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Wax museum rubric: grades K–2, 3–5 and 6–8

This wax museum rubric scores the biography project where students research a scientist, inventor, artist or explorer, dress as that person, and speak in first person when a visitor presses their button. It scores the research, the speech written in first person, the delivery, and the costume and prop. Grades 3–5 and 6–8 use four levels with points; K–2 uses three levels with no points. Print it, or open it in the rubric maker to change any cell.

Written for Peabody Teach. Checked . Free to print, copy and change.

Wax museum rubric, grades K–2

3 levels, 4 criteria, no points (a switch in the maker adds them).

Wax museum rubric (Grades K–2)Name ____________________ Date ________
CriteriaWow!YesNot yet
My personI tell my name, what I did and why it helps people.I tell my name and what I did.I tell my name only.
I talk as my personI say I and my the whole time.I say I and my most of the time.I talk about my person, not as my person.
Loud and clearVisitors hear every word, and I say it without my card.Visitors hear me, and I look at my card a little.I am hard to hear, or I read all of my card.
Costume or propMy costume and prop both fit my person, and I can tell why.My costume or prop fits my person.I do not have a costume or prop yet.
Open in the maker
  • I can tell who I am and what I did.
  • I can talk as if I am my person.
  • I can say my speech so visitors hear me.
  • I can dress or hold something that fits my person.

Wax museum rubric, grades 3–5

4 levels, 4 criteria, 20 points in all.

Wax museum rubric (Grades 3–5)Name ____________________ Date ________ Total ____ / 20
CriteriaExceeds4 pointsMeets3 pointsApproaching2 pointsBeginning1 pointScore
Researchcounts ×2Accurate facts on early life, main work and lasting impact, with two or more sources.Accurate facts on the person's main work and life, with a source.Some facts missing or wrong.Few facts, or most are wrong./ 8
First-person speechWritten in first person throughout, with a hook, the person's main work, and a memorable closing line.Written in first person with a beginning, middle and end.Slips out of first person, or is missing a part.Not in first person, or not written./ 4
DeliveryStays in character, speaks clearly without notes, and freezes as a statue between visitors.Speaks clearly with a quick look at notes, and stays mostly in character.Reads most of the speech or breaks character often.Cannot be heard or does not perform./ 4
Costume and propCostume and prop connect to the person's work, and the student can explain the choice.Costume or prop fits the person.Costume or prop does not clearly fit.No costume or prop./ 4
Open in the maker
  • I can share accurate facts about my person's life and work.
  • I can write a speech in first person with a strong start and end.
  • I can stay in character and speak clearly to each visitor.
  • I can choose a costume or prop that shows who my person is.

Wax museum rubric, grades 6–8

4 levels, 5 criteria, 24 points in all.

Wax museum rubric (Grades 6–8)Name ____________________ Date ________ Total ____ / 24
CriteriaExceeds4 pointsMeets3 pointsApproaching2 pointsBeginning1 pointScore
Researchcounts ×2Accurate, specific research on the person's work and its lasting impact, from three or more credible sources.Accurate research on life and work from two or more sources.Research is general, thin or partly inaccurate.Little accurate research./ 8
ScriptFirst person throughout, in a voice that fits the person, placing their work in its time and naming obstacles they faced.First person, covering the main work and its importance.Mostly a list of facts; slips out of first person.Not in first person, or not written./ 4
PerformancePerforms from memory with expression and gesture, adjusting naturally for each visitor.Performs mostly from memory, clearly and in character.Relies on notes; expression is flat.Cannot be heard or does not perform./ 4
Costume and displayCostume, prop and a small sign or display each add information about the person's work.Costume and prop fit the person, with a name sign.Costume or display is minimal or loosely connected.No costume or display./ 4
Answering visitorsAnswers questions accurately and in character, adding detail beyond the speech.Answers simple questions accurately.Answers with help, or breaks character.Cannot answer questions./ 4
Open in the maker
  • I can research my person's life, work and impact from credible sources.
  • I can write a first-person script that shows the person's voice and the times they lived in.
  • I can perform in character with expression and no notes.
  • I can design a costume and display that add to what visitors learn.
  • I can answer a visitor's question in character.

When to use it

  • The wax museum day at the end of a biography unit.
  • A smaller in-class version, where partners take turns being the statue and the visitor.
  • As a planning sheet for the speech, handed out with the research notes.

What to say to students

  • Speak as your person: say I and my, not he or she.
  • Tell visitors your biggest work and why it still matters.
  • Practice until you can say your speech without your card.
  • Your costume can be simple. One prop that fits your person is enough.

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The criteria are generic and written for this site, with no standards codes, so they fit any curriculum. Open one in the maker to change a word, add a row or switch to a single-point rubric; what you change stays in your browser.