biography graphic organizer grade 5

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! :) :)

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Hameray Classroom Literacy Blog

Using graphic organizers with biographies—with free download.

Hello all. I’m Rich from   Mr. Giso's Room to Read ,  and this is my third guest blog post featuring the biographies. You can read the earlier ones   here   and   here . The   Hameray Biography Series   has been a hit in my multi-age classroom. 

Warm weather is (hopefully) upon us!   This means many of us may be wrapping up a productive school year or adventuring on an extended year or summer program launch.   A goal for my readers over the summer months is that they keep on reading in order to avoid the well-known “summer slide” in reading ability.   Our young readers’ reading muscles often weaken from not being kept in shape over the summer.

What I like about these prompts is that they place the readers in the shoes of the subject of the biography.   This response activity can be placed in an independent center, sent home in a summer reading log, completed during independent reading just before a reading conference or as a send-off response to text after a guided-reading lesson. It is very versatile!  You can download the sheet at the bottom of this page!

Now I've moved to the Carlton Innovation School, also in Salem, Massachusetts, where I am ready to begin my first year as a member of a team of four teachers that teach grades one and two. In addition, I teach undergraduate and graduate students at Salem State University. My courses involve literacy, children's literature, and elementary education. My educational interests include early literacy, effective reading interventions, and positive classroom climates.

For more information about the Hameray Biography Series , click the series highlights image on the left below to download an information sheet with key features. To download the graphic organizer, click the worksheet image to the right.

• Topic: Biographies ,
• Free Activity ,

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Biography Templates

Customize biography templates.

If you're assigning this to your students, copy the worksheet to your account and save. When creating an assignment, just select it as a template!

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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Common Core Biography Research Online Graphic Organizer

Students: Use this easy online graphic organizer to guide your research about a chosen person. Customize your title size and font style and then choose a border style for your page. Enter your information into the organizer's form areas. Copy and paste a picture or draw a picture of your person in the picture frame box. When you are done, click the "Generate It!" button to print your page. DONE!

Research Graphic Organizers Online Graphic Organizer Generators

Use these easy and fun online research graphic organizers to guide research about a chosen subject. Customizable with a variety of background choices and font styles. Print finished research or save as .pdf to go paperless!

Graphics Credits:

Back to School Fun, Online No Prep Activities

Get to know your students with these ready to go no-prep online activities. Students will love these fun and customizable "getting to know each other" activities.

Teaching Biographies: Activities and Ideas

Teaching with biographies and ben franklin.

Biography Graphic Organizer

Conduct research and visually represent biographical information, visualize the biography of a person with information on their early life, adult life, interesting facts, family life and major accomplishments..

• Customizable templates to organize biographical information
• Add data from multiple sources and create a rich resource to conduct research
• Real-time collaboration to include multiple perspectives before you start writing

Create Compelling Narratives

Multiple graphic organizer templates to help you get started quickly.

Multiple styling and colour options to visually represent biographical data in an easy-to-understand manner.

Infinite canvas for multiple people to work on to add information and create detailed biographical representations.

Smart formatting and color themes to highlight, color-code, and differentiate ideas on the canvas.

Brainstorm Biographical Information

Virtual whiteboard with built-in diagramming to easily conduct brainstorming sessions with your team to discuss key information on the personality.

Simple to use drag drop tools with plus create to empower you are your team to generate ideas faster.

Add data to each element on the canvas to store additional information about the personality.

Create Information Rich Biographies Together

Video conferencing and whiteboarding to work closely with your team as if you were in the same room.

Real-time cursors for any number of participants. Work with teams on a shared canvas.

​​Comment with context , have discussions and follow ups on the same canvas. Async!

Multiple access and role levels to only share the biographic graphic organizer with people authorized to view/edit it.

Multiple export formats to share the biographic graphic organizer with your team. Download as PDF, JPEG, PNG or SVG as needed.

What is a Biography Graphic Organizer?

A biography graphic organizer is a tool used to gather and organize key information on a character from a novel, autobiography, movie etc. or on any famous person.

How to Create a Biography Graphic Organizer?

• Write the name of the person and note down all information you currently know.
• Research about the person if necessary and include all key information on their birth date, years active (death date if not alive), few important things in early life & adult life, interesting facts about the person, family life, reason for the person’s fame and major accomplishments in life.
• Create a workspace on Creately and use one of the existing biography graphic organizer templates or start from scratch. Include all the above information categorically.
• Add the supporting information, facts or details under each category and fill out the biography graphic organizer.
• Share your biography graphic organizer with anyone via email or link invite.You can download them as PNGs, SVGs, PDFs, and JPEGs for printing, sharing or publishing on websites, presentations, etc.

• Try for free

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Biography Graphic Organizer - Elementary by Jennifer Caine | TpT

Biography Graphic Organizer - Elementary

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