4th Grade Biography Unit and Wax Museum
4th graders have entered a new unit of study in Library and Reading class. We have turned our attention to biographies. Biographies are books written about another person’s life. It normally includes basic elements such as names, important dates, birth date and place, death date or current age, careers, proudest moments, hobbies, obstacles, and events that made them famous.
Students will complete several things throughout this unit, many of which we have already begun here at school. During the last few Library classes, students chose the person they wanted to study, began reading a biography about them, and started researching and gathering information. They have also started filling out their graphic organizers with information that will be included in their written report. We will complete all aspects of their written report at school.
As a culminating activity they will become their famous person in a wax museum. Wax museums are a collection of wax figures that represent famous people from history. The wax figures look identical to the famous person and try to represent their personality and accomplishments.
With that said, fourth grade will be creating a wax museum. After reading their biography books and completing their reports, they will become their famous person for a day in a wax museum. They will dress like their person and have props that resemble their person’s interests. They will become “wax” by standing completely still while visitors to the museum come and view them. It is a fun experience and often times the highlight of 4th grade. Students and parents always put a great deal of effort into this project to make it such a success. On the back are tips for costumes, props, and poses, as well as pictures from previous years “wax” figures.
If you have any questions, please contact your 4th grade teacher.
We appreciate all of your support!
Prop Tips
o à With props you are trying to show
people what this person is famous
for or what interested them.
o à They should trigger some sort of
memory about the person.
o à Use household items: old books, drawn
maps, sports gear, blankets, music…
Costume Tips
o à Use household items, it is not necessary to purchase a
costume.
o à Black pants, khakis, collared shirts, church dresses or
other dress clothes often meet the standards.
o à Use a picture from the biography book or from the
internet to try to create a costume.
o à Wigs, hair paint, curling irons also help make it more
realistic.
o à If difficulty arises, we can help!
Poses
o à Pick a pose that resembles what your person does.
o à Remember that you are standing that way for 5-7
minutes at a time, so make sure you can stand
frozen without getting tired.
o à Practice, practice, practice