How to Teach Bio Poems the First Week of School

Bio poems are a fun and creative way to start the school year! 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! One way I get this accomplished is by having students complete bio poems and self-portraits.

A bio poem is a form of poetry that follows a predictable pattern and focuses on a person, usually the writer.
It’s a great creative writing activity that even struggling readers can feel confident completing.

This is one of my favorite first week of school writing activities because it builds peer relationships, gets students writing from day one, and gives them an easy way to express who they are.

It also helps me start learning about my students beyond just their names and academic records.

Why Bio Poems Work for Back to School

I’ve tried plenty of icebreakers in the past, but nothing has matched the impact of bio poems paired with self-portraits.

This activity lets students reflect on what makes them unique, and they get to be both artists and writers.
What I love most is that this is not just a quick get-to-know-you worksheet.

It’s structured, meaningful, and the perfect first day of school activity that introduces our writing routine without overwhelming students.

Plus, it sets a positive tone for the beginning of the year by showing students that everyone has a story worth sharing.

Bio Poems Lesson Plans

Step 1: Gathering Ideas and Modeling

To start, I gather students on the carpet and ask questions related to their interests. These questions serve as a warm-up before they write on their bio poem planning page. This quick chat cuts down on the “I don’t know what to write” moments later.

Next, I show a few bio poem examples using a slide presentation. I model the process by reading aloud my own poem and showing a finished project that includes both the bio poem and the self-portrait.

I always include something light-hearted like “Loves strawberry and playing outside” to show it doesn’t have to be serious. This is also a great time to explain that bio poems don’t need to rhyme.

They are simple poems that use a predictable pattern and focus on expressing thoughts and feelings.

Step 2: Drafting the Bio Poem

After the warm-up, students answer a series of personal questions using the bio poem template and planning page. 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. This gives me an early sense of each student’s writing ability and attitude toward writing. It’s also the perfect chance to support struggling readers or those who need extra guidance.

I always start with the writing portion first and move on to the art component last. This gives students a solid draft to build from and allows for deeper reflection.

Step 3: Publishing and Illustrating

Once drafts are finished and edited, it’s time to publish! 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. This final project always becomes one of our most colorful and meaningful displays.

Step 4: Sharing and Displaying the Poems

To wrap up, students share their projects with the class. 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. 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

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• 8 Fun Ways to Review Classroom Routines and Procedures
• Create a Successful Meet the Teacher Night Scavenger Hunt
• 13 Secrets For Making Beautiful Bulletin Boards
• A Quick Guide to CHAMPS: A Classroom Management Strategy