Biographies for 4th graders

Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension

Biographies are an excellent tool for expanding vocabulary and enhancing reading comprehension.

Leveled readers like these from Harcourt, Macmillan McGraw-Hill, and Scott Foresman,include grade-specific vocabulary and comprehension activities within each biography. 

For example, this fifth-grade reader on Buffalo Bill Codyhas highlighted vocabulary words, and includes comprehension questions and writing activities.

This sixth-grade reader on Jesse Owens includes a glossary, comprehension check, and writing activities.

You can access more of these types of biographies here.

Another biography for students series that includes comprehension questions is DK Life Stories.

The books describe the struggles and triumphs of famous individuals, while providing an overview of the historical context in which they lived. The books also include glossaries of key words that can be used for vocabulary exercises.

Check out the list of biogra