Chapter7: Biographical Writing

There are three types of biographical writing: personal narratives, autobiographies, and biographies. For personal narratives, "teachers do not assign topics; instead, children draw fron their own lives and experineces and write about things that interest them" (p, 148). There are many ways of presenting biographical information without writing an autobiography or biography like "All About Me" books and Life Boxes. Developing checklists or rubrics with children helps students understand what is expected of them and "assume a greater responsibility for their own learning" (p. 165). I was impressed there are many ways to write about people instead of fixed writing forms. Johnson (1986) implemented a project that students carried out an interview and write a biography of the classmate. It gave them a chance to interview, organize, and write a biography. I think it is a good way to try in class except some confidentiality concern as Johnson dealt with.

Sunmi mentioned that "being reflective and having differentiated ideas and perspecives is a key to creative writing" Stepping into others' lives through reading and writing biographies of others provides "room for personal reflections" (Griffiths & Macleod, 2008. cited by Sunmi). Understanding people who have differentiated ideas and perspectives is the qualification of a responsible citizen, isn't it? Children literally grow up in your class.

Reference
Johnson, S. (1986). The biography: Teach it from the inside out. English Journal, 75(6). 27-29. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org.libproxy.lib.csusb.edu/stable/819001?seq=3