Activity: Be a bushranger biographer

Your Task:

To select an Australian bushranger,  search for information on this bushranger and write a short biography on his/her life. 

•  Biographies - A biography tells the story of a person' life. It usually includes:

• their name
• their early life (where they were born, some family details and information about their childhood, if they married)]
• their own family (if they married, where they lived)
• their achievements (their work, other things they are remembered for, any obstacles they overcame, any awards or records)
• their death (when and how they died).

• Concept map - Use the concept map template to lay out the sections of your biography. Put the bushranger's name in the centre circle.
• Notes - Make research notes under your headings using the Notes Template. You will find useful information on the  Bushranger Profiles pages.
  or at the sites on the Links page. Make sure you DO NOT COPY information word for word. Take short notes. Keep a record of the bibliographic details of all sites you visit.
• Bibliography - Every source you use in your research MUST be recorded in a bibliography attached to the biography. This includes books, and internet sites. To learn how to set out your bibliography, go to the Writing Bibliographies site.
• Report - Write up your report including a picture of your bushranger (if possible) and your bibliography.

Curriculum Content:

Social Studies. Australian History
Genre: Information report. Biography.

Age Level:

Ages 9-12

Preparation:

The activity requires some previous reading and viewing of examples of biographies and teaching on the structure of a biography.
Access to the school library and computer labs are essential.
Students also will need help in creating their concept maps and research notes, and in formatting their bibliographies. 

Skills:

The research process:

Defining, Locating, Selecting, Analysing and Synthesising, Creating and Evaluating.