City of the beautifulness of the world!

Using Walt Whitman's Civil War-era "City of Ships" as an inspiration (a poem that addresses and praises New York City), we discussed what Chicago is a "city of..."

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Ms. Vilchis, Rm. 202, 3rd grade

The City
Lesly L.

Yo pienso cuando yo
veo que es bonito y que es
una ciudad grande. Tiene trafico y
tiene tiendas y hay zoo, hay zoologicos
en muchas partes a casas
y hay personas diferentes y ay escuela
y hay tambien muchas cosas hay
muebles hay computadoras y hay niños
y niñas y hay luz y teles y hay comida.


The Busy City
Zamira M.

City of cars all day traffic!

City of schools, the teachers are
nice, cute, like Mrs. Javellana!

City of families going to the park!

City of buildings, people, store, malls!

City of Chicago that has the best
communities!


City of Teachers
Daniel R.

O, no, our teacher gave us a lot of
homework! I tell my mom, “O
no, my teacher gave us a lot, but to
do it in the city!” And when I go
in the city all my homework
flew to the street and I could not
grab it from the city! “O no, I can’t
do my homework in the city!”
So my teacher give me a F in
my homework because I did not
do my homework in the city!
And I think in Chicago there are
a lot of teachers. In Chicago is a
city! Oho!


City
Jocelyn H.

City of computers, big and little computers
like the computer of Mrs. Vilchis.

City of animals that are wild.

City of the office buildings.

City of streets in the city.

City of industrial in some places.

City of the factories in all the world.

City of sunlight in the morning.

City of oil lamps.

City of gas lamps in the world.

City of neighborhood in all the world.

City of the community with
people who work.


City of Different People
Andrea P.

City of Different People!
(O the different people of all the states!)
Of New York people! Of Mexico people!
New York people are funny, sad, happy,
and even of Mexico people, they
are very, very, very, very kind people. They
give you toys, food, and other things
that you love so, so much, but so much!
And the part that they children
love is whenthe Mexicans and New York
people make funny tricks and
funny jokes that you laugh and laugh,
but they laugh so
much!


City of Stuff
Adriana A.

City of money. I kind of hate money
because everybody is kinda fighting.

City of flags. I hate this because when
I come to school we do the pledge
and I wanna put away my stuff.

City of George Washington. I love his
clothes. I wish I could be him, the
first President. I can imagine
myself in there.


City of Mrs. J and Mrs. Vilchis
Jaqueline M.

City of Mrs. J and Mrs. Vilchis all
around the world. And buying new glasses
in the mall. And buying new clothes to wear in
a party. And buy the same clothes, they look
like the same. They are twins.

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Mrs. Vazzana, Rm. 104, 3rd grade

Chicago City
Cristal V.

The city of Chicago.
The sky is beautiful like my heart.
The children love to read books.
The teachers are beautiful and sweet.
There are trees all over Chicago.
In Chicago there are a lot of people.
Schools are good to kids.
People are white or black.
Elephants are fat and big.
The dogs are good because they help.
Teachers are sweet and special.
The police are helpful to you.
The computers are good.
I like to be in Chicago.


The Chicago Place
Vanessa G.

I see Chinese people.
The family eats enchiladas.
I see police.
I see dogs and cats in the street.
I see factories doing candies.
I see a lot of rats in the street.
I see libraries with a lot of books.
I see stores of El Gűero.
I see computers in school.
I see doctors and dentists.
I wash a lot of cars.
I see in the zoo elephants.
I see 20,000 houses.
I see people of Mexicano.
I see a lot of trees.


I See Something
Adeline S.

I see people in the city. People
that are black and white people.
And I see schools. And doctors.
And police that are nice. And doctors
that are so nice. And I see little
children and cars passing around and
building houses. And I see stores and zoos
and I see some dogs that are big
and I see tamales that look
good and I feel like I want to eat
some. And I see some trees all around.
I see some food food like
pozole and mole and some tamales
and some enchiladas so so much.
And I like food.

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Ms. Hamdan, Rm. B15, 3rd grade

The City Of
Judith G.

The city of pets!
The city of pumping hearts!
The city of pumpkins. The city
of holidays. The city of huge
candy! The city of Valentines. The
city of math and division! The
city of people and teachers!


City of Chicago!
Jazmin N.

City of Chicago!
City of homes!
City of store!
City of school!
City of people!
City of pets!
City of shoes!
City of ice cream!
City of popcorn!
City of night!
City of day!
City of downtown!
City of crazy people!
City of rose!
City of darkness!
City of candy!
City of food!
City of Chicago!


The City of the World
Melissa V.

The city of the world!

City with all Shedd Aquariums,
you’re my wonderful stuff and
the sound of dolphins.
City with all houses, schools.
City of the world!
City with all downtown,
with restaurants and work!
City with all best food.
City with people!
City with hospitals!


Chicago’s Things
Giselle H.

We are the city of BEAUTIFULNESS!
City with DRUNK people!
City of BUSY downtown people!
City with PARTY people who get drunk!
City of screaming CRAZY people!
City with running hollering kids who
can’t let you sleep!
City of LOVE who makes you feel!
City with EXTENDED RESPONSES!
City of CRAZY PEOPLE! Who
make you LOCA!


