biography worksheet for grade 6

A great way to teach about history and content-area topics, biographies highlight famous figures, inventors, scientists, civil rights leaders, sports legends, and heros. Many of these mini-books, plays, and passages feature question/response activities, biography worksheets, teaching guides, lesson ideas, and graphic organizers.

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Biography Worksheets

Related ela standard: w.6.10.

Biographies are detailed written accounts of people's lives. It often will follow in chronological order with the primary goal of showing how the person's upbringing and choices lead to their own personal outcome. Biographies can also be written by the person that is the subject of the writing this is called an autobiography. You don't need to be revolutionary to have a biography written about you, you just need to have a good story. These worksheets will help students explore many different things that a biography touches on.

Biography Worksheets:

Due the Research – A nice fact sheet to help you prepare to write.

Write a Bio Poem – A short poem that describes a person or thing is called a biography (bio) poem. The form of bio poems can vary, but below is a typical example.

Writing a Biography – Select a person that has accomplished something notable that interests you and whom you would like to learn more about. Do research and reflect to answer the following questions about your subject. Then write a short review of the life of a person.

Bio Part 2 – This sheet is continued from the previous worksheet.

Elements Checklist – A biography has the following components, and is typically written in chronological order. What you will be writing should contain all of the following kinds of information and meet all the criteria outlined below.

Character Traits – Thinking about the biography you just read, choose two character traits that best describe the person you have been reading about.

The Bio Poem – In the space below, try writing a bio poem about a historical figure you have studied recently. Follow the format.

Writing a Eulogy – A Eulogy is a speech that is typically given at a funeral or a memorial service that commemorates the life of a person who has died.

Eulogy Paragraph 3 and 4 – Finish off that eulogy you started previously.

Bookmarks – Students should use bookmark to take notes of key information as they read the biography.

Biography Organizer – A graphic organizer specific for this type of work.

Chart What You Learned – Summarize what you learned from the biography you just read to complete the chart below.

Cereal Box Project – Imagine that you have been hired to create a cereal box design commemorating a famous historical figure. Your job has the following milestones. Check off each milestone as you complete it.

Famous People – Think of a famous person that interests you. Answer the questions below about the person. Then begin to compose a story based on that life.

Famous Continued – How did the person feel about the world and their life as a child? As an adult? In their later years?

Even More Famous – What was the first or the defining event or achievement that made this person famous?

Your Thoughts – How do you feel about the person? Why?

Bio Brainstorm – Complete the organizer below in preparation for writing a short biography.

Timelines – In preparation for writing a biography, complete the timeline of important events in the life of your subject.

Summing Up a Life – The titles of biographies are very carefully selected to convey a sense of the subject’s life. Sometimes the title is taken from something the subject said.

What Are Biographies?

A biography is an important component of English literature. It is simply the life of a person that is written by another person or writer. There is a special name for the author of a biography. He or she is called a biographer. On the other hand, the person whose life is being narrated in the work is known as the biographee or subject. A biography is usually written in a narrative form. It proceeds in chronological order. All the events and aspects of the person's life are represented to the reader. Cynthia Ozick is an amazing author of America. She believes that a good biography is like a novel for the readers. It should represent the stages of a person's life in a triumphal or tragic way. It should be with the birth of the subject and then move towards his or her mid-life. If the subject is no more, then the story should end at the death of the protagonist.

Writing A Biography

Many writers try their hand at writing one. If you want to write a piece such as this, it is essential that you conduct proper research on the subject's life. You can find the newspaper clippings, academic publications, and other such resources to get accurate facts. Misrepresenting the subject is one of the major issues that writers make when composing such works. It is important to stay completely unbiased while writing, other wise the work suffers. The key is to be objective in presenting the details of a person's life. This is the reason why many people prefer reading biographies rather than autobiographies. Autobiography is written by the subject himself. Therefore, there are huge chances of bias and misrepresentation in autobiographies. It is also easier to write a biography than an autobiography. Because you can view things much more objectively since you are not at the center of it.

