Olympic Biography Writing Research Guide

This engaging 6-page teaching resource guides students through selecting an Olympic legend, conducting research, planning, drafting, reviewing, and publishing a 5-paragraph research essay with proper MLA citations. First, an Olympic athlete research and note-taking handout scaffolds background research and subject selection from a list of options. Next, an essay outline builds on these notes to plan the paper section-by-section. Finally, essay directions, a peer review checklist, and a standards-based rubric support drafting, revising, and grading the final product. This cross-curricular P.E. or ELA resource for grades 7-10 can be used as a full lesson or flexible activity focusing on research skills and famous sports figures. Instruction is streamlined so students are set up for an organized process of synthesizing research into an informational essay--either individually, in small groups, or as a whole class. Modify the rubric grading values by accessing the included editable Google Sheet link.