All Shields Reading!

This past week was the All Shields Reading. An amazing sixteen (!) classrooms participated, including both 3rd and 5th grade students from the main and branch buildings. Their classmates cheered them on, along with parents and other family who made a special trip to Shields for the reading.

Here are some pictures showing students reading their poems. Even though the microphone was sometimes cutting in and out, poets-in-residence, Mr. Dean and Ms. Bell (Ms. Javellana could not be present), used their technical expertise (banging the mic in their hands) to keep the assembly running as smoothly as possible.






























































Congratulations to all the students, and a big thanks to teachers and administrators for making this annual event the best All Shields Reading yet!

Last post of the year for me: "My Poems"

N.B.: This will be my last posting from the 2007 - 2008 school year at Shields. Some of the other teachers may continue to post for a few more entries. Posting will resume in fall of 2008, when the new residencies begin. Thank you for reading!

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After reading Nita Penfold's "My Poem,"--in which she describes her poems as "not polite ladies," who "won't sit still"--we discussed Penfold's method of describing her poems as people with their own will. We also talked about her use of the title as also the first line of the poem. I then asked them to write their own poems, "My Poems," or alternately, "My Words" (which could extend into other areas of language). These entertaining poems resulted; I felt like they were integrating a lot of the various imagery and tools we've experimented with this year.



Ms. Vilchis, Rm. 202, 3rd grade


My Poem Speaks
Andrea P.

My poem talks to me when
I don’t have nobody to
talk with. Or when I am sad
he confesses me and he
says funny jokes and words. But
my poem is a really good
speaker. He confesses me when
I am angry. But my poem
is the best.


My Poem Speaks to Me
Daniel R.

My poem speaks to me all the time
and we always play and in the night we
talk and we go to eat. We speak to
each other and we play games and
we go to sleep. My poem wanted to
sleep with me and always be nice
to each other, and my poem is the
biggest poem in the world, and he
acts weird and dumb. And he is
a bird and his wings are too small,
and when he speaks to me and then
he always falls down the stairs
and he is nice to me, and we go to
the park. We speak to each other.


My Poems
Sergio H.

My poems speak to me when I want
to read. My poems share the stories with
other people. My poem is a paper and on top
of the paper is a bird
that flies. And shows the paper
to other people.


Loud People in the Halls
Nicole O.

Loud people are in the halls
making lots of noise. Sometimes I
say to myself to be not
loud. When there’s lots of noise
I feel when there’s lots of noise
in the hallway I say to myself,
The girls and boys are so loud
and annoying and they’re so loud. I am
not loud at all.


My Poems
Maricela E.

appear on papers how the appear
in different ways
they appear like people
they could appear the
same poem once and
again it could
appear many ways
however you write it will
appear it could
be any way you want
they tell what to do


Mrs. Vazzana, Rm. 104, 3rd grade


My Poems
Victor P.

Cuando escribo, siento que me voy
a ser un niño inteligente.

Cuando escribo yo siento que
el papel se siente feliz.


Untitled
Luis M.

My poems keep my secrets.
My poems tell me, Run as fast as
you can, you can’t catch me.” My poems
act like two little brothers.
My poems don’t keep secrets from me.
My poems look like a sun because
they jump like in the folder. My poems
say thank you to me.


My Poems
Andrea R.

My poems come to my brain and come with me.
The peoples the teacher bring are scary sick.
When is Valentine’s? The teacher
is really beautiful.
When the teacher comes I write a poem to babies.
The day of moms I write a poem.
The teacher is really good poems because the poems,
the poems I write are not good.
I like the poems.
The poems are my favorite. When I write.
The people are really happy when I write the poems.
When the people see, and my mom says it’s the best writing.


My Poems
Esmeralda P.

The poems inspire me and
my poems are like family.
They are nice and sometimes
mean.

But they are always going to
love me and that’s never going
to change.

And I am going to love them
forever forever.

And I’m happy. I like my life.
March 26, 2008
Ms. Hamdan, Rm. B15, 3rd grade


My Poems
Angelica A.

My poems get that screaming.
They get annoying.
They get crazy.
They get nosy.
They get tired.
They get loud.
They get red.
They get heart.
They get too blue.
They get too mad.
They get too bloody.
They get blood on their hands.
They get too heart.
They get furious.
They get too much look.
They get very furious.
They get very sweaty.
They get burning.
They get drums in their head.
They get too loud.
They get too mad.
They get scared.
They get an idea.
They get too personal.
They get too sleepy.
They get too watery.
They get too much furious.
They get too softy.
They get too mad.