Knowing what to cover is always the toughest thing. People (your audience) are expecting much more of narrative than they could read then by just Googling the person’s name. The best way to discover this is to do background interviews, not only with the subject but also the people that knew him best. It is often helpful to look for people that adored the subject and those that may have not taken a liking to them. This way you can project a much more balanced story. Most of these works start off with basic facts such as where they were born and where they grew up. I find that understanding the family dynamic that they had when growing up is often key to understanding how someone turned out. Some subjects will be very forthcoming with that and others will shy away. If you have the opportunity to interview their parents or old family friends, that can often be key to telling a good story and finding reasons for motivation throughout their life.

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Biography Grade 6

Displaying top 8 worksheets found for - Biography Grade 6 .

Some of the worksheets for this concept are Work ela grade 6 different genres, Grade 6 ancient civilizations, Writing a biography, Roald dahl biography, Genre unit biographies, Writing a biography, Nglish year 6, Grade 6 reading practice test.

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1. Worksheet ELA Grade 6 Different Genres

2. grade 6 ancient civilizations, 3. writing a biography, 4. roald dahl biography, 5. genre unit: biographies, 6. writing a biography, 7. nglish year 6, 8. grade 6 reading practice test.

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Biography Grade 6

Showing top 8 worksheets in the category - Biography Grade 6 .

Some of the worksheets displayed are Work ela grade 6 different genres, Grade 6 ancient civilizations, Writing a biography, Roald dahl biography, Genre unit biographies, Writing a biography, Nglish year 6, Grade 6 reading practice test.

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Worksheet ELA Grade 6 Different Genres

Grade 6 ancient civilizations, writing a biography, roald dahl biography, genre unit: biographies, nglish year 6, grade 6 reading practice test.

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Sixth Grade (Grade 6) Autobiography and Biography Questions

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6th Grade Reading Comprehension

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We have literacy units that can be used for teaching many popular novels. Titles include Phantom Tollbooth , Holes , Bridge to Terabithia , Cricket in Times Square , and Tuck Everlasting .

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Biography Templates

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What is a Biography?

It is a written account of a person's life, capturing their experiences, achievements, and significant events. It provides an in-depth exploration of an individual's journey, offering insight into their personal and professional aspects. Biographies are typically organized in chronological order, following the sequence of events as they occurred throughout the person's life. This arrangement allows readers to understand the person's growth and development over time, as well as the impact they made in their respective fields. Biographies often include interesting facts about the person, shedding light on their unique qualities, accomplishments, or challenges they faced. These facts provide a deeper understanding of the individual's life and contribute to the overall narrative. Whether it's an extraordinary achievement, a personal struggle, or a notable contribution to society, these interesting facts add depth and intrigue to the writing.

Types of Biography

There are several different types of biographies that provide unique perspectives on individuals' lives. These types include:

• Autobiography: An autobiography is written about the author by the author. It offers a firsthand account of their own life, sharing personal experiences, reflections, and insights. Autobiographies provide an intimate look into the person's thoughts, emotions, and motivations.
• Memoir: Similar to an autobiography, a memoir focuses on specific periods or events in a person's life rather than their entire life story. Memoirs often center around a theme or specific aspect of the person's life, such as their career, relationships, or personal struggles.
• Collective: This a compilation of biographies of multiple individuals, often with a common theme or shared experience. It allows readers to gain insights into the lives of several people and compare their experiences and contributions.
• Biographical Fiction: Biographical fiction combines real-life events and characters with fictional elements. It blends factual information with storytelling techniques to write a compelling narrative based on a real person's life.
• Critical: Critical biographies delve into a person's life from a critical perspective, analyzing their achievements, impact, and cultural significance. They often provide a scholarly examination of the person's contributions and their place in history.
• Popular: Popular biographies are written for a wider audience and focus on individuals who have achieved fame or notoriety. They often emphasize the person's public persona, achievements, and impact on society.

Each type offers a distinct perspective and serves different purposes. Whether it's gaining a personal account through an autobiography or exploring the cultural significance of a person through a critical biography, biographies provide valuable insights into the lives of individuals and their contributions to society.

Enhance Biography Writing with a Biography Graphic Organizer

A graphic organizer is a valuable tool that can greatly enhance the process of writing biographies. It provides a structured format for organizing information and helps students gather and present key details about a person's life in a clear and logical manner. These graphic organizers, such as this creative graphic organizer example , serve as a roadmap for writers, guiding them through the writing process and ensuring that they include all the essential elements.

