"Psalm Three" by Mahmoud Darwish prompted some inventive responses from the 7th graders. Some explored the actual power or impact of their self-expression, some their inner personalities, and others used the assignment to just set up some wild combinations and comparisons. I asked them to rhyme lines 4 and 8 of their poem (in other words, to rhyme here and there, not every line), which some followed to the letter, and others interpreted their own way. We also talked about Darwish's attention-getting final stanza, where he breaks form, and I asked them to also break form in their final stanza.
###
Mrs. Jamen, Rm. 207, 7th grade
The Life
Kevin Z.
When my words were valuable
I was shining
When my words were wrong
I was death
When my words were hurting
I was steps
When my words were caring
I was loved
And when my words were
a sun…I became a star…
Object Effects
Pamela H.
When my words were a chalkboard,
I was written on.
When my words were a door,
I was slammed.
When my words were a clock,
I was ticking.
When my words were paper in a drawer,
I was jammed.
When my words…
Alejandra R.
When my words
were waterfall
I was dark
When my words
were anger
I was falling
When my words
were quiet
I was loud
When my words
were off mind
I was lost
Then my words
were language
but I didn’t
understand
###
Mr. Czoski, Rm. 209, 7th grade
Untitled
Anai M.
When my words
were clear as glass
I was strong
when my words
were drowning
I was weak
when my words
were blowing in the air
I was wrong
when my words were
“never again”
I took a
stand
Untitled
Valentina G.
When my words were like a book,
you wanted to read it.
When my words were like a
scary movie,
it hurt to watch.
When my words were like a
broken heart,
everyone could feel it.
Untitled
Jeffrey C.
When my words were stone
I was alone.
When my words were heard
I was in control.
When my words were in the field
I was full of joy.
###
Mrs. Bourret, Rm. 208, 7th grade
Untitled
Mayra S.
When my words were dropping
I was understood as a helpless one.
When my words were loud
I was victorious.
When my words were weak
I was lonely.
When my words were proud
I was glorious.
Untitled
Anissa V.
When my words were powerful
I was an inspirator
When my words were nothing
I was a shadow with a host
When my words were believed
I was feared
When my words were dark
I was a haunting ghost
But when my words were me
I finally became the person I
wanted to be
Untitled
Danny M.
When my words were depression
I was sorrow.
When my words were death
I was a spirit.
When my words were disappointment
I was pity.
When my words were success
I was failure.
###
Mrs. Harris, Rm. 210, 7th grade
Criss Cross
Christy Z.
When my words were rain
I was dry
When my words were black
I was lime green
When my words were dry
I was bored
When my words were flying
I was dying
When my words were silent
I was proud
When my words were plastic
I was sugar
When my words were static
I was flatline
However when my words became
weak
my tongue became swollen
Random
Nick C.
When my words were couch
I was busy.
When my words were Sox
I was box.
When my words were books
I was dogs.
When my words were fear
I was fox.
Only when my words were floor
I was roller coaster.
My Words
Xavier C.
When my words were heavy metal
I was famous
When my words were solid
I was hollow
When my words were nasty
I was outrageous
When my words were awesome
I was followed
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Haiku prep: In This Moment (8th grade)
Richard Wright wound a fairly traditional approach to haiku around topics like poverty, urban and rural life, sickness and death, race, and innocence. We read a selection of 14 of his haiku, and I had each student memorize one. We then discussed the themes that Wright seemed to be concerned with, and traced them as they appeared in these selections. After that, I asked the students to complete a freewrite, using the prompt "In this moment," describing scenes that were or could be happening "in this moment." I emphasized that they must write constantly until I told them to stop, and not even to pause for thought or to fix a mistake.
I usually don't post pre-writing, but in this case, I thought it might be interesting to see the process. Notice the strategies that some students employed in order to keep moving when they had "run out" of ideas. I also noticed that some of the stronger, wilder images came through during the second half of writing, as the students unplugged and became looser. As these are going to be turned into haiku, many of the fevered and intense lines that these kids pumped out as I told them how many minutes they had left will, by necessity, be cut and perhaps not appear elsewhere. I post these selections here unedited, as they were written, not as poetry necessarily, but to give you an idea of the landscape and raw material that the students draw from.
###
Mr. Stalla, Rm. 201, 8th grade
Carina A.
In this moment
baby sister
watching TV
eating fruit loops
laughing
In this moment
I’m thinking
bored
wondering
do other people feel
the same way?
In this moment
trees’ leaves
yellow
to none
In this moment
red books
being opened
In this moment
quiet
filled with thoughts
In this moment
mom
cooking
wondering
are my kids OK?
In this moment
snow losing its
white shine
with dirt.
In this moment
with a city so loud
cars, trucks,
factories
no one can hear
the leaves fall.
Adrian C.
A man is in a factory
working a giant machine
Getting tired
Thinking of home
Thinking of his wife
wondering about her little girl
seeing every living being work
minding their business
making a living
Colors dark and light
everything is grey
rain is pouring darkness
sorrow is sad as blood is red
someone just passed
Black is worn around
winter comes in pearls of white snow
Everything is white slightly looking blue
Everywhere I go the wind is whishing
I hear people talking Sound is the best.
people arguing
kids playing in the sand
the sound of waves crashing
Raul G.
In this moment my brother, downtown, driving
a train, the CTA is where he works.
In this moment people are freezing outside
in the cold.
In this moment there are car wrecks
because of the icy roads.
In this moment people are dying because of
the rain, the cold, the homeless, the poor.
In this moment children have nowhere to
stay, nowhere to be warm.
In this moment I am safe.
In this moment the beautiful white snow
is turned black by the nasty dirt.
In this moment the girl with the
brown hair is thinking about the boy in
the black shirt.
In this moment there is no sound just
silence outside everyone is afraid to go
out.
In this moment there are bombs exploding.
In this moment there are children
and families crying.
In this moment there is pain.
###
Mr. Balcazar, Rm. 203, 8th grade
Cesar A.
In this moment garbage is all I think about
my cousin is in the skatepark the sound of the
wheels smacking the ground the sound of cars
passing by the park the color of the skateboard
black the ramp is brown like wood
Amirany L.
In this moment I’m bored
in this moment my dad is working
in this moment my dad is cold
in this moment there is pollution
in this moment my mom is sleeping
in this moment can’t wait ‘til
soccer practice
in this moment I have no idea
what else to write
in this moment I have to
keep writing
in this moment I like poetry. In
this moment I have 30 seconds
to keep writing.
In this moment I’m done.
In this moment I hear a voice.
In this moment I hear knuckles crack.
I hear footsteps around me.
I hear a car slam on the
brakes.
I hear a boom or crash by
the streetlight.
I hear mom mom saying, “I told
chu so.”
I hear I have 30 sec.
I feel like my hand is
gonna fall.
I have black hair.
I have black shoes.
I see the sky is gray.
A stormy gray day.
I see a black-haired guy.
I see my mood is gray.
I see my bracelet is purple.
I see I’m wearing white.
Jaime S.
In this moment I think about what life
is going to be like when I get older.
What is going to happen to me, what job will
I have, am I gonna have good money. Bad job
and have to pay a lot of bills for the rest of my
life. The only way to have a good life
is to go to school and have an education.
In this moment I hear myself, “Why am I
doing this, do I enjoy doing the things I
do,” that’s what I hear but I know I can
change and will try to change.
In this moment I see white snow, I look at
it as it falls down the sky and as soon as
it finishes falling. I go to my friend’s house and
have a snowball fight.
###
Miss Catinella, Rm. 202, 8th grade
Samantha N.
In this moment,
some people are being way too free,
others at work.
In this moment,
new songs are being written by new and old artists.
In this moment,
the world is “going down, in an earlier round”
Too many wars being fought, with child soldiers
In this moment,
someone is writing to someone important,
telling them to send someone to Africa to stop
the war.
In this moment,
a band is thinking about how to move forward.
In this moment,
the people in charge are letting us down.
In this moment,
people I know are being lame,
probably laughing like crazy,
because that’s the way they are.
In this moment,
the DJ headphones blast music so loud,
the “A&R” guy’s phone is ringing again,
people wanting his help once more.
In this moment,
he answers the phone
and he helps them,
in this moment.
In this moment,
green eyes are staring at a tree,
the green leaves give inspiration.
In this moment,
green eyes stare at a stage, watching the bassist.
Victor O.
In this moment I want
to go to sleep I wish I
was at my house asleep in
my warm bed. In this moment
soldiers are fighting Iraq
for my freedom while I’m
just falling asleep during
class, while I listen to kids
in my room laugh and I
hear kids writing I want
to go to Disneyland and
having some fun with my
family…
In this moment I
hear cars moving down
the street I hear
buses I hear rain
falling I hear the air
conditioner
I see a blue whale
in a blue sea, coming
up for fresh air
Alla Z.
In this moment
I am in school
doing some work my mom
is at home waiting for us to go
home. In this moment outside looks
beautiful, the trees flowing with the wind. The
snow covering everything in its path.
The clock is going slow, I can’t wait until
I am out of here.
I hear the sound of pencils writing
on a paper, your shoes tapping on the floor.
In this moment, the sound of leaf falling on the ground.
The green board waiting for someone to
write on it. The blue door of the classroom
waiting for us to leave.
###
Ms. Fenton, Rm. 204, 8th grade
Edwin R.
At this time I am thinking
about when I used to
live at my old house
and how it was so scary
at New Year’s because you
would not know if the guns
are shooting or the fireworks.
At this time I am hearing
the gunshots and fireworks
mixed together and hearing -----
breaking people scream outside it
could be someone born
themselves or they got shot?
At this time I see the
fireworks in
the sky and little fireworks
at the floor for a doubt
I see but it can be
a gunshot.
Name Withheld
In this moment my
aunt is at home with the baby
making food and the TV is
on. The baby is watching
Channel 11 or she is on
her rocking horse
having fun. The smell is the
food and it smells
like milk from the baby.
My aunt has the
pot boiling waiting for her
boyfriend to come home from
work and see how his day
went. She might decide on
going to my grandparents’
house seeing if anybody is
home and wants to see how
they’re doing.
In this moment I
can hear pounding noises outside
my door. I hear a
pot steaming on the
stove. The washing machine
is going round and round
and you can hear it
washing. You can hear the
static coming from the
TV because the movie is
over. You can hear the stairs
creak when someone’s going up
the stairs.
In this moment
I can see green trees with
little yellow lemons growing
in the tree. I can see
shoes the color
of a rainbow.
Jasmine R.
In this moment I can picture kids
playing outside with snowballs.
The things I hear is kids laughing
kids saying, “I’m going to get
you,” and I know they feel
that coldness rushing past their
faces. And they scream and it’s
wintertime.
In this moment I hear voices
all around me I hear the teachers
talking in the other rooms I
can hear the wind on the other
side of the window school I said
with everything rushing around
me.
In this moment I see white
because the walls all around
me are that color I see blue
because all students are wearing
blue.
I usually don't post pre-writing, but in this case, I thought it might be interesting to see the process. Notice the strategies that some students employed in order to keep moving when they had "run out" of ideas. I also noticed that some of the stronger, wilder images came through during the second half of writing, as the students unplugged and became looser. As these are going to be turned into haiku, many of the fevered and intense lines that these kids pumped out as I told them how many minutes they had left will, by necessity, be cut and perhaps not appear elsewhere. I post these selections here unedited, as they were written, not as poetry necessarily, but to give you an idea of the landscape and raw material that the students draw from.
###
Mr. Stalla, Rm. 201, 8th grade
Carina A.
In this moment
baby sister
watching TV
eating fruit loops
laughing
In this moment
I’m thinking
bored
wondering
do other people feel
the same way?
In this moment
trees’ leaves
yellow
to none
In this moment
red books
being opened
In this moment
quiet
filled with thoughts
In this moment
mom
cooking
wondering
are my kids OK?
In this moment
snow losing its
white shine
with dirt.
In this moment
with a city so loud
cars, trucks,
factories
no one can hear
the leaves fall.
Adrian C.
A man is in a factory
working a giant machine
Getting tired
Thinking of home
Thinking of his wife
wondering about her little girl
seeing every living being work
minding their business
making a living
Colors dark and light
everything is grey
rain is pouring darkness
sorrow is sad as blood is red
someone just passed
Black is worn around
winter comes in pearls of white snow
Everything is white slightly looking blue
Everywhere I go the wind is whishing
I hear people talking Sound is the best.
people arguing
kids playing in the sand
the sound of waves crashing
Raul G.
In this moment my brother, downtown, driving
a train, the CTA is where he works.
In this moment people are freezing outside
in the cold.
In this moment there are car wrecks
because of the icy roads.
In this moment people are dying because of
the rain, the cold, the homeless, the poor.
In this moment children have nowhere to
stay, nowhere to be warm.
In this moment I am safe.
In this moment the beautiful white snow
is turned black by the nasty dirt.
In this moment the girl with the
brown hair is thinking about the boy in
the black shirt.
In this moment there is no sound just
silence outside everyone is afraid to go
out.
In this moment there are bombs exploding.
In this moment there are children
and families crying.
In this moment there is pain.
###
Mr. Balcazar, Rm. 203, 8th grade
Cesar A.
In this moment garbage is all I think about
my cousin is in the skatepark the sound of the
wheels smacking the ground the sound of cars
passing by the park the color of the skateboard
black the ramp is brown like wood
Amirany L.
In this moment I’m bored
in this moment my dad is working
in this moment my dad is cold
in this moment there is pollution
in this moment my mom is sleeping
in this moment can’t wait ‘til
soccer practice
in this moment I have no idea
what else to write
in this moment I have to
keep writing
in this moment I like poetry. In
this moment I have 30 seconds
to keep writing.
In this moment I’m done.
In this moment I hear a voice.
In this moment I hear knuckles crack.
I hear footsteps around me.
I hear a car slam on the
brakes.
I hear a boom or crash by
the streetlight.
I hear mom mom saying, “I told
chu so.”
I hear I have 30 sec.
I feel like my hand is
gonna fall.
I have black hair.
I have black shoes.
I see the sky is gray.
A stormy gray day.
I see a black-haired guy.
I see my mood is gray.
I see my bracelet is purple.
I see I’m wearing white.
Jaime S.
In this moment I think about what life
is going to be like when I get older.