My Words
Sergio P.

come by my mouth
They give me answers
to make me smart and to
give me a start.
They’re not mean and they
don’t shout. They’re good
and nice.


My Poem
Moises A.

Writing poetry is like kicking a soccer ball.
But when I see it I go crazy. When I eat I think
my plate is a paper of poetry. I like dancing
with my friend Miss Poetry. I like dancing with
my friend Miss Poetry. I will have so much fun.


My Poems
Marcos B.

They’re like a man with
words all over him. Or like a
shoe but the words are shoelaces.
My poems come if I imagine
this. They come if I’m happy but
they come quiet. When I’m
sad they come to me screaming.
I like my poems and I’ll write them
all until it’s too late to play
with the words in all.


My Poems
Joel D.

My mouth is loud
My car is in the parking lot.
My mind is getting find.
My mouth is in the President’s house.
My car is far, in the Pacific Ocean.
My mouse is in the house.
My March is in the garage.
My name is in flame.
My friends are friends.
My bank is thank.


My Poems
Nestor H.

are the stars in the beautiful
night sky. How I get my
poems is like hair; when you
are a baby you start
out with little bits of hair.
Then as you get older
you get more hair. This is
how I get my thoughts.


My Poems
Jordy D.

keep making me write more
I feel my poem is going to
rip the paper if I stop
he’s not nice and he keeps
tapping me on the
shoulder,
I get mad sometimes
I tell my dad


My Poems
Jazmin N.

They way the wind blows me
and tells me something. They way the
clouds tell me what to writea dn
the way the air tells me to do.
The way in the night the soul of
me tells me to write this. The
soul of me wakes me up just
to write and write. When I go to
sleep my poems come to me
and would not let me sleep. Until
I write it.


My Poems
Giselle H.

My words come to me when I’m in a middle
of a dream. The words are like if they
jump out and say, “This is boring. I’m
leaving.” And suddenly you wake up and have
an idea. If you think it stinks don’t throw it
in the sink. They rhyme doesn’t need to
follow. They point isn’t needed. All you need is
inspiration. If at first you don’t succeed don’t
give up. And don’t fuss just try again.
If I daydream a word
stretches me back.

City Of... (mas y mas)

More astounding city poems, inspired by Walt Whitman's "City of Ships." Some students ended up on focusing on one feature of the city (cars, or food, for instance), and others ventured into some fantastical areas. Angelica's, for example, seems to take an almost surrealistic free-associative approach.

###

Ms. Vilchis, Rm. 202, 3rd grade

City of Movies
Nicole O.

Some people go to the movies
or sometimes people don’t like to go to
the movies.

One day we went to the
movies and there were lots of people.

Or sometimes people just come
to get popcorn.

And when the movie started
it was so fun and my sister was
laughing at the movie and some
people in the back said, Sh sh sh sh!


The Busy City
Zamira M.

City of cars
all day traffic.
Big cars small
cars all kinds of cars.

City of schools.
The teachers are
nice, cute like
Mrs. Javellana. She
is the best teacher.

City of buildings, people, stores,
and restaurants. People buying presents.

City of families going
to the park! Having picnics.

City of Chicago that
has the best
communities.

City of Balloons
Sergio H.

The sky is full of balloons.
When I go out the balloons fall
and more balloons fall.
Even the houses are made of balloons.
The trees have balloons on top.
The streets are made of balloons.
Everything is made of balloons.
Even cars are made of balloons, in the inside have more
balloons.
And roads are made of balloons, the road is longer
with balloons.
The schools have more more balloons to study.
And the grass is made of balloons.
Even the stores are made of tons of balloons.
The water is made of balloons.
The barn has a lot of balloons, the animals
do not have balloons.
The trucks, balloons on their backs.
And carried too many balloons to the
city. So people like to buy to many
things.


City of Animals
Fernando L.

City of animals, of horses. Horses are fast and wild, horses are real
dangerous because they’re fast. When they’re wild, as you hit the
horse, go faster ways and cowboys.

O City of animals getting cold in the streets and police’s
guns and cars, cold animals and last of all our people’s
dog. O animals, so sad animals, all cold in the
City.

