BIOPOEM
Walk Two Moons
Purpose: “The biopoem follows a pattern that enables writers to synthesize what they
have learned about a person, place, thing, concept, or event under study” (Vacca and
Vacca 362). It also gives them a creative writing opportunity.
Directions: Present students with a sample biopoem and explain the format to them.
Students wouldn’t write their poems until after they have read the majority of the novel
or after they have completed the entire novel, as some characters’ identities and
characteristics aren’t fully revealed until the end of the novel.
The modified format, particularly the last line, allows students to think about how
the character might change in the future.
First name:
4 traits that describe the character:
Relative of:
Lover of: (three things)
Defender of: (three things)
Who fears: (three things)
Who dreams: (three things)
Who tries: (at least one thing)
Future: (occupation)
Full name:
Students could choose any character they like. Creech develops all of the following
characters enough that a bio poem could be written about them. Although for the adults,
the future occupation line could be omitted.
Sal
Gram
Gramps
Phoebe
Ben
Mary Lou Finney
Mrs. Cadavar
Sal’s father
Mr. Birkway
Mr. or Mrs.
Winterbottom
Sal’s mother
Assessment: This will give the teacher an idea of how well the student understands a
particular character in the novel.
Vacca, Richard T. and Jo Anne L. Vacca. Content Area Reading: Literacy and Learning
Across the Curriculum. New York: Pearson Inc, 2002.
Erin Barker 2006
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Sample BIOPOEM
Character: HARRY POTTER
Harry
Brave, unselfish, loyal, and honest,
Son of Lily and James Potter,
Lover of Hogwarts, Hedwig, and his friends,
Defender of good, innocence, and truth,
Who fears death eaters, Voldemort, and losing his friends,
Who dreams of his parents, of defeating Voldemort, and normalcy,
Who tries to save the wizarding world
Future Auror
Harry Potter
Erin Barker 2006
2