Students in Mrs. Shaw’s reading classes at West Babylon Junior High School put their research and literacy skills into action through an engaging biography project that brought together many of the reading and writing strategies they developed throughout the school year.

As part of this culminating unit, students selected an individual who interested them and conducted research using both print and digital sources. Over the course of the project, students gathered information, evaluated sources, took organized notes and identified important details about the lives and accomplishments of their chosen subjects.

Students then showcased their learning by selecting a presentation format that best represented their work, including a written essay, Google Slides presentation or Canva presentation. Throughout the process, they practiced using nonfiction text features, summarizing and paraphrasing information and presenting their findings in a clear and effective way.

The project provided students with the opportunity to strengthen essential research, reading, writing and public speaking skills while exploring the stories of individuals who have made meaningful contributions to the world. Through this hands-on learning experience, students connected with history, innovation and personal achievement while becoming more confident communicators.