###

Mrs. Vazzana, Rm. 104, 3rd grade

City of Cats
Maricarmen J.

The cats are nice
Black cat has green eyes
They also can be busy
Cats like some people
I like the city of cats
They also have to clean their city
Big cats are mad
I think they are nie
Cats have their own city


City of Ships
Luis M.

City of ships Chicago has
animals. Chicago has a lot of
pencils. Chicago is a great city. Chicago
has a lot of papers. Chicago
has stores everywhere. There are
cats rats shrews skunks dogs snakes.
There are 60 million people in Chicago.
City of ships Chicago has a lot of
book bags.


A City of Chicago
Lisbeth S.

I see in Chicago trees.

And buildings.

And persons that are everywhere.

And I see animals.

And lights and stores.

Like K-Mart or Target Walgreens
Gorley Pelly’s Wal-Mart.

And I see schools.


City
Karina G.

City of people, black, white, teachers.
City of dogs, butterflies, bunnies.
City of stores, schools.
City of pizza, hotdogs, nachos.
Ciy of computers.
City of doctors.
City of houses.
City of toys.
City of flowers.
City of animal stores.
City of princesses.
City of poems.
City of teddy bears.


I See Something
Adeline S.

I see people in the city people

that are black and white people.

And I see school. 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.

###

Ms. Hamdan, Rm. B15, 3rd grade

The City
Angelica A.

City with a midway.
City with a highway.
City with California.
City with Colorado.
City with Africa.
City with schools.
City with Food 4 Less.
City with people who laugh.
City with people who care.
City with nice teachers.
City with learning.
City with subjects.
City with Asia.
City with North America.
City with oceans.
City with ghosts.
City with domes.
City with people.
City with stars.
City with books to read.
City with grass.
City with flowers.
City with fighting.
City with a card.
City with ships.
City with kites.
City with cups.
City with reading.
City with math.
City with Europe.
City with chips.
City with dogs.
City with cats.
City with a four-leaf clover.
City with monsters.


City of the World
Adrian D.

City of many people.

City! City with many libraries to
study.

City! City with many ships and
boats that sail the seven seas.

City! City with many skies with
clouds that look like nature.


Chicago’s Things…
Giselle H.

We are the city of BEAUTIFULNESS!
City with DRUNK people!
City of BUSY DOWNTOWN PEOPLE!
City with PARTY people!
City of screaming CRAZY people!
City with running HOLLERING kids who
can’t let you sleep!
City of ghosts who haunt you!
City with CRAZY LOCA people!
And city of FUNKY music
that ROCKS out the HOUSE!


City of Chicago
Amada G.

City towers with big
business. Chicago schools
to learn and learn!!
A lot of people in Chicago
to be friends together.
Teachers who learn and
students who go.
Chicago that has
storms to scare little
kids in the world
we live.


City of Chicago
Zalma R.

Oh City of Chicago!
People work to live,
People play to have fun,
People plant roses to have oxygen,
People eat to be healthy,
People oh people,
People build libraries to study and read,
People buy houses to live and clean,
People build schools to learn and read,
People oh people stop writing please oh
Please!!


City of Cars
Joel D.

City of cars.
cool cars
nice cars
boring cars
ugly cars
race cars
muscle cars
tuner cars
exotic cars
sports cars
80’s cars
alike cars
loop a loop cars
paper cars
40’s cars
Joel’s cars
Hamdan’s cars
leprechaun’s cars
summer cars
fixing cars
police cars
Jeff’s cars
Misterio’s cars
the Hardys’ cars
extended response cars
Patrick’s cars
Spongebob’s cars
Squarepants’ cars
Mr. Krab’s cars
Felipe’s cars
Carlos’ cars
Sebastian’s cars


City of People
Ashley A.

City of people I see people in
big restaurants.
City of people walking to the bus to
live.
City of people with babies walking
to the store.

City of people with big ships
in the lake.

City of people seeing the
animals.

City of people walking to go
shopping.

City of people singing lullabies
to their babies.

City of people driving in
trunks.


City of…
?

City of cars.
City with flowers with pollen.
City with stadiums.
City with the United Center.
City with people.

City with laughter.
City with teachers.
City with children.
City with Little Ceasar’s

City with parties.
City with birthdays.
City with countries.
City with cities.

City with libraries.
City with mirrors.
City with Chicago.