City Of!
Michelle

City of the beautifulness in the world!
City of many beautiful pets!
City of learning children!
City of reading monkeys!

Chicago with delicious hot dogs!
Chicago with Soldier Field!
Chicago with Navy Pier!
Chicaog with children running!


Chicago With!!
Zalma R.

Chicago with!!
Chicago with roses so beautiful!
Chicago with me so nice
and kind! Chicago with people
so nice and so mean!
Chicaog with food like my
kind! Chicago with school
to learn and learn!
Chicago with libraries to
read! Chicago with houses
so nice and clean! Chicago with
me and you and ever how.

Imagism, Minimalism, Objectivism, Haiku

This week, we read three poems by 18th century Japanese poet and painter, Yosa Buson: "Coolness," "Early Summer Rain," and "Sparrow Singing." Then we looked at William Carlos Williams' classic minimalist poem, "The Red Wheelbarrow." Students were asked what these four poems had in common, and in what ways were they different? Some were familiar with haiku, but instead of sticking with the traditional haiku syllabic formula, students were encouraged to write poems that created a simple, but evocative image in the mind of the reader, in three lines with no more than five words per line.

There were many terrific responses to this idea -- here's a selection.

Ms. Fialkowski, 5th Grade

The Acorn
Angel H.

The acorn falls
on a leaf then
grows.

Dark in Sky
Vanessa P.

So dark in sky
and you could see dark
anywhere with your eyes.

The Sun
Jonathan R.

The highlight of the sun
the trees of nature glowing
goodbye sun, goodbye

Waterfall
Marbella R.

Waterfall –
the water falling
the roar of water

Life
Steven S.

Life is
some thing
special

Baby Birds
Samantha T.

Beautiful baby birds
staring at their mom
wondering why she won't eat

Ms. Michel, 5th Grade

Forest
Daniel A.

the sound of one
bird that sounds more beautiful
than a chorus of millions

Branches
Alondra B.

Branches –
sway around
in the dark night

Rain
Gerardo C.

Rain
sometimes hard in the summer
you wonder is it gone

The Red Book
Samuel G.

The red book laying down
as the rain pours over
it the words vanish

Shells
Jessica M.

beach is a place
where shells are
next to the shore.

Rainbow
Luis O.

A big glowing rainbow outside,
two of them from
rain.

Fall
Karen R.

Fall –
is turning to
orange and yellow, and brown

The Cheetah
Yulissa R.

The cheetah runs
in the forest for its
freedom.

Orange Juice
Jeremy S.

The orange juice –
the orange juice is
sitting on the table empty

The Lonely Baseball
Javier S.

the lonely baseball
sits on the lonely
ground

Waves
Alvaro S.

crashing down
like a plate
falling and breaking.

Ms. Hughesdon, 5th Grade

The Wolf
Salena C.

The Wolf –
dragging its prey
its pup playing around.

Nature
Anheli D.

The squirrels running from animals.
The crickets making sounds.
The smoke of the chimney.

Lake Michigan
David F.

Lake Michigan
boats pass by
shadows reflect.

The Dog
Belen F.

The dog is
barking at the
stranger the dog doesn't stop.

Tree
Jessica Z.

That growth of the tree
is from small
to leaves.

Ms. Montoya, 5th Grade

Fly
Daisy A.

Two big wings,
things inside,
soaring through the clouds.

Night
Janet B.

Night is time to
close your eyes
and go to sleep

Wind
Ramiro G.

Wind it blows to your
skin as you hear it
whisper in your ear.

Outside
Omar G.

Outside bird humming
for hunger at the
middle of daylight

Tigers
Anibal M.

Tigers are
dangerous
tigers eat people

Waterfall
Ivan M.

waterfall –
falling water but,
never fills up

La Rosa
Monica M.

En el campo hay una
rosa, roja, con su tallo
verde, que espera verde.

Morning
Jose P.

Waking early –
a new day,
after tired sleep.

Shark Attack
Eric P.

There's a hungry shark.
He's in the distance.
All the fish swim away.

Rain
Jesus P.

you see rain every-
where around the streets
you see your reflection

Birds
Diana R.

Birds chirping while flying, almost
look like dancing, feeding those
little beaks up that tree

Ms. Graefen, 5th Grade

The Lake
Magdalena F.

The lake
flowers facing the lake,
five of them.

The School
Cesar G.

The school is full in
the morning and empty and
spooky at night.

Snow
Eliliana L.

Snow is cold
soft and melts
it's like ice cream

A Pig
Rocio M.

A pig on a
tree, how weird
don't you think?

Birds
Julian V.

When I'm walking sometimes
I hear spring
birds in the sky

Mr. Heredia, 5th Grade

wet dogs
Deisy C.

wet dogs
that smell
horrible.

Forest
Daryl C.

A hoot and the blowing
wind. Animals are awake, and
asleep, coming in, and out.

Basketball
Keith D.

Basketball –
the sound of it
makes an echo

Rain
Fernando P.

The rain is dropping,
drip by drop down the
streets.

The Country Flag
Leslie S.

Red, white, blue
waves
on the pole

Winter
Adela S.

it's cold outside
drink hot cocoa
time to build a snowman.

I am a crazy rabbit and an ugly monster and nice people.

