Back to School (4th-8th Grade)ALL ABOUT ME Research Project + Rubric

If you’re a teacher looking for the perfect Back to School activity – this ALL ABOUT ME RESEARCH PROJECT is the one for you.

Get the COMPLETE LESSON PLAN HERE

The first few weeks of school can be…well, a bit nerve-racking! Let’s be honest both teachers and students are nervous and desperate to have fun, feel more comfortable, build relationships, and really just get to know each other better?

All About Me Research Project

This creative and super fun Back to School ALL ABOUT ME Research Project + Rubric has it all and is guaranteed to build classroom community -making the beginning of your school year unforgettable.

Hi there, it’s so great to meet you! I’m Mrs. T. (Love 2 Teach and Learn) or you can call me Jen – a Michigan mom, wife, new grandma (aka “Jemma”) and K-12 PE teacher who has also taught Kindergarten, 3rd, and 6th grade.

And as a teacher in today’s kinda crazy world, I’m on a serious mission to MAKE SCHOOL FUN AGAIN!

This project allows students to share their likes and dislikes, as well as, what makes them special and unique with their classmates while honing their writing, speaking, listening and research skills.

It’s so easy to implement and packed with creativity – truly the perfect way to break the ice and start the new school year off with a bang.

Let’s break this ALL ABOUT ME Research Project down in just 4 easy steps.

Research Project Step #1 – Choose a Topic

FIRST, ask your students to choose an “ALL ABOUT ME RESEARCH TOPIC” that interests them.

Here are a few suggestions for you:

ALL ABOUT ME FAMILY – (Favorite Friends too)
ALL ABOUT MY FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT (and your least favorite)
ALL ABOUT MY FAVORITE SUMMER TRIP
ALL ABOUT MY FAVORITE FOODS (and foods I don’t like)
ALL ABOUT ME FAVORITE THINGS TO DO FOR FUN
ALL ABOUT MY PETS (or favorite animals)
ALL ABOUT MY SPECIAL STRENGTHS (things you are good at like sports, drawing, or being a good friend)
ALL ABOUT WHAT I WANT TO BE WHEN I GROW UP

Research Project Step #2 – Gather the Facts

Step #2 - Gather the Facts (All About Me Project)

NEXT, have your students spend some time gathering 5-8 facts related to their topic. I usually assign this research project as homework but you could also give them some time to work during class if you want.

Research Project Step #3 – Choose a Project Type

THEN, have your students choose a creative and engaging way to organize and share their information.

I always tell my students that this is the really fun part of the All About Me Research Project because they get to relax, let their creative juices run wild, and have some serious old school project fun – like we used to back in school during the 80’s and 90’s.

Here are a bunch of creative suggestions for you:

SONG or a RAP
DIORAMA
PAMPHLET
POSTER
VIDEO or a SKIT
REPORT
“ALL ABOUT ME” BOOK
COMIC STRIP
BOARD GAME

Although I give my students the All About Me PROJECT GUIDE with step-by-step directions and suggestions, I do allow my students to choose a different way to present their information if they have other project ideas that they would like to do.

Research Project Step #4 – Complete Your Project

Step #4: Complete Your All About Me Project

FINALLY, the last step is the best step. Encourage your students to JUST HAVE FUN and Complete Their Projects!

This research project can easily be used with upper elementary and middle school students (4th-8th grade).

Research Project RUBRIC

I highly recommend using a simple rubric or expectation checklist when assigning this project to your students.

Additionally, I require my students to set two personal goals for themselves for the upcoming school year.

I keep it simple, especially since it’s the beginning of the school year and everybody is easing into “all things school.”

My All About Me Research Project Checklist includes the following:

My name is included on my project
I included a title for my project
My project includes at least 5 “All About Me” Facts
My final project is neat and visually appealing
I wrote 2 goals that I have for myself for the upcoming school year

All About Me Research Project TIPS

There are so many possible ways that this simple yet versatile resource can be used.

Here are a few quick but helpful tips to make this Awesome All About Me Research Project even more AWESOME!

ICE BREAKER ACTIVITY – This really is such a great Back to School, Classroom Community Building Ice Breaker Activity/Project. It’s fun to set aside some time during the first few weeks of school to allow students to present their projects to you (their teacher) and to their classmates.
PASS OUT AT OPEN HOUSE NIGHT – I often give this assignment to my students at our school Open House night and ask them to return the completed project on first day of school.
ALTERNATIVE (or Opt-Out) ASSIGNMENT – This project can easily be used for students who are sick or injured and can’t participate in or are absent from class, due to vacation or other reasons.

But most importantly – JUST HAVE FUN!

This is such a fun and interesting research project that empowers students to creatively reflect and take ownership over their learning.

So why not blast some upbeat and clean music and use this creative resource to build a community of learners who feel comfortable in their classroom and can’t wait to learn all sorts of cool stuff in it throughout the upcoming school year.

HAPPY “BACK TO SCHOOL” TO YOU!

Save yourself some serious “Back to School” Prep time and snag my 2-Page ALL ABOUT ME Research Project complete with easy-to-follow student instructions, creative project options, and simple rubric with checklist complete with an area for students to write 2 personal goals for the upcoming school year.

It’s all done for you – just hand to your students and let them get busy!

You can get your own ALL ABOUT ME RESEARCH PROJECT Right Here!