Using a graphic organizer helps students understand the format and enables them to write more effectively. It provides a visual representation of the various sections and components of a biography, such as the introduction, background information, major events, achievements, and conclusion. This organization helps maintain a coherent and chronological order while presenting the subject's life story.

Our website offers free printable biography worksheets, including biography activity worksheet, that can be easily accessed and downloaded for any project. They provide students with a ready-to-use template to record and organize information about their chosen subject. They can be used for short biographies or more extensive projects.

By using an organizer, kids read and analyze biographies, improving their comprehension skills and gaining a deeper understanding of the subject's life. A biography sheet acts as a framework that prompts students to identify important details, make connections between events, and form a comprehensive understanding of the individual's impact on the world.

Writing biographies can be a challenging task, but with the help of a graphic organizer, students can break down the process into manageable sections. They can focus on gathering relevant information, organizing their thoughts, and presenting their findings in a clear and concise manner.

Empower your class to excel in writing with our biography graphic organizer. Access our free printable biography worksheets and provide your writers with the tools they need to make engaging and informative biographies.

To learn more about the biographies, check out our Introduction to Biographies lesson plans and find activities on family life, biography accomplishments , and so much more . It provides valuable guidance on how to craft an engaging and captivating introduction that hooks readers and sets the stage for the piece.

Example of Biography Materials to Integrate into Your Teaching

When it comes to teaching about real-life stories, biographies are a powerful tool to engage and deepen understanding of different subjects. By exploring the lives of notable individuals, students can discover inspiring examples of resilience, perseverance, and achievement. Here are some examples of biographies that you can incorporate into your teaching:

• The Diary of a Young Girl , by Anne Frank: This iconic diary chronicles the life of Anne Frank, a Jewish girl hiding with her family during the Holocaust. Her poignant and introspective writing offers a firsthand account of the challenges and hopes of those affected by World War II.
• The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin , by Benjamin Franklin: This autobiography shares the life story of Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of America. Franklin's passages provide valuable insights into his scientific discoveries, inventions, and contributions to society.
• Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave , by Frederick Douglass: In this powerful narrative, Frederick Douglass recounts his journey from slavery to freedom. His memoir sheds light on the harsh realities of slavery and the fight for abolition.
• The Diary of a Young Girl , by Malala Yousafzai: This autobiography details the life of Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest Nobel Prize laureate. Her story inspires readers with her courage, determination, and dedication to advocating for education rights.
• The Story of My Life , by Helen Keller: Helen Keller's autobiography is a remarkable account of her life as a deaf and blind person. She shares her triumphs and struggles, demonstrating the power of perseverance and resilience.

These classic biographies offer valuable insights into the lives of remarkable individuals and can be excellent resources for teaching history, promoting empathy, and inspiring.

Looking for more? Check out our collection of planner worksheets , blank worksheet template , and thesis statement worksheets to enrich your teaching and incorporate biographies into your classroom activities.

Create Engaging Worksheets with Our Biography Maker

Are you looking for an easy and effective way to make engaging handouts? Look no further! Our online biography maker is the perfect tool to help you craft captivating sheets for your class. Whether you need an organizer or a biography generator, our user-friendly platform has got you covered.

With our biography maker, you have the flexibility to customize your worksheet according to your preferences. You can choose from a variety of designs and layouts to make an engaging and visually appealing handout. Our tool allows you to easily add spaces for an answer, ensuring that students have ample room to provide their own responses. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to create professional-looking biographies with our online biography creator.

Don't settle for dull and typical worksheets. Let our biography maker transform your teaching materials into dynamic and interactive resources that captivate your students' interest. Start using our online creator today and experience the power of engaging resources at your fingertips!

How to Make a Biography Worksheet

Choose one of the premade templates.

We have lots of templates to choose from. Take a look at our example for inspiration!

Click on “Copy Template”

Once you do this, you will be directed to the storyboard creator.

Give Your Worksheet a Name!

Be sure to call it something related to the topic so that you can easily find it in the future.

Edit Your Worksheet

This is where you will include directions, specific images, and make any aesthetic changes that you would like. The options are endless!

Click "Save and Exit"

When you are finished, click this button in the lower right hand corner to exit your storyboard.

From here you can print, download as a PDF, attach it to an assignment and use it digitally, and more!

Happy Creating!

