I have been reading a few picture book biographies in preparation for an upcoming nonfiction unit.  A good biography has the ability to foster new interests and can be inspiring to children. They especially enjoy reading information about a subject’s childhood.  After reading a biography, many children love to share their knowledge about the person with others.   The following “top five” prompts can be used as a choice menu for children. Have them select their favorite prompt to identify, summarize, and highlight the person’s significance and life experiences.

Biography Top Five

List the top five. . .

• Important events in the person’s life. 

• Ways the world would be different if the person had not existed.

• Questions you would ask the person.

• Challenges the person faced.

• Accomplishments of the person.

• People you would introduce the person to.  

• Things people should know about this person.

• Ways this person’s life was same/different than yours.

• Pieces of advice the person might give to others.

• Words you would use to describe the person.  Why did you select each word?