Heroism means different things to different people. Uncovering individual definitions requires discussion and personal insights. Five brief biographies to stimulate discussion are included. Activities are suggested. (MT)

Read-aloud stories are offered to introduce students to three women scientists: Barbara McClintock, Mary Anning, and Jane Goodall. Resources on these, and other women scientists, are listed. (DF)

This article examines the career trajectories and biographies of three women who completed the same graduate preservice program in elementary education. While two have become successful teacher leaders, the third has moved in and out of teaching. This inquiry draws on a ten-year longitudinal study of one of these teachers, positioning that…

"Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." tells of King's childhood determination to use "big words" through biographical information and quotations. In this lesson, students in grades 3 to 5 explore information on Dr. King to think about his "big" words, then they write about their own…

The year, 2005, is the bicentennial of this great children's writer. What better time to teach his timeless tales? Andersen was born April 2, 1805, in Odense, Denmark, to a poor cobbler father and washerwoman mother. Andersen felt misplaced and believed that he was destined for greatness; he would be a great writer, an acclaimed poet, a person of…

Presents a listing of historical books for elementary school students by author Jean Fritz; includes a poster and a calendar with daily class activities to teach students about famous historical figures. (SM)

This sourcebook provides brief biographies of 65 popular children's nonfiction authors. Each profile focuses on how authors go about writing information books by giving a firsthand account of the challenges and rewards of nonfiction writing. Each biography provides a selected bibliography of the author's work, a photo, and a message to the student…

Examines the image of Columbus as presented through children's literature. Examines the characteristics, personality, and accomplishments attributed to Columbus in trade books from the third- to sixth-grade reading level. Reports themes of Columbus as Genoese, child, sailor, man of scientific reasoning, leader, missionary, patriot, conqueror, and…

The feats of individuals who have made history in the aerospace world are often misunderstood and soon ignored or forgotten after the first notoriety has been achieved. Amelia Earhart was selected as the subject for this learning packet because of her brilliant accomplishments on the world of flight, a persistent desire to determine what really…

Presents an annotated bibliography of outstanding children's science trade books published in 1995 and intended primarily for kindergarten to eighth grade. Sections include biography, environment and ecology, fiction, life science, medicine and medical research, paleontology, and technology and engineering. (JRH)

This K-8 activity helps students visually highlight the lives of notable women using 3-D biography boxes. Students read a biography, create the boxes, fill in all six sides with pictures and information, place one item in the box that their subjects would treasure, and make class presentations. A sample box is provided. (SM)

This book adopts a questioning approach to studying history in which students become biographers who read, discuss, research, and write books about their subjects, providing their own original interpretations of the facts. By digging into the past and reflecting on what they have learned, students get involved in the process and are eager to do it…

Describes a variety of children's books that can help elementary students explore the qualities that make good leaders. The books (fiction and biography) include stories about past Presidents, people who did inspiring deeds, people with admirable qualities, and children who ran for school office. (SM)

The Eisenhower Foundation developed and produced posters and curriculum materials for "Dreams of a Barefoot Boy: 1890-1911," the first in a series that examines, in depth, the life and times of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th U.S. President. This collection of primary source documents consists of documents with social themes relating to:…

Most of the material for this issue of the "Goldfinch," which explores the life of Carrie Chapman Catt, came from the archives of the State Historical Society of Iowa. Carrie Chapman Catt (1859-1947) was an Iowan who advocated woman suffrage and spent 26 years actively working for that cause. The issue contains a biography of Catt, and…