Frequently Asked Questions About Biography Worksheets

Can i find free printable biography worksheets.

Absolutely! We offer a wide range of free printable worksheets that you can easily access and download. They provide engaging activities and prompts to help students explore and analyze biographies. They are a valuable resource for enhancing reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. Additionally, you can also take advantage of our 2-week free trial to access even more resources and unlock the full potential of our resources.

Can I customize the biography worksheets created by the online biography creator?

Yes! Our online generator allows you to customize the worksheets to suit your instructional needs. You can add or modify questions, adjust the layout, and include additional prompts or spaces for kids to write their answers. This customization feature ensures that the worksheets align with your specific teaching objectives and provide a personalized learning experience for your class.

Is the biography activity worksheet suitable for different grade levels?

Yes, our worksheets cater to a range of grade levels. Whether you are teaching elementary, middle school, or high school students, you can find worksheets that are appropriate for their level of understanding. They are designed to be adaptable and can be modified to meet the specific needs of your class.

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Biography Themed Teaching Resources

Our biographies on famous and historical figures will enhance your lessons and students will enjoy studying them. Included are reading warm-ups, poems, discussion guides, and more. These resources are appropriate for a variety of grade levels, from kindergarten through high school.

Printables for Grades K-5

• Nelson Mandela Biography: A Reading Warm-Up

Helen Keller Biography: A Reading Warm-Up

• Walt Disney Biography: A Nonfiction Reading Warm-Up
• Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad

Helen Keller

Getting to Know Me

Learn About Susan B. Anthony

• More Popular Biography Printables for Grades K-5

Printables for Grades 6-12

• We Beat the Street Discussion Guide
• Albert Einstein Biography: A Reading Warm-Up
• Albert Einstein, Physicist
• The Peanuts Gang: Charles Schulz
• Leonardo da Vinci
• Fastest Woman in the World: Wilma Rudolph
• More Biography Printables for Grades 6-12

Lesson Plans for Grades K-12

An Autobiographical Poem

• Sunflowers, Van Gogh, and You
• Rachel Carson: The Coming of a Silent Spring
• Martin Luther King Jr, Civil Rights Leader
• Marie Curie's Discovery
• Jackie Robinson and Civil Rights
• The Era of Thomas Jefferson
• More Biography Lesson Plans

Biography Teaching Guides

• Red Scarf Girl Teacher's Guide
• Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl Teacher's Guide
• A Long Way Gone Teacher's Guide
• The Henry Books: A Teacher's Guide
• Up Close: Jane Goodall Discussion Guide
• Listening Is an Act of Love Teacher's Guide
• Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of the Macy's Day Parade Educator's Guide
• More Biography Teaching Guides

Social Studies Activities

Anne Frank: Diary of a Young Girl Discussion Guide

• Chronology of Conscription in the U.S. -- Colonial Era to 1999
• Benjamin Franklin Little Book
• Abraham Lincoln Biography & Mini-Book
• Ryan White, My Own Story
• Betsy Ross Little Book
• More Biography Activities for Social Studies

Reading & Language Arts Activities

• Babe Ruth Reading Warm-Up: Biography
• Henry Ford Biography: A Reading Warm-Up
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley's Journal

Learning About Famous People

• More Biography Activities for Reading & Language Arts

Science Activities

• Learn About Johnny Appleseed
• Science and Social Studies: Benjamin Franklin
• Bio of a Famous Scientist
• Jane Goodall, Ethologist
• The First Man in Space
• Early Astronomers
• More Biography Activities for Science Class

Holidays & Seasonal Resources

• "I Have a Dream" Little Book
• Jackie Robinson Coloring Page
• Rosa Parks Coloring Page
• Learn About Pocahontas
• Nonfiction Reading Warm-Up: Sacagawea Biography
• More Biography Resources for the Holidays

Art & Music Activities

• My Book About Abraham Lincoln
• My Book About George Washington
• George Washington Carver Coloring Page
• My Book About Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Claude Monet Biography: A Reading Warm-Up