I went a little nuts typing up many more poems than usual, because I was so thrilled about the hilarious and exciting results of our "I am/I am not" anaphora poems. I asked the students to finish the phrase "I am..." fifteen times, and "I am not" five times. I encouraged them to use metaphor (compare themselves to objects, animals, places...) or to use adjectives, or verbs. I was struck by the complexity that they expressed through these poems, throwing in semi-contradictory lines ("I am an ugly monster and nice people.") and documenting growth and change ("I am not mean to you anymore.").

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Ms. Vilchis, Rm. 202, 3rd grade

I Am and I Am Not
Abel V.

I am a real hotdog.
I am a hamburger from Burger King.
I am a pencil that always writes.
I am a car that goes fast.
I am a taco from Tio Luis tacos.

I am not a nerd.
I am not a teacher.
I am not a clown.
I am not a paper.
I am not a piece of cement.

I am a computer that works.
I am a stapler that has a lot of staples.
I am a tissue paper.
I am a ramp that people use.
I am a clown that is funny.

I am not a piece of lead.
I am not a jacket that people wear.
I am not a folder that children use.
I am not a chalkboard.
I am not the worms that crawl in the dirt.


Untitled
Carlos L.

I’m an alligator, an alligator that invites people in my stomach.

I’m not a fish, a fish that swims in the water.

I’m a rat, a strong rat that could make a cat lose.

I’m not a worm that moves slow.

I’m a lion that is strong.


Untitled
Adriana A.

I am cleaning my room today.
I am helping people to earn money.
I am playing with my dog.
I am a daughter.
I am jumping around.

I am not hungry.
I am not worried.
I am not lucky; today always bad luck.
I am not happy today.
I am not cleaning my room.


Untitled
Andrea P.

In 5 de mayo I am going to dance. I am not a good dancer.
I am going to eat tamales. I am not happy.
I am a lizard. I am not a thing.
I am a balloon. I am not afraid of water.
I am a ball. I am not mean.

In 5 de mayo I am going to dance. I am going to dance.
I am going to eat tamales.
I am a lizard. I am a balloon.
I am a ball. I am a tree.

I am not a good dancer. I am not happy.
I am not mean. I am not afraid of water.
I am not a thing.


Untitled
Nicole O.

I am not a ghost.
I am a red shape and dark.
I am not mean to you anymore.
I am something that’s blue and flies.
I am not a heart.
I am the sun.
I am not the color yellow.
I am a paperclip.


I Am a Little Girl with a Big Imagination
Zamira M.

I am a little heart that don’t have nobody.
I am a little girl that is almost everything.
I am a little butterfly that flies and flies.
I am your Valentine all the time—
when you need help I will help you.
I am not a girl that steals friends.
I am not a toy you play with.
I am not a book that you laugh at all the time.
I am not a mean person that steals.
I am not a ghost.


Untitled
Daniel R.

I am a clown that makes a lot of people laugh
and I talk to people.
I am not a crazy boy. I am a nice boy
because you are not a bad boy,
you are a nice boy to play with.
I am a boy that does his work in the classroom.
I am not bringing my homework to school.
I am a tree and a train and a bike
that has two wheels.
I am not a clown.
I am not an ugly kid.
I am a crazy rabbit and an ugly monster
and nice people.


Untitled
Fernando L.

I am a can.
I am a ghost.
I am a famous singer.
I am the Earth.
I am a car.

I am not Jeff Hardy.
I am not a human.
I am not a tray.
I am not a clown.


I Am…I Am Not…
Araceli V.

I am a 3rd-grader. I am sad.
I am in Mrs. Vilchis’ classroom.
I am a student. I am my mom’s daughter.
I am not a teacher. I am not happy.
I am not a 4th-grader.
I am not a student of the month.
I am not a dog.


Untitled
Krystal R.

I am a sandwich that walks.
I am a bird.
I am a turkey.
I am a paper that talks.
I am a balloon.

I am not a book.
I am not a person.
I am not a shoe.
I am not a squirrel.
I am not a table.

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Ms. Hamdan, Rm. B15, 3rd grade

I Am, I Am Not!
Michelle B.

I am like a shining diamond!
I am not crazy!
I am a beautiful red heart!
I am not a banana with fresh peels!
I am clean and shiny!
I am not a crazy monkey!
I am a shining star in the sky!
I am not confusing!


I Am
Sebastian C.

I am a giant robot.
I am a magnet who sticks on the robot.
I am a rock--I can't move.
I am a football player.
I am a volcano who spills lava.
I am a pencil who people could write with.
I am a leaf on a tree.
I am a writer.
I am a house.
I am a candle.

I am not a pair of glasses.
I am not scissors.
I am not cool.
I am not a ruler.
I am not a clock.


Confusion
Marcos B.

I am 10 of these are us which is
you or me or these.

I am not the same as all of you.

I am always everywhere, as you
can see.

I am not afraid of fireworks or not even
chocolate but maybe of you.

I am not fat.

I am always skinny.


I Am Not
Angelica A.

I am not a boy.
I am a girl.
I am not broccoli.
I am a girl that likes to laugh.
I am not a washing machine.
I am writing a poem.
I am not a tree.
I am counting in my head.
I am not dinner.
I am reading my sentence.
I am not a cup of coffee.
I am doing work.
I am not a triangle.
I am using Andy's pencil.
I am not a cake.


I Am! I Am Not!
Jacqueline V.

I am nice.
I am a girl.
I am strong.
I am pretty.
I am a kitty.
I am great at school.
I am beautiful.
I am a dog.
I am big.
I am brave.
I am not a cylinder.
I am not mud.
I am not a rock.
I am not a leaf.
I am not a cake.
I am not a cube.
I am not a boy.
I am not a rectangle.
I am not a cone.
I am a sphere.
I am not a pyramid.
I am not a prism
because I will be a prism.

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Mrs. Vazzana, Rm. 104, 3rd grade

Untitled
Victor P.

I am a house.
I am not a paper.
I am a book.
I am not a board.
I am a television.
I am not a shoe.
I am a map.
I am not a pencil.
I am a ball.
I am not a book bag.
I am short.
I am not hair.
I am an apple.
I am a person.


I Am the Things
Hazael G.

I am tiny like an ant.
I am not a computer
because I don't have letters
in my stomach.
I am a hot dog.
I am not a donkey.
I am a book.
I am a poem.
I am not water.
I am a lion.
I am not a shark.
I am not a planet.
I am a dog.
I am an angel.


I Am
Esmeralda P.

I am a frog because
I jump a lot.
I am a monkey because
I ate a lot of bananas.
I am a dog because I like
bones of meat.
I am the sun and I am bright.
I am a song I sing.
I am a book so fat.
I am a poem so long.
I am a hot dog.
I am pizza.
I am a school.
I am a donkey that does the limbo.
I am a cookie.


I Am Not Things, I Am Things
Yacsel H.

I am a butterfly in the sky.
I am a monkey, I dance and eat bananas.
I am a seahorse and I am in the water.
I am a pencil and I write with it.

I am not a car who rides.
I am not a house where they live.
I am not water to drink.
I am not a poem to read.
I am not food to eat.


Myself
Angelica V.

I am a good girl.
I am a princess.
I am my dog.
I am a girl.
I am a president.
I am a super girl.
I am Maya.
I am a D.W.
I am a woman.
I am a mom.

I am not a boy.
I am not a stranger.
I am not a dinosaur.
I am not a nice boy.


I Am
Miguel M.

I am a white tiger.
I am not Joaquin.
I am Miguel.
I am a red dragon.
I am not a shark.



Untitled
Karina G.

I am a girl.
I am not a boy.
I am in Chicago.
I am not an animal.
I am a dog.
I am not a house.
I am fabulous.
I am not a clock.
I am a princess.
I am not a number.
I am a teddy bear.
I am not a ghost.
I am a happy face.
I am not a marker.
I am a heart.
I am not a rabbit.
I am a star.
I am not teeth.
I am a popstar.
I am not a baby.
I am a butterfly.
I am not a rat.
I am a bird.
I am not a fly.
I am a rainbow.
I am not a fish.
I am a glass of water.

Cento

These large poems are the results of a collaboration, in which each student contributed up to three snippets (in this case, three things that they fear), and I mixed up the results to create a poem. This kind of poetry is similar to the cento, which is a poem created from borrowed lines and words in another text (effectively, a collaboration between the writer and a borrowed text). We took the example of Denise Duhamel's poem "82 Reasons Not to Get Out of Bed," which was a collaboration between Duhamel and her MFA writing class.

They were so excited to have written these big poems, and enjoyed the chance to read other students' secret fears.

###

Our Fears
Rachel Javellana and Mrs. Vilchis’ 3rd grade class, Rm. 202

Dinosaurs because of they’re big and have large teeth.
Snakes that bite. There could be poison snakes or dangerous snakes.
My attic because the grudge is there.
The scary movies, all blood on them and dead. They really scare me.
The Devil because he could fire your body in parts.
The people coming through the streets all day long. It’s like monsters coming
through the streets.
Rocket ships. but I don’t know why.
The night.
Winter because there’s a lot of snow.
Strange people because they could kill you.
I feel kinda fear because the big balloons scared me, usually the red ones.
The dark in the forest.
Scary movies because I can’t sleep at night.
The letter B because it makes the sound boom! And it sounds like a thunder is coming.
Bees because if a bee shocks me I could die.
Clowns—it’s like they’re trying to rule the world.
The mean people who fight.
Clowns because they look strange and like they don’t dress up like a clown.
Guns and gangsters and dogs.
The dog that’s big and eats people. I really fear those dogs: the rottweilers.
Spiders because they have a web. And they have long legs.
The color red because sometimes my family wears red clothing.
Dead people.
The number 12 because it has two letters and the other ones have one. And number 100 has one hundred of three letters.
The dark in night in Halloween.
Little dogs because I step on them like Mrs. Vilchis.
Guns because they could kill you.
A text message that they sent my sister. There is a little girl in her screen and it says: My name is Lili and if you don’t send this to ten people I will sit in your bed.
Strangers outside.
Storms because they’re scary. And you can die if a storm touches you.
Scary movies of Chucky when I was 6 years old because he kills people with a knife and he scares them.
A big dog because it can eat me.
Red hens because when you try to touch their little babies, they bite you with their beak.
Clowns and big black dogs.
Snakes because when they take their tongue they can smell us. And they’re dangerous animals.
Lions because they bite hard.
The yucky green water.
The teacher giving us homework.
Airplanes because they are big.
Fire because you can burn yourself.
When I went to Six Flags in a haunted house. It was a farm and it was with blood all over the place and there was a monster with a chainsaw.
That a ghost lives with me because they could do bad things.
A big wolf because their teeth are big and sharp.
Foxes because they bite you.
The dark. I can’t sleep, I have to have the TV on.
Guns because they could kill you.
When I sleep at night and I cannot sleep.
A shark that is in the water and has lots of teeth and swims in the water and takes some people to a trip far away in the water.
Tornadoes scare me because they destroy houses and it looks scary.
When I was little I was afraid of the snow because I would fall in and somebody throw snow at me.
When I was little I was really scared of clowns. One day we went to the circus. I saw a clown and I ducked down to the floor.
The letter M because sometimes I always write sentences with M.
Poisonous snakes.
Chickens because I think they are going to peck me.
That in the future, aliens take over the world.
A dog because he bit me one day and he’s big and he is brown.
Monsters because they are something scary.
At night when storms are scary.
A big dog that is really big and is like a giant.
When I was little I was afraid of a truck because the truck was big and scary and blue.
The dark because I saw a movie and it was scary. I need nightlamps.
The number 1,000 is so big that I even cry by that big number.
Bad people like the ones who are outside and steal money and break windows and they even steal Mom.
Dead people. I don’t like dead people because they scare me.
The number 1,000 is so big that I even cry by that big number.
Rats in Mexico at my grandma’s old house where she doesn’t live anymore.

###

Scared
Rachel Javellana and Mrs. Vazzana’s 3rd grade class, Rm. 104

I am scared of blowfish because it pokes you when you grab it, it feels bad and pointy.
I am scared of the llorona because she screams, “Ay, mis hijos.” And she is scary.
I’m scared of sharks because they can eat you.
I’m scared of the water because it was ten feet tall.
I’m so scared of the big dogs. The dogs are sometimes bad.
The alligator is icky, from the mouth, their teeth. Or sharks.
I’m scared of snakes because they are ugly.
I’m scared of tornadoes. They destroy houses.
I fear the tarantula because he could bite you.
I fear alligators. Because they put an ugly face.
I’m afraid of the fish because when it’s not dead they have to cook them. The fish are nice but smell bad, and their bones are different than ours.
I fear the llorona because she could take us.
I am scared of snakes because they bite you and they have big teeth and they are mean to people.
I fear my basement because there’s spiders and it’s dark.
I’m scared of the sharks. They might eat you up.
I’m scared that a comet is coming to Earth.
I’m scared of the llorona. I was asleep and I felt something. I screamed, “Mom, Dad!!”
I fear a blowfish.
I’m scared of the sun.
I fear a tornado storm.
I was scared of climbing a mountain because it was rocky.
I am scared of sharks, because the teeth of sharks are big and too sharp.
I fear sharks because they could eat you.
I fear a blowfish because it’s ugly and icky.
I’m afraid of tarantulas because the have so much fur.
I fear Mexico, because of the llorona.
I am scared of fire.
I’m scared of the dark.
I’m afraid of hot air balloons because they can spy.
I was scared of the air balloon because it goes high in the sky.
I’m scared of spiders because they eat you.
I fear the llorona because they say that the llorona is real.
I fear shots because they hurt.
I fear going to Mexico because the llorona is going to grab me.
I fear people because they’re going to grab me.
I’m scared of rats because they are ugly and they eat some people.
I fear the dark.
I fear a shark because I am afraid of their teeth.
One morning I see something so different and new. I go by and wave my hand. I go away.
I fear sharks because they eat the people.
I’m so scared of the animal, the lion.
I fear wind that causes a tornado.
I fear the llorona—it’s scary.
I fear Chicago because of the winter.
I fear a shark.
I fear sharks because they could eat you.
One afternoon I was with my sisters in the room and they pulled me, and sisters helped me.
I’m afraid that the window might open and someone might steal me.
I fear the storm.
I am scared of tornadoes that carry houses.
I fear Mexico because there’s the llorona.
I fear the policeman because sometimes he kills people and has a gun and he’s scary by the face.
I fear going to Mexico because I fear the llorona.
I am scared of spiders because they are hairy.
I fear to see the diablo because you can die.
I was scared of la llorona because she cried.
I’m afraid of sharks because if we go to the water if there’s sharks and if we get hurt and we bleed they could eat us. Because we could get hurt a lot. And in the waves it could be dangerous.
I was scared of a storm because the noise was loud.
I was scared of the building.
I fear big bulldogs because they are going to bite me and they are not going to let me go.
I was scared of the room.
I fear when all the lights go off.

