknown outside of the Midwest, even among Democrats. But his stock rose fast in the days after President Biden withdrew from the race, clearing a path for Ms. Harris to replace him and pick Mr. Walz as her No. 2.

Here’s a closer look at the Democrats’ new choice for vice president.

1. He is a (very recent) social media darling . Mr. Walz has enjoyed a groundswell of support online from users commenting on his Midwestern “dad vibes” and appealing ordinariness.

2. He started the whole “weird” thing. It was Mr. Walz who labeled former President Donald J. Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, “weird” on cable television just a couple of weeks ago. The description soon became a Democratic talking point.

3. He named a highway after Prince and signed the bill in purple ink. “I think we can lay to rest that this is the coolest bill signing we’ll ever do,” he said as he put his name on legislation declaring a stretch of Highway 5 the “Prince Rogers Nelson Memorial Highway” after the musician who had lived in Minnesota.

4. He reminds you of your high school history teacher for a reason. Mr. Walz taught high school social studies and geography — first in Alliance, Neb., and then in Mankato, Minn. — before entering politics.

5. He taught in China in 1989 and speaks some Mandarin. He went to China for a year after graduating from college and taught English there through a program affiliated with Harvard University.

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Tim Walz's military record: What to know about potential VP's National Guard service

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate on Tuesday, choosing a progressive yet plain-spoken VP candidate from America’s heartland to help her win over rural, white voters.

“I’m pleased to share that I’ve made my decision: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz will join our campaign as my running mate,” Harris said via text to supporters. “Tim is a battle-tested leader who has an incredible track record of getting things done for Minnesota families. I know that he will bring that same principled leadership to our campaign, and to the office of the vice president.”

We look at Walz, a 60-year-old U.S. Army National Guard veteran, and his military career over the years.

More: Tim Walz is Kamala Harris' VP pick: Minnesota governor named running mate: Live updates

How long was Walz in the military?

Walz served in the military for 24 years, enlisting in the Nebraska National Guard at 17 in 1981 and then transferring to the Minnesota National Guard in 1996. He retired in 2005 to begin his successful run for the U.S. House, representing Minnesota as command sergeant major, among the highest ranks for enlisted soldiers. His battalion went on to deploy to Iraq shortly after Walz's retirement.

Walz specialized in heavy artillery and had proficiency ribbons in sharpshooting and hand grenades.

But during the 21 years that Walz spent working with large artillery pieces, he suffered hearing loss and tinnitus in both ears, Minnesota Public Radio reported. He was allowed to continue his service after undergoing surgery, which partially resolved his hearing loss.

Where did Walz serve, and what did he do in the National Guard?

During his service, Walz responded to natural disasters, including floods and tornadoes in Minnesota and Nebraska, and was deployed overseas for months at a time, according to MPR.

In 2003, he was sent to Italy, where he served with the European Security Force to support the war in Afghanistan. He was also stationed in Norway for joint training with other NATO militaries.

Walz told MPR that he reenlisted in the National Guard after the September 11 attacks but never saw active combat in his years in the military.

Stars and Stripes reported in 2020 that Walz credited his Army experience with helping him steer Minnesota through the COVID-19 pandemic as governor.

As governor of Minnesota, Walz is commander in chief of the 13,000-soldier Minnesota National Guard. “I’m certainly proud of my military service, but it’s one piece of me,” he told Minnesota Public Radio in 2018. “It doesn’t define me.”

Reuters and USA TODAY reporter Tom Vanden Brook contributed to this story.