What is going to happen to me, what job will
I have, am I gonna have good money. Bad job
and have to pay a lot of bills for the rest of my
life. The only way to have a good life
is to go to school and have an education.
In this moment I hear myself, “Why am I
doing this, do I enjoy doing the things I
do,” that’s what I hear but I know I can
change and will try to change.
In this moment I see white snow, I look at
it as it falls down the sky and as soon as
it finishes falling. I go to my friend’s house and
have a snowball fight.
###
Miss Catinella, Rm. 202, 8th grade
Samantha N.
In this moment,
some people are being way too free,
others at work.
In this moment,
new songs are being written by new and old artists.
In this moment,
the world is “going down, in an earlier round”
Too many wars being fought, with child soldiers
In this moment,
someone is writing to someone important,
telling them to send someone to Africa to stop
the war.
In this moment,
a band is thinking about how to move forward.
In this moment,
the people in charge are letting us down.
In this moment,
people I know are being lame,
probably laughing like crazy,
because that’s the way they are.
In this moment,
the DJ headphones blast music so loud,
the “A&R” guy’s phone is ringing again,
people wanting his help once more.
In this moment,
he answers the phone
and he helps them,
in this moment.
In this moment,
green eyes are staring at a tree,
the green leaves give inspiration.
In this moment,
green eyes stare at a stage, watching the bassist.
Victor O.
In this moment I want
to go to sleep I wish I
was at my house asleep in
my warm bed. In this moment
soldiers are fighting Iraq
for my freedom while I’m
just falling asleep during
class, while I listen to kids
in my room laugh and I
hear kids writing I want
to go to Disneyland and
having some fun with my
family…
In this moment I
hear cars moving down
the street I hear
buses I hear rain
falling I hear the air
conditioner
I see a blue whale
in a blue sea, coming
up for fresh air
Alla Z.
In this moment
I am in school
doing some work my mom
is at home waiting for us to go
home. In this moment outside looks
beautiful, the trees flowing with the wind. The
snow covering everything in its path.
The clock is going slow, I can’t wait until
I am out of here.
I hear the sound of pencils writing
on a paper, your shoes tapping on the floor.
In this moment, the sound of leaf falling on the ground.
The green board waiting for someone to
write on it. The blue door of the classroom
waiting for us to leave.
###
Ms. Fenton, Rm. 204, 8th grade
Edwin R.
At this time I am thinking
about when I used to
live at my old house
and how it was so scary
at New Year’s because you
would not know if the guns
are shooting or the fireworks.
At this time I am hearing
the gunshots and fireworks
mixed together and hearing -----
breaking people scream outside it
could be someone born
themselves or they got shot?
At this time I see the
fireworks in
the sky and little fireworks
at the floor for a doubt
I see but it can be
a gunshot.
Name Withheld
In this moment my
aunt is at home with the baby
making food and the TV is
on. The baby is watching
Channel 11 or she is on
her rocking horse
having fun. The smell is the
food and it smells
like milk from the baby.
My aunt has the
pot boiling waiting for her
boyfriend to come home from
work and see how his day
went. She might decide on
going to my grandparents’
house seeing if anybody is
home and wants to see how
they’re doing.
In this moment I
can hear pounding noises outside
my door. I hear a
pot steaming on the
stove. The washing machine
is going round and round
and you can hear it
washing. You can hear the
static coming from the
TV because the movie is
over. You can hear the stairs
creak when someone’s going up
the stairs.
In this moment
I can see green trees with
little yellow lemons growing
in the tree. I can see
shoes the color
of a rainbow.
Jasmine R.
In this moment I can picture kids
playing outside with snowballs.
The things I hear is kids laughing
kids saying, “I’m going to get
you,” and I know they feel
that coldness rushing past their
faces. And they scream and it’s
wintertime.
In this moment I hear voices
all around me I hear the teachers
talking in the other rooms I
can hear the wind on the other
side of the window school I said
with everything rushing around
me.
In this moment I see white
because the walls all around
me are that color I see blue
because all students are wearing
blue.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Daisy Faces? Snow Voices? (7th grade)
Below you'll see some more samples of the personification poems inspired by reading Cisneros and O'Hara. We spent another week on this, editing and finishing up. You'll see Miguel's poem below, in a revised draft, which is a little longer and uses line and stanza breaks. In other cases new material was generated.
###
###
Mrs. Jamen, Rm. 207, 7th grade
The Cars that Never Stop
Miguel M.
I see the cars
from my window
I seem them running
like people run
during a race.
I see their wheels
moving fast like
if they were
human legs trying
to be the first
ones to get to
their destination.
I ask them if they
are tired of
running all day
trying to be the
first ones to get
where they can
rest for some time
but they said they
like going from
one place to another
because that’s what
they know to do.
The Daisies Through My Window
Daisy H.
The daisies through my window
with the colors of the rainbow
talk to me with understanding.
I feel like we are combining.
The daisies move their hands around
trying to explain to me what is around.
Their petals around their faces
bring a smile to my face.
Although they are on the ground,
I feel them go all around,
I feel a connection between us.
Now it’s only one of us.
The Stars I Saw
Lorybeth A.
What I saw outside my
window would be the stars.
The stars looking at me and I
at them. In the middle of the
night. My eyes were shiny looking
at the stars. They looked like diamonds
that I saw from my mom’s
hand.
###
Mr. Czoski, Rm. 209, 7th grade
Snow
Pedro G.
When I look out the window
I see my garage snow dead
leaves. And a 50-foot tree
with the AC boxes and my
little niece’s Escalade
stuck with snow in it and
out of it my lawn
mower. And the snow is
telling me, “I wish you a merry
Christmas.” And
it makes
me
happy.
Joel
Joel V.
“Good morning, Joel, good morning!
Wake up, you can sleep all you
want when you die,” says the wind.
”No, I’m too tired!”
“No? Wake up!! It’s time to
survive.”
I look out the shattered window
at the decaying streets.
The Stars
Susy G.
Stars twinkle in the
darkness. They lead you
wherever you want to
go!
feeling like you’re getting lost.
But that is the
only thing leading you home.
###
Mrs. Harris, Rm. 210, 7th grade
House
Jose A.
The house was really mad yesterday.
I know why, he told me why, he
said he hates when people go inside
his mouth, he said he especially
hates the kid who smells and
tastes like cookies and dirt (my cousin),
and hates the women in his
stomach who gossip about each
other behind their backs (my aunts),
and those men in his lungs
who keep arguing about
the rules of poker and
whose breaths smell like beer (my uncles),
he says he sometimes wonders:
was he chose ’cause he was the only
one that was right or ’cause he was
the only one left, but sometimes
I wonder that too.
Moon
Daniela
The moon that stays in
the same place and watches
me through my window,
I noticed that he’s
kind of lonely.
He needs a homie.
Today I left my shade open
and my window so he knows
that I’m here, to chill with.
So know he’s not that lonely.
The Yellow Brick
Jose M.
The yellow brick road as it
stands with nothing to
do. It used to be
yellow, all you see
is graffiti all over it, just a
piece of art as it just
stands, cross and candles,
the cross has the names
of the people who died
on the yellow brick road.
The yellow brick road as
it stands with nothing to do.
Singing personality: more personification (6th grade, rm. 109)
We spent a second week revising our personification poems, which gives me a chance to showcase more of them! The below poems are from Mrs. Hernandez' 6th grade class in room 109.
###
White Snow
Miguel G.
Snow is cold not
warm but very cold looks like
many squished marshmallows all outside
walk outside up to my ankles
all white but not as bright kids are
not hoping for
sunshine.
Star
Samuel N.
Once in the night sky a star
came down from the sky and it had
singing personality and let me turn into
a star and fly high up in the sky and then
I fall down down into the clouds which
were my bed and "Good night, star," I said. As I
went to bed.
The Paper Trip
Yaneliz R.
I write on the paper.
It talks to me. It is telling
me about his trip, how
he used to be a tree. "They
cut me up to pieces until I
was paper," the paper said.
"What a trip! Did it
hurt?" I asked.
"Sure it didn't, I am
very strong and powerful," the
paper said.
"Are you sure?" I
asked.
"Sure I'm sure! When
I say something I mean it."
The paper had finished his story.
###
White Snow
Miguel G.
Snow is cold not
warm but very cold looks like
many squished marshmallows all outside
walk outside up to my ankles
all white but not as bright kids are
not hoping for
sunshine.
Star
Samuel N.
Once in the night sky a star
came down from the sky and it had
singing personality and let me turn into
a star and fly high up in the sky and then
I fall down down into the clouds which
were my bed and "Good night, star," I said. As I
went to bed.
The Paper Trip
Yaneliz R.
I write on the paper.
It talks to me. It is telling
me about his trip, how
he used to be a tree. "They
cut me up to pieces until I
was paper," the paper said.
"What a trip! Did it
hurt?" I asked.
"Sure it didn't, I am
very strong and powerful," the
paper said.
"Are you sure?" I
asked.
"Sure I'm sure! When
I say something I mean it."
The paper had finished his story.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Personification a la O'Hara and Cisneros--6th grade
Here are a few more of those poems featuring personification, inspired by Frank O'Hare and Sandra Cisneros, by Mrs. Hernandez's 6th grade class in Room 109.
###
Moon
Daisy A.
Black the sky is.
The white moon flashes through the black.
Round eyes, curved mouth, solid as a stone.
Talk to me, moon, day and weeks I
waited. I reach to touch but I'm too
far. I got to bed as soon as it's pitch
black, I see your white eye blink.
A Lonely Car
Vanessa A.
I look out my window. I see a
car. A car with blue skin. A car
who's overweight. A car with four
legs, who runs all day long. A car
with feelings. Who's always sad
and never happy. He talks to
me with no words but tears.
No one sees to understand him but
me. I go outside and comfort
the car. When he is sad I am
sad. When he cries I cry. I ask
him, "What's wrong?" He tells me
he's lonely. I tell him, "I'm here,
I'm here."
My Garage
Miguel A.
My garage opens his mouth and sticks
out his tongue.
I look at it for a long time until
his tongue drives away.
My sister screams, "Stop looking
at the dumb garage."
I say, "Shut up!" and she does.
My garage starts talking. It says,
"Be nice to your brothers and
sisters."
I ask why.
He says, "What if you want them
to be nice to you?"
"Oh, right," I say.
"Then why do you pour gas
on your brother, the yard?"
Windy Night
Miguel G.
I heard a screech at my window.
The windy city is living up to its
name tonight. Very windy, not
completely peaceful as I thought
it would be tonight. "I must ask
you something," said the tree. He
is scared, like when you watch
a very scary movie at night. "May I
use a jacket? I am freezy." Planes
passing, trains running, and trees are
screaming of windows.
###
Moon
Daisy A.
Black the sky is.
The white moon flashes through the black.
Round eyes, curved mouth, solid as a stone.
Talk to me, moon, day and weeks I
waited. I reach to touch but I'm too
far. I got to bed as soon as it's pitch
black, I see your white eye blink.
A Lonely Car
Vanessa A.
I look out my window. I see a
car. A car with blue skin. A car
who's overweight. A car with four
legs, who runs all day long. A car
with feelings. Who's always sad
and never happy. He talks to
me with no words but tears.
No one sees to understand him but
me. I go outside and comfort
the car. When he is sad I am
sad. When he cries I cry. I ask
him, "What's wrong?" He tells me
he's lonely. I tell him, "I'm here,
I'm here."
My Garage
Miguel A.
My garage opens his mouth and sticks
out his tongue.
I look at it for a long time until
his tongue drives away.
My sister screams, "Stop looking
at the dumb garage."
I say, "Shut up!" and she does.
My garage starts talking. It says,
"Be nice to your brothers and
sisters."
I ask why.
He says, "What if you want them
to be nice to you?"
"Oh, right," I say.
"Then why do you pour gas
on your brother, the yard?"
Windy Night
Miguel G.
I heard a screech at my window.
The windy city is living up to its
name tonight. Very windy, not
completely peaceful as I thought
it would be tonight. "I must ask
you something," said the tree. He
is scared, like when you watch
a very scary movie at night. "May I
use a jacket? I am freezy." Planes
passing, trains running, and trees are
screaming of windows.
Windowpane Personification -- 7th grade
I shared two poems with the students, both that had speakers who observed something from their bedroom window, and used personification to help describe this thing, and found some inspiration from it as well. We read and discussed "Four Skinny Trees/Cuatro arboles flaquititos" by Sandra Cisneros, and "A True Account of Talking to the Sun on Fire Island" by Frank O'Hara, before we wrote our own window poems, where I asked them to choose a non-human item they can see from their window and use personification to describe it. More specifically, I encouraged them to envision a conversation beteween themselves and this thing (similar to Frank and the sun in "A True Account").
###
Mrs. Jamen, Rm. 207, 7th grade
A Promising Star
Paola S.
I was falling asleep
when a tiny little voice yelled, "Come out!"
I arose sleepily and opened my door.
I went outside to my porch.
"Where are you?!" I yelled.
"Look up here!" a glitter fell on my head.
"Now look, I've been sent to give
you an important message."
I was trying to look at it but its shiny
mouth kept hurting my delicate eyes.
"I've heard you have been getting in
trouble, making bad decisions."
It was short but wide arms pointed at
me.
"Yes, see lately I don't know what to
do, I'm confused, I don't know how to
make my own choices."
I couldn't help it, my eyes
were watery.
"Look, I promise, just follow your
heart and it will guide you to
a good path."
Estrella
Daniela G.
Una estrella en la noche
brillaba como nunca,
y decide hacerla mi
amiga. Ella siempre
me escucha lo que tengo
que contar aunque sea
tan aburrido que hasta
yo misma me quedo
dormida pero para ella
no importa porque es
mi mas grande amiga.
The Cars That Never Stop
Miguel M.
I see the cars from my window.
I see them running like
people run during a race.
I see their wheels moving
fast like they were human
legs trying to be the
first ones to get to their
destination. I ask them if
they are tired of running
all day trying to be the
first ones to get where they
can rest for some time
but they said they
like going from one place
to another because that's
what they know to do.
###
Mr. Czoski, Rm. 209, 7th grade
Grass
Cynthia S.
I see the grass very dark.
It said, “I feel so lonely. Nobody
pays attention. They step
on like I don’t have feelings.”
