Foster community in your classroom and encourage learners to get up and get to know each other. Individuals each receive the classmate inventory handout included and use it to fill in information about their fellow scholars. Once they have garnered information, they introduce each other, then write a bio poem about themselves using the template shown. This is a great way to start the year!

Concepts

biographies, breaking the ice, back to school

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Additional Tags

biography, back to school activity, beginning of the year activity, building relationships, ice breaker, english language arts

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Instructional Ideas

• Consider designing your own bio poem, laden with descriptive details and rich language, to offer as a model for your youngsters

Classroom Considerations

• While originally designed for grades nine through twelve, this lesson could easily be implemented into a middle school classroom

Pros

• Incorporates a hands-on, interactive activity with an opportunity for independent writing
• Useful tool for assessing social interaction and communication skills, as well as the writing levels of your learners

Cons

• None