Ohio Resource Center
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Lessons
Writing with Writers: Biography
Discipline
Reading
Grades
3, 4, 5
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Professional Commentary

This promising practice, part of a Scholastic's Writing with Writers series, provides strategies for teaching students to write biographies. Designed for implementation within writing workshop, this resource includes a warm-up exercise, genre-specific tips for biography writing, and an example of a biographical sketch. An assessment rubric and a list of support materials are also posted. (author/ncl)


Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
Kindergarten–Grade 5
Writing
Grade 3
Text Types and Purposes
W.3.2 
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
  1. Introduce a topic and group related information together; include illustrations when useful to aiding comprehension.
  2. Develop the topic with facts, definitions, and details.
  3. Use linking words and phrases (e.g., also, another, and, more, but) to connect ideas within categories of information.
  4. Provide a concluding statement or section.
Production and Distribution of Writing
W.3.4 
With guidance and support from adults, produce writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task and purpose. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.)
W.3.5 
With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1–3 up to and including grade 3 on pages 28 and 29.)
W.3.6 
With guidance and support from adults, use technology to produce and publish writing (using keyboarding skills) as well as to interact and collaborate with others.
Research to Build and Present Knowledge
W.3.7 
Conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic.
W.3.8 
Recall information from experiences or gather information from print and digital sources; take brief notes on sources and sort evidence into provided categories.
Grade 4
Text Types and Purposes
W.4.2 
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
  1. Introduce a topic clearly and group related information in paragraphs and sections; include formatting (e.g., headings), illustrations, and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
  2. Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic.
  3. Link ideas within categories of information using words and phrases (e.g., another, for example, also, because).
  4. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
  5. Provide a concluding statement or section related to the information or explanation presented.
Production and Distribution of Writing
W.4.4 
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.)
W.4.5 
With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1–3 up to and including grade 4 on pages 28 and 29.)
W.4.6 
With some guidance and support from adults, use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of one page in a single sitting.
Research to Build and Present Knowledge
W.4.7 
Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
W.4.8 
Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; take notes and categorize information, and provide a list of sources.
Grade 5
Text Types and Purposes
W.5.2 
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
  1. Introduce a topic clearly, provide a general observation and focus, and group related information logically; include formatting (e.g., headings), illustrations, and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
  2. Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic.
  3. Link ideas within and across categories of information using words, phrases, and clauses (e.g., in contrast, especially).
  4. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
  5. Provide a concluding statement or section related to the information or explanation presented.
Production and Distribution of Writing
W.5.4 
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.)
W.5.5 
With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1–3 up to and including grade 5 on pages 28 and 29.)
W.5.6 
With some guidance and support from adults, use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of two pages in a single sitting.
Research to Build and Present Knowledge
W.5.7 
Conduct short research projects that use several sources to build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
W.5.8 
Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; summarize or paraphrase information in notes and finished work, and provide a list of sources.
Ohio English Language Arts Standards (2001)
Writing Process Standard
Benchmarks (3–4)
A.
Generate ideas and determine a topic suitable for writing.
D.
Spend the necessary amount of time to revisit, rework and refine pieces of writing.
F.
Use a variety of resources and reference materials to select more effective vocabulary when editing.
G.
Edit to improve sentence fluency, grammar and usage.
I.
Prepare writing for publication that is legible, follows an appropriate format and uses techniques such as electronic resources and graphics.
Benchmarks (5–7)
A.
Generate writing topics and establish a purpose appropriate for the audience.
D.
Use revision strategies to improve the overall organization, the clarity and consistency of ideas within and among paragraphs and the logic and effectiveness of word choices.
E.
Select more effective vocabulary when editing by using a variety of resources and reference materials.
F.
Edit to improve fluency, grammar and usage.
H.
Prepare writing for publication that is legible, follows an appropriate format and uses techniques such as electronic resources and graphics.
Benchmarks (8–10)
A.
Formulate writing ideas and identify a topic appropriate to the purpose and audience.
C.
Use revision strategies to improve the style, variety of sentence structure, clarity of the controlling idea, logic, effectiveness of word choice and transitions between paragraphs, passages or ideas.
D.
Edit to improve sentence fluency, grammar and usage.
F.
Prepare writing for publication that is legible, follows an appropriate format and uses techniques such as electronic resources and graphics
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 3)
1.
Generate writing ideas through discussions with others and from printed material.
10.
Reread and assess writing for clarity, using a variety of methods (e.g., writer's circle or author's chair).
12.
Rearrange words, sentences and paragraphs to clarify meaning.
13.
Use resources and reference materials, including dictionaries, to select more effective vocabulary.
14.
Proofread writing and edit to improve conventions (e.g., grammar, spelling, punctuation and capitalization) and identify and correct fragments and run-ons.
16.
Rewrite and illustrate writing samples for display and for sharing with others.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 4)
1.
Generate writing ideas through discussions with others and from printed material.
10.
Reread and assess writing for clarity, using a variety of methods (e.g., writer's circle or author's chair).
12.