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..."

###

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.

###

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.

###

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.

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.").

###

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.

###

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.

###

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.

Odes

"Ode to a Large Tuna in the Market" by Pablo Neruda sings the praises of a large, dead, and presumably stinky fish, by exploring the speaker's fascination with and wonder about the life the fish led and the depths it explored. I asked my students to choose something that they would normally think of as gross, strange, scary, or otherwise not something you would write an ode about, and sing its praises in a poem.

I got this writing idea from another Poet-in-Residence, Meredith Clark. Many of the students attacked the idea of praising an unexpected object with gusto, although with one classroom they only got as far as thinking of something gross (many skunks and snakes), and perhaps got too caught up in the grossness to get around to praising.

One student wrote an ode to her socks; she was unaware of the Neruda take on this one. Her piece contains some nice wordplay, too. Some students went as far as to engage in some fantastic speculation, such as inviting the object of their ode to tea, or imagining that maybe it could jump 2,000 feet.

###

Ms. Vilchis, Rm. 202, 3rd grade

Worms
Miguel C.

Oh worms, you go down in the ground.
You go up when it's raining.
and you stay on the floor until
the ground is dry and you go
down again.


Ode to a Snail
Araceli V.

Oh snail, you are so pretty. You came
from a little house. You look like a sphere.
I like how you swim. Then one day
one medium fish ate him.


Baby Octopus
Teresa P.

Oh, octopus, you have eight
legs. But you are pretty.
The octopus lives in the
ocean. There are some octopus that
have six legs. I wish I was
an octopus so that I had more
animal friends.


Oh Stinky Bug Come
Nicole O.

Oh, stinky bug, you are so smelly.
Oh, stinky bug, you're green and slimy.
Oh, stinky bug, you're so smelly, slimy,
and stinky. Come come stinky old bug,
come to my house for a tea party.
And the stinky bug said, "Thank you
for the tea."

###

January 23, 2007
Ms. Vazzana, Rm. 104, 3rd grade

Skunk
Omar S.

Oh Skunk, you’re so smelly that
you can kill people. And with
that smell if you put it on me
I have to wash myself with
tomato juice.

Snake
Luis M.

Oh snake, you’re a bad animal.
Oh, snake, you’re a bad animal
because you kill animals. Oh cat,
you’re bad because you have sharp
nails.

Skunk
Vanessa G.

Skunk, you are stinky and
really ugly because you
smell. If you didn’t
stink and smell you
would be pretty.

###

Ms. Hamdan, Rm. B15, 3rd grade

Ode to a little earthworm in the soil
Sergio P.

Oh,
Earthworm, Earthworm, with
your pink rolling eyes. You move
swirly around the dirt and sidewalk.
You got no legs but you can crawl
around. You sometimes eat grass--
that's vegetables to you--and the
soil is like a healthy soup to you.
The tip of your head is like a light
so you can see through your made-up
tunnels.


Ode to My Socks
Melissa V.

Oh,
sock oh sock
you move my feet
you can make me
warm of my feet
sole. I love my socks
and they are my
soul.


Ode to a Rat
Jordy D.

Oh rat, you are so furry, you
live in the attic where most people
are afraid of. Oh rat, you are
so small nobody else is smaller
than you, if only I could be
as small as you.


Frog
Judith G.

Oh frog I see you slimy.
Maybe you stick to ice.
Or you can stick your tongue
to a pole.
You might eat leaves.
Maybe you could jump 2,000
feet up.
Or you can count money.
You might be a red-eyed tree
frog
That's what I think you can
do.

This is a poem. (3rd grade)

Over the winter break, I read For Love by Robert Creeley, and shared his poem, "Please," with the students today. It's a poem that refers to itself as a poem, which I find to be a curious and fun construction, and one that I thought the kids could dig into. I invited them to write a poem that could make statements like: "This poem is for..." "This poem is about..." etc. I also asked that they include a QUESTION, an ANIMAL, and the NAME of someone they know (all of which Creeley's poem does). Many of the students took a theme or idea presented by Creeley's poem (violence, loneliness, lostness), and riffed on those. I'm also seeing other lessons, like personification and metaphor, integrating into these poems. Fun!

###

Ms. Vilchis, Rm. 202, 3rd grade

You Know
Lesly L.

This is a poem for...

You know.