“That’s exactly how I feel,” I said.
“I like when the kids play
on, especially soccer,” said the grass.
“Don’t let your emotions
take control of you. You have to be
very strong,” told me,
the grass.
The Stubborn Car
Louis B.
the cars were running by
yelling in their deep voices
I yell back “be quiet out there”
it ignores me
I yell it again
the car behind it tells it to listen to me
the car tells me “forget you”
I throw a toy car at it
the car blows its exhaust at me
I scream “stupid car”
then I shut my window
Moon
Jesus Jacquez
The moon is very bright at night
the moon comes down and shines on me
and tells me, “What’s wrong?”
“I got an F on my test.”
The moon told me, “Keep studying.”
“I do study,” I said.
“Then go to school and study there
and tell the teacher what you need
help on,” said the moon.
“O.K.” I said.
“O.K., bye,
I have to rise down so the sun
can come up.”
“Bye,” I said.
###
Mrs. Bourret, Rm. 208, 7th grade
Moon
Stephanie G.
Moon—the moon talks
to me and tells
me things like, “Be
confident.” And I
tell it, “How?” And it says,
“Figure it out yourself. You
know how. Just try. YOU
CAN DO IT.”
The moon talks
to me every night when
everyone is sleeping.
The more I grow
up, I’m more confident.
Her name is LALA because
she sings to make people
go to sleep. When she
sings I fall asleep and
become more confident.
Untitled
Emilio R.
I could hear the wind talk
to the tree. I hear swift words.
I hear the tree rumble in the
darkness…I hear what I can’t see.
Houses
Cristian G.
When I saw my neighborhood
it seemed like family.
Being all together,
watching each other.
When the curtains open and
close, it’s looking at someone.
Your neighbors coming out the
house and cleaning up the house.
They give you protection by
keeping you in the house.
Thank you, house,
for keeping me safe,
and I will thank you back.
###
Mrs. Harris, Rm. 210, 7th grade
The Beautiful Stars
Ashley C.
I look out the window and I
see the stars. I’m talking to
my friend on the phone but I don’t
really pay attention. I just stare.
I hope they don’t mind that I stare. They’re
just so beautiful. I tell my
friend I will talk to her
later because I don’t want
her to tell me something
important and I won’t
be paying attention. So then
I stare and wonder, they’re so
far away, yet they glow as
if they were a new light bulb that
just turned on. So I sneak outside
and lay on the cold and wet
grass but I don’t care, there just
lay and stare, the stars so
amazing and they’re so nice and
generous, they show their talent
by giving me a show. The best
thing: they don’t talk, but they sing.
The Fence
Janan A.
“Ya!” it said as I walked by it. “Why
don’t you close me? I am always
standing here to keep your house safe.
And you don’t close me?” “Sorry,” I say,
“I forget sometimes.” “Well, you can’t
forget,” it says. “You don’t know how
it feels standing out here in the
cold nights. And in the melting
summers. Why don’t you try
standing out here with me just
this one night?” it says. “Please!”
So I stay. And the next day
I leave and close the gate. With
a smile.
Wind
Dalia C.
It stands there with no reasoning.
The wind blows,
but it still stays in its place.
The grass says nothing.
###
Mrs. Jamen, Rm. 207, 7th grade
A Promising Star
Paola S.
I was falling asleep
when a tiny little voice yelled, "Come out!"
I arose sleepily and opened my door.
I went outside to my porch.
"Where are you?!" I yelled.
"Look up here!" a glitter fell on my head.
"Now look, I've been sent to give
you an important message."
I was trying to look at it but its shiny
mouth kept hurting my delicate eyes.
"I've heard you have been getting in
trouble, making bad decisions."
It was short but wide arms pointed at
me.
"Yes, see lately I don't know what to
do, I'm confused, I don't know how to
make my own choices."
I couldn't help it, my eyes
were watery.
"Look, I promise, just follow your
heart and it will guide you to
a good path."
Estrella
Daniela G.
Una estrella en la noche
brillaba como nunca,
y decide hacerla mi
amiga. Ella siempre
me escucha lo que tengo
que contar aunque sea
tan aburrido que hasta
yo misma me quedo
dormida pero para ella
no importa porque es
mi mas grande amiga.
The Cars That Never Stop
Miguel M.
I see the cars from my window.
I see them running like
people run during a race.
I see their wheels moving
fast like they were human
legs trying to be the
first ones to get to their
destination. I ask them if
they are tired of running
all day trying to be the
first ones to get where they
can rest for some time
but they said they
like going from one place
to another because that's
what they know to do.
###
Mr. Czoski, Rm. 209, 7th grade
Grass
Cynthia S.
I see the grass very dark.
It said, “I feel so lonely. Nobody
pays attention. They step
on like I don’t have feelings.”
“That’s exactly how I feel,” I said.
“I like when the kids play
on, especially soccer,” said the grass.
“Don’t let your emotions
take control of you. You have to be
very strong,” told me,
the grass.
The Stubborn Car
Louis B.
the cars were running by
yelling in their deep voices
I yell back “be quiet out there”
it ignores me
I yell it again
the car behind it tells it to listen to me
the car tells me “forget you”
I throw a toy car at it
the car blows its exhaust at me
I scream “stupid car”
then I shut my window
Moon
Jesus Jacquez
The moon is very bright at night
the moon comes down and shines on me
and tells me, “What’s wrong?”
“I got an F on my test.”
The moon told me, “Keep studying.”
“I do study,” I said.
“Then go to school and study there
and tell the teacher what you need
help on,” said the moon.
“O.K.” I said.
“O.K., bye,
I have to rise down so the sun
can come up.”
“Bye,” I said.
###
Mrs. Bourret, Rm. 208, 7th grade
Moon
Stephanie G.
Moon—the moon talks
to me and tells
me things like, “Be
confident.” And I
tell it, “How?” And it says,
“Figure it out yourself. You
know how. Just try. YOU
CAN DO IT.”
The moon talks
to me every night when
everyone is sleeping.
The more I grow
up, I’m more confident.
Her name is LALA because
she sings to make people
go to sleep. When she
sings I fall asleep and
become more confident.
Untitled
Emilio R.
I could hear the wind talk
to the tree. I hear swift words.
I hear the tree rumble in the
darkness…I hear what I can’t see.
Houses
Cristian G.
When I saw my neighborhood
it seemed like family.
Being all together,
watching each other.
When the curtains open and
close, it’s looking at someone.
Your neighbors coming out the
house and cleaning up the house.
They give you protection by
keeping you in the house.
Thank you, house,
for keeping me safe,
and I will thank you back.
###
Mrs. Harris, Rm. 210, 7th grade
The Beautiful Stars
Ashley C.
I look out the window and I
see the stars. I’m talking to
my friend on the phone but I don’t
really pay attention. I just stare.
I hope they don’t mind that I stare. They’re
just so beautiful. I tell my
friend I will talk to her
later because I don’t want
her to tell me something
important and I won’t
be paying attention. So then
I stare and wonder, they’re so
far away, yet they glow as
if they were a new light bulb that
just turned on. So I sneak outside
and lay on the cold and wet
grass but I don’t care, there just
lay and stare, the stars so
amazing and they’re so nice and
generous, they show their talent
by giving me a show. The best
thing: they don’t talk, but they sing.
The Fence
Janan A.
“Ya!” it said as I walked by it. “Why
don’t you close me? I am always
standing here to keep your house safe.
And you don’t close me?” “Sorry,” I say,
“I forget sometimes.” “Well, you can’t
forget,” it says. “You don’t know how
it feels standing out here in the
cold nights. And in the melting
summers. Why don’t you try
standing out here with me just
this one night?” it says. “Please!”
So I stay. And the next day
I leave and close the gate. With
a smile.
Wind
Dalia C.
It stands there with no reasoning.
The wind blows,
but it still stays in its place.
The grass says nothing.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Fear: a further poetic exploration--8th grade
After reading and discussing the fear cento poems with the 8th grade classesI asked the students to take one line from their class poem and explore it a little further, using it as the first line of their own poem. They could choose one of their own lines or someone else's. Here are the interesting results.
###
Mr. Stalla, Rm. 201
The Darkness
Jacqueline L.
I fear the darkness under my bed
where someone or something could
be hiding.
I fear it because you never know
when something might pop out
It could grab hold of your leg
and pull you in
It would have you as a midnight
snack on the way to the bathroom
I would feel the creepy crawlers
as I hide under my covers
They would slowly forget me and
the day I disappeared
It was all because I could not
open my eyes and turn on the lights
Untitled
Yoseline M.
I fear walking alone in the dark street
where there’s no light.
No hope, nobody to lean on.
Hear cars pass me by like a dog
on the side of the street with no owner,
lost in the world.
Dark.
I Fear the World Might End Soon
Victor R.
We are all going to die.
Humanity will cease to exist.
Our hopes and dreams will be gone.
Disaster and chaos everywhere.
Nature and beauty gone.
No one to learn.
No one to learn from.
Fire and rocks are the only things left.
No more summer nights.
No more friendship or kindness.
###
Mr. Balcazar, Rm. 203
Rage
Christian E.
I fear the rage inside when it comes out
destroying and messing with everything
in sight. The rage can only be controlled
with PIE. Apple pie.
The warm inviting smell calms the
rage down. With the rage calmed down
I can rest once again.
Luis F.
I fear the dark, it's like a hole in the world,
walking into the basement, pitch dark
thinking there's someone everywhere you look,
hearing noises inside your head,
frantically looking for the light switch.
You see someone walking up to you.
You turn on the light,
a sigh of relief, you look
around, there is nothing.
Yocelin J.
I fear the grade F on the paper in front of me
people making fun of you
teacher's disappointment
B honor roll to nothing
feeling dumb
getting mad
fear going home with that paper
###
Ms. Catinella, Rm. 202
Oscar V.
I fear dying young,
not accomplishing what I want in life,
not seeing things I want to see,
not having a family.
Mariana D.
I fear dark alleys
where there are things that lurk at night
eyes looking at me
noises from behind
not knowing what could happen
something coming
look behind nothing there
Corina S.
I am afraid of not getting
through the gates, and getting sent
down. To lose my chance of being in
peace. To keep my fear in me, it is hard,
but to lose it is harder.
###
Ms. Fenton, Rm. 204
Marcos P.
I fear not making it to the majors
because I might suck at it and
I'll be the worst player in
the team. Then they'll send
me to minor leaguers and will
only pay me very little but
I also fear if I'm the
best, everyone will
hate me and the
team trades me
to the
Chicago Cubs.
Even though the Sox are better.
GO SOX!
Alex S.
I fear my mouth, what it says.
I want to say the right things.
I don't want to be wrong.
I don't want to hurt people with
what I say.
I don't want people to get mad.
I don't want to get in trouble
with what comes out of my mouth.
I want to stop swearing at people
who I shouldn't.
I Fear What I Fear
Frank M.
I fear what I fear. I can't
even figure out what it is that
I fear. I fear something everyone
fears, something I need
to find out what it is that
I fear. I don't fear monsters.
If I only knew what it is
that I fear. I fear what I fear.
What is it that I fear?
###
Mr. Stalla, Rm. 201
The Darkness
Jacqueline L.
I fear the darkness under my bed
where someone or something could
be hiding.
I fear it because you never know
when something might pop out
It could grab hold of your leg
and pull you in
It would have you as a midnight
snack on the way to the bathroom
I would feel the creepy crawlers
as I hide under my covers
They would slowly forget me and
the day I disappeared
It was all because I could not
open my eyes and turn on the lights
Untitled
Yoseline M.
I fear walking alone in the dark street
where there’s no light.
No hope, nobody to lean on.
Hear cars pass me by like a dog
on the side of the street with no owner,
lost in the world.
Dark.
I Fear the World Might End Soon
Victor R.
We are all going to die.
Humanity will cease to exist.
Our hopes and dreams will be gone.
Disaster and chaos everywhere.
Nature and beauty gone.
No one to learn.
No one to learn from.
Fire and rocks are the only things left.
No more summer nights.
No more friendship or kindness.
###
Mr. Balcazar, Rm. 203
Rage
Christian E.
I fear the rage inside when it comes out
destroying and messing with everything
in sight. The rage can only be controlled
with PIE. Apple pie.
The warm inviting smell calms the
rage down. With the rage calmed down
I can rest once again.
Luis F.
I fear the dark, it's like a hole in the world,
walking into the basement, pitch dark
thinking there's someone everywhere you look,
hearing noises inside your head,
frantically looking for the light switch.
You see someone walking up to you.
You turn on the light,
a sigh of relief, you look
around, there is nothing.
Yocelin J.
I fear the grade F on the paper in front of me
people making fun of you
teacher's disappointment
B honor roll to nothing
feeling dumb
getting mad
fear going home with that paper
###
Ms. Catinella, Rm. 202
Oscar V.
I fear dying young,
not accomplishing what I want in life,
not seeing things I want to see,
not having a family.
Mariana D.
I fear dark alleys
where there are things that lurk at night
eyes looking at me
noises from behind
not knowing what could happen
something coming
look behind nothing there
Corina S.
I am afraid of not getting
through the gates, and getting sent
down. To lose my chance of being in
peace. To keep my fear in me, it is hard,
but to lose it is harder.
###
Ms. Fenton, Rm. 204
Marcos P.
I fear not making it to the majors
because I might suck at it and
I'll be the worst player in
the team. Then they'll send
me to minor leaguers and will
only pay me very little but
I also fear if I'm the
best, everyone will
hate me and the
team trades me
to the
Chicago Cubs.
Even though the Sox are better.
GO SOX!
Alex S.
I fear my mouth, what it says.
I want to say the right things.
I don't want to be wrong.
I don't want to hurt people with
what I say.
I don't want people to get mad.
I don't want to get in trouble
with what comes out of my mouth.
I want to stop swearing at people
who I shouldn't.
I Fear What I Fear
Frank M.
I fear what I fear. I can't
even figure out what it is that
I fear. I fear something everyone
fears, something I need
to find out what it is that
I fear. I don't fear monsters.
If I only knew what it is
that I fear. I fear what I fear.
What is it that I fear?
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Yo soy un hombre sincero...