###

That is Why I Am Scared
Rachel Javellana and Ms. Hamdan’s 3rd grade class, Rm. B15

I’m afraid of bad dreams.
I fear dead people like zombies.
I’m also afraid of the clown because of his sharp teeth and sharp claws and when he pops out when the children do something.
I am afraid of whales because they have big mouths.
I am scared of animals. Dogs because the bite.
I am scared of animals because some animals bite me.
I was scared when the rat came at me.
I fear the numbers.
I am afraid of the dark of my room.
I fear when I get ready to lay down somebody is knocking on the door and I’m scared.
I am scared that a robber might get me when I am going to school.
I am scared of sharks, whale sharks, because they bite.
I fear balloons when they pop.
I’m afraid of quiet places like corners.
I am afraid of jumping off a motorcycle, because a motorcycle is dangerous.
I am scared of tarantulas because they have venom.
I’m afraid of balloons because I’m afraid that the balloons can pop out blood in my face.
I’m afraid of the dark by myself and people take me.
I am afraid of Undertaker because the lights turn off.
I’m afraid of heights because I’ll get dizzy and I feel I’ll fall and die.
In my life I’m afraid of poison spiders and can die.
I’m scared of scary stories because they creep me out.
I am scared that my pants are going to fall down.
I am scared of rottweilers because they might hurt me and make me go to the hospital.
I am scared of Valentine’s Day because I think my heart is going to break.
I am afraid of fire. I am afraid of this because it burns really bad.
I am afraid of clowns because they act weird and smile weird.
I am scared of learning. I am scared of learning because it makes us smart. That is why I am scared.
I’m afraid of scary movies because they freak me out.
I fear balloons popping in my hand when it was my birthday.
I fear people with costumes with ugly faces.
I’m scared of the door in the night when it’s slamming, when it’s locked.
I fear the 7-syllable word, triskaidekaphobia (which is 13), for nothing.
I fear the clowns when they give me balloons.
I am scared of doing homework. I am scared of doing homework because we learn when we do it. That is why I am scared.
I am scared of the dark because someone could rob me.
I’m scared of dolls when they come to life.
I am afraid of broccoli because my mom makes me eat it.
I’m scared of the bunny when it hops and it might jump on me.
I’m scared when I swim in the ocean where sharks and octopus live.
I am scared of teachers. I am scared because they make us learn. They even make us study. That is why I am scared.
I am afraid of tigers because they eat flesh and we are flesh.
I am scared of devils because they are mean and scary.
I am scared when the light goes off and I got to go to the bathroom, too, in the night.
I am scared of sharks, hammerhead sharks, because they can bite your feet.
The most that I fear is a snake because they can bite me and they can smell people and they can bite me and it is called a copperhead and you can die or get sick when they bite you.
I am scared of rats because they look so nasty and horrible.
I fear the undertaker because he might put me in a casket.
I am scared of dinosaurs, T-Rex, because they could eat you.
I am afraid of lions because they like meat.
I fear spiders because some of them bite. The one that I do not like is a weaver spider that lives in the water.
And I was scared of a balloon because it popped. I was 6 years old.
I am scared of my brother because he hits me.
I fear the dog because he does not know me and can bite me and I can bleed and he will smell me and then he does not know me at all and the dog can get mad and he will chase me
when I run away.
I am only scared if I see a real scary movie because I shake when I go to sleep.
I fear balloons because I am afraid they might pop on my body.
I am scared of the dark. I am scared of the dark because I think something is going to happen to me.
I am scared of tarantulas because they are poisonous.
I fear a ghost. In the dark all alone anywhere.
I’m afraid of clowns because they freak me out and look so weird.
I fear broccoli because when I’m about to put it in my mouth I feel like I’m about to eat a grasshopper.
I fear scary stories with those witches bats and crawling spiders.
I fear clowns because their lips are red and look like blood, and they also have a weird laugh.
I am afraid of snakes. I am afraid of these because they got a big mouth and they could bite you.
I fear my room at dark because I hear stuff saying I will come back.
I am afraid of broccoli because it tastes nasty.
I am scared of spiders because some are poisonous and they bite.
I am afraid of sharks because they will eat me.
I am afraid to stay by myself in the house because I think someone is going to come out of the closet.
I fear the devil because there is a place in Mexico, they call it “la cueva del diablo.” they say there is money there. Some people tried to get it but some survived and some died.
I fear scary stories. They say in radio that someone or something surrounds some places.
I’m scared of clowns when they get too close to me.
I’m scared of the dog that lives next to my street.
I’m scared of the man in my house when he comes for me in the night.
I’m scared of the dark when I think there’s a scary ghost.
I’m scared of my house when I hear someone coming upstairs.
I fear paper because I think it will cut me.
I’m afraid of being alone in anywhere.
I’m afraid to open the door.

Haiku

I brought in a hodge-podge of haiku examples, from Basho to haiku written by other HOS students in years past. I read Basho's Furuike ya in Japanese and English. The students loved hearing the poem in its original language and really got into clapping out the syllables as we discussed this traditional form. The students then got to work on writing their own Haiku. I told them not to worry about the number of syllables, but to focus on being simple, direct, and creating a single image (like taking a snapshot of a moment). I also asked them to include three things I find common to many Haiku - a when (some indication of time, like the season), a where (an indication of place, like a pond, or the forest), and a what (who or what is doing the action in the poem - like a cricket singing or some other sound). We made lists for each of these questions as a warm up. In many classes, I also had the students use their science textbooks or nature magazines to find images or words that could help them get started - I was very pleased with the results!

Mr. K (Rm. 205)
3rd Grade

In Spring and Summer
Celina S.

In spring at afternoon.
A bird is singing.
A bird is flying.

In summer at night.
A owl is howling.
I see its big owl eyes.

Haiku
Virgen S.

Spring kids wear
only sweaters
sounds like it
is almost summer.

Rocio R.

In fall
all the leaves fall
I don't hear many
birds.

Edgar C.

In the month of May
there are a lot of flowers
Bird, seabird flying up on the sky

Michael D.

