Students get to know each other and the teacher by sharing their favorite things with one another. The Bio Poem provides you with your first writing sample and gives you an idea of each student's vocabulary level.

OBJECTIVE
Students will:

1. Develop collegial relationships with classmates
2. Create a poem about their personal values, wishes, and dreams
3. Introduce two classmates to the rest of the class

MATERIALS

1. Classmate Inventory (PDF)
2. Bio Poem (PDF)
3. Notebook paper
4. Crayons, colored pencils, or markers (optional)

REPRODUCIBLES

1. Classmate Inventory (PDF)
   
2. Bio Poem (PDF)
   

DIRECTIONS
Part 1:

1. Distribute Classmate Inventories to every student.
2. Go over the directions:
   –Write answers in the answer column.
   –After filling in your answers, move around the room and find classmates with answers that match yours.
   –Switch papers with classmates who have a matching answer, then sign each other's papers in the signature column.
   –Each person can only sign your paper ONE time.
3. After about 20 minutes, or when everyone has gathered as many signatures as possible, ask students to be seated.
4. Invite students to take turns standing and introducing two classmates to the class, making sure to mention at least one fact they learned about them during the activity.

Part 2:

1. Distribute the sample Bio Poem to each student.