Developing Young Biographers and Biography Readers: How Can We Document Learning and Enjoyment of Biography? (Poster 15)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Seven
  In Poster Session: Biographical and Documentary Research SIG Posters

Abstract

We offer a rationale for the use of biography in the K-12 curriculum. To support biography in the classroom, we developed objectives for what children and adolescents could be expected to know. We derived questions from the knowledge objectives and subsequently developed items that tapped children’s enjoyment of biography. A panel of jurors representing biographers, biography researchers, reading, and early childhood educators provided content validation of the objectives and items. Finally, we administered the resulting instrument, the Biography Information and Opinion Survey (BIOS), to 866 second grade students to establish preliminary psychometric properties. Our goal was to develop curriculum and assessment resources for classrooms and to encourage further research on what children know and to what degree they enjoy biography.

Authors

• Ann E. Robinson, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
  Presenting Author

• Jill L. Adelson, Adelson Research & Consulting, LLC
  Presenting Author