This step-by-step Autobiography Lesson Plan guides students through the entire writing process, from initial reading to the final polished product. For a more comprehensive worksheet, be sure to check out our detailed post. Additionally, you can find our highly-rated autobiography lesson plan worksheet available in our store.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Writing an autobiography allows students to reflect on their personal experiences and express their identities through storytelling.
This lesson plan guides students through the process of writing their own autobiographies, helping them develop skills in brainstorming, drafting, editing, and finalizing their work.
By the end of the lesson, students will have created a polished autobiographical piece that captures significant moments of their lives.
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Lesson Plan Overview
Writing an Autobiography Lesson Plan
- Level: Intermediate to Advanced
- Objective: Students will learn how to write an autobiography, focusing on the process of idea generation, drafting, editing, and finalizing their work.
- Materials Needed:
- Whiteboard and markers
- Graphic organizers
- Editing checklists
- Access to a computer lab for typing final drafts
- Optional: Students’ personal photos for illustrations
- Timing: 2 Sessions
Writing an Autobiography Lesson Plan: Lesson Steps
1. Introduction to Autobiography (10-15 minutes)
- Reading Activity: Start the lesson by engaging students in a discussion to define what an autobiography is. To introduce the concept, you can read a short autobiographical excerpt from a well-known figure, or present a fictional example like the one provided below. Highlight and discuss the key elements of an autobiography, including the personal narrative, significant life events, and the writer’s reflections. Encourage students to think about how these elements work together to tell a compelling and authentic life story.
Autobiography Example
My Journey So Far
My name is Emily Thompson, and I was born on May 12, 2005, in the small town of Cedar Grove. Growing up in a close-knit community, I spent most of my childhood playing in the vast fields behind our house and exploring the woods with my younger brother, Sam. My parents, both teachers, instilled in me a love for learning and curiosity about the world.
From a young age, I was fascinated by stories—both reading them and making up my own. This passion for storytelling led me to start writing short stories and keeping a journal, where I documented my daily experiences and thoughts. My love for words continued to grow as I entered school, where English quickly became my favorite subject.
In middle school, I joined the school newspaper, where I had the chance to write articles and interview my classmates. This experience taught me the importance of communication and the power of sharing different perspectives. It was also during this time that I discovered my love for photography, which became another way for me to tell stories.
High school brought new challenges and opportunities. I became involved in the drama club, where I could combine my love for writing and storytelling with my newfound interest in acting. Playing various roles on stage helped me understand different characters and their motivations, deepening my empathy and understanding of people.
Now, as I prepare to graduate, I look back on my journey with gratitude. Every experience, whether big or small, has shaped who I am today—a curious, creative, and compassionate individual with a love for stories in all forms. As I move forward, I hope to continue exploring new ways to tell stories and connect with others through my words and images.
- To help students organize and extract key information from the fictional autobiography, you can create a simple chart with the following headings:
| Element | Details from the Autobiography |
|---|---|
| Personal Narrative: What is the main focus of the writer’s story? | … |
| Significant Life Events: What are the key events mentioned in the story? | … |
| Reflections: How does the writer reflect on their experiences? | … |
- Discussion: Engage the class in a discussion about why people write autobiographies and what they can learn from reading them. This sets the stage for students to think about their own lives as stories worth telling.
2. Brainstorming Ideas (10-15 minutes)
- Group Work: Ask students to brainstorm ideas about the information they could include in their autobiographies. Encourage them to think about major life events, achievements, challenges, family background, and personal interests.
- Board Work: Write all the ideas mentioned by the students on the board. This will serve as a collective pool of ideas that students can draw from as they begin writing.
3. Organizing Information and Drafting (5-10 minutes)
- Graphic Organizer: In groups, students organize the brainstormed information into categories, such as “Early Life,” “School Experiences,” “Family and Friends,” “Hobbies and Interests,” and “Future Goals.” Use a graphic organizer to help them structure their thoughts clearly.
- Drafting: Each student uses their graphic organizer to write a rough draft of their autobiography. Remind them to focus on telling their story in a clear, engaging way, and to include details that will make their narrative unique and personal.
4. Peer Editing (10-15 minutes)
- Pair Work: Students pair up to edit each other’s autobiographies. Provide an editing checklist that includes questions like:
- Are the events presented in a logical order?
- Is the language clear and appropriate for the audience?
- Are there any spelling or grammatical errors?
- Feedback: Encourage constructive feedback, focusing on both strengths and areas for improvement. This collaborative editing process helps students refine their work.
5. Final Draft and Presentation (10-20 minutes)
- Typing: Once edits are complete, students use the computer lab to type their final drafts. If possible, they can add personal photos as illustrations to enhance their autobiographies.
- Optional: Have students create a cover page for their autobiography, including a title and their name.
6. Follow-Up Activity (5-10 minutes)
- Exchange and Homework: Students exchange their autobiographies with a classmate. For homework, they read each other’s work and identify similarities and differences between their own life stories and those of their classmates.
- Class Discussion: In the next session, hold a class discussion where students can share their reflections on the similarities and differences they found. This activity not only reinforces their understanding of autobiographical writing but also fosters a sense of community as students learn more about each other.
Conclusion
This autobiography lesson plan provides a comprehensive framework for students to explore their personal histories while developing their writing skills. Through brainstorming, organizing, drafting, editing, and finalizing their autobiographies, students gain confidence in their ability to express themselves and share their stories with others.