We spent some time with the first verse of "Versos Sencillos" by Jose Marti, a long, rhyming, metered poem, a manifesto of sorts--a statement of ideas, principles, and purpose--that contains a lot of vivid concrete imagery. I brought a small bag filled with slips of paper, each one with a different word (mostly nouns; like salt, paper, water, etc.). I had each student draw three words, and asked them to write the story of their life, or a story of their life, or their own manifesto. The details could be real or made up. They had to use all three words. I also asked them to write in three-line stanzas.
I had a chance to do this writing with two out of four 7th-grade classes. The results were fascinating; I can't wait to try it with the other two.
###
Mrs. Jamen, Rm. 207, 7th grade
Untitled
Charles H.
I lay on my bed
with the cover overhead
I read a book that
I can’t understand
I walk down
my dark stairway
looking for candlelight,
I’m scared to death
because I can’t see a thing
I wanted in the
kitchen where I eat
a carrot
I don’t understand
why I ate a carrot
I go back up
and I go to
sleep where I
dreamt of a
carrot, candle, and a cover
Untitled
Myriam L.
I sit under a tree
with my sketchbook in my lap
thinking, imaginating, and drawing
Picking at the staple
holding my papers together
not paying attention
Untitled
Paola S.
My life is like a blank sheet,
it’s not destroyed, but not smooth
though there’s nothing there.
It’s like a rock.
Untitled
Lorybeth A.
I see grass within glass.
I tie my lace with my hands.
I use my shoe to walk to school.
Vampire Heart
Aaron B.
I have looked for
garlic on one of my
very high shelves. I ran
through the doorway and
killed the vampire with it!
###
Mr. Czoski, Rm. 209, 7th grade
Dark Lonely
Shakeela M.
My life’s like ink on paper
splattered with emotions no one knows.
There’s a lot of things in my life that comes
and goes.
When I’m sad my life is slow.
I’m like a plate on the floor.
I have no one else.
I’m all alone all by myself.
I feel so sad inside I might need
help.
I’m like cream with cones.
Different than others.
But some people tell me I look like
my mother, and that’s a real bother.
Untitled
Lilibeth U.
I remember when I was little
I used to be a sweet as sugar.
And I used to be bossed by everyone.
But one day I felt like I was getting
used by everyone. I felt like hiding
inside a bag so everyone would leave me alone.
I could feel the salty tears running through
my face. That’s when I exploded. The girl
that used to have a heart that was as
sweet as sugar turned into a girl that
has a heart as hard as cement.
When You’re Doing Life
Kevin Z.
When you’re doing life
you feel like a book
you’re being read until you’re dead
When you’re in prison you feel
like a screen you get looked at and you
will never be seen
Untitled
Cynthia M.
Outside in the brisk fall
morning by the big oak tree
raking up the leaves in
little piles then walking away
and having to go back and
do it again.
My mother calls
me in from the cold to
eat lunch. Mmm—spaghetti and garlic
bread and a glass of chocolate
milk.
Family comes looking around.
I’m nowhere to be found.
I’m on the roof to relax
looking at the stars.
My Life
Cyntha S.
The mother watches us
grow just like
we do when we’re growing a
tree.
Onions’ mothers don’t like them
because they make them cry, just
like me.
Glass is see-through sometimes.
I wish that I could see
through my life.
Life
Susy G.
Feeling like a curtain
is wrapped around me
not able to move
The river going
fast and faster like you can’t
run fast like the way your life goes!
The way your blood
goes fast through your
body!
I had a chance to do this writing with two out of four 7th-grade classes. The results were fascinating; I can't wait to try it with the other two.
###
Mrs. Jamen, Rm. 207, 7th grade
Untitled
Charles H.
I lay on my bed
with the cover overhead
I read a book that
I can’t understand
I walk down
my dark stairway
looking for candlelight,
I’m scared to death
because I can’t see a thing
I wanted in the
kitchen where I eat
a carrot
I don’t understand
why I ate a carrot
I go back up
and I go to
sleep where I
dreamt of a
carrot, candle, and a cover
Untitled
Myriam L.
I sit under a tree
with my sketchbook in my lap
thinking, imaginating, and drawing
Picking at the staple
holding my papers together
not paying attention
Untitled
Paola S.
My life is like a blank sheet,
it’s not destroyed, but not smooth
though there’s nothing there.
It’s like a rock.
Untitled
Lorybeth A.
I see grass within glass.
I tie my lace with my hands.
I use my shoe to walk to school.
Vampire Heart
Aaron B.
I have looked for
garlic on one of my
very high shelves. I ran
through the doorway and
killed the vampire with it!
###
Mr. Czoski, Rm. 209, 7th grade
Dark Lonely
Shakeela M.
My life’s like ink on paper
splattered with emotions no one knows.
There’s a lot of things in my life that comes
and goes.
When I’m sad my life is slow.
I’m like a plate on the floor.
I have no one else.
I’m all alone all by myself.
I feel so sad inside I might need
help.
I’m like cream with cones.
Different than others.
But some people tell me I look like
my mother, and that’s a real bother.
Untitled
Lilibeth U.
I remember when I was little
I used to be a sweet as sugar.
And I used to be bossed by everyone.
But one day I felt like I was getting
used by everyone. I felt like hiding
inside a bag so everyone would leave me alone.
I could feel the salty tears running through
my face. That’s when I exploded. The girl
that used to have a heart that was as
sweet as sugar turned into a girl that
has a heart as hard as cement.
When You’re Doing Life
Kevin Z.
When you’re doing life
you feel like a book
you’re being read until you’re dead
When you’re in prison you feel
like a screen you get looked at and you
will never be seen
Untitled
Cynthia M.
Outside in the brisk fall
morning by the big oak tree
raking up the leaves in
little piles then walking away
and having to go back and
do it again.
My mother calls
me in from the cold to
eat lunch. Mmm—spaghetti and garlic
bread and a glass of chocolate
milk.
Family comes looking around.
I’m nowhere to be found.
I’m on the roof to relax
looking at the stars.
My Life
Cyntha S.
The mother watches us
grow just like
we do when we’re growing a
tree.
Onions’ mothers don’t like them
because they make them cry, just
like me.
Glass is see-through sometimes.
I wish that I could see
through my life.
Life
Susy G.
Feeling like a curtain
is wrapped around me
not able to move
The river going
fast and faster like you can’t
run fast like the way your life goes!
The way your blood
goes fast through your
body!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Haikuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
Oh, how exciting it was to work on these haiku poems. These kids were intent and intense. We started with a freewriting exercise last week to get warmed up to the idea--and generate some material--and this week we used that material to craft some lovely gems, some razor-sharp moments, some crystal snapshots, pictured below.
I was especially impressed with the students' willingness to mess with conventional sentence structure, and toy with how they articulated their original images and ideas in order to fit the haiku structure.
###
Mrs. Hernandez, Rm. 109, 6th grade
Haiku
Samuel N.
The birds are chirping.
The wind is blowing like a
freezer in a store.
My dogs are barking.
Also the clouds are flowing.
They’re going away.
Haiku
Chris R.
School I do and write
I blush in embarrassment
I laugh while I laugh
Haiku
Briana D.
It’s very dark outside,
soon will be time to sleep.
Dark, outside I’m scared.
Haiku
Miguel G.
staring at the sky
daydreaming about many things
that the bell can ring
Haiku
Daisy A.
I am in a class
where desks move like blue and white
rumbling water
Tomatoes are brown.
My face blushes in the cold.
Trees are calm and cold.
Aunt cooking a pie.
The sour blueberry pie.
My aunt, a berry pie.
I was especially impressed with the students' willingness to mess with conventional sentence structure, and toy with how they articulated their original images and ideas in order to fit the haiku structure.
###
Mrs. Hernandez, Rm. 109, 6th grade
Haiku
Samuel N.
The birds are chirping.
The wind is blowing like a
freezer in a store.
My dogs are barking.
Also the clouds are flowing.
They’re going away.
Haiku
Chris R.
School I do and write
I blush in embarrassment
I laugh while I laugh
Haiku
Briana D.
It’s very dark outside,
soon will be time to sleep.
Dark, outside I’m scared.
Haiku
Miguel G.
staring at the sky
daydreaming about many things
that the bell can ring
Haiku
Daisy A.
I am in a class
where desks move like blue and white
rumbling water
Tomatoes are brown.
My face blushes in the cold.
Trees are calm and cold.
Aunt cooking a pie.
The sour blueberry pie.
My aunt, a berry pie.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
I have to praise you...
More poems from the "Praise Poem" exercise, based on "Praise Song" by Lucille Clifton. I have some poems here from Mrs. Bourret's 7th grade class in Rm. 208; I only did this writing with one classroom, as we were occupied with reading and discussing the "I Fear" poems. More praise poems next week!
With this writing, I wanted to push the kids past the expected (encouraging them to praise representative parts of an item, or to praise unusual things that we wouldn't normally consider praiseworthy), and for them to warm up to the point that something unexpected might emerge.
Here are three examples; these three all seem to reach a point in the writing where they stumble over something new.
###
Untitled
Eric W.
I praise my mom, a special
woman that I adore a lot. She’s
pretty, makes me happy. But when
things happen she cries her pretty
eyes out, her tears just flowing
to the drain, then she falls out
and sleeps the night away.
Untitled
Gerardo I.
I praise that there is
a heart in everyone because
there is love in everyone’s heart.
Also I praise that
there is a hand to guide
when you are lonely.
Also I praise that
there is an ear that can
hear me when I am sad.
Also praise that there are
eyes that can see someone
in their ugliest.
Untitled
Anissa V.
Praise to my father’s voice; not how it
sounds but what it says.
Praise to the soil, ’cause if it wasn’t for
it we wouldn’t have plants or
vegetables to eat.
Praise to teachers, for giving you
education for your future.
Praise to pictures; without them I
wouldn’t be able to see my grandfather’s
face.
Praise to memories that you never
forget.
Praise to stories that tell you
about a loved one who you’ve
never seen or met.
Praise to dreams, ’cause without
them, what would we have
to live for?
Praise to poetry, you can let out
your emotions and express
yourself fully.
Praise to love that warms my
heart when I’m sad, the feeling
of being loved by your family I
think is the best love around.
Praise to the colors, which we
need to make a beautiful
painting.
With this writing, I wanted to push the kids past the expected (encouraging them to praise representative parts of an item, or to praise unusual things that we wouldn't normally consider praiseworthy), and for them to warm up to the point that something unexpected might emerge.
Here are three examples; these three all seem to reach a point in the writing where they stumble over something new.
###
Untitled
Eric W.
I praise my mom, a special
woman that I adore a lot. She’s
pretty, makes me happy. But when
things happen she cries her pretty
eyes out, her tears just flowing
to the drain, then she falls out
and sleeps the night away.
Untitled
Gerardo I.
I praise that there is
a heart in everyone because
there is love in everyone’s heart.
Also I praise that
there is a hand to guide
when you are lonely.
Also I praise that
there is an ear that can
hear me when I am sad.
Also praise that there are
eyes that can see someone
in their ugliest.
Untitled
Anissa V.
Praise to my father’s voice; not how it
sounds but what it says.
Praise to the soil, ’cause if it wasn’t for
it we wouldn’t have plants or
vegetables to eat.
Praise to teachers, for giving you
education for your future.
Praise to pictures; without them I
wouldn’t be able to see my grandfather’s
face.
Praise to memories that you never
forget.
Praise to stories that tell you
about a loved one who you’ve
never seen or met.
Praise to dreams, ’cause without
them, what would we have
to live for?
Praise to poetry, you can let out
your emotions and express
yourself fully.
Praise to love that warms my
heart when I’m sad, the feeling
of being loved by your family I
think is the best love around.
Praise to the colors, which we
need to make a beautiful
painting.
Praise Songs, 6th grade, room 109
Lucille Clifton's poem "Praise Song" describes a strange incident involving the speaker's aunt, which very nearly ends in tragedy, but doesn't. In Mrs. Hernandez's 6th grade class, I asked the students to think of everyday things that they would praise, encouraging them to zoom in on some part or aspect of this item (as Clifton's speaker praises "the arms of the family."), or on some unexpected item to praise.
Here are some samples. Notice how Daisy mentions "words and voice" when talking about the poetry we read in class. I introduced the topic of voice on the first day when we were discussing "Abuelito Who." I'm also interested in the exuberance in Briana's poem, and how she breaks form at the end to let that play out. Also, note Miguel's internal rhyme, how he played with the word sounds a little.
###
Untitled
Daisy A.
Praise to Mrs. Hernandez whose brain
helped me get my grades up.
Praise to Mrs. Javellana whose poetry
has words and voice.
Praise to my sister. Without her I wouldn’t
have a heart.
Praise to the trees that give us
paper.
Praise to my eyes ’cause without them
I wouldn’t see.
Praise, Praise, Praise
Briana D.
Praise to my mom for having me.
Thank you.
Praise to my dad for everything
he does for me.
Praise for my two silly brothers
for making me laugh.
Praise for my friend for
having my back;
Thank you!
Praise for my mom for saying
I’m her right hand.
I love when she says that!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Untitled
Miguel A.
Praise to videogame creators and their creative heads.
Praise to calculator that cheats for me in math.
Praise snow like a cold version of clay dough.
Praise to hair that keeps my head warm.
Praise the T.V. and all its comedy shows.
Here are some samples. Notice how Daisy mentions "words and voice" when talking about the poetry we read in class. I introduced the topic of voice on the first day when we were discussing "Abuelito Who." I'm also interested in the exuberance in Briana's poem, and how she breaks form at the end to let that play out. Also, note Miguel's internal rhyme, how he played with the word sounds a little.
###
Untitled
Daisy A.
Praise to Mrs. Hernandez whose brain
helped me get my grades up.
Praise to Mrs. Javellana whose poetry
has words and voice.
Praise to my sister. Without her I wouldn’t
have a heart.
Praise to the trees that give us
paper.
Praise to my eyes ’cause without them
I wouldn’t see.
Praise, Praise, Praise
Briana D.
Praise to my mom for having me.
Thank you.
Praise to my dad for everything
he does for me.
Praise for my two silly brothers
for making me laugh.
Praise for my friend for
having my back;
Thank you!
Praise for my mom for saying
I’m her right hand.
I love when she says that!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Untitled
Miguel A.
Praise to videogame creators and their creative heads.
Praise to calculator that cheats for me in math.
Praise snow like a cold version of clay dough.
