Using Primary Sources to Promote Literacy in History-Social Studies and English Language Arts

Cooperative Group/Individual Activity

1. Choose the person that you will use to create your body biography.

a. President Jimmy Carter

b. Andrew Young

c. Ivan Allen

d. William B. Hartsfield

e. Maynard Jackson

2. Research and record information about the historical context that help situate the historical figure. (What was going on in his life or what may have happened to him to affect his feelings?)

Activity

3. Create a Body Biography of the historical figure you/your group selected. This life-sized biography, in which you analyze your historical figure, is based upon textual evidence from historical documents.

Include symbolism, details, and textual evidence to support your claims for each of the following:

Head-What are the thoughts of the historical figure? What is on his mind?

Eyes-What does the historical figure “see”? (i.e. in himself/herself, others, the world)

Heart-What does the historical figure “love”? (or lack thereof) Where should it be placed to best representwhat this character loves most? What should it look like and what shape, color, pictures, or symbols should be included in it?

Hands-What does the historical figure “hold”?

Feet-On what does the historical figure “stand”? (i.e. values, principles, ideals, etc.) What does the character stand for or believe in? This should be a symbolic representation of the character’s most important beliefs about life.

Spine- What is the goal of your historical figure? This should be presented in a way that visually conveys what motivates the character most.

The Background – Include elements that depict the character’s environment, background, or situation.

Quotations – Near the character, place two or three direct quotations from the speech that best describe your figure.

Requirements and Examples

4. You will use Google Slides as a the presentation platform. Presentations must include pictures and quotes. You may insert videos but written information explaining the body part must be included.

5. Groups may have no more than 4 people. Your group member DOES NOT have to be in your class period, but they MUST be in one of my classes.