Hatch Students Bring Biographies to Life

Last week in Nicole Higaki’s third grade classroom at Hatch Elementary in Half Moon Bay, Steve Jobs, Babe Ruth, Queen Elizabeth, and King Tut all came for a visit. Well, sort of.

In a biography project that Higaki does every year in her class, students chose a famous person to read and write about. Then they bring the subject to life in a 2-D or 3-D project that they present to the class.

The focus of the assignment is to identify mainly what a biography is all about by identifying characteristics of the genre from time lines, maps, description of childhood, and more, said Higaki.

"Once we spend about three weeks on this part, I then assign the at-home project for the kids to do,” said Higaki, who’s been teaching at Hatch for six years in the traditional English program.     

Part of the requirement for the assignment is that the students must have written information to accompany their project, which can be a poster, book cover, diorama, or model.

"They also present their project and information about their person to the class and need to be prepared to answer questions,” said Higaki. 
 
The results of the student’s projects this year exceeded Higaki's expectations so much so, the class would like to share their work with the community.

"My class this year is very inquisitive,” she said. “They have a desire to learn and always ask very good questions, putting a few adult guest speakers on the spot!”

For example, one student made a 4 feet tall Egyptian sarcophagus modeled after King Tut and another student constructed a bust of Steve Jobs.

“These kids put in so much effort,” said Higaki. “I'm really proud of them.”