Praise to hair that keeps my head warm.
Praise the T.V. and all its comedy shows.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Fear Poems cont'd, Rm. 208
Another installment in the fear poems! This one from Room 208.
###
The Fear
Rachel Javellana and Room 208, Mrs. Bourret’s 7th grade class, Lee School
I fear when someone pops out of the corner, when someone says BOO! from the other
side of the wall.
I fear cancer—you never know if someone you care about will die from cancer.
I fear being outside in the dark after hours.
I fear not knowing what is going to happen in the future; is something amazing going to
happen or is something terrible going to happen?
I fear when I’m watching a scary movie at night.
I fear being home alone at night.
I fear green eyes. They’re so evilish.
I fear big, mean, scary clowns.
I fear walking alone with my little sister after school not knowing what can happen.
I fear evil strangers killing innocent people; who will be next?
I fear the body, ’cause I don’t know what develops and when it develops.
I fear being awake at night and getting out of bed for any reason. I feel that someone will
grab my feet and take me away to a horrible world. Or that someone is waiting
for me to take away.
I fear being alone in the house in the dark scary night.
I fear to know I fail my parents in my grades at school.
I fear ruining my life and wasting my childhood by growing up too fast.
I fear a tiger attacking me in a jungle.
I fear big airplanes that could fall.
I fear Iraq attacking America at day or night.
I fear the ISAT test; too much answers.
I fear mice scratching inside the walls.
I fear the darkness because of the couch in the living room.
I fear my dog we sleep at night.
I fear scary clowns that chase me at night or the day of Halloween, ’cause I fear them
catching me.
I fear when I walk through the basement, turn off the lights and I walk up the stairs. I
feel like someone’s behind me.
I fear huge mountains that could fall on you.
I fear scary movies.
I fear people dying. Knowing that one day I won’t be able to hug them and have a
conversation.
I fear when I look in my closet and my light is off but when I walk up the light flickers red.
I fear when I walk downstairs to the basement; when I’m on the last step, the light starts
flickering above me.
I fear the dark when I’m alone in my room and the closet is open.
I fear sleeping in the night in my basement.
I fear what people say when I’m not around.
I fear to lose a friend by a word in a conversation.
I fear breaking my arm ollieing down a stairset.
I fear when my life ends. And goes to waste.
I fear dying at the skatepark at night.
I fear my coaches, ’cause they push me. I do it but I don’t know if I did it right.
I fear that the stuff that happens in those ridiculous horror flicks will happen to me, even
though I know it’s not real.
I fear being up in the night.
I fear the dark basement when I go down alone.
I fear heights when I look down and I’m up high.
I fear the lightning in the dark sky.
I fear walking down a dark scary alley.
I fear the airplanes when they’re flying on top of the house.
I fear going into an abandoned building at night.
I fear people at night when I go outside.
I fear the basement, getting the food or broom out of fridge and closet. Feeling like
someone will come out and take me away from my life.
I fear clowns. They look very weird, their hair is scary.
I fear when two people split a pole.
I fear someone is going to break into the house.
I fear going to the basement.
I fear tornadoes hitting the area.
I fear sleeping by myself.
I fear planes. They’re big and scary. I hate when they go in the air.
I fear if there are any germs in my body.
I fear when I walk by myself.
I fear when ghosts chase me.
I fear failure, ’cause I don’t like losing/going down in volleyball or my meets when I am
at cross country/track.
I fear the smell of smoke. I know someone is in danger.
I fear the dark. It brings chills down my spine by the quietness in the room.
I fear that the Bears won’t make the Superbowl, ’til a while.
I fear not passing a test, knowing that high schools look at your seventh grade grades.
I fear going to the alley.
I fear flying high after I saw Final Destination the movie.
I fear the agony of defeat, when you worked so hard to lose it all.
I fear airplanes because you never know if you can crash or something.
I fear when I’m alone in the dark, when I watch scary movies.
I fear blindness. You lose one eye then the other, then you’re blind.
I fear heights; it feels like standing 100 feet way up in the sky.
I fear the number 12.
I fear walking in the night in my street.
I fear disappointing the people who care about me by not making the right decisions in
life.
I fear my parents dying and staying alone.
I fear my dark basement while doing the laundry.
I fear images that just pop into my head in an instant.
I fear the fear.
###
The Fear
Rachel Javellana and Room 208, Mrs. Bourret’s 7th grade class, Lee School
I fear when someone pops out of the corner, when someone says BOO! from the other
side of the wall.
I fear cancer—you never know if someone you care about will die from cancer.
I fear being outside in the dark after hours.
I fear not knowing what is going to happen in the future; is something amazing going to
happen or is something terrible going to happen?
I fear when I’m watching a scary movie at night.
I fear being home alone at night.
I fear green eyes. They’re so evilish.
I fear big, mean, scary clowns.
I fear walking alone with my little sister after school not knowing what can happen.
I fear evil strangers killing innocent people; who will be next?
I fear the body, ’cause I don’t know what develops and when it develops.
I fear being awake at night and getting out of bed for any reason. I feel that someone will
grab my feet and take me away to a horrible world. Or that someone is waiting
for me to take away.
I fear being alone in the house in the dark scary night.
I fear to know I fail my parents in my grades at school.
I fear ruining my life and wasting my childhood by growing up too fast.
I fear a tiger attacking me in a jungle.
I fear big airplanes that could fall.
I fear Iraq attacking America at day or night.
I fear the ISAT test; too much answers.
I fear mice scratching inside the walls.
I fear the darkness because of the couch in the living room.
I fear my dog we sleep at night.
I fear scary clowns that chase me at night or the day of Halloween, ’cause I fear them
catching me.
I fear when I walk through the basement, turn off the lights and I walk up the stairs. I
feel like someone’s behind me.
I fear huge mountains that could fall on you.
I fear scary movies.
I fear people dying. Knowing that one day I won’t be able to hug them and have a
conversation.
I fear when I look in my closet and my light is off but when I walk up the light flickers red.
I fear when I walk downstairs to the basement; when I’m on the last step, the light starts
flickering above me.
I fear the dark when I’m alone in my room and the closet is open.
I fear sleeping in the night in my basement.
I fear what people say when I’m not around.
I fear to lose a friend by a word in a conversation.
I fear breaking my arm ollieing down a stairset.
I fear when my life ends. And goes to waste.
I fear dying at the skatepark at night.
I fear my coaches, ’cause they push me. I do it but I don’t know if I did it right.
I fear that the stuff that happens in those ridiculous horror flicks will happen to me, even
though I know it’s not real.
I fear being up in the night.
I fear the dark basement when I go down alone.
I fear heights when I look down and I’m up high.
I fear the lightning in the dark sky.
I fear walking down a dark scary alley.
I fear the airplanes when they’re flying on top of the house.
I fear going into an abandoned building at night.
I fear people at night when I go outside.
I fear the basement, getting the food or broom out of fridge and closet. Feeling like
someone will come out and take me away from my life.
I fear clowns. They look very weird, their hair is scary.
I fear when two people split a pole.
I fear someone is going to break into the house.
I fear going to the basement.
I fear tornadoes hitting the area.
I fear sleeping by myself.
I fear planes. They’re big and scary. I hate when they go in the air.
I fear if there are any germs in my body.
I fear when I walk by myself.
I fear when ghosts chase me.
I fear failure, ’cause I don’t like losing/going down in volleyball or my meets when I am
at cross country/track.
I fear the smell of smoke. I know someone is in danger.
I fear the dark. It brings chills down my spine by the quietness in the room.
I fear that the Bears won’t make the Superbowl, ’til a while.
I fear not passing a test, knowing that high schools look at your seventh grade grades.
I fear going to the alley.
I fear flying high after I saw Final Destination the movie.
I fear the agony of defeat, when you worked so hard to lose it all.
I fear airplanes because you never know if you can crash or something.
I fear when I’m alone in the dark, when I watch scary movies.
I fear blindness. You lose one eye then the other, then you’re blind.
I fear heights; it feels like standing 100 feet way up in the sky.
I fear the number 12.
I fear walking in the night in my street.
I fear disappointing the people who care about me by not making the right decisions in
life.
I fear my parents dying and staying alone.
I fear my dark basement while doing the laundry.
I fear images that just pop into my head in an instant.
I fear the fear.
Room 210--Fear Poem
Here's the fear poem from Ms. Harris' 7th grade class in room 210. This one came a little later in my process, and for this one I made the decision to cut "I fear" from each line, and just leave the rest of the line to stand alone. The students liked the result, and so did I, if only just for the sake of variety. I found that compiling these poems from the students' contributions was pretty time-consuming, much more than I anticipated, but well worth the effort.
###
I fear—
Rachel Javellana & Room 210, Ms. Harris’ 7th grade class, Lee School
Not passing 7th grade because I haven’t been doing good.
Getting lost in the woods, losing my life.
Losing a friend. I love all my friends.
That a blind guy might beat me to death with his little stick thing.
Knowing that one day I’m going to grow up and let the good times roll.
The zodiac may come and kill my family.
That what Al Gore is talking about might be true.
Dark water because I think I will drown in it and no one will find me.
The thought of never coming back to see my mom again.
My life when it’s in danger.
The darkness, to know there’s no light but only fear.
Myself in a small box.
Dark places where there is no light coming in.
Small things touching me from head to toes.
Hearing loud noises at night thinking someone will break in.
Dying.
That one day my family won’t wake up and will be dead.
My attic in the dark.
My family leaving me behind once more like they did some time ago.
Monsters in haunted houses that hold weapons.
The dolls in my room watching me.
Clowns—they are scary.
People who don’t know me and hate me for who they think I am.
Getting shot when I’m at my cousin’s crib.
People with dark masks because I don’t know where they have been.
Getting jumped.
That my heart’s gonna get stolen and the thief is never gonna wanna give it back.
Some girl who walks up to me and swears for no reason.
Falling off a plane when it turns.
Losing the one person who knows me best.
Child molesters.
Saying the alphabet.
Big dogs because they can kill me.
People that I love may go away.
Falling off the tall ramp that mocks me for not having the ability to drop in.
The world will end in less than 15 years.
Getting hit by my brother when I’m not looking.
The dark gloomy room in the basement where no one bothers to go.
The fact that death can be right around the corner everywhere you go.
The big dog because I got chased by a big dog before.
Animals as they get wild and crazy.
My shadows.
Paper.
Airplanes when they are starting to move.
Losing my leg.
The hobos that roam the streets yelling, “Tell Christina Garcia to leave me alone!”
and pee when they’re walking.
That thing on that house.
That Satan comes and burns us.
My life for being so tough.
The fact of being the same as the others.
Puppets; I don’t like how they look at you with their big ol’ eyes.
That George Bush might die of retardedness.
Death.
My dad dying ’cause I love him.
Having to lose the thing that I love and care for.
The world’s end.
My mind when I don’t know the answer.
Flunking.
Falling alone when no one’s around.
People who lie and lie and can’t be trusted.
Looking into a mirror late at night thinking someone will appear.
Dumb people. They are so scary for what they do. WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL
OF THEM.
Losing my dog, losing my mom.
The sound of somebody screaming.
Markers that are dried out.
Losing my parents, my grandma or grandpa dying.
Being alone because I think there is someone watching me.
Dying—I don’t know how I am going to die.
Not getting an Ipod for my birthday.
But mostly my death, or my family members’ deaths!
The exorcist. She is ugly and scary.
Spiders. Just to look at them makes me silent.
The thought of death and how close it might be to me.
The end of the world.
My washer and dryer when they come alive.
My house because one person died in the living room.
My death because I hate the feeling of someone crying and I hate the sound of crying.
My own spirit.
###
I fear—
Rachel Javellana & Room 210, Ms. Harris’ 7th grade class, Lee School
Not passing 7th grade because I haven’t been doing good.
Getting lost in the woods, losing my life.
Losing a friend. I love all my friends.
That a blind guy might beat me to death with his little stick thing.
Knowing that one day I’m going to grow up and let the good times roll.
The zodiac may come and kill my family.
That what Al Gore is talking about might be true.
Dark water because I think I will drown in it and no one will find me.
The thought of never coming back to see my mom again.
My life when it’s in danger.
The darkness, to know there’s no light but only fear.
Myself in a small box.
Dark places where there is no light coming in.
Small things touching me from head to toes.
Hearing loud noises at night thinking someone will break in.
Dying.
That one day my family won’t wake up and will be dead.
My attic in the dark.
My family leaving me behind once more like they did some time ago.
Monsters in haunted houses that hold weapons.
The dolls in my room watching me.
Clowns—they are scary.
People who don’t know me and hate me for who they think I am.
Getting shot when I’m at my cousin’s crib.
People with dark masks because I don’t know where they have been.
Getting jumped.
That my heart’s gonna get stolen and the thief is never gonna wanna give it back.
Some girl who walks up to me and swears for no reason.
Falling off a plane when it turns.
Losing the one person who knows me best.
Child molesters.
Saying the alphabet.
Big dogs because they can kill me.
People that I love may go away.
Falling off the tall ramp that mocks me for not having the ability to drop in.
The world will end in less than 15 years.
Getting hit by my brother when I’m not looking.
The dark gloomy room in the basement where no one bothers to go.
The fact that death can be right around the corner everywhere you go.
The big dog because I got chased by a big dog before.
Animals as they get wild and crazy.
My shadows.
Paper.
Airplanes when they are starting to move.
Losing my leg.
The hobos that roam the streets yelling, “Tell Christina Garcia to leave me alone!”
and pee when they’re walking.
That thing on that house.
That Satan comes and burns us.
My life for being so tough.
The fact of being the same as the others.
Puppets; I don’t like how they look at you with their big ol’ eyes.
That George Bush might die of retardedness.
Death.
My dad dying ’cause I love him.
Having to lose the thing that I love and care for.
The world’s end.
My mind when I don’t know the answer.
Flunking.
Falling alone when no one’s around.
People who lie and lie and can’t be trusted.
Looking into a mirror late at night thinking someone will appear.
Dumb people. They are so scary for what they do. WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL
OF THEM.
Losing my dog, losing my mom.
The sound of somebody screaming.
Markers that are dried out.
Losing my parents, my grandma or grandpa dying.
Being alone because I think there is someone watching me.
Dying—I don’t know how I am going to die.