I know sometimes you know
and sometimes you don't know.
I know what is the animal
that has ears and four legs.
It's the donkey. What is the
animal with four legs and
is in the water?
It's the frog.


Colors Colors Everywhere
Nicole O.

This is a poem for colors.
The colors are dancing, and they're
saying, "Hello everybody, we're dancing."
The colors are going to the
movies and they're eating popcorn. Then
they go to school and they say,
"Hello everybody."


Kids
for Lesly Lopez
Andrea P.

Oh Lesly let's go.
This is a poem for Vanessa Melesio.
Everywhere I see
kids shooting. Kids kids kids kids.
This is a poem for Citlali Sanchez.
I want to go to my house to
my house. This is a poem about
a tiger that was lazy. Lazy.
Tiger. Lazy. Tiger. I want you
to go to school. Are you goofy,
mad, excited?


A Poem
Sergio H.

This is a poem for Joaquin. Tired like a turtle
that goes slow on day and night. I know
someone that is my friend and he likes
to play. He likes to play the PSP and
Playstation. My friend and me have
the same game for the PSP. Please come
to my house if you feel alone.

###

Ms. Vazzana, Rm. 104, 3rd grade

Little Girl is Lost
Alexsandra A.

A little girl that was
lost says, "I want to go home
but I do not know where is
my house," says girl to a
boy and the boy said, "Do you
know who is your mom?"
"Yes, but I don't know
where is my mom."
This poem is for my mom.


Bird
Yacsel H.

This poem is about a bird who can fly.
He was tired of flying.
He can fly because he has to
fly and fly tired and tired.


My Best Friend
Angelica V.

This poem is for Alexsandra.
A little dog that died.
Are you sad, Alexsandra?
Do you know someone?


All Kinds of Things
Hazael G.

This poem is for God.
Oh, God, where are you, I need
to talk with you. In Iraq
is shooting, shooting, and
shooting at people and dying.
People die here too.
How do you feel?

###

Ms. Hamdan, Rm. B15, 3rd grade

Untitled
Zalma R.

This poem is for puppy.
A lazy puppy. A friendly tiger.
A smart monkey. This is for
Michelle. Are you lazy, friendly, and smart?
This is for Jazmin. A horse so
sleepy. People so smart like monkeys.
Are you as friendly as a tiger?
Tell us tell us.


Hello for Ms. Hamdan
Giselle H.

The dog is trying to say hello
to the beauty queen Ms. Hamdan. Mr.
Heartman is trying to give the model Ms.
Hamdan a crown that says, "Hello, Model."
She appreciates the attention but she
wishes she was just a plain
old person. She tells them both. Mr.
Heartman and the dalmation dog dropped
their mouths open. Then along comes
the mice from Alvin and the Chipmunks.
They sing to Ms. Hamdan a song.
They she asks, "Why are you doing
this for me today? It's not my
birthday."


Untitled
Sergio P.

This is a poem for a
hammerhead shark.
Hammerhead shark hammer
head shark don't swim away.
How fast do you swim? Take
my friend for a ride while
there is no shark fight.


The Poem of People
Angel A.

This poem is for Ms. Hamdan.
My uncle is nice. Mr. Hartman
is so funny. My favorite animal
is a lion, tiger, and a leopard.
What's your favorite animal?
Who's your favorite class?
Who is smart from your class?

The moon sleeps me: Personification Part II (3rd grade)

We devoted a second week to these challenging, complex, and diverse personification poems. One class got caught up in writing about their hands, I believe after Daniel wrote his stunning piece (which is below).

Also, the students have taken to drawing on the borders and bottoms of their poetry, which I've begun encouraging them to do once they are finished writing their poem. This assignment especially prompted an explosion of illustrations.

###

Ms. Vilchis, Rm. 202, 3rd grade

The Moon and The World
Zamira M.

The moon said, “You should
be enjoying things.”
“Why?”
“Because you always are sad.”

There is a world to see.
You are in a world. Do you
see things?”
“No. It’s always dark.”

“It’s because your glasses
are dirty.”


(My right hand said)
Daniel R.

My right hand said, “Get to
work to be smarter. If you write
a lot you may get better in writing
and they will know what you are
writing in the paper. And they will
understand you. Because you will get smarter
and you are better and you will get A+
in writing. And you will be one of the
good spellers.”


The Moon Sleeps Me
Karina V.

