Welles Crowther was a 24-year-old American equities trader and volunteer firefighter who became known for his extraordinary actions during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, which ultimately took his life. Rather than simply evacuating himself, he reportedly helped numerous people escape from the upper floors of the South Tower of the World Trade Center. He repeatedly went back inside of the smoke-filled building to assist others. He became known as “the man with the red bandana” posthumously because he wore a red bandana over his face to protect himself from the smoke and that’s how survivors identified him as they shared stories the days that followed September 11, 2001. Invite your elementary students to learn about Welles Crowther and his heroic acts this upcoming Patriot Day through this biography brochure project. Learn all about it below!

What is the Welles Crowther Biography Brochure Project?
The Welles Crowther Biography Project is a project where students research Welles Crowther’s life and create a trifold biography brochure about him. Students first use guided graphic organizers to take notes about his basic biography, important life events, interesting facts, and accomplishments, and then use those to notes to create the finished brochure.
What Does the Biography Project Include?
The Welles Crowther Project includes the following:
- about this resource guide that walks teachers through the different activities and how to implement them in their elementary classroom
- biography trifold brochure where students publish what they have learned about Welles Crowther
- guided research notes templates where students record their findings about Welles Crowther’s basic biography information, important life events, interesting facts, and accomplishments
Why Teachers Love the Biography Project
Teachers love this Welles Crowther Project for the following reasons:
- The biography research project helps students build research, note-taking, and informational writing skills in a clear, structured way.
- This printable resource is quick and easy to prep – just copy and go!
- Because the graphic organizers are not tied to a specific text or source, teachers can use any books, articles, websites, or classroom materials they already have available.
- This resource includes differentiated templates, so you can meet the needs of your current group of students and continue to use the resource even if you switch grade levels in the future.
- Students are proud of their final brochure and are excited to share it with their families.
Why Students Love the Biography Project
Students love this Welles Crowther Project for the following reasons:
- The biography research project includes structured templates that guide students through the research process, so they can confidently gather all of the specific information they need to complete the project.
- Students enjoy learning about Welles Crowther’s inspiring life.
- They are proud of their final brochure and are excited to share it with their families.
- They appreciate being able to show their learning in a creative way.
- There is a big feeling of accomplishment at the end of the project as students realize how much they learned.
Get the Welles Crowther Biography Project
Check Out All of the Patriot Day Activities
In closing, we hope you found this post about the Welles Crowther biography brochure project helpful. If you did, then you may also be interested in these other posts: