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.

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.