Not getting an Ipod for my birthday.
But mostly my death, or my family members’ deaths!
The exorcist. She is ugly and scary.
Spiders. Just to look at them makes me silent.
The thought of death and how close it might be to me.
The end of the world.
My washer and dryer when they come alive.
My house because one person died in the living room.
My death because I hate the feeling of someone crying and I hate the sound of crying.
My own spirit.
Rm. 209--Fear
Here is another fear poem from Mr. Czoski's 7th grade class in room 209. When I brought in the final product, typed and copied, we read it as a group, each person reading one fear. The students said that it was interesting to read some fears that might be secret or unshared, "how other kids might be outside of school," and that it "felt good" to read about fears that they might have also, because "then you don't feel so alone."
###
Seventy-five
Rachel Javellana and Rm. 209, Mr. Czoski’s 7th grade class
I fear the height of tall buildings, because of 9/11.
I fear not knowing when death will come.
I fear big dogs (wolves, coyotes) trying to eat me.
I fear my parents arguing and listening to all their anger come out.
I fear being on a tall building.
I fear electric shocks, frayed wires and bad outlets.
I fear clowns.
I fear being paralyzed because I don’t want to be helpless.
I fear the rooms in the hall when it is dark, because something will pop out.
I fear snakes with poisonous venom.
I fear my sister’s dolls with their cold eyes just staring at you.
I fear noises that you hear when nobody’s home.
I fear shadows.
I fear my parents being taken by immigration.
Fear to me is dying but I don’t fear when it will come.
I fear my parents, when I do something wrong.
I fear driving across bridges because it might collapse while I drive on it.
I fear dying with no past.
I fear acid.
I fear falling off the beam in my gymnastics competition.
I fear my sister.
I fear the clothes in my closet because they look like a person in the dark.
Fear to me is growing up to be murdered.
I also fear when my dog tries to attack me and bite me.
I fear attics or basements, and because there are a lot of things that move there.
I fear the sight of heights.
I fear planes crashing down.
I fear being left alone.
I fear airplanes like the incident on 9/11.
I fear losing a friend who’s been with me through a lot.
I fear getting shot out in my streets.
I fear not getting into a good high school.
I fear that Mr. Espinoza doesn’t R.I.P.
I fear the hot fire.
I fear red snakes.
I fear ending up with no future.
I fear being in a plane because I think it might blow up with me in.
I fear when my sister fights with my brother.
I fear dolls with green eyes.
Getting in an accident.
Clowns they just scare me.
I fear the dead, because it looks like they’re going to come out of their grave and get us.
I fear being alone with nobody to take care of me.
I fear Wing Lee.
I fear one day when I least expect it, I will get killed.
I fear that I won’t graduate from high school.
I fear the angry voice that comes out of my teacher.
I fear oceans that I might sink in.
Getting bit by spiders.
I fear the deep seas with many living creatures.
I fear hobos when they ask, Can I have a dollar?
I fear sad clowns.
I fear people who hurt animals for selfish desires.
I fear coming back from summer break to hard stares.
I fear being lost in the darkness with no one around to tell me where I’m going.
I fear the way I will die.
Strangers trying to kill me or kidnap me.
I fear dying because after you die, what’s gonna happen?
I fear a sharp needle sucking out blood.
I fear drowning in high waters.
I fear that Mr. Espinoza might not like our actions.
I fear getting an F on a test.
My mini door in my closet.
I fear the word.
I fear the sound of someone screaming.
I fear my step-brother when he comes to my house.
I fear being suffocated by the one I care for.
I fear getting shot because you could die.
I fear death coming so soon.
I fear people I don’t know who will hurt me.
Fear to me is a disease I know I will go through to the pain and it’s supposed to help me.
I fear the door that squeaks and creaks like a broken rocking chair.
I fear fingers pointing at me.
I fear being in the hands of God.
I just fear.
###
Seventy-five
Rachel Javellana and Rm. 209, Mr. Czoski’s 7th grade class
I fear the height of tall buildings, because of 9/11.
I fear not knowing when death will come.
I fear big dogs (wolves, coyotes) trying to eat me.
I fear my parents arguing and listening to all their anger come out.
I fear being on a tall building.
I fear electric shocks, frayed wires and bad outlets.
I fear clowns.
I fear being paralyzed because I don’t want to be helpless.
I fear the rooms in the hall when it is dark, because something will pop out.
I fear snakes with poisonous venom.
I fear my sister’s dolls with their cold eyes just staring at you.
I fear noises that you hear when nobody’s home.
I fear shadows.
I fear my parents being taken by immigration.
Fear to me is dying but I don’t fear when it will come.
I fear my parents, when I do something wrong.
I fear driving across bridges because it might collapse while I drive on it.
I fear dying with no past.
I fear acid.
I fear falling off the beam in my gymnastics competition.
I fear my sister.
I fear the clothes in my closet because they look like a person in the dark.
Fear to me is growing up to be murdered.
I also fear when my dog tries to attack me and bite me.
I fear attics or basements, and because there are a lot of things that move there.
I fear the sight of heights.
I fear planes crashing down.
I fear being left alone.
I fear airplanes like the incident on 9/11.
I fear losing a friend who’s been with me through a lot.
I fear getting shot out in my streets.
I fear not getting into a good high school.
I fear that Mr. Espinoza doesn’t R.I.P.
I fear the hot fire.
I fear red snakes.
I fear ending up with no future.
I fear being in a plane because I think it might blow up with me in.
I fear when my sister fights with my brother.
I fear dolls with green eyes.
Getting in an accident.
Clowns they just scare me.
I fear the dead, because it looks like they’re going to come out of their grave and get us.
I fear being alone with nobody to take care of me.
I fear Wing Lee.
I fear one day when I least expect it, I will get killed.
I fear that I won’t graduate from high school.
I fear the angry voice that comes out of my teacher.
I fear oceans that I might sink in.
Getting bit by spiders.
I fear the deep seas with many living creatures.
I fear hobos when they ask, Can I have a dollar?
I fear sad clowns.
I fear people who hurt animals for selfish desires.
I fear coming back from summer break to hard stares.
I fear being lost in the darkness with no one around to tell me where I’m going.
I fear the way I will die.
Strangers trying to kill me or kidnap me.
I fear dying because after you die, what’s gonna happen?
I fear a sharp needle sucking out blood.
I fear drowning in high waters.
I fear that Mr. Espinoza might not like our actions.
I fear getting an F on a test.
My mini door in my closet.
I fear the word.
I fear the sound of someone screaming.
I fear my step-brother when he comes to my house.
I fear being suffocated by the one I care for.
I fear getting shot because you could die.
I fear death coming so soon.
I fear people I don’t know who will hurt me.
Fear to me is a disease I know I will go through to the pain and it’s supposed to help me.
I fear the door that squeaks and creaks like a broken rocking chair.
I fear fingers pointing at me.
I fear being in the hands of God.
I just fear.
Portrait Poems--6th graders
In my one 6th grade classroom at Lee--Mrs. Hernandez' class in room 109--I presented "Abuelito Who" by Sandra Cisneros, from her book My Wicked Wicked Ways. We talked about the voice and narrative of the poem, and had an easy entree into metaphor discussing how the speaker compares her abuelito to, or associates him with, certain objects. I asked them to write a poem that "paints a picture" of someone with whom they are close, using similar methods to Cisneros': What they DO (or LIKE TO DO), what they SAY or HAVE SAID (call you, advice, etc.), and several objects that REMIND YOU OF THEM (or that you ASSOCIATE WITH THEM).
###
My Dad
Stephanie M.
My dad
My dad is like a saw.
who snores like a lion roaring
who calls me free
who is like an elf
who loves to laugh
is crazy for his family.
He is help when you
need it
who loves to play.
He is like a toll man
workin' all day.
My dad my wonderful
dad.
My Grandma
Daisy A.
My grandma who cooks with the
recipe books.
She tells me I'm a twinkle star
At night she calls me the moon
My grandma is a chocolate chip cookie
who lives in the bakery all day
She's the heart who gives me all
of her love
Grandpa
Christian H.
Grandpa who is tools and
medicine. Who is dogs
and work. Who says
to me buddy. Who works
like the tools of a worker. Whose head is
full of lice. Grandpa
who is like tools.
###
My Dad
Stephanie M.
My dad
My dad is like a saw.
who snores like a lion roaring
who calls me free
who is like an elf
who loves to laugh
is crazy for his family.
He is help when you
need it
who loves to play.
He is like a toll man
workin' all day.
My dad my wonderful
dad.
My Grandma
Daisy A.
My grandma who cooks with the
recipe books.
She tells me I'm a twinkle star
At night she calls me the moon
My grandma is a chocolate chip cookie
who lives in the bakery all day
She's the heart who gives me all
of her love
Grandpa
Christian H.
Grandpa who is tools and
medicine. Who is dogs
and work. Who says
to me buddy. Who works
like the tools of a worker. Whose head is
full of lice. Grandpa
who is like tools.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
P.S.--This is my fear (Room 203, 8th grade)
I was amazed by the sheer volume of clown fears in this one. They crop up in nearly every class so far, but this outdoes them all in clown terror.
I was impressed by how several of the students found representative images for their fears ("the grade F on the paper in front of me," "mascara on her face," the idea of rage "yelling out," and many others...)
This version is from Mr. Balcazar's 8th grade class in room 203.
###
P.S. This is my fear
Room 203, Mr. Balcazar's 8th grade class at Lee School and Rachel Javellana
I fear losing the ones I love that are close to me.
I fear the dark in the basement, hearing a voice.
I fear going into the dark by myself when I’m all alone. You’ll never know when you might run into something unexpectable.
I fear the darkness.
I fear the dark. It’s like a hole in the world.
I fear the rage inside me when it yells out.
I fear my mom when she has her mascara on her face
I fear the grade F on the paper in front of me.
I fear being stranded in the middle of nowhere.
I fear scary movies.
I fear falling in love with the wrong person, because they’ll just let you fall.
I fear that my grandpa always comes out with a baseball bat.
I fear the dark.
I fear dying.
I fear the white painted face of the big red nose along with the freakishly worn costume by the
hideous clowns.
I fear poisonous snakes.
I fear the painted face that tries to make you laugh but instead cry and run.
I fear spiders.
I fear not waking up the next day to see people I care for.
I fear snakes.
I fear dolls.
I fear my beloved Mickey Mouse finding someone else.
I fear clowns.
I fear the smile in people’s faces which may not even be true.
I fear that I might lose someone I really love.
I fear the day the world will fall apart and say goodbye to all its wonders.
I fear heights.
I fear heights when I’m on top of a building and feel like I’m about to fall.
I fear that I might get shot.
I fear clowns who tried to make you laugh but instead cry.
I fear clowns with their huge smiles even when they are sad, always laughing for no reason.
I fear mimicks, being in a room with mimicks everywhere. Thinking they might torture me to death.
I fear the spider.
I fear the man with a gun in his hands.
I fear the red nose that is near the creepy smile.
I fear dying and not knowing what life is about.
I fear heights.
I fear shadows.
I fear my life becoming short from being diagnosed with a disease.
I fear not knowing what my future holds in store for me.
I fear dying.
I fear the monsters.
I fear waking up in the middle of the night.
I fear small places.
I fear a scary movie because it may happen in my dream.
I fear clowns.
I fear being apart from those I love.
I fear getting jumped.
I fear I will die.
I fear spiders, eight legs, and so scary-looking.
I fear the person I might become or that I am.
I fear the day my parents will leave us and not come back.
I fear ghosts lurking in my house watching my every move.
I fear clowns. They frighten me, thinking deep inside of them they want to kill me.
I fear death.
I fear getting shot.
I fear the number 10.
I fear that somebody is going to die, someone in my family.
I fear heights that take you up and you get butterflies in your stomach.
One thing I will never fear is Death. I have encountered death numerous times. If I die then I die. My time is up and it’s Game Over for me.
I fear that I will die.
I fear many scary things, like the clown “It.”
I fear death.
I fear clowns.
I fear clowns.
I fear snakes.
I fear getting raped. I have heard of a lot of girls being raped.
I fear heights.
I fear losing my best friend.
This is my fear.
P.S. I fear getting a shot or taking out blood. It’s scary.
I was impressed by how several of the students found representative images for their fears ("the grade F on the paper in front of me," "mascara on her face," the idea of rage "yelling out," and many others...)
This version is from Mr. Balcazar's 8th grade class in room 203.
###
P.S. This is my fear
Room 203, Mr. Balcazar's 8th grade class at Lee School and Rachel Javellana
I fear losing the ones I love that are close to me.
I fear the dark in the basement, hearing a voice.
I fear going into the dark by myself when I’m all alone. You’ll never know when you might run into something unexpectable.
I fear the darkness.
I fear the dark. It’s like a hole in the world.
I fear the rage inside me when it yells out.
I fear my mom when she has her mascara on her face
I fear the grade F on the paper in front of me.
I fear being stranded in the middle of nowhere.
I fear scary movies.
I fear falling in love with the wrong person, because they’ll just let you fall.
I fear that my grandpa always comes out with a baseball bat.
I fear the dark.
I fear dying.
I fear the white painted face of the big red nose along with the freakishly worn costume by the
hideous clowns.
I fear poisonous snakes.
I fear the painted face that tries to make you laugh but instead cry and run.
I fear spiders.
I fear not waking up the next day to see people I care for.
I fear snakes.
I fear dolls.
I fear my beloved Mickey Mouse finding someone else.
I fear clowns.
I fear the smile in people’s faces which may not even be true.
I fear that I might lose someone I really love.
I fear the day the world will fall apart and say goodbye to all its wonders.
I fear heights.
I fear heights when I’m on top of a building and feel like I’m about to fall.
I fear that I might get shot.
I fear clowns who tried to make you laugh but instead cry.
I fear clowns with their huge smiles even when they are sad, always laughing for no reason.
I fear mimicks, being in a room with mimicks everywhere. Thinking they might torture me to death.
I fear the spider.
I fear the man with a gun in his hands.
I fear the red nose that is near the creepy smile.
I fear dying and not knowing what life is about.
I fear heights.
I fear shadows.
I fear my life becoming short from being diagnosed with a disease.
I fear not knowing what my future holds in store for me.
I fear dying.
I fear the monsters.
I fear waking up in the middle of the night.
