‘Famous People Interviews’ is a hugely successful activity for teachers to use in the classroom. During this activity, the teacher assigns an important historical figure to each student. After researching the assigned person. The student takes on the role of a famous person and is interviewed by another student in the class.
Preparation Requirements
Students receive a list of requirements. First, students must create a timeline of the person’s life including their contributions. Second, students must listen to and summarize a famous speech by this person. Finally, each student must create a list of questions that s/he would use if s/he could go back in time and interview this person.
Skills Covered
By bringing historical figures to life, students gain a deeper understanding of history and develop the skills they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond. This activity not only teaches students to recognize many famous people but also covers a large number of Common Core State Standards. Students develop research skills (RI.4.1, RI.5.1, RI.6.1) as they delve into the lives of their assigned historical figures. Students must think critically as they analyze research content (RI.4.2, RI.5.2). Through the activity, students develop empathy for the individuals they research and gain valuable experience in oral communication (SL.4.1, SL.5.1, SL.6.1) as they practice asking and answering questions during the interviews. Finally, students improve their writing skills as they take notes in preparation for their interviews (W.4.2, W.5.2, W.6.2).
Famous People Interviews
On the day of the interviews, students dress as famous people. Students interview each other using the list of questions they have provided and are prepared to answer. The interviews are videoed.
American Civil War Historical Figures
The following list is some historical figures we used for the social, political, and military aspects of the Civil War era along with some suggested interview questions:
Abraham Lincoln
the 16th President of the United States, who served during the Civil War and led the Union to victory
- What inspired you to pursue a career in politics?
- How did you handle the challenges of leading the Union during the Civil War?
- What was the most difficult decision you had to make during your presidency?
Jefferson Davis
the President of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War
- What motivated you to become the President of the Confederate States of America?
- How did you view the Union’s efforts to end slavery?
- Looking back, what would you have done differently during your time as President?
Ulysses S. Grant
a Union general who played a major role in the Union’s victory and later became President
- What led you to pursue a career in the military?
- What was your strategy for leading the Union to victory during the Civil War?
- How did your experiences during the Civil War shape your later presidency?
Robert E. Lee
a Confederate general who is known for his military leadership and strategy
- What motivated you to fight for the Confederate States of America?
- How did you view the Union’s efforts to end slavery?
- What do you think was your greatest military achievement during the Civil War?
Harriet Tubman
an abolitionist and Union spy who helped slaves escape to freedom through the Underground Railroad
- What inspired you to become involved in the abolitionist movement?
- How did you help slaves escape through the Underground Railroad?
- What was the most difficult experience you faced as a Union spy?
Frederick Douglass
an escaped slave who became a leading abolitionist, writer, and orator during the Civil War era
- How did your experiences as an escaped slave shape your views on slavery?
- What inspired you to become a leading abolitionist and writer?
- How did you view the Union’s efforts to end slavery?
Clara Barton
a nurse and humanitarian who founded the American Red Cross and served as a nurse during the Civil War
- How did you become involved in nursing and humanitarian work?
- What were some of the challenges you faced while serving as a nurse during the Civil War?
- How did your experiences during the Civil War shape your later work with the American Red Cross?
William Tecumseh Sherman
a Union general who played a key role in the Union’s victory and is known for his “March to the Sea.”
- What was your strategy for leading the Union to victory during the Civil War?
- What do you think was your most significant military achievement during the war?
- How did you handle the challenges of leading troops during long marches?
Stonewall Jackson
- What motivated you to fight for the Confederate States of America?
- How did you view the Union’s efforts to end slavery?
- What do you think was your greatest military achievement during the Civil War?
a Confederate general known for his military leadership and strategy
Sojourner Truth
an escaped slave who became a leading abolitionist and women’s rights activist during the Civil War era
- What inspired you to become involved in the abolitionist and women’s rights movement
- What were some of the challenges you faced as a former slave advocating for equal rights?
- How did your experiences during the Civil War shape your later work as an activist?
Benefits of Famous People Interviews
The ‘Famous People Interviews’ activity can help students engage with history in a meaningful way in several ways:
- Students make a personal connection to the person they are researching. This helps students understand the significance of the person’s actions and contributions.
- Students analyze and interpret historical information.
- The interview format of the activity can help students develop their communication skills as they practice asking and answering questions.
- By taking on the role of a historical figure, students are encouraged to use their creativity and imagination to think about how the person would have responded to different situations and challenges.
Videos
I have included a few videos that we used when doing research for this project. Our fifth-grade social studies curriculum covers American history beginning with the 1850s and moving forward.
Sojourner Truth’s Ain’t I a Woman?
Truth presented her “Ain’t I a Woman” speech at the Women’s Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio on May 28, 1851.
Frederick Douglass’s The Meaning the of the Fourth of July to a Negro
Frederick Douglass gave several powerful speeches. “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro” was given in Rochester, New York on July 5, 1852.
Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address
Abraham Lincoln gave “The Gettysburg Address” on November 19, 1863, two years after the beginning of the American Civil War. Lincoln followed a speech given by Senator Edward Everett which lasted for two hours. Lincoln’s short speech said more than Everett’s long one and ended with “long-continued applause.”
The ‘Famous People Interviews’ activity is not only a fun and engaging way to help students learn about important historical figures and events, but it encourages personalization, critical thinking, communication skills, and creativity.
I hope your students learn as much as mine did and have a blast doing so!