A river downhill
the bird on a maple tree
you hear the sound of the bird
underwater

Ms. Sandoval-Johnson (Rm. 001)
3rd Grade

Luis P.

A penguin
sliding on
its tummy catching
fish

Arctic air
penguins
wobbling

Winter all
year long
freezing

Samuel P.

Night the forest looks dark
The forest is so far peaceful
And then fire came fffff the forest got burned

Day the color blue in the sea
The sea so warm
Fish ready to swim

Day animals wake up
In the city
They are singing and swimming

Salvador I.

Christmas Eve
picking a Christmas tree
making a blue spruce into X-Mas
tree


Ms. Marfise (Rm. 002)
3rd Grade

Elizabeth C.

Lives in the Arctic
Looking for fish to eat
White fluffy polar bear

Ricardo V.

Black and white tails
Getting bananas from the tree
Big brown-eyed lemur

David F.

In the spring
of Mexico
I hear crickets chirping in the evening

At evening
in a rainforest
alone in a good place

Mrs. Rodriguez (Rm. 401)
5th Grade

Veronica T.

En otoño
la rana verde
como las hojas

En primavera
los girasoles amarillos
como el sol

En invierno
la nieve blanca
como el cielo nublado

En primavera
el pajarito rojo
como las rosas

Jesus

In ocean
trying to get away
from a great white

In spring
in Africa
running from
a lion

Running from
a wolf
in woods
in winter

Haiku
Cynthia G.

1. In summer
A yellow sun shining
wherever I go.

2. In winter sparkles of flying
snow wherever you
and I meet.

3. In spring a bluebird
chirping whenever
the sun rises.

4. In fall red and yellow
leaves fall whenever
night is close.

Andres M.

In spring
A yellow mushroom wiggles happily
under a tree

In summer
a big waterfall
saves the world

In spring
a little worm lives under a mushroom
sings for happiness

Ms. Breen (Rm. 201)
3rd Grade

Class Poems:

In summer
I get in the pool
and get wet

In winter
it snows
cold and a little soft

A cheetah runs
after a deer
making a rawr sound

Memory Poems

Memory is a powerful motivator in poetry, and Philip Levine one of poetry's most ardent proponents of remembering. Students read and discussed his lovely (and complicated) poem, "Starlight," then wrote memory poems of their own.

Ms. Fialkowski, 5th Grade

Untitled (Memory Poem)
Ezequiel A.

I remember my first house. I left when
I was seven years old. My favorite spot to hang
out in the night was the roof. I would go
out of my window and lay to look at the
night sky, the stars. I'd just look at the
night stars. My favorite place to play
was the basement. I had no one to tell
me what to do.

Memories
Virginia B.

Those memories I had
of the muddy mud in Wisconsin. I lost
my shoes. I got a frog that
was always jumping everywhere
in the mud. People laughing that
shoes were lost with the five other
frogs! All the frogs were jumping.
Jumping everywhere!

The Memories
Jonathan R.

The desert, hot and dizzy, bright,
very bright.
My granddad on the horizon, back
from his journey.
“The danger,” he says, “with
rattlesnakes and the suffering heatwaves.”
He holds me while we see the
sun disappear into the horizon.
And the light from the
moon and the stars.
Our minds sank into the almost
unbelieving stories.
“For the gods take care of us
for the new day to come.”

Memory
David V.

I had fun at Six Flags.
We went on rides
and ate pies. The
happiness and laughter
we had
together. Now
we're
a little unhappy
and bored. We
never go to places.
I still remember
that day. All I
think
is we need
family time and
a happy trip.

Ms. Michel, 5th Grade

Mexico
Griselda A.

I remember when we went to Mexico
and we went to a really cool water
park. But when I got in a tunnel.
I twisted my leg and it really
hurt. I also remember when me
and my family went to Michigan
and we went to parties and
to the circus. It was really fun
being there because horses were
even dancing. Also they fired
fireworks and it was very
beautiful.

Untitled (Memory Poem)
Giovanni F.

I remember the time
when I was two years
old.
I was a mere
baby who went
anywhere.
This is how
it all started.
We were at the
park.
My mom
was
holding me.
I escaped when
she wasn't looking.
I tried to climb
on a rope. I
was almost
there when
I fell. I
cried as loud
as I can. My
parents took me
to the nearest
hospital. That's all I remember.

Memory
Samuel G.

I remember when I went
to the park with my
family and dog. I remember
that at first we
started to have races,
for whoever wins first.
I remember that at
the end of the race
we would start
climbing trees. It was so
much fun sitting on the
tree, hanging backwards from
the tree. Then we would
play some soccer, with
my dog as the goalie. When
we were done we would
eat in a small picnic.
When we were done
we would lay down
and pet our dog.
When we were done
we would go home so
happy.

I Remember....
Alvaro S.

I remember when I had
a snowball fight with my
friends. We each made a fort
and ammo. The snowballs were
flying everywhere. We all had
a good time. It was our best
snowball fight ever. We also
got out of our forts and
pushed each other into
the cold snow. We hit each
other a lot of times with
the hard cold snowballs.

Ms. Hughesdon, 5th Grade

Memory Poem
Cesar M.