I fear small places.
I fear a scary movie because it may happen in my dream.
I fear clowns.
I fear being apart from those I love.
I fear getting jumped.
I fear I will die.
I fear spiders, eight legs, and so scary-looking.
I fear the person I might become or that I am.
I fear the day my parents will leave us and not come back.
I fear ghosts lurking in my house watching my every move.
I fear clowns. They frighten me, thinking deep inside of them they want to kill me.
I fear death.
I fear getting shot.
I fear the number 10.
I fear that somebody is going to die, someone in my family.
I fear heights that take you up and you get butterflies in your stomach.
One thing I will never fear is Death. I have encountered death numerous times. If I die then I die. My time is up and it’s Game Over for me.
I fear that I will die.
I fear many scary things, like the clown “It.”
I fear death.
I fear clowns.
I fear clowns.
I fear snakes.
I fear getting raped. I have heard of a lot of girls being raped.
I fear heights.
I fear losing my best friend.
This is my fear.
P.S. I fear getting a shot or taking out blood. It’s scary.
I Fear What I Fear: 8th grade, Rm. 204
These cento poems just keep opening up new worlds to me. As I cut up the students' anonymous submissions to make the lines, I'm finding it hard to know what to do with the strips afterwards. I've been taking pictures of them. This piece has a lot of interesting approaches to common topics like death, darkness, and family. I admire how the students came at their lines with some incredibly inventive language. And one student, perhaps not on purpose, gave us our ending. Enjoy. This is from Mrs. Fenton's 8th grade class in Room 204.
###
I Fear What I Fear
Room 204, Mrs. Fenton's 8th grade class at Lee School and Rachel Javellana
I am scared of people that stare at me and do not look away.
I fear the other world of the death.
I fear homeless people.
I fear death and the fact of not living.
I fear dying because I want to see my family grow.
I fear being alone.
I fear death coming into my family.
I fear the darkness in the street when I’m walking alone.
I fear the bad, haunting and tripping me.
I fear the fact of letting my anger GO and hurting others.
I fear that my life is just made up because people think that I am just a show-off.
I fear cats because they like scaring me.
I fear monsters in my closet.
I fear the darkness of my attic when it is dark outside.
I fear the other side of the dark.
I fear not being good in school.
I fear losing someone I love. Someone I care about.
I fear dark woods in the dark.
I fear her having to go back.
I fear behaving bad with my mom and dad.
I fear lightning when it’s flashing in the sky.
I fear the darkness without her being there.
I fear the big ugly monsters under my bed.
I fear not getting into the high school.
I fear me not living up to my dream and proving to everyone that I can be something. Don’t say I can’t be nothing.
I am scared to look at myself in the mirror in the dark.
I fear what’s going to happen in the future.
I am afraid to die and feel lonely when I die.
I fear my dog howling at the moon.
I fear spiders walking around the ugly body.
I fear getting shot because of violence.
I fear getting shot to my dome.
I fear dying in my sleep.
I fear seeing the person I love with someone else.
I fear the lonely scary dark.
I fear not living.
I fear homework on weekends.
I fear her missing major events in my life.
I fear the darkness.
I fear my mouth, what it says.
I fear clowns with their scary face.
I fear the sharp needles that hold pain.
I fear not making it to the majors.
I fear losing my PS2.
I fear crazy cats. I think they would bite my finger out of my hand.
I fear death because of how criminals are always killing people.
I fear bugs, those who have dozens of legs and sting.
I fear a stranger who comes into my house. When I’m alone.
I fear bad grades. The ones lower than seventy percent.
I fear growing up without my parents because they get killed or die when I’m still a young age.
I fear big vicious dogs.
I fear getting a deadly disease.
I fear quizzes because I may fail.
I fear scared cats.
I fear me getting killed at a young age.
I fear dying.
I fear not being able to play baseball.
I fear her having to go back for a long time.
I fear spiders, that they will crawl on me and try to eat me.
I fear nasty little bugs crawling everywhere.
I fear a crazy man.
I fear old homes with no life, dark.
I fear wasps and bees because they will sting me.
I fear that I will not make it to be a rapper because I don’t know how to rhyme.
I fear cats that don’t know me.
I the dark because I can’t see so I don’t know if something might jump out.
I fear the fact that my parents are sick.
I fear clowns; scary, ugly, loud clowns.
I fear little kids when I have to babysit.
I fear spiders; ugly, big spiders. They crawl on people.
I fear dying.
I fear seeing spiders.
I fear monsters.
I fear my dad coming home drunk.
I fear messing up my right arm.
I fear when I am walking in the street alone in the dark.
I fear pitch black places.
I fear doing drugs in the future.
I fear my mind, who may think wrong sometimes.
I fear what I fear.
I fear nothing ’cause I’m scared of nothing.
I fear nothing.
I fear nothing.
###
I Fear What I Fear
Room 204, Mrs. Fenton's 8th grade class at Lee School and Rachel Javellana
I am scared of people that stare at me and do not look away.
I fear the other world of the death.
I fear homeless people.
I fear death and the fact of not living.
I fear dying because I want to see my family grow.
I fear being alone.
I fear death coming into my family.
I fear the darkness in the street when I’m walking alone.
I fear the bad, haunting and tripping me.
I fear the fact of letting my anger GO and hurting others.
I fear that my life is just made up because people think that I am just a show-off.
I fear cats because they like scaring me.
I fear monsters in my closet.
I fear the darkness of my attic when it is dark outside.
I fear the other side of the dark.
I fear not being good in school.
I fear losing someone I love. Someone I care about.
I fear dark woods in the dark.
I fear her having to go back.
I fear behaving bad with my mom and dad.
I fear lightning when it’s flashing in the sky.
I fear the darkness without her being there.
I fear the big ugly monsters under my bed.
I fear not getting into the high school.
I fear me not living up to my dream and proving to everyone that I can be something. Don’t say I can’t be nothing.
I am scared to look at myself in the mirror in the dark.
I fear what’s going to happen in the future.
I am afraid to die and feel lonely when I die.
I fear my dog howling at the moon.
I fear spiders walking around the ugly body.
I fear getting shot because of violence.
I fear getting shot to my dome.
I fear dying in my sleep.
I fear seeing the person I love with someone else.
I fear the lonely scary dark.
I fear not living.
I fear homework on weekends.
I fear her missing major events in my life.
I fear the darkness.
I fear my mouth, what it says.
I fear clowns with their scary face.
I fear the sharp needles that hold pain.
I fear not making it to the majors.
I fear losing my PS2.
I fear crazy cats. I think they would bite my finger out of my hand.
I fear death because of how criminals are always killing people.
I fear bugs, those who have dozens of legs and sting.
I fear a stranger who comes into my house. When I’m alone.
I fear bad grades. The ones lower than seventy percent.
I fear growing up without my parents because they get killed or die when I’m still a young age.
I fear big vicious dogs.
I fear getting a deadly disease.
I fear quizzes because I may fail.
I fear scared cats.
I fear me getting killed at a young age.
I fear dying.
I fear not being able to play baseball.
I fear her having to go back for a long time.
I fear spiders, that they will crawl on me and try to eat me.
I fear nasty little bugs crawling everywhere.
I fear a crazy man.
I fear old homes with no life, dark.
I fear wasps and bees because they will sting me.
I fear that I will not make it to be a rapper because I don’t know how to rhyme.
I fear cats that don’t know me.
I the dark because I can’t see so I don’t know if something might jump out.
I fear the fact that my parents are sick.
I fear clowns; scary, ugly, loud clowns.
I fear little kids when I have to babysit.
I fear spiders; ugly, big spiders. They crawl on people.
I fear dying.
I fear seeing spiders.
I fear monsters.
I fear my dad coming home drunk.
I fear messing up my right arm.
I fear when I am walking in the street alone in the dark.
I fear pitch black places.
I fear doing drugs in the future.
I fear my mind, who may think wrong sometimes.
I fear what I fear.
I fear nothing ’cause I’m scared of nothing.
I fear nothing.
I fear nothing.
This is What I Fear, Rm. 202, 8th grade
I brought in an excerpt of "82 Reasons Not to Get Out of Bed," by Denise Duhamel and her Florida International University M.F.A. students. It is a collaborative piece, the result of the entire class and the teacher writing down several fears, then one student compiling them into a poem and titling it. This method of compiling assorted lines or parts to make a poem is often called a cento.
For my 7th and 8th grade classes, I asked them to write down 3 fears on a blank paper--no names--emphasizing that they should be particular and concrete, zooming in on the fear. I compiled them into collaborative pieces, literally cutting up the sheets of paper and drawing out slips randomly one by one, typing the poem as I went (although I was a little more intentional with endings).
More fear centos to come! Believe me, you can't wait. I know I can't.
###
This is What I Fear
Rachel Javellana and Room 202, Ms. Catinella’s 8th grade class, Lee School
I fear drowning when I can swim but can’t come back up to get air.
I fear being without my family. I would not know what to do without them.
I fear heights that are taller than the sky.
I fear getting Fs in school.
I fear the dark, whose guilty hand tries to pull me in.
I fear clowns.
I fear the world ending.
I fear guns shooting outside.
I fear my world may one day come crashing down.
I fear time: not having any to finish the important things in life.
I fear being hopeless with no sense in living.
I fear I will get shot and die.
I fear the movies when you don’t know what else is going to happen.
I fear that one day I won’t come home; I will be taken away from my family.
I fear people lying on the floor, pale and not breathing.
I fear that in the future I will be nothing or nobody.
I fear never succeeding in anything, not going anywhere in life.
I fear getting sick and not being able to get better.
I am afraid of the time to run away from me.
I fear people dying.
I fear my dad’s huge hand striking my face down.
I fear being outside alone at night.
I fear guns.
I fear the men in the streets in the night.
I fear getting shot because I wear the wrong colors in the wrong ’hoods.
I am afraid of what can happen 50 years from now.
I fear death knocking at the door.
I fear divorces.
I fear dying early.
I am afraid of not getting through the gates, and being sent down.
I fear feeling lonely.
I fear strangers.
I fear losing my dad over something that isn’t even worth it.
I fear the height when you go on a rollercoaster, seeing all the things beneath you.
I fear when people start screaming and fighting.
I fear the room when it’s dark.
I fear funerals.
I fear Fridays the 13th for bad luck.
I fear surgery.
I fear spiders, big and small.
I fear getting into a gang shooting.
I fear small rooms; I fear being in one by myself.
I fear flying squirrels.
I fear losing my mom over something stupid.
I fear the planes that go up in the sky.
I fear Ms. Catinella.
I fear dark alleys.
I fear the darkness of an empty room.
I fear being in small places because I feel like I’m going to pass out.
I fear a lot of homework.
I fear dying when it’s my turn.
I fear the reaper taking my life away.
I fear the world will end and we won’t have enough time, and no way to stop it from
ending.
I fear guns taking a life away.
I am afraid of not seeing the light anymore and going away from my family.
I fear getting into trouble.
I fear heights over eight feet.
I fear height.
I fear people fighting outside.
I fear falling down a building.
I fear talking about my baby.
I fear the world is going to end at any time.
I fear breaking my leg.
I fear living on the streets as a bum.
I fear gangs.
I fear large quantities of water like lakes.
I fear being in danger.
I fear forgetting my favorite people when I go off with my future career.
I fear heights.
I fear dying young.
I fear being kidnapped.
I fear dying too young.
I fear bees.
That is what I fear.
For my 7th and 8th grade classes, I asked them to write down 3 fears on a blank paper--no names--emphasizing that they should be particular and concrete, zooming in on the fear. I compiled them into collaborative pieces, literally cutting up the sheets of paper and drawing out slips randomly one by one, typing the poem as I went (although I was a little more intentional with endings).
More fear centos to come! Believe me, you can't wait. I know I can't.
###
This is What I Fear
Rachel Javellana and Room 202, Ms. Catinella’s 8th grade class, Lee School
I fear drowning when I can swim but can’t come back up to get air.
I fear being without my family. I would not know what to do without them.
I fear heights that are taller than the sky.
I fear getting Fs in school.
I fear the dark, whose guilty hand tries to pull me in.
I fear clowns.
I fear the world ending.
I fear guns shooting outside.
I fear my world may one day come crashing down.
I fear time: not having any to finish the important things in life.
I fear being hopeless with no sense in living.
I fear I will get shot and die.
I fear the movies when you don’t know what else is going to happen.
I fear that one day I won’t come home; I will be taken away from my family.
I fear people lying on the floor, pale and not breathing.
I fear that in the future I will be nothing or nobody.
I fear never succeeding in anything, not going anywhere in life.
I fear getting sick and not being able to get better.
I am afraid of the time to run away from me.
I fear people dying.
I fear my dad’s huge hand striking my face down.
I fear being outside alone at night.
I fear guns.
I fear the men in the streets in the night.
I fear getting shot because I wear the wrong colors in the wrong ’hoods.
I am afraid of what can happen 50 years from now.
I fear death knocking at the door.
I fear divorces.
I fear dying early.
I am afraid of not getting through the gates, and being sent down.
I fear feeling lonely.
I fear strangers.
I fear losing my dad over something that isn’t even worth it.
I fear the height when you go on a rollercoaster, seeing all the things beneath you.
I fear when people start screaming and fighting.
I fear the room when it’s dark.
I fear funerals.
I fear Fridays the 13th for bad luck.
I fear surgery.
I fear spiders, big and small.
I fear getting into a gang shooting.
I fear small rooms; I fear being in one by myself.
I fear flying squirrels.
I fear losing my mom over something stupid.
I fear the planes that go up in the sky.
I fear Ms. Catinella.
I fear dark alleys.
I fear the darkness of an empty room.
I fear being in small places because I feel like I’m going to pass out.
I fear a lot of homework.
I fear dying when it’s my turn.
I fear the reaper taking my life away.
I fear the world will end and we won’t have enough time, and no way to stop it from
ending.
I fear guns taking a life away.
I am afraid of not seeing the light anymore and going away from my family.
I fear getting into trouble.
I fear heights over eight feet.
I fear height.
I fear people fighting outside.
I fear falling down a building.
I fear talking about my baby.
I fear the world is going to end at any time.
I fear breaking my leg.
I fear living on the streets as a bum.
I fear gangs.
I fear large quantities of water like lakes.