Rearrange words, sentences and paragraphs to clarify meaning.
13.
Use resources and reference materials, including dictionaries, to select more effective vocabulary.
14.
Proofread writing and edit to improve conventions (e.g., grammar, spelling, punctuation and capitalization) and identify and correct fragments and run-ons.
16.
Prepare for publication (e.g., for display or for sharing with others) writing that follows a format appropriate to the purpose, using techniques such as electronic resources and graphics to enhance the final product.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 5)
1.
Generate writing ideas through discussions with others and from printed material, and keep a list of writing ideas.
3.
State and develop a clear main idea for writing.
14.
Use resources and reference materials (e.g., dictionaries and thesauruses) to select more effective vocabulary.
15.
Proofread writing, edit to improve conventions (e.g., grammar, spelling, punctuation and capitalization) and identify and correct fragments and run-ons.
17.
Prepare for publication (e.g., for display or for sharing with others) writing that follows a format appropriate to the purpose, using techniques such as electronic resources and graphics to enhance the final product.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 6)
1.
Generate writing ideas through discussions with others and from printed material, and keep a list of writing ideas.
3.
Establish a thesis statement for informational writing or a plan for narrative writing.
14.
Use resources and reference materials (e.g., dictionaries and thesauruses) to select more effective vocabulary.
15.
Proofread writing, edit to improve conventions (e.g., grammar, spelling, punctuation and capitalization) and identify and correct fragments and run-ons.
17.
Prepare for publication (e.g., for display or for sharing with others) writing that follows a format appropriate to the purpose, using such techniques as electronic resources, principles of design (e.g., margins, tabs, spacing and columns) and graphics (e.g., drawings, charts and graphs) to enhance the final product.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 7)
1.
Generate writing ideas through discussions with others and from printed material, and keep a list of writing ideas.
3.
Establish a thesis statement for informational writing or a plan for narrative writing.
14.
Use resources and reference materials (e.g., dictionaries and thesauruses) to select more effective vocabulary.
15.
Proofread writing, edit to improve conventions (e.g., grammar, spelling, punctuation and capitalization) and identify and correct fragments and run-ons.
17.
Prepare for publication (e.g., for display or for sharing with others) writing that follows a format appropriate to the purpose, using such techniques as electronic resources, principles of design (e.g., margins, tabs, spacing and columns) and graphics (e.g., drawings, charts and graphs) to enhance the final product.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 8)
1.
Generate writing ideas through discussions with others and from printed material, and keep a list of writing ideas.
3.
Establish a thesis statement for informational writing or a plan for narrative writing.
15.
Proofread writing, edit to improve conventions (e.g., grammar, spelling, punctuation and capitalization) and identify and correct fragments and run-ons.
17.
Prepare for publication (e.g., for display or for sharing with others) writing that follows a manuscript form appropriate for the purpose, which could include such techniques as electronic resources, principles of design (e.g., margins, tabs, spacing and columns) and graphics (e.g., drawings, charts and graphs) to enhance the final product.
Writing Applications Standard
Benchmarks (3–4)
D.
Write informational reports that include facts, details and examples that illustrate an important idea.
Benchmarks (5–7)
D.
Produce informational essays or reports that convey a clear and accurate perspective and support the main ideas with facts, details, examples and explanations.
Benchmarks (8–10)
D.
Use documented textual evidence to justify interpretations of literature or to support a research topic.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 3)
4.
Write informational reports that include the main ideas and significant details from the text.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 4)
4.
Write informational reports that include facts and examples and present important details in a logical order.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 5)
4.
Write informational essays or reports, including research, that organize information with a clear introduction, body and conclusion following common expository structures when appropriate (e.g., cause-effect, comparison-contrast) and include facts, details and examples to illustrate important ideas.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 6)
4.
Write informational essays or reports, including research, that present a literal understanding of the topic, include specific facts, details and examples from multiple sources and create an organizing structure appropriate to the purpose, audience and context.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 7)
4.
Write informational essays or reports, including research, that present a literal understanding of the topic, include specific facts, details and examples from multiple sources, and create an organizing structure appropriate to the purpose, audience and context.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 8)
4.
Write informational essays or reports, including research, that: a. pose relevant and tightly drawn questions that engage the reader; b. provide a clear and accurate perspective on the subject; c. create an organizing structure appropriate to the purpose, audience and context; d. support the main ideas with facts, details, examples and explanations from sources; and e. document sources and include bibliographies
Research Standard
Benchmarks (3–4)
A.
Identify a topic of study, construct questions and determine appropriate sources for gathering information.
B.
Select and summarize important information and sort key findings into categories about a topic.
C.
Create a list of sources used for oral, visual, written or multimedia reports.
D.
Communicate findings orally, visually and in writing or through multimedia.
Benchmarks (5–7)
A.
Formulate open-ended research questions suitable for inquiry and investigation and develop a plan for gathering information.
B.
Locate and summarize important information from multiple sources.
C.
Organize information in a systematic way.
D.
Acknowledge quoted and paraphrased information and document sources used.
E.