I Have a Dream: Drawing Activity

• More Biography Activities for Art & Music

Biographies & Physical Education Connected

• Past Olympic Athletes: Profiles, Biographies, and Activities

Michelle Kwan Reading Warm-Up

• Jesse Owens: Olympic Champion
• Jackie Robinson Mini-Biography
• Jim Thorpe Reading Warm-Up
• Althea Gibson
• More Physical Education Biographies
• Overview of the Presidents: Basic Facts & Figures
• Martin Luther King Jr.'s Life
• Assassinations and Attempts in U.S. Since 1865
• Just Where Was Columbus?
• President Barack Hussein Obama, Jr. Biography
• President George Washington Biography
• President James Monroe Biography
• More Popular Biography References
• Martin Luther King Jr. Quiz
• Notable African-American Women Quiz
• Martin Luther King Jr. Printable Book (Grades 4-8)
• Popular Presidents' Day Printables

Recommended Biographies Resources

Albert Einstein Biography: A Reading Warm-Up (Grades 5 & 6)

Timeline: Conscription in the United States, 1620-Present

Sense and Sensibility

DAILY WARM-UPS

Clara Barton Reading Warm-Up

Theodor Seuss Geisel Biography

Influencing Others in Our World

Spoonerisms Activity

LESSON PLANS

Birthday Buddies

The Life and Accomplishments of Martin Luther King Jr.

Harriet Tubman Writing Activity

Carleton Kendrick Ed.M., LCSW

Homesick: My Own Story

The Anne Frank and Miep Gies Connection

Biography Graphic Organizers

Use this collection of biography graphic organizers to help your fourth and fifth grade students explore biographies during reading workshop.

These biography graphic organizers will be a helpful tool for you as you are planning your biography unit of study.

This is another free resource for teachers and homeschool families from The Curriculum Corner.

Planning for a study of biographies

As you plan for your unit of study, your first action should be gathering high interest biographies for your students to explore.

These mentor texts should be good, clear examples of biographies. Include your favorites and be sure to include books that will interest your students as well.  It’s also a good idea to gather a stack of informational text books that fall under that category of narrative nonfiction.  Throughout the unit, you might want to refer to these as nonexamples of biographies.

There are many informational text picture books that are written at a fourth to sixth grade level. This means that you should be able to find some shorter texts that will still challenge your readers. This can be helpful when you want students to explore multiple biographies.

As you work to gather your books, ask students who they would be most interested in learning about. Try to find books that match their requests to keep them engaged in the unit.

If you have a student interested in a subject but are unable to find a book to share, you can turn this into a follow up project. Have the student write their own biography about the subject. You can add this to your classroom librarym .

About these biography graphic organizers

This collection contains a variety of biography graphic organizers. You can choose to use the ones that fit your students best.

As always, I encourage you to model these organizers as you introduce them. This will help students to fully understand the expectations.

Lesson 1  Expository or Narrative Nonfiction?

Begin by helping students understand that there is a different between expository nonfiction and narrative nonfiction. Biographies fall under the category of narrative nonfiction and tell a story. Narrative nonfiction may also tell about an event. Expository nonfiction provides an explanation or directions.

This first lesson is designed to help students develop an understanding of the difference between a biography (which is narrative nonfiction) and expository nonfiction.  

Share the stack of mentor texts along with the nonexamples of biographies (which should be expository nonfiction.)

Allow students time to look through these books and “notice” differences.  Encourage them to make notes on post-its and mark the spots in the text.

These differences will help students begin to develop an understanding of the differences. When students have completed their noticings, pull them together as a class and give them time to share what they found.  

Create an anchor chart for students to refer to that is titled “Noticings” and contains the student observations.   Observations for biographies might include: tells a story, tells about a person’s life, includes dates, has bold words, has a table of contents, includes a glossary, has an index.  

Observations for expository nonfiction might include: gives directions, tells all about an object or animal, explains something, includes dates, has bold words, has a table of contents, includes a glossary, has an index.

Noticings Exit Ticket  To check student understanding, have students complete this exit ticket.  Students find a biography and an example of expository nonfiction. They then include their choices and reasoning on their exit ticket.

Lesson 2 Biography Story Map

A biography can be similar to a fiction book which tells a story.  

It includes a main character, setting, time and often problems.

Have students choose a biography to read and complete this story map.  

You might choose to model this lesson by reading aloud a biography one day and completing the story map together.

The next day, students will use their silent reading time to read a different biography they are interested in and then complete the story map.

Lesson 3 Character Traits

Just like when reading fiction, students reading biographies should be trying to determine the character traits of the subject of the biography.  

