Monday 2nd November

LC: To write a biography based on a model

Today, you are going to begin your biography about the life of Walt Disney. You will need to use your plan and other notes and information that we read and collected about his life to help you. You can also use the following example to help you.

You are going to write the first 2 sections - an Introduction that gives a brief overview of his life and Section 1 which discusses Walt Disney's Early Life.

Please have a look at the success criteria below to remind yourself of the features of a biography - we have looked at many examples of these. 

WALT DISNEY

 Walt Disney's Early Life      

      Walter Elias Disney was born on December 5, 1901 in a small cottage in Chicago, USA. Walt's father, Elias, had built the house for his growing family. His mother, Flora, was a teacher in the local school but later gave up her career to raise their five children. When Walt was four, the family moved from Chicago to a quiet farm in Marceline, Missouri - it was the happiest time in Walt's childhood. As he grew older, Walt developed a love of drawing and would spend hours sketching his other keen interest, trains.

      A few years after moving to their beloved farm, The Disneys' next move was to Kansas where his father, Elias, ran a newspaper route for the Kansas City Times. Walt was devastated to leave Marceline but had no choice due to his father's failing health and the family's financial problems.

      Once again, in 1917, the family had to move again and returned to Chicago. Walt attended McKinley High School where he drew cartoons for the school newspaper but after only one year, he dropped out of school. He had faith in himself and was sure that one day he would be a huge success. At night, he started art classes at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and bought himself a movie camera. He and new friend, Russell Maas, made short films together. 

      In 1917, the United States joined the the fight against Germany in what was to become the Great War (WWI). Walt felt like he was missing out on the action as his older brothers - Herbert and Roy - were serving in the army. Walt was too young to enlist but his mother eventually agreed to sign the documents that allowed him to drive an ambulance with the Red Cross in France. When he returned home in 1919, he was almost eighteen and against his father's wishes, returned to Kansas to find work as an artist.