Objective: Students will create a poem highlighting the background of an historical individual using the Bio-Historical Format. The poem should reflect thought and knowledge of a particular general in the Five Forks Battle.

Materials: Biographical information given to students about particular generals, textbooks, encyclopedias, other informational books, activity sheet, typed or handwritten final draft of poem.

Topics:
Battle of Five Forks generals: Major General Governeur Kemble Warren, General Robert E. Lee, General Fitzhugh Lee, General George E. Pickett, General Thomas L. Rosser, General Thomas Munford, General Ulysses S. Grant, Major General Phillip H.Sheridan, General Joshua L. Chamberlain, General George Meade, General George A. Custer, Major General Bushrod R. Johnson.

Division: The class may be divided into groups, or the poem may be completed individually.

Step One: Read biographical information provided about particular generals present at the battle of Five Forks. Re-read for clarity.

Step Two: Be certain you can decide on the occasion or occasions that made this particular general noteworthy. Decide what this person did that was important at this battle, where and when events occurred, and what kind of personality you think the person had by interpreting what you read and what other people have said about him.

You may wish to check your history textbook or other sources of information. See what the person looked like by finding a picture of him and then write a bio-historical poem about your general. Write a rough draft, edit and proofread, and then write the bio-historical poem in final draft form.

Step Three: Bio-Historical Poem Format

Line1: First and middle name only
Line2: Four traits that describe the person
Line3: Sibling of... Son of... friend of...
Line4: Lover of.... (3 ideas)
Line5: Who felt... (3 items)
Line6: Who needed... (3 items)
Line7: Who gave... (3 items)
Line8: Who feared... (3 items)
Line9: Who wanted to see... (3 items)
Line10: Resident of...
Line11: Last Name only...

Read the biographical information given to you. Re-read for clarity. Read to find important information. What made this person famous? What did this person do to make himself noteworthy? When and where did he do it? What kind of personality do you think this person possesses? Check your textbook and other sources for more information on this person. What do other people say about your person? Look for a picture of this person. Follow the format and write your bio-historical poem.

EXAMPLE:

Bio-Historical Format

Line1: First and middle name only
Line2: Four traits that describe the person
Line3: Sibling of... Son of... friend of...
Line4: Lover of.... (3 ideas)
Line5: Who felt... (3 items)
Line6: Who needed... (3 items)
Line7: Who gave... (3 items)
Line8: Who feared... (3 items)
Line9: Who wanted to see... (3 items)
Line10: Resident of...
Line11: Last Name only...

Try It:

1.___________________________________________________________________________________
2.___________________________________________________________________________________
3.___________________________________________________________________________________
4.____________________________________________________________________________________
5.____________________________________________________________________________________
6.____________________________________________________________________________________
7.____________________________________________________________________________________
8.____________________________________________________________________________________
9.____________________________________________________________________________________
10.___________________________________________________________________________________
11.___________________________________________________________________________________