It is important for students to understand that character traits are different from what the person looks like. These resources can be used to help students develop an understanding of the difference: Character Traits . 

We suggest using a biography that can be shared during class in order to model the differences for students.  Once students have developed an understanding, they can complete their own graphic organizer after reading a just right book during silent reading time.

Lesson 4 Influences

Every person has others who influence his or her life.  

These people have positive and negative effects on the character in a book.  

For this lesson, focus on how other people in the biography have had an impact on the person.  

Students will identify what influence the person had and if the influence was positive, negative or both.  

It will be necessary for you to model this with the class in order for students to understand the expectations.  

Once a model has been completed with the class, you can have students complete their own graphic organizer during independent reading time.

Lesson 5 Taking Notes While Reading

When reading a biography, it is sometimes important for the reader to take notes so that they remember the important facts.  

This organizer can be used for a tool that helps students record the facts in the book.

Lesson 6 Reflections

An important part of reading is thinking about what is being read.  

Use these cards to encourage students to think about the person they are reading about.  

You can print the page on cardstock and then laminate for durability.

Or, you can print on regular paper and have students choose a question. They can record their response on the back like an exit ticket.

Lesson 7 Asking and Answering Questions

Readers ask and answer questions in their heads as they read to help them create meaning.  

This graphic organizer gives students practice with this skill while asking them to record their thoughts.  

You may choose to have students answer their own questions or to trade with a peer who is reading the same book.

Lesson 8 Cause & Effect

This is a concept which will take a great deal of modeling.  

Students must understand that events in a person’s life lead to outcomes.  

As you read a biography, work with the class to find important events in a person’s life and the impact those events had on the person.  

As part of this work, help students identify where the answers are.  

When students practice this skill independently, you might choose to have them use a post-it note to mark the evidence found in the text.

Lesson 9 Life Lessons

Sometimes reading a biography might teach us lessons we can apply to our own lives.  

Encourage students to look at the book they are reading and determine what they can learn from their character.  

These lessons might be positive or negative.

You can download this set of biography graphic organizers here:

Reading Download

CCSS Standards Addressed:

Preparing Your Reading Workshop - The Curriculum Corner 123

Thursday 20th of June 2019

[…] Biographies Collection for 4th and 5th Grades […]

Biography Unit of Study for Reading - The Curriculum Corner 123

Monday 27th of May 2019

[…] you need additional resources for enrichment or differentiation you might want to check out the Biographies –  Resources from our 456 […]

Monday 14th of April 2014

This is a fabulous post! I hope you don't mind, I'm going to link to this page on Wednesday when I share about biographies on my blog, too! :) :)

Biographies Worksheets

Fact Or Fiction

Exploring Biography Basics

Comparing Life Narratives

Fill In The Blanks

Answering Key Questions

Unveil And Organize

Famous Person Research

Taking Note Of The Elements

Components Checklist

Character Study

Journey Through Time

Understanding Biographical Significance

Book Review And Rating

A Learning Summary

Write Your Own Biography

All about these 15 worksheets.

Biography worksheets can be a fun way to learn more about different people who have made an impact on our world. They could be about a famous scientist, a great musician, an influential political leader, or even a successful athlete. Anyone who’s life story can teach us something.

By using these worksheets, you can learn about their struggles, their victories, their journey, and how they’ve shaped our world. It’s like reading a book or watching a movie about them, but in this case, you’re doing it in a more interactive way.

These worksheets might ask you to fill in the blanks about a person’s life, or it might have questions that make you think and analyze the person’s choices and achievements. For example, a worksheet about Albert Einstein might ask you about where he was born, what his major contributions to science were, and what challenges he faced in his journey. Then it might ask you to think about how his discoveries still affect us today.

Sometimes, biography worksheets might also include interesting activities like creating a timeline of the person’s life, drawing a picture of them, writing a letter to them, or even pretending to interview them. These kinds of activities help you to better understand the person and their life.

These worksheets are really useful, especially in subjects like history and social studies, where understanding the lives of significant individuals can help you better understand the time and place they lived in. Plus, they help you develop important skills like reading comprehension, critical thinking, and empathy.

What are Biographies?

