Lives of Promise: Studies in Biography and Family History (Gifted Treasury Series)

Youngsters are invited to explore personal family and global history with a variety of educational activities included in this volume. Building upon a young person's natural curiosity in other people, the author guides students through the steps of researching and writing a biography or autobiography using tools such as maps, photo albums and address books. Projects such as building a genealogy mobile, gathering "grandmother's golden recipes" and playing biography bingo develop skills in creative and critical thinking and investigative research and convey important information. They should also stimulate young learners and provide hours of fun. In addition, Flack offers educators an inspiring discussion of biography and guidelines for incorporating biography into the curriculum. Like other volumes in the "Gifted Treasury Series", this work should accentuate the vital role of the library media specialist and the learning connections between students, teachers and librarians. Written in direct response to the Bradley Commission's call for more history in the school curriculum, this book is a natural companion of reading, writing, history and social studies courses. It sets out to provide students with a way to connect with the past as they work in the present. Through the study of past lives, truly and courageously fulfilled, young people can begin a search to discover how they want to use their own lives to fulfill their dreams and special promise.