No Prep Plans: People Who Shaped America: Alaska--Kikkan Randall

No Prep Plans: People Who Shaped America – AlaskaKikkan Randall
Research + Group Project (Living Wax Museum Planner)
Grades 4–8
Introduce your students to the inspiring story of Kikkan Randall, the Alaskan cross-country skier who made history by helping the United States win its first-ever Olympic gold medal in cross-country skiing. Through research, discussion, collaboration, and performance, students discover how perseverance, teamwork, and determination helped Randall succeed both on the world stage and during one of the greatest personal challenges of her life.

Rather than simply memorizing historical facts, students investigate Kikkan Randall's childhood in Alaska, her athletic career, her historic Olympic victory, and her courageous journey through breast cancer treatment. Students then apply their learning by planning and presenting a Living Wax Museum performance, bringing history to life through research, script writing, and first-person presentation.

This ready-to-use lesson requires minimal teacher preparation and combines history, geography, literacy, public speaking, drama, and project-based learning into one engaging classroom experience.

What's Included
- Full Teacher Direction Page (1–2 × 45–60 minute lessons)
- Student Overview with background reading
- Mini Research Questions
- Group Activity Directions
- Online Research Resources
- Research & Character Notes Worksheet
- Living Wax Museum Performance Planner
- Reflection & Personal Connections Worksheet
- Color and Black & White student pages
- Print-ready PDF format

Students Will Learn About
- Kikkan Randall's childhood and life in Alaska
- How she became a world-class cross-country skier
- Her historic 2018 Olympic gold medal
- The importance of teamwork in Olympic competition
- Her perseverance during breast cancer treatment
- Her advocacy and positive influence after retirement
- Her lasting legacy as one of Alaska's greatest athletes

Skills Developed
- Historical research
- Reading informational text
- Critical thinking
- Fact verification
- Public speaking
- Script writing
- Character analysis
- Performance planning
- Collaboration
- Reflection and self-assessment

Perfect For
- Alaska History
- U.S. History
- Social Studies
- Language Arts
- Drama and Performing Arts
- Project-Based Learning
- Biography Studies
- Public Speaking Activities
- Substitute Plans
- Independent Learning
- Upper Elementary and Middle School (Grades 4–8)

Students move beyond reading a biography by stepping into history through a Living Wax Museum performance. They research reliable sources, organize historical evidence, write a first-person presentation, plan costumes and props, and perform as Kikkan Randall while sharing her remarkable story with others. This engaging project builds historical understanding, confidence in public speaking, collaboration skills, and an appreciation for perseverance and achievement.

This lesson is part of the No Prep Plans: People Who Shaped America series, introducing students to influential individuals from every state through engaging research activities and creative projects that encourage learners to investigate reliable sources, evaluate evidence, communicate ideas effectively, and appreciate the people whose achievements have helped shape the United States.