Biographies are a genre of literature that focuses on the life story of a real person. They provide a detailed account of an individual’s life, including their personal experiences, achievements, relationships, and contributions to their field or society. Biographies often cover various aspects of a person’s life, such as their childhood, education, career, personal life, and significant events or accomplishments.

Biographies can be written about various types of individuals, including historical figures, politicians, artists, scientists, athletes, and more. They aim to provide an in-depth understanding of the person’s character, motivations, and the context in which they lived. By reading biographies, readers can gain insight into the lives of remarkable people, learn from their experiences, and draw inspiration from their achievements.

What Are The Different Types of Biographies?

Autobiographies – Written by the person themselves, autobiographies are first-hand accounts of the individual’s life story. They offer a personal perspective and an intimate look into the author’s life, thoughts, and experiences.

Memoirs – While similar to autobiographies, memoirs are more focused on specific events or periods in a person’s life rather than providing a comprehensive life story. They often include personal reflections and insights from the author’s perspective.

Biographies written by another author – These are accounts of a person’s life written by someone else, often a journalist, historian, or professional biographer. These biographies are typically based on extensive research, interviews, and primary source materials, and they may offer a more objective perspective on the subject’s life.

Collective biographies – These biographies profile multiple individuals who are connected by a common theme, profession, or historical event. They provide insights into the lives and accomplishments of various people, offering a broader perspective on their shared experiences or contributions to society.

Works That Have Had a Significant Impact

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Written by one of America’s founding fathers, this autobiography is not only an account of Franklin’s life but also provides insight into American history during the 18th century. It is considered one of the most important and influential autobiographies in American literature.

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

This diary, written by a Jewish girl hiding from the Nazis during World War II, is a firsthand account of her life in hiding and the fears, hopes, and dreams she experienced. It has been translated into numerous languages and has been read by millions of people worldwide.

The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi

This autobiography details the life of Gandhi, who played a crucial role in India’s struggle for independence from British rule. The book offers insights into his philosophy of nonviolence and his approach to social and political issues.

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

The autobiography of Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president and a global icon in the fight against apartheid, chronicles his life, struggles, and eventual triumph over injustice and racial discrimination.

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

This biography offers an in-depth look at the life and career of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, providing insights into his personality, management style, and the development of groundbreaking products that shaped the technology industry.

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

This autobiography is the first in a series of books that chronicle the life of poet and writer Maya Angelou. The book covers her early life, including her experiences with racism, trauma, and her journey towards self-discovery and empowerment.

Alexander the Great by Robin Lane Fox

This biography provides an extensive account of the life and accomplishments of Alexander the Great, one of history’s most famous military leaders and conquerors.

255 Biography English ESL worksheets pdf & doc

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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 History  2
• British Monarchy  2
• Reading Comprehension  2
• Reading Passages  2
• Information Report  1
• Australian History  1
• Historical Figures  1
• Foundation Year 1

resource types

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

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

Biography Template

Guide your students with this Biography Template.

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.

Malala Yousafzai Biography – Read and Respond Worksheet

A comprehension activity related to a biographical text.

Biography Writing Checklist – Structure, Language and Features

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

Biography Writing Bump It Up Wall

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

Dr Mae Jemison – Biography Structure Sorting Task

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

Jamie Oliver Biography – Worksheet

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

Biography Research Template

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

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).

Dr Mae Jemison Biography – Worksheet

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

Biography Writing Checklist

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

Biography Writing Word Wall

A set of 30 vocabulary words related to biography writing.

Biography Brochure Template

A brochure template to use when writing biographies.

Biography Flip Book Template

A flip book template to use when writing biographies.

Biography Sentence Starters

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

Human Histories: Amazing Achievements - Read and Respond Worksheet

Australian Hero Triorama Project

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

Human Histories: Popular Performers

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

Human Histories: Terrific Tennis Players – Worksheet

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

King Charles III Biography Planner Flipbook

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

King Charles III Biography Template - Mobile

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

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

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Year 6 full lesson plans for biographies

Subject: English

Age range: 7-11

Resource type: Lesson (complete)

Last updated

6 October 2018

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A full 2 week set of lesson plans for biographies in which the children explore and write their own biography based on the life of Scrooge. Great Christmas unit! Includes starters, grammar, main input and activities, resources and plenaries. Also includes differentiation and a planning sheet.

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