I fear being in danger.
I fear forgetting my favorite people when I go off with my future career.
I fear heights.
I fear dying young.
I fear being kidnapped.
I fear dying too young.
I fear bees.
That is what I fear.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Where I'm From--8th graders
During this session, we read Willie Perdomo's "Where I'm From," from his book Where a Nickel Costs a Dime. We discussed the tools that Perdomo used to portray a picture of his neighborhood, and I asked them to write their own poems about home and neighborhood, making sure to include images from all five senses.
###
Mr. Stalla, Rm. 201, 8th grade
West Lawn
Raul G.
Where I’m from street smarts can
be more valuable than book smarts.
I see the scared faces of the troubled teens
afraid to walk down the block. I see
the sneaky dope and drug dealers next
to where the kids play. I see them
smile and laugh as I walk by. Reminds
of when I was a little kid, my only job
was to have fun.
The sun goes down, forks go up
and dig into the delicious meal before
me. The smell of handmade tortillas
on the stove.
56 n Whipple
65 n Kilpatrick
Antonio G.
see dirty lawns
broken-down cars in the yards gangbangers
driving in their customs. I feel scared
because I remember hearing gunshots
at night.
I see nice houses
and trimmed hedges. I see
gangbangers passing in their customs still
I feel nervous every time
I walk out the door.
Untitled
Carina A.
Where I’m from Mexico stays in our
hearts like a newborn memory.
I feel cared for and scared for the
police that don’t sleep.
Hear the ambulance wake you up at night.
Smell the fresh coffee in the morning
and hear the groans of the people who
have to give up their day.
###
Ms. Catinella, Rm. 202, 8th grade
Everyone Asks Me (excerpt)
Alejandra S.
Everybody asks me where I’m from.
Who I am?
What am I? What’s my race?
Well, I’m everywhere, park, school.
I always hear fights, see fights.
I’m not American. I’m mixed. People
make fun of that, calling names.
I love my home, but that’s not where
I belong. I would rather be where
many trees are. Where it’s always fall.
My life only has one description: books, or
a book without an end.
The smell of fresh air in front of my house.
I always hear the word gang, everywhere
I go I hear that word.
I always see people making out, with different
ages, and I think it’s disgusting. I always see
pregnant girls my age.
I’m a Latina, that’s all I tell people.
I have many cultures and I’m not in only
one place...
Come and Go
Edith A.
I like the noise of the
kids playing happy outside,
the birds singing.
I like when the sun comes
out and the moon goes in.
I look at the sun and I
feel peace, I see the
moon and it’s time to go
to sleep.
I leave the country and then
I come back.
I like the smell in the
morning of bread and hot
coffee, people have changed
from right to wrong,
peace to noise. Families
to divorce. I come and go
out the country, I come
and go.
###
Mr. Balcazar, Rm. 203, 8th grade
My Life
Jocelin J.
Where I’m from, I see everyone outside
driving, working, playing or fighting, hearing
the laughter of children, the crying of
a mother when losing a special person.
When I try to tell someone where
I’m from, I remember a lot, that I’m
scared to say and might think something
different. I feel my world is not
dangerous, but not safe. My feelings may
get hurt by people ’cause of my personality
but I’m used to it.
When I taste my mom’s
tamales, or arroz con leche, or smell
the bakeries in my world, it makes it
seem so sweet. When it’s not,
people get judged deeply. My world is
cool for me. Do you like my world?
Do you think it’s safe?
Chicago
Samantha G.
Tall building blocking the sun.
Honking horns all over town.
The swishing waves hitting
the sand. The wind that blows
the leaves away.
Where I go!
Andrea S.
Where I go, the ghetto of 77 and
Homan, where all you hear is
music and people talking, from
where you can smell the cooking
of fish in the corner restaurant.
Where I go, the ghetto, where all
you see is graffiti and gangs.
Where you can taste the pancakes
that my aunt makes every day. Where
I go it feels just like home, the
feel of the breeze and the autumn
leaves.
###
Ms. Fenton, Rm. 204, 8th grade
Untitled
Guadalupe A.
Where I am from it is called
the windy city. The sound
of laughter at children’s play.
The smell of arroz con leche
in the kitchen. The sound of
victory in a home run. Silence
of my neighborhood at night.
Where I am from there
is peace. Only noisy when
neighbors nearby playing their
rock band. The variety of
different cultures. As my dad
comes from a hard day from work.
You can see the artificial lights
in the sky.
Where I am from there
are planes flying over my house.
The cats creep silently back
and forth from the alley.
My ’Hood
Richard S.
Where my ’hood’s from is hot and
the smell of flowers is everywhere. I seem my
grandmother watering her flowers and my uncle
feeding the bird and my puppy run, I hear my
friends screaming Hike while they play football
on the street. I taste the eggs and beans
my grandmother cooks. Feel the warmness on my
feet from heat of the sun and the 24s on
my cousin’s truck and the sound of rap music
coming from his giant speakers. That’s my ’hood.
Mexico
Frank M.
Where I am from
I like the nice smell
of burning wood. Where
I am from you see poor
all over the place, kids
without shoes, dogs all over
the place. Where I am from
the taste of tamales is the
best taste you can taste
with a cup of Haredo. Where I am
from there are gangs, violence,
and good candy.
###
Mr. Stalla, Rm. 201, 8th grade
West Lawn
Raul G.
Where I’m from street smarts can
be more valuable than book smarts.
I see the scared faces of the troubled teens
afraid to walk down the block. I see
the sneaky dope and drug dealers next
to where the kids play. I see them
smile and laugh as I walk by. Reminds
of when I was a little kid, my only job
was to have fun.
The sun goes down, forks go up
and dig into the delicious meal before
me. The smell of handmade tortillas
on the stove.
56 n Whipple
65 n Kilpatrick
Antonio G.
see dirty lawns
broken-down cars in the yards gangbangers
driving in their customs. I feel scared
because I remember hearing gunshots
at night.
I see nice houses
and trimmed hedges. I see
gangbangers passing in their customs still
I feel nervous every time
I walk out the door.
Untitled
Carina A.
Where I’m from Mexico stays in our
hearts like a newborn memory.
I feel cared for and scared for the
police that don’t sleep.
Hear the ambulance wake you up at night.
Smell the fresh coffee in the morning
and hear the groans of the people who
have to give up their day.
###
Ms. Catinella, Rm. 202, 8th grade
Everyone Asks Me (excerpt)
Alejandra S.
Everybody asks me where I’m from.
Who I am?
What am I? What’s my race?
Well, I’m everywhere, park, school.
I always hear fights, see fights.
I’m not American. I’m mixed. People
make fun of that, calling names.
I love my home, but that’s not where
I belong. I would rather be where
many trees are. Where it’s always fall.
My life only has one description: books, or
a book without an end.
The smell of fresh air in front of my house.
I always hear the word gang, everywhere
I go I hear that word.
I always see people making out, with different
ages, and I think it’s disgusting. I always see
pregnant girls my age.
I’m a Latina, that’s all I tell people.
I have many cultures and I’m not in only
one place...
Come and Go
Edith A.
I like the noise of the
kids playing happy outside,
the birds singing.
I like when the sun comes
out and the moon goes in.
I look at the sun and I
feel peace, I see the
moon and it’s time to go
to sleep.
I leave the country and then
I come back.
I like the smell in the
morning of bread and hot
coffee, people have changed
from right to wrong,
peace to noise. Families
to divorce. I come and go
out the country, I come
and go.
###
Mr. Balcazar, Rm. 203, 8th grade
My Life
Jocelin J.
Where I’m from, I see everyone outside
driving, working, playing or fighting, hearing
the laughter of children, the crying of
a mother when losing a special person.
When I try to tell someone where
I’m from, I remember a lot, that I’m
scared to say and might think something
different. I feel my world is not
dangerous, but not safe. My feelings may
get hurt by people ’cause of my personality
but I’m used to it.
When I taste my mom’s
tamales, or arroz con leche, or smell
the bakeries in my world, it makes it
seem so sweet. When it’s not,
people get judged deeply. My world is
cool for me. Do you like my world?
Do you think it’s safe?
Chicago
Samantha G.
Tall building blocking the sun.
Honking horns all over town.
The swishing waves hitting
the sand. The wind that blows
the leaves away.
Where I go!
Andrea S.
Where I go, the ghetto of 77 and
Homan, where all you hear is
music and people talking, from
where you can smell the cooking
of fish in the corner restaurant.
Where I go, the ghetto, where all
you see is graffiti and gangs.
Where you can taste the pancakes
that my aunt makes every day. Where
I go it feels just like home, the
feel of the breeze and the autumn
leaves.
###
Ms. Fenton, Rm. 204, 8th grade
Untitled
Guadalupe A.
Where I am from it is called
the windy city. The sound
of laughter at children’s play.
The smell of arroz con leche
in the kitchen. The sound of
victory in a home run. Silence
of my neighborhood at night.
Where I am from there
is peace. Only noisy when
neighbors nearby playing their
rock band. The variety of
different cultures. As my dad
comes from a hard day from work.
You can see the artificial lights
in the sky.
Where I am from there
are planes flying over my house.
The cats creep silently back
and forth from the alley.
My ’Hood
Richard S.
Where my ’hood’s from is hot and
the smell of flowers is everywhere. I seem my
grandmother watering her flowers and my uncle
feeding the bird and my puppy run, I hear my
friends screaming Hike while they play football
on the street. I taste the eggs and beans
my grandmother cooks. Feel the warmness on my
feet from heat of the sun and the 24s on
my cousin’s truck and the sound of rap music
coming from his giant speakers. That’s my ’hood.
Mexico
Frank M.
Where I am from
I like the nice smell
of burning wood. Where
I am from you see poor
all over the place, kids
without shoes, dogs all over
the place. Where I am from
the taste of tamales is the
best taste you can taste
with a cup of Haredo. Where I am
from there are gangs, violence,
and good candy.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Lee 8th graders--"Nobody Knows..."
Today we read poem III from The Book of Questions by Pablo Neruda. We discussed the idea of objects having a life and secrets of their own, and I asked them to write their own "secret" poems, using the starter "Nobody knows..." imagining that everyday inanimate objects have secrets that only they know.
###
Mr. Stalla, Rm. 201, 8th grade
Sidewalk
Raul G.
Nobody knows the sidewalk has a
mind of its own. It moves to make
you trip and fall. When it’s happy, it
cracks a smile.
Nobody Knows
Carina A.
Nobody knows that clocks
stop ticking at night.
Nobody knows the sun dies
every night.
Nobody knows that a
heart beats inside a tree.
Nobody knows that the
moon talks.
Nobody Knows
Bianca P.
Nobody knows that the
books get so happy when
you open them.
Nobody knows that the
door hurts when you close it.
###
Mr. Balcazar, Rm. 203, 8th grade
Nobody Knows
Stephanie C.
Nobody knows that
plants talk to people
and tell them their secrets.
Nobody knows that
objects move when
everybody is sleeping.
Nobody knows that
animals have their own
treasure.
Nobody Knows
Rosalia Alvarez
Nobody knows that the sun is
still showing in the middle of
the night.
Nobody knows that a teacher
without his class is actually
happy.
Nobody Knows
Christian E.
Nobody knows that the
rose and the daisy have a crush on
each other. The vase wants to hook
them up, but the banana says
that she will break his heart.
###
Ms. Fenton, Rm. 204, 8th grade
Nobody Knows
Karina S.
Nobody knows that the floor is in pain when we leave.
Nobody knows that the tree called your name
to appreciate the nature.
Nobody knows that the lunch ticket is just
staring at us.
Nobody knows that the classroom is scared
in the night.
Nobody Knows
Guadalupe A.
Nobody knows that the
pencils move by themselves and
do homework.
The world beyond a tiny
box which reveals a whole new
world.
Nobody knows where
nature began.
The mystery a book has
about life’s secrets.
Nobody Knows
Monica H.
Nobody knows the secret
of the flower: it grows when you are
staring at it, but you don’t notice it.
Nobody knows that at night
my house comes to life and messes
up my grass; that is the real
reason my grass looks bad.
Nobody knows that there
is a code in the American flag
that opens something somewhere
but you’ll never know.
Nobody knows that with
all this violence in the world
to me it is peace.
###
Mr. Stalla, Rm. 201, 8th grade
Sidewalk
Raul G.
Nobody knows the sidewalk has a
mind of its own. It moves to make
you trip and fall. When it’s happy, it
cracks a smile.
Nobody Knows
Carina A.
Nobody knows that clocks
stop ticking at night.
Nobody knows the sun dies
every night.
Nobody knows that a
heart beats inside a tree.
Nobody knows that the
moon talks.
Nobody Knows
Bianca P.
Nobody knows that the
books get so happy when
you open them.
Nobody knows that the
door hurts when you close it.
###
Mr. Balcazar, Rm. 203, 8th grade
Nobody Knows
Stephanie C.
Nobody knows that
plants talk to people
and tell them their secrets.
Nobody knows that
objects move when
everybody is sleeping.
Nobody knows that
animals have their own
treasure.
Nobody Knows
Rosalia Alvarez
Nobody knows that the sun is
still showing in the middle of
the night.
Nobody knows that a teacher
without his class is actually
happy.
Nobody Knows
Christian E.
Nobody knows that the
rose and the daisy have a crush on
each other. The vase wants to hook
them up, but the banana says
that she will break his heart.
###
Ms. Fenton, Rm. 204, 8th grade
Nobody Knows
Karina S.
Nobody knows that the floor is in pain when we leave.
Nobody knows that the tree called your name
to appreciate the nature.
Nobody knows that the lunch ticket is just
staring at us.
Nobody knows that the classroom is scared
in the night.
Nobody Knows
Guadalupe A.
Nobody knows that the
pencils move by themselves and
do homework.
The world beyond a tiny
box which reveals a whole new
world.
Nobody knows where
nature began.
The mystery a book has
about life’s secrets.
Nobody Knows
Monica H.
Nobody knows the secret
of the flower: it grows when you are
staring at it, but you don’t notice it.
Nobody knows that at night
my house comes to life and messes
up my grass; that is the real
reason my grass looks bad.
Nobody knows that there
is a code in the American flag
that opens something somewhere
but you’ll never know.
Nobody knows that with
all this violence in the world
to me it is peace.
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