The moon sleeps me at night
to be tomorrow a good day
for me to do. I can sleep
at night to do a day to play.
The moon is all the night. If you
sleep at night, the stars are
staying when the sun comes up.

###

Ms. Vazzana, Rm. 104, 3rd grade

The Sun and Me
Jhoan B.

I talk to the sun. The sun
talks to me.

I take him to a date which he
destroys.

He gets sleepy. I get sleepy.
The sun goes to sleep. I go to
sleep.

In the morning, the sun
says, “Good morning.” I say,
“Good morning.”

At day the sun shines like
flowers.

At night the sun is dark and
not there.


When My Plants Grow
Angelica V.

I see the flowers and the sky raining
so the flowers can grow big and smart.
The flowers say, “I want water. And a sun
too.”


Good Night Says Moon
Andrea R.

When I go to sleep I say to the moon, “Good night.”
The next day I say to the moon, “You go to school for me."

###

Ms. Hamdan, Rm. B15, 3rd grade

The House
Jordy D.

The house started to talk to me
and it said, “It’s not easy carrying lots of
things.”

I said, “I could carry at least six
small objects.”

The house said, “I carry over 100 things.”

I said, “Really?”

The house said, “I carry everything
you own plus more.”

I said, “WOW.”


The Moon
Marcos B.

The moon said, “I am like a light and
bright like him.” In the middle of the
moon shines his face. I see him every
night at midnight. He sees me when I go to
sleep. And tomorrow I will see him again.


The Car
Joel D.

The car is laying by
the tree. While the car is
asleep. While the car
sees. While the car
falls in the sea.

Talking to Suns and Trees--3rd graders

We had a good time reading "A True Account of Talking to the Sun on Fire Island" by Frank O'Hara, and "Four Skinny Trees" by Sandra Cisneros, then imagining objects we could spy from our own windows and endow with human characteristics. We found everyday objects giving advice, singing songs, scolding, and listening patiently to complaints. I found that one group of kids actually wanted to write poems about their own hands, which yielded some intriguing results. I plan to take next week to do second drafts of these poems, since this is sort of a sophisticated assignment, and a good opportunity to spend some time revising.

###

Ms. Vilchis, Rm. 202, 3rd grade


The Star
Maricela E.

Last night a star told me, “Make
a wish, make a wish that tells
about your big brother being nice
and to never hit someone. Or maybe
to never fight with your sister,
brother and you. And tell me your
poem please.”


Left Right
Jennifer N.

How the left hand is smart.
“You write fast,” said the right
hand to the left hand. “I’m fast
because I go to school,” replied the
left hand.


Untitled
Carlos L.

I have a toy that
talks to me at night.
He’s scary. In sun
he’s gone.

###

Ms. Vazzana, Rm. 104, 3rd grade


The Sun
Kevin C.

I say to the sun, Go away,
I have to go to sleep.

You are shining too much light
on me

and I have to go to school.


Four Skies Came
Maricarmen J.

The four skies came and said
to me, “Go to bed.”

The sky told me, “Come outside
and run.”

Also the sky told me, “Keep keep
jumping.”

And I am the only one that
understands them.

The four skies, they say to me, “Do
your homework.”


Untitled
Joaquin M.

The sun says, “Don’t touch me
because I am hot.”
I play with the sun every day and
he gives us light.

The sun is big and I am
little.

###

Ms. Hamdan, Rm. B15, 3rd grade


The Wind
Sebastian C.

The wind comes when we come
out. The wind comes in your face with its
feet and red glowing eyes that glow
in the dark. A mouth with big sharp teeth
that are very shiny. I think that’s the sun
but really that’s the wind. The wind has arms
and pointy elbows. The End.


A Star that Talks
Giselle H.

Tonight I see twinkling stars.
It is like if they are playing a music
box. The twinkling star said,
“Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder
what’s your name?” I said, “My name
is Giselle Herrera.” It is if like
the twinkling star put glitter
on. Then the twinkling star said,
“Make a wish and I’ll grant it.”
I said, “I wish there was more than
one twinkling star.” The twinkling star
took out its wand, out of
her room, and she granted my wish.
The moon said, “The next night when
you look out your window, you’ll
see lots of twinkling stars.”


The Wind
Sergio P.

