Embedded Files
Type of Literacy Strategy:
Reading Comprehension (post-reading) & Writing (informal and formal writing)
Reading Level:
All Secondary Reading Levels; Based on how the BioPoem is used in the class, students at lower reading levels or ELs might need a differentiated sheet with ideas or a set person to make a poem about so they can work in pairs.
Prep Time:
Depends on depth of use. 5-10 minutes to explain and hand out worksheet.
BioPoems in Use -
BioPoems require “students to think carefully about the content of the text and make inferences about what a [historical figure’s] actions and statements imply” (Fordham, Wellman, & Sandman, 2002, p. 157) and then create a structured poem based on the students understanding and inferences about the subject.
- Have students choose a character or historical figure and create their poem.
- The structure is 11 lines long and goes:
1. First name
2. Four traits that describe character
3. Relative (e.g., brother, sister, mother) of
4. Lover of…(three things or people)
5. Who feels…(three items)
6. Who needs…(three items)
7. Who fears…(three items)
8. Who gives…(three items)
9. Who would like to see…(three items)
10. Resident of…
11. Last name
How to Fit into a Social Studies Classroom:
As the poems are describing a person, there is not just one right answer since there are multiple lines that all come with a varied possibility of descriptions. While this strategy is focused around creative biographies, it can still be adjusted to include economics (consumer vs business or different types of economists), sociology and psychology (theorists or scientists), and politics (either specific people or political groups). All the teacher needs to do is edit the layout of certain lines like line 3, line 4, or line 10, and then the BioPoem can be more fitting for groups as well as individuals.
Google Sites
Report abuse