It is my 6th birthday.
My family and I are getting
ready. The party is going to be
in a big restaurant. I am going
to have a clown and a
magician. Someone was
really embarrassed by the clown.
The clown put two cloths in his
pants, then he pulled and
purple underwear came out.
The party was so great.
But the worse part was when
it ended.

Untitled (Memory Poem)
Everardo P.

The time was evening.
My mom was on the porch outside.
The sunset was awesome. Me
and my family like to relax
every summer evening when
the sunset was out, especially
those kind of yellow orange colors,
almost purple. The sky is
full of wonderful colors
that just make you say the sky
has never been better.

Untitled (Memory Poem)
Brenda R.

I remember when I was going to
move to a new house. When I first
went to see it, it looked so
empty, the place looked sad. Then
when we were carrying things
it didn't look empty. When all
the things were in there it
looked so different, with all
the pretty things. An empty place
to a happy place.

Ms. Montoya, 5th Grade

The Crash
Roberto A.

I remember when I had a horrible
car crash. I heard the loud crash. I see
people all around the two or three cars.
I heard ambulances coming. I was frightened
to see bad things that might have happened.
I went to the hospital. I was laying on the
stretcher, they took me out, I could only
see lights. I was at the hospital for two hours.
I only wanted to know if my family was
safe. We all came out of the hospital safe.
I'm glad we were safe.

Poetry Memory
Cynthia G.

I remember when I went to Mexico.
It was one afternoon. My
cousin's birthday. We all had
a great, great time because we
broke the piñata and I took my
cousin to meet my aunt and aunt's
daughters and aunt's store. My
cousin decided to invite them
because she thought they
were kind. We started
dancing in the rain and they
became best friends. Then
the next day my cousin and
my family needed to go back
to Chicago. Those nice
good good days.

I Remember the Times in Mexico
Juan J.

I remember the time, on a warm summer
evening, in Mexico. I was on a beach in
Oaxaca. Drinking coconut juice out of a
coconut. Eating cold fruit in a cup with
chili powder, lemons, and salt. I also remember
playing with my cousin with a ball of string.
Also the time when I was in Veracruz,
Mexico City, and other parts. I bought a dog
whistle and attracted tons of dogs. I could
soon live there and fulfill my best memories.

A Birthday Memory
Linet L.

I remember when I had my
first birthday.
It was afternoon. My father
and my brother went
to get balloons.
I was going to turn six
years old.
My mom had a surprise.
What is that?
Inside a ...
white box.
Large. Heavy.
Outside, a table. Pink cloth.
My favorite color. Surprise!
Many gifts, colors, uncles,
aunts, cousins, friends,
and my family.
Someone was missing.
My mom.

She came in and took
out a ....
....
....
....
cake.

Untitled (Memory Poem)
Vani P.

I remember when
I was four years old.
I was a simple little
girl. I will always see
all of my things big.
I was innocent and I am
still. I was small
but I see things
normal now that I am
bigger. When I was small
I used to look at
big things and the
ceiling I couldn't reach.
But now since I am
tall I can pop out
of my roof.
Now that I am
grown up, now
that it's night. Well,
goodnight folks.

Ms. Graefen, 5th Grade

Untitled (Memory Poem)
Alejandro A.

I remember when
I was eight years old
I was on a soccer
team. When I was
goalie they kicked
the ball. I threw
myself and I got
it but I hit myself
on the post and
they took me out
until I was better.
Then they put me
back as goalie
and we also won.
We were champions.
We won a big cup.
It was bigger than
all of the other cups.

My Memory
Magdalena F.

Walking by the lake
Waiting to go on the boat
Splish splash the water goes
Seems like forever waiting
Finally the boat comes
Air blowing in my face
The relaxing feeling
I remember, I remember

My Memories
Laela M.

I remember when I went
to Minnesota with my family
for two weeks. It was fun, we
got to go in a mall and
it had rides inside.
Then my cousin was
talking too much.
I pushed her in
the water and we all
laughed but it was fun.
When we came back
I wrote everything that
happened and was said. I had
the best time.

Mr. Heredia, 5th Grade

Mexico
Brenda A.

I remember the days in Mexico flew by just like a bird trying to find its way home.
The nights in Mexico were lonely like the stars in the sky shining in a physical way.
When I came back here it was like every memory was taken away up in the sky.
The hot sun still shining burning my eyes. I remember the high mountains in
Mexico. I had always wondered if there was any snow up there. It was where I would
like to lick up the snow so my throat would not roast. Those memories will always
float away up in the sky.

Untitled (Memory Poem)
Keith D.

I remember when
I was four. It was a
sunny day. My mom
left the door open
'cause it was hot.
My mom started
to cook and like five
seconds later I ran
out the door. My mom
chased me to the
corner and caught me
right when the car
came.

Untitled (Memory Poem)
Amanda H.

I remember when I went
to Mexico. I went to the pool.
My cousin broke her
tooth on the side. I remember
she kept saying, “I'm going
to look ugly!” The water
was red from the blood. She
was crying and crying.
We left, but her lip was
swollen, very, very red and very
big. She was sad,
very, very sad. She said, “I
will never ever go there again.”

Memory
Mayra S.

I remember when I was four.
My mom showed me our photo album.
Then I saw a picture of a girl
but didn't know who it was.
She was white and had brown
hair but when I was six I knew
that the weird girl with white skin and
brown hair was me.