The wind tells you to shut the
window or else it’ll be cold. The wind also
tells you to put on a sweater and jacket
before going outside. When you go outside
you don’t know who is following you.
The wind is. The wind pushes you
and tells you: Walk faster, or run.

Haikusplosion II

This haiku assignment turned out to be a meaty toothsome project that stretched over a couple of weeks. Deceptively simple in their bite-sized length and crystalline subject matter, haiku sometimes look easier than they are. Below are some new ones, and some that were made over and edited this week, so you can see how they have progressed.


###


Ms. Vilchis, Rm. 202, 3rd grade


Haiku
Vanessa M.

They sky is blue
The bird is singing
The bus is driving


Haiku
Sergio H.

I see the sky
green and pink
when I was playing


Haiku
Jenny N.

In this moment my
sister Kayla is making
trouble all over.


Haiku
Miguel C.

I see rocks crushing each
other in the blue sea of far from here
to the other side.


###


Ms. Vazzana, Rm. 104, 3rd grade


Haiku
Luis M.

The trees are down on the ground.
I hear the birds.
The family is waking up.


Haiku
Karina G.

Outside there are
dogs cats and trees houses
a lot of leaves


Haiku
Angelica V.

The leaves are falling and I like
that they fall to my family too.
My family is so happy that I got big
and my sisters grew a lot.


Hauku
Jhoan B.

in the world the earth
moves but you cannot feel it because
it is moving too slowly


###


Ms. Hamdan, Rm. B15, 3rd grade


Haiku
Ashley A.

My mom is raking
the leaves so we can jump in them.
Me, her, and all them.


Haiku
Jennifer R.

I am thinking about
my friend jumping in the leaves
that are green that are crunching
in fall.


Haiku
Michelle B.

The sky is blue now
The clouds are coming out now
It’s going to rain


Haiku
Jordy D.

Now mom is talking
on the phone to check all the things
are going good.

In this moment...

Okay, in most cases I haven't included the prewriting/freewriting we did in preparation for the haiku writing, but I wanted to post these examples, both to show what we draw the haiku poems from, and also because these three just had some really super-tough imagery that I wanted to make sure to highlight.


###


Ms. Vazzana, Rm. 104, 3rd grade


In this moment (freewrite)
Jhoan B.

In this moment I have chapped hands and the season is changing weather and it is cold. The leaves are changing color and the trees are throwing the leaves and all the trees are losing leaves. And we have to wear coats jackets and the leaves are not growing. People do not go out and play. In this moment people are talking in their houses and I can’t hear it. In the world the earth moves but you cannot feel it because it is moving too slowly. You cannot see the stars because they are too far far far far far away. The president is living in a big house and you’re not. And leaves are yellow and it is raining a lot and leaves are not growing. And it is cold. People do not go out again because it is cold and my teacher is wearing a red shirt and my teacher is writing in a paper and I am writing a lot and my best friend is Miguel. And my teacher is sitting with me. And I am at school working in my classroom. 104 3rd grade November 14, 2007. Jhoan B. is making this story and Omar is funny and I am too.


In this moment (freewrite)…
Kevin C.

In this moment leaves are falling and they’re changing clothes and they’re falling like a parachute each day and they’re living trees bold and cold wind is flying in air. Pencil writing in paper and paper smashing in the ground and people talking heart beating. In this moment I see the color green and the color white and the color purple and the color orange.


Things outsides
Hazael G.

In this moment the trees are dying.

In this moment all the flowers are crying.

The cars are cool.

In this moment the storms are giving thunder.

In this moment the firefighters’ alarm is ringing.

Everyone has purple folders

Haikusplosion

Last week, we read a wide selection of haiku poetry (by Basho, Hideno, Richard Wright, Etheridge Knight, Jorge Luis Borges, and others), discussed the form, and did some extensive prewriting and freewriting to capture moments and generate some raw material. This week, we were ready to write our own! I've included some that adhered particularly well to the traditional haiku structure, but just as much I've included some poems that captured the spirit of a haiku. More to come from the other classes next week!


###


Ms. Vilchis, Rm. 202, 3rd grade


Haiku
Miguel C.

My mom is cooking foods.
I see blue sky.
I hear rocks crushing each other.


Haiku
Daniel R.

I am hearing steps
from Mrs. Vilchis and Mrs. J
walking through the stars


Haiku
Nicole O.

In this moment the leaves are
blowing away. I heard the noise
of an El.


