Where we’re from is never just the geographic place we call home. This week, the 7th graders of Nettelhorst explored how place impacts their sense of self. After reading George Ella Lyon’s “Where I’m From” poem, students drew their homes, reflecting on the memories held there by using their five senses. Then, students wrote about the many smells, sounds, and stories of the places that raised them.
Ms. Hempe (Group A)
“Where I was from“
by Deryk G.
I am from the heat, cyclones,
hail and earthquakes.
I am from one of the many
islands in South-East Asia.
I am from the growing mangos
near my house.
I am from the bats who
would eat up our plants.
I am from the pool
which I almost drowned in.
I am from my cousin who
is still short and funny.
I am from the Angeles city.
I am from the many bugs and
insects that break in.
I am from the mountains
full or empty of snow.
“Where I’m From“
by Gia D.
I am from mirrorballs & 13’s
from cowboy boots & body glitter
I am from 21’s & yellow hearts
from yellow & pink megaphones
I am from espresso cups & kiss marks
from short n’ sweet with blue hearts
I am from megaphones & the color purple
from fishnets & boots.
I am from McLaren jerseys & designer boots
from orange & black confetti
I am from cowboy boots & royal blue
from ‘am I okay’
“Tip Top House“
by Timothy D.
I am from mountains with cities on top
I am from silk covered skies
I am from the pine aroma that fills the forest
I am from mama’s ube jam
I am from the cold tiled floor
I am from the smell of paint from papa’s room
I am from the lizard and lion mountains
“I am from Memories“
by Brooklyn K.
I am from the vibrations of my guitar
while sitting at a crowded desk.
I am from my tall desk bed towering
over my messy wooden floor
I am from the clogged shower turning
into a bath
I am from the TV playing while my
parents talk about their separate days.
I am from sitting on my steps listening
to the music fest outside my condo
I am from the dark nights laying
or the slides of the back playlot.
I am from the shrieking of friends
when someone does anything.
Ms. Hempe (Group B)
“Where I am from“
by Kathleen B.
I am from the familiar tunes I
repeat in my head.
From hiding under the cotton layers
that keep me safe from the
darkness in my room.
I am from the familiar sound
of barking.
from the colored ink refusing to
come off my hands.
I am from the rare fact, the
low percentage of 3 children at once.
I am from the missing traditions,
and heritage I cannot see
in the mirror.
I am from—
“Where I’m from“
by Maxx M.
I am from a magical city where you
can experience all Four seasons in one day
From the weeks of hard work it took for
my Dad and I to build my desk
I still remember choosing the
colors I wanted it to be
I am from the mesmerizing glow of candles
in a dark room and the company they
kept
I’m from graphite smudges on my paper
and my hands
I am from sleepless nights
caused by neighbors or the day
yet to come.
“Where I’m from“
by Xylia J.
I am from the strong, warm scent of
vanilla perfume.
I am from the shoe boxes filled with old letters
and bracelets in my drawer
I am from church almost every Sunday
I am from he is risen
with easter eggs hidden around the church
garden.
I am from “stop annoying me!”
and the “is that attitude I hear?”
I am from rice and dresses,
from Apolinario and Juariza.
From long car rides to my grandparents.
I am from playing outside for long hours,
the smell of fresh wind.
and the heat of the sun.
I am from late night calls,
from never ending from my family
I am from star gazing from the
window.
