How to Help Your 4th Grader Write a Biography

How to Help Your 4th Grader Write a Biography Assignments can differ from one teacher to another, but most fourth-grade biography papers will involve a specific format. If you dont have detailed instructions from their teacher, you can follow these instructions to help your child develop a great paper. Every paper should have the following sections: Cover pageAn  introductory paragraphThree body paragraphsA summary paragraph Cover Page The cover page gives the reader information about your child, their teacher, and the subject of your childs paper. It also makes the work look more polished. The cover page should include the following information: The title of your childs paperYour childs nameThe name of your childs teacher and their schoolTodays date Introductory Paragraph The introductory paragraph is where your child introduces his topic. It should contain a  strong first sentence that gives the reader a clear idea of what the paper is about. If your child is writing a report about Abraham Lincoln, the opening sentence may look something like this: Abraham Lincoln once described himself as an ordinary man with an extraordinary story. The introductory sentence should be followed by a few sentences that give a little more information about the  topic and lead up to your childs big claim, or thesis statement. A thesis statement is not merely a statement of fact. Rather, it is a specific claim that will be argued and defended later in the paper. The thesis statement also serves as a roadmap, giving the reader an idea of what is coming next. Body Paragraphs The body paragraphs of the biography are where your child goes into detail about their research. Each body paragraph should be about one main idea. In a biography of Abraham Lincoln, your child might write one paragraph about Lincolns childhood and another about his time as president. Each body paragraph should contain a topic sentence, support sentences, and a transition sentence. A topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. Support sentences are where your child goes into detail, adding more information that supports the topic sentence. At the end of each body  paragraph should be a transition sentence, which links the ideas from one paragraph to another. Transition sentences help guide the reader and keep the writing flowing smoothly. Sample Body Paragraph A  body paragraph may look something like this: (Topic sentence) Abraham Lincoln struggled to keep the country together when some people wanted to see it split apart. The Civil War broke out after many American states wanted to start a new country. Abraham Lincoln showed leadership skills when he led the Union to victory and kept the country from splitting in two. (Transition) His role in the Civil War kept the country together, but led to many threats to his own safety.(Next topic sentence) Lincoln did not back down under the many threats he received. . . . Summary or Conclusion Paragraph A strong conclusion restates your childs  argument and sums up everything they have written. It should also include a few sentences that repeat the points your child made in each body paragraph. In the end, your child should include a final sentence that sums up the whole argument. Although they contain some of the same information, the  introduction and the conclusion should not be the same. The conclusion should build on what your child has written in their body paragraphs and wrap things up for the reader. Sample Summary Paragraph The summary (or conclusion) should look something like this: Although many people in the country did not like Abraham Lincoln at the time, he was a great leader for our country. He kept the United States together when it was in danger of falling apart. He also stood brave in the face of danger and led the way to equal rights for all people. Abraham Lincoln is one of the most outstanding leaders in American history. Bibliography Your childs teacher may require a bibliography at the end of the students paper. The bibliography is simply a list of books or articles that your child used for his research. The sources should be listed in a precise format  and in alphabetical order.

Biography of Brian May, Rock Star and Astronomer

Biography of Brian May, Rock Star and Astronomer In the late 1960s, Brian Harold May was an eager student in physics, studying to become an astronomer. He also happened to be a gigging musician. In 1968, he came to musical attention with the band Smile, and later went on to headline tours as part of the band Queen. In 1974, he put his studies aside to perform and tour with Queen.   With the death in 1991 of lead singer Freddie Mercury, Brian May embarked on a solo career as a musician even while performing with Queen and other musicians. Yet, as he has often noted, his past as a scientist never strayed far from his mind. Eventually, Brian May went back to school to finish his work. In 2008, he was granted his Ph.D., and since then has  gone on to do more work in planetary science.   Fast Facts: Brian May Known For:  His astrophysics research on dust in the solar system as well as his role in the band QueenBorn: July 19, 1947 in Hampstead, EnglandParents: Fred and Ruth MayEducation: Hampton Grammar School;  Imperial College London, B.S. in 1968 with honors; Imperial College London, Ph.D. in  2008Key Accomplishments: Knighted  by Queen Elizabeth II in 2005 as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Early Years and Music Career Brian Harold May was born in Hampton, Middlesex, England on July 19, 1947. His father, Harold May, worked for the Ministry of Aviation. His mother Ruth, was of Scottish descent. May attended schools in the area, and  went on to study physics and mathematics at Imperial College, London. He graduated in 1968 and began studies toward his Ph.D. that year. He was first married to Christine Mullen in 1974 and they had three children. In 1986, he met actress Anita Dobson and subsequently divorced his first wife so they could marry. Dobson has been with May throughout his musical career with Queen as well as his solo musical performances. Brian May went on to become a world-famous musical performer both with his band, Queen, as well as a noted solo performer.   Career in Astrophysics As a graduate student, May had been interested in studying dust particles in the solar system and had published two research papers. Eager to resume that work, he enrolled as a graduate student again in 2006. He finished his studies and got himself back up to speed on studies of dust particles during the years hed been away touring as a musician. His thesis work, titled A Survey of Radial Velocities in the Zodiacal Dust Cloud was submitted in 2007,  37 years after he started the research. He used techniques of absorption spectroscopy and Doppler spectroscopy to study the light scattered by dust particles in the solar system. He did his work at Teide Observatory in the Canary Islands. After review by his advisors and a thesis committee, Brian Mays thesis was accepted. He was awarded his doctorate on May 14, 2008.   May went on to become a visiting researcher at Imperial College, where he continues to do work.  He has also been involved the New Horizons mission to the planet Pluto as a science team collaborator due to his solar system work. He acted as chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University from 2008-2013 and has appeared numerous times on such programs as BBCs Sky at Night show. He wrote books with the late astronomer Sir Patrick Moore and writer Chris Lintott. Activism and Additional Interests Thanks to his work with the late Sir  Moore, May participated in the efforts to save Moores estate and effects. He is also an avid supporter of animal rights and animal welfare. He continues to raise funds and awareness of issues involving wildlife in the UK and elsewhere. May has contributed his musical talents to spread the word about issues involving hunting and culling of animals in his home country.   Quite apart from his activities in astronomy, music, and animal rights, Brian May is also a collector of Victorian stereography.  He has written a book about T.R. Williams, the English stereographer. This hobby started when May was still in graduate school in the 1970s and has given him a massive collection of stereo pair images. He has also patented a viewer called the Owl Viewer, which  can be used to examine the stereographic scenes in his latest book.   Accomplishments In addition to his immense success with the band Queen, Brian May has achieved notable success in the field of astrophysics. Asteroid 52665 Brianmay was named after him, as was a species of damselfly  (heteragron brianmayi). In 2005, he was given a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for his achievements in music.  He is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. Sources â€Å"BRIAN MAY BIOGRAPHY.†Ã‚  BRIANMAY.COM || THE OFFICIAL BRIAN MAY WEBSITE, brianmay.com/brian/biog.html.â€Å"Secret Science Nerds: Queens Lead Guitarist Brian May Is an Astrophysicist.†Ã‚  Nerdist, 22 Aug. 2016, nerdist.com/secret-science-nerds-queens-lead-guitarist-brian-may-is-an-astrophysicist/.Talbert, Tricia. â€Å"Rock Star/Astrophysicist Dr. Brian May Backstage With New Horizons.†Ã‚  NASA, NASA, 21 July 2015, www.nasa.gov/feature/rock-starastrophysicist-dr-brian-may-goes-backstage-with-new-horizons.