Haiku
Carlos

I hear the music
of the head like a twisted heart
in a practice band.


###


Ms. Hamdan, Rm. B15, 3rd grade


Haiku
Giselle H.

I’m thinking to stop
thinking. Leaves changing colors.
I know what to say.


Haiku
Ashley A.

I am cleaning my room
and I do not want nobody to go
inside of my room.


Haiku
Melissa V.

I am winter and
shivering and
tivery and the
snow is white.


Haiku
Nestor H.

My baby brother
Camilo is crying for
milk in a bottle.

Abuelito...who?

Sandra Cisneros' poem, "Abuelito Who," describes the relationship between a little girl and her aging grandpa. Today, I asked my third grade students to choose someone that they love, and write a poem about them, using some of the same techniques as Cisneros: what they do, what they say, and some things or objects that remind them of this person (an introduction to metaphor).

Hamdan-B15

My Dad
Moises A.

My dad is a soccer ball.
My dad likes to play soccer.
My dad says, Come on, you can do it.
My dad who helps me get ready for soccer.
When I see the ball roll on the grass I think
like my dad kicked it.
He is like a bird on my shoulder.

Little Bear Who...
Giselle H.

Makes me feel at home. Who likes
to hug me. Said in my head that
she loves me. Who hugs me tight at
night. That plays with me like real. She makes
me feel like she's my sister. Little bear
who is like a sis. She is special
because she's the only person who has time
for me. She's like a star in the sky who is
really just a bear. I love her just like
a person.

My Dad
Joel D.

My dad is a motor
that he fixes when is car
breaks down.

My dad and mom that show
me soccer and when they broke up
I saw them in the soccer ball
through the field. And saw
them fight and I cried and
went home so I could rest.
And got back together.
And saw them at the field
and saw them get a kiss.

Dad
Marcos B.

My dad who likes music and goes to the store.
My dad who told me to never give up.
My dad who is like half of me but loves
all of me.

My Dad
Judith G.

My dad likes to go to the movies with me.
He takes me to the movies to see nice
and scary movies. He tells me I'm his diamond.
He is the moon. The owl too.


Vilchis-202

The Adventures of Grandma and Grandpa
Abel V.

I live with my grandma and grandpa
because my dad and mom, they live on
the 2nd floor. I stay with my grandma
and grandpa. I play with them Loteria
and La Ormigita. That's why I love
my grandpa and grandma. And because
he gives me money but he also
gives me stuff when I go visit them.
They always will love me. And
when my grandma takes a shower
she sings. And when she goes to church
she sings to the people. The End.

My Abuelito
Maricela E.

My abuelito liked to see me but he never got to see
me. He wanted to see also my sister, my two brothers.
He says to think about him, and he says to keep
all of us safe. I remember when I saw him
when I was little. And he also was my best
abuelito.

Elizabeth
Nicole Ortiz

Elizabeth is my sister. She always
plays dolls with me. I like my
sister so much because she's fun and we
have fun together. we always
go to the zoo a lot. She has blonde
hair, she sleeps with me a lot.
She's the drops of water.

The Cool Kids
Carlos L.

My cousin teaches me how to
play games and takes me
to a party. He's just like a
jacket. He shows me
how to paint my hair.


Vazzana-104

My Dad
Jhoan B.

My dad buys me clothes
and he tickles me and
we play a lot and my
dad is like a best
friend and that is why I love him
like we are brothers, and that's why
I love him.

Mi papá y yo
Vanessa G.

Mi papá me ama porque cuando el se acuesta en
la cama yo me acuesto con el porque cuando yo me
acuesto el me hace caricias y me da besos
cuando viene del trabajo. Me da vestidos.

My Best Father
Hazael G.

My dad is strong as a car, but
smaller like a door, eats smart
like a racoon. He called me mi'jo
and soldier, he said that I'm his love.
He's fast like a thunder.

I Love My Family
Wendy L.

1.
Wendy you are my star.
Dad, you are my heart.
Wendy, are you playing today?

2.
I love my little baby brother.
My baby brother is playing
with me.

3.
Mom, I love you.
You love me.
My baby brother is happy.

My Uncle Died
Esmeralda P.

My uncle says
that he loves me so much.
My uncle likes to
hug me, my uncle thinks
that they love him.
I love him so much.
I miss so much that
God is with him
and he is with God.
We laugh together.