Guidelines for Writing an Autobiography for Elementary Students

Encourage elementary students to write about personal experiences.

Elementary students do their best writing when writing about personal life experiences. An autobiography is a perfect structured writing assignment to begin the school year, as it helps a teacher get to know her students and learn more about their writing abilities.



In order to have students working at their full potential, writing an autobiography should be a structured, step-by-step activity that follows specific guidelines.

Make an Outline

Insist that all students create an outline; however, allow students freedom in how they create it. Some children prefer webs, while others prefer a list. The outline should include significant life events that stick out in the child's mind, as well as personality traits and personal information.

An Exciting Introduction

The introduction is the most important part of the autobiography, as it draws the reader in and makes him want to continue reading. Through teacher modelling, show students how to take a life experience, for example, the day they were born, and turn it into a stimulating story to begin their autobiography.

Significant Life Events

All students should write at least three paragraphs about life events that have shaped them into who they are today. Rather than have students write personal information in an uninteresting way (example: "I have one brother and one sister"), encourage them to incorporate the information into "life-event" stories (example: "My grandmother taught me how important it is to be patient and kind. When my brother Dane and my sister Sadie and I used to go to her house...")

A Satisfying Conclusion

Have students write a conclusion that ties their entire autobiography together. Do not expect that students automatically know how to do this. It is a difficult skill and teacher modelling is essential.

References

• ProTeacher Collection: Writing Autobiographies