Biographical writing

Biographical writing introduces students to complex understandings and disciplines in an engaging way. Teachers of other disciplines, such as Science, Mathematics, Physical Education and Technology can find biographical writing an innovative way in which to integrate their curriculum with other learning areas. This project gives Kilvington students the chance to work professionally on an authentic product, and present their biography to the interviewee as a multimedia presentation. Studying the lives of significant historical and contemporary individuals is an important component of education, and students are able to learn about the contributions that individuals make to others’ lives.

This is an incremental innovation project conducted by the English Faculty, connecting Kilvington students with the older residents of Claremont Terrace. In the Writer’s Rock Year 9 elective, students interview more experienced local residents and write about their lives. Biographical writing places personal histories within their social, political and historical context in order to discover and explain the influences on an individual’s life.