Between the curriculum demands and our time limitations, this task becomes even more challenging. Yet, we as teachers all inspire to create that atmosphere of engaged learners. During Black History Month in February, I wanted to find quick activities to incorporate into my schedule that weren’t extremely time consuming, but would require some research on my students’ part. These small foldable books require about 30 minutes for research and completion. Sections include: birth/death date and location, a fact about their early life, their contribution to society and a fun fact.
Once they have completed the research, the journal folds up into a small book. Students can then share their findings with others in small groups, pair-share collaborations, or in a daily spotlight on writing. This large biography poster would require more research from my students, which could be used as a writing assessment. Potentially, students could present the information they discovered to their classmates, which would also provide me with a formative speaking grade as well. As an added bonus, it's a wonderful addition to our classroom decorations. 
Finding simple and different ways to achieve a goal can be a daunting task for teachers. Hopefully, we can help you find fun and creative ways to keep your students engaged and save you time! Be sure to checkout our great selection of classroom projects and activities for more curriculum ideas.
