Interviewing a Historical Figure

Suggested Grades

5+

Objective

Students will examine a historical figure by designing an interview for them.

Materials

• resources for research: books, magazines, newspapers, internet

Method

• In pairs students pick a historical figure that they are interested in.
• Students write down a list of questions that they would like to ask the historical figure if they were still alive. Use the library and the internet to find the answers.
• Prepare a presentation for the class. One student becomes the historical figure and the other becomes the interviewer.
• Variation:Students can dress up as interviewers and historical figures.
  Interview also can be videotaped and presented as a talk show.

Additional Resources

Internet Resources

• Biography A & E Page
  Has a searchable online database containing 15,000 of the international names, past and present.
• Distinguished Women of Past and Present
  Search for biographies of distinguished women by name or by field.
• Well Known People Who Happen to be Canadian
  An enormous collection of biographies of Canadian actors, educators, and politicians.
• The History Net
  Contains a huge archive of historical personality profiles.
• The Biography Maker
  Gives tips on writing biographies which also can be useful in forming interview questions.