Communicate findings orally, visually and in writing or through multimedia.
Benchmarks (8–10)
A.
Formulate open-ended research questions suitable for investigation and adjust questions as necessary while research is conducted.
B.
Evaluate the usefulness and credibility of data and sources.
C.
Organize information from various resources and select appropriate sources to support central ideas, concepts and themes.
D.
Use style guides to produce oral and written reports that give proper credit for sources (e.g., words, ideas, images and information) and include an acceptable format for source acknowledgement.
E.
Communicate findings, reporting on the substance and processes orally, visually and in writing or through multimedia.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 3)
1.
Choose a topic for research from a list of questions, assigned topic or personal area of interest.
3.
Acquire information from multiple sources (e.g., books, magazines, videotapes, CD-ROMs, Web sites) and collect data (e.g., interviews, experiments, observations or surveys) about the topic.
4.
Identify important information found in the sources and summarize the important findings.
5.
Sort relevant information into categories about the topic.
6.
Understand the importance of citing sources.
7.
Use a variety of communication techniques, including oral, visual, written or multimedia reports, to present information gathered.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 4)
1.
Identify a topic and questions for research and develop a plan for gathering information.
2.
Locate sources and collect relevant information from multiple sources (e.g., school library catalogs, online databases, electronic resources and Internet-based resources).
3.
Identify important information found in the sources and summarize important findings.
4.
Create categories to sort and organize relevant information charts, tables or graphic organizers.
5.
Discuss the meaning of plagiarism and create a list of sources.
6.
Use a variety of communication techniques, including oral, visual, written or multimedia reports, to present information gathered.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 5)
1.
Generate a topic, assigned or personal interest, and open-ended questions for research and develop a plan for gathering information.
2.
Locate sources and gather relevant information from multiple sources (e.g., school library catalogs, online databases, electronic resources and Internet-based resources).
3.
Identify important information found in sources and paraphrase the findings in a systematic way (e.g., notes, outlines, charts, tables or graphic organizers).
4.
Compare and contrast important findings and select sources to support central ideas, concepts and themes.
5.
Define plagiarism and acknowledge sources of information.
6.
Use a variety of communication techniques, including oral, visual, written or multimedia reports, to present information gathered.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 6)
1.
Generate a topic, assigned or personal interest, and open-ended questions for research and develop a plan for gathering information.
2.
Identify appropriate sources, and gather relevant information from multiple sources (e.g., school library catalogs, online databases, electronic resources and Internet-based resources).
3.
Identify elements of validity in sources, including publication date, coverage, language, points of view, and discuss primary and secondary sources.
4.
Identify important information found in sources and paraphrase the findings in a systematic way (e.g., notes, outlines, charts, tables and graphic organizers).
5.
Compare and contrast important findings and select sources to support central ideas, concepts and themes.
6.
Use quotations to support ideas.
7.
Use an appropriate form of documentation, with teacher assistance, to acknowledge sources (e.g., bibliography, works cited).
8.
Use a variety of communication techniques, including oral, visual, written or multimedia reports, to present information that supports a clear position with organized and relevant evidence about the topic or research question.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 7)
1.
Generate a topic, assigned or personal interest, and open-ended questions for research and develop a plan for gathering information.
2.
Identify appropriate sources and gather relevant information from multiple sources (e.g., school library catalogs, online databases, electronic resources and Internet-based resources).
3.
Identify and explain the importance of validity in sources, including publication date, coverage, language, points of view, and describe primary and secondary sources.
4.
Select an appropriate structure for organizing information in a systematic way (e.g., notes, outlines, charts, tables and graphic organizers).
5.
Analyze and organize important information, and select appropriate sources to support central ideas, concepts and themes.
6.
Integrate quotations and citations into written text to maintain a flow of ideas.
7.
Use an appropriate form of documentation, with teacher assistance, to acknowledge sources (e.g., bibliography, works cited).
8.
Use a variety of communication techniques, including oral, visual, written or multimedia reports, to present information that supports a clear position with organized and relevant evidence about the topic or research question.
Grade Level Indicators (Grade 8)
1.
Compose open-ended questions for research, assigned or personal interest, and modify questions as necessary during inquiry and investigation.
2.
Identify appropriate sources and gather relevant information from multiple sources (e.g., school library catalogs, online databases, electronic resources and Internet-based resources).
3.
Explain the usefulness and accuracy of sources by determining their validity (e.g., authority, accuracy, objectivity, publication date and coverage) and define primary and secondary sources.
4.
Select an appropriate structure for organizing information in a systematic way (e.g., notes, outlines, charts, tables and graphic organizers).
5.
Compile and organize the important information and select appropriate sources to support central ideas, concepts and themes.
6.
Integrate quotations and citations into written text to maintain a flow of ideas.
7.
Use style guides to produce oral and written reports that give proper credit for sources and include an acceptable format for source acknowledgement.
8.
Use a variety of communication techniques, including oral, visual, written or multimedia reports, to present information that supports a clear position about the topic or research question and to maintain an appropriate balance between researched information and original ideas.