Biography Summaries

Students read four short biographies describing individuals who pursued opportunities in America and overcame challenges. They write a one-sentence summary explaining how each person tried to achieve the American Dream. This activity teaches students how to identify central ideas, summarize clearly, and recognize themes of hope, hard work, and opportunity. It also helps them understand immigration, economic mobility, and the personal stories that shape the American Dream. Students strengthen comprehension and learn to identify key details in informational text.

Curriculum Matched Skills

English Language Arts – Summarizing Key Ideas

Social Studies – Understanding Immigration and Opportunity

English Language Arts – Identifying Central Themes

Social Studies – Biographical Interpretation

This worksheet is part of our The American Dream Worksheets collection.