Autobiography poem lesson plans

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The institute focused on the development of these themes through poetry, storytelling, art and discussion.

 

 

Summary

This lesson focuses on personal reflection and expression through poetry. Learn how to use a bio poem template to build classroom community from day one.


As a writing teacher, I like to dive into writing right from the start!

The device learned from Ping Chong + Company, called “River Stories,” provides a simple framework for youngsters to write an autobiographical poem while addressing Ohio standards for writing. Sheena skillfully uses this tool during her lesson entitled, Developing Identity through Poetry.

Click here to view/download this lesson plan as a PDF

Inspiration

These activities were inspired by Muse Machine’s 2019 Summer Institute: “Identity, Belonging and Sense of Place,” presented by Ping Chong + Company.

- Jamie S.

  • NOUN PHRASES: This product was helpful for my ELD students! (If you did not attend the Institute, substitute another life-defining experience, place or interest to share.)
  • Teacher will record students’ responses on Clevertouch.
  • Student will open interactive notebooks to next blank page.
  • Teacher will instruct students to construct a 4-square reflection:
    • Words to describe me
    • Wishes/hopes dreams
    • Places with Personal Connections
    • Interests
    • Teacher will model by sharing her own 4-square responses:

    Examples

    • Words to describe me: creative, artistic, silly, quirky
    • Wishes/hopes dreams: “Dr.” Burns, learn piano, students grow up happy/healthy, etc.
    • Places with Personal Connections: Victoria Theatre, Middletown, KY, beach, Lake Norris, Schuster Center
    • Interests: Muse Machine, art, music, theatre, volleyball, teaching, politics
    • Student will be given 5-7 minutes to complete journal.
    • Students will be given 4 minutes to think-pair-share with a partner.

      Next, I show a few bio poem examples using a slide presentation. Life is a story; how will you write your story?

      Prompt

      Look at some samples of biographical poetry

      Hooks

      Group discussion of essential questions (see below)

      Essential Questions

      • What defines who I am?
      • What places do I have a connection with which help to define my identity?
      • What communities do I identify with?

      Resources

      As described under Teacher Needs

      Teacher and Student Performance Tasks

      • Student will begin class by signing into Google Classroom and completing their Weekly Paragraph.
      • Teacher will provide directions for students by reading them from their Weekly Paragraph document.
      • Teacher will review the class’s Community Agreements.
      • Teacher will ask students for any additional items/discussion topics based on Community Agreements.
      • Teacher will ask students:
      • “What defines who you are?”
      • “Do the people you hang out with define who you are?”
      • “Do places help define who you are?”
      • Teacher will share experiences with Muse Machine Summer Institute and how this helped to mold/solidify her identity.

        – Rae E.

      • PLAY-SCRIPT WRITING

    How to Teach Bio Poems the First Week of School

    Bio poems are a fun and creative way to start the school year! These questions help them think about their first name, hobbies, fears, wishes, and more.

    As they work on the draft, I walk around the room to hold informal writing conferences.

    - Patricia O.

  • FICTIONAL STORY WRITING: A great resource for students to practice writing during center. However, a skillful teacher uses many tools to address this kind of challenge. These questions serve as a warm-up before they write on their bio poem planning page. We return to the carpet and host a casual “gallery walk” where students read each other’s poems.


    Some volunteers choose to read their biography poem aloud, while others prefer to display theirs silently.
    We hang them on the bulletin board under a banner that says “Meet Our Class in Poetry.”


    This showcase it’s a celebration of our first week of school and a wonderful way to start building classroom community.


    More Ways to Use Bio Poems in the Classroom


    The fun doesn’t stop in week one.

    Students should discuss their responses and make note of their similarities and differences.

  • Student will take out poetry notebook and label top of page with “Bio Poem” and date.
  • Teacher will instruct students about rules of autobiographical/biographical poetry. Bio poems are so flexible that they can be used throughout the school year in a variety of ways:

    • As part of a creative writing unit
    • During biography units as students write from the perspective of historical figures
    • To explore character traits in literature

    For example, in January, we revisit the bio poem template to write about Martin Luther King Jr.

    It’s a great way to blend writing with social studies.


    What’s Inside the Printable Bio Poem Pack

    If you’re looking for a ready-to-go resource, I have a full bio poem template pack in my TPT store that includes:

    • Multiple bio poem planning pages with prompts
    • Differentiated templates for upper elementary
    • Pre-filled and blank versions
    • Self-portrait drawing sheets
    • Printable bulletin board banner


    It’s the perfect addition to your back-to-school lesson plans or for any time you’re focusing on peer relationships and building classroom culture.


    Bio Poems for the First Week of School


    Bio poems give your class a chance to build community, support struggling readers, and bring creativity into your classroom routine.

    Grab your bio poem template today or save this post to your Pinterest board to come back to it later!

    Check Out Other Ideas for Back-to-School

    • .

    However, during some parts of the assignment some students were off-task; I could implement ‘popsicle sticks’ or randomizer on Class Dojo to get more students participating.

    Modeling the journaling with my ideas seemed to ‘spark’ student writing.

    To make it special, I let students use pens or colored pencils instead of their regular pencil.

    After writing their final draft, students create a self-portrait that represents them. They glue the final bio poem and portrait onto construction paper and tape the rubric on the back.


    Many students add fun accessories or themed backgrounds, which makes the project even more personal.

    Sheena Burns, sixth grade teacher at Northridge Middle School, uses a tool that she gained during the 2019 Muse Machine Summer Institute, to help her students understand and appreciate poetry and how it can help people express their emotions. – Mary Z.

  • ACTIVE VERBS: This is a great resource to include in the binders for future resources.

    autobiography poem lesson plans

    I did not implement ‘think, pair, share’ after student journaling but would implement next time for students to build more connections/community with classmates.

    Students used their journals to help write their autobiographical poem; this seemed to help students have ideas for their poem.