When I was in 2nd grade, I competed in a poetry contest: the topic was spring. My poem was short and sweet and it rhymed. It came in second place to a list poem highlighting some of the essential elements of spring. I still remember one of the lines, “Mother’s hanging laundry.” It was an image that I could relate to, and that experience forever changed my relationship to poetry. That, and Gwendolyn Brooks’ visit to my school. Springtime always remind me of that time and my first poem about spring.
Last Friday, March 3, the two classes explored different approaches to writing about place. The 6th graders, as a stepping stone from last week’s poem describing a distinct backyard in the city at the end of summer, read another poem about the wonder of the seasons, called Autumn: A Villanelle by Crystal Colassea. We pointed out the two refrains used and the rhyme scheme present, and then discussed how to write a villanelle, a form which can at first be very confusing to learn (and teach). With the assistance of their expert teacher, Ms. Dydo, who stepped in to make the complicated form feel less daunting with her simplification of its pattern, the students were able to craft their villanelles like the puzzles I had referenced to them earlier. Two fine examples of their drafts are below. Tomorrow, per the students’ requests we will complete/revise those villanelles.
The 7th and 8th grade classes read The Backyard by Twilight by Doug Van Gundy, that the 6th graders read last week, to continue our ushering in of the spring season. We focused on writing about spring by using the five senses and elements of spring that we like, look forward to or even dislike. I asked the students to write in tercets as the sample poem, and pay attention to the length of their lines. We created a word bank with some ideas that remind us of spring like bees, flowers, allergies, and dandelions. Their works are below. Let them melt your heart like the optimism of spring melts the stubbornness of winter.
6th Grade
Navarra T.
The Park
The trees sway in the sun
The leaves fall gently
As a cold breeze blows
The moss on the trees grows
I play plenty as
The trees sway in the sun
Fall is approaching and not too soon
‘cause we still got sun left this afternoon
As a cold breeze blows
And the sun beams down
The place I love shines so bright, as
The trees sway in the sun
The sun, oh so bright
I jump in leaves tonight
As a cold breeze blows
The leaves blow and soon away’
The sun oh so bright, as
The trees sway in the sun
As a cold breeze blows
Kori R.
My Only City
My city is bad but it could be good
There’s much laughter and joy
If only they see it’s misunderstood
I would change some things if I could
It’s the land of the free and home of the brave
My city is bad but it could be good
It makes me feel very happy
This city is just beginning, it’s on a 2-way train
If only they could see it’s just misunderstood
There’s nowhere I’ll rather be
I love me city and it loves me
My city is bad but it could be good
My city is great but not all the time
There’s a lot going on it makes me want to cry
If only they could see it’s just misunderstood
I love this city because it could be good
Sometimes I want to leave and say bye
My city is bad but it could be good
If only they could see it’s just misunderstood
7th Grade
Mia G.
Here Comes Spring
Flowers blossoming
grass growing,
My birthday is coming
Out of the hot pants
Here come the ants
You know its spring,
when you don’t hear the
bell ring.
Its so hot, you need an ice cream.
Without it you will overheat.
Enjoy spring, it only comes once a year,
it’s the best time of the year.
Julian D.
Love the New Spring
Its all about spring
It’s a beautiful time
for vacation, flowers and leaves
But the most important
is I go to Texas and be free,
Animals and sports,
and I go to the beach
in spring
Jeremiah G.
Spring Break
My 2nd favorite season is coming
Spring break is coming
Plans are being made for breaks
Flowers are growing
Leaves are growing
Spring break is coming
Allergy season is coming
Sneezing, coughing, and sleeping
Spring is coming
Once again spring is coming
Its good to see dandelions
And bugs once again
7th Grade
All about Spring
Anonymous
Well, spring is a good season
When you go outside you will see the stars
But you go outside its for a good reason
It will be just like you can see Mars
You can sometimes smell the green grass
You can see some more pollen
You can go outside and run really fast
But my brother’s bike got stolen
You can go ahead and go outside
We go outside to play
And I can go out in a ride
But I could never stay
And I get to have ice cream
That is why I like spring
Spring of Spring
Jamarie M.
Spring is a nice day of the month
There are bees in the air
The nice sound of sprinklers.
The sound of kids playing nearby
The nice smell of pie in the air
Water when you jump in the pool
It feels good
There are dogs playing in their yards
The sound of fun and laughter fills in the air
There is so much fun in spring
The nice lemonade
Spring is fun
Snapchat is filled with spring
So much fun in the spring.
Spring is filled with beehives
You cant mess with them
If you do they will get you
Some bugs, you just can’t mess with
There is love in the air of spring
So much love that you won’t know what to do
Janiyah C.
Spring is Joy
Spring in fun
Spring is when you can run
Spring is where flowers bloom
Spring is warm, longer days outside
Ice cream trucks drive around
Fun outside with your friends
In spring is my birthday month
In spring I go to the water park
In spring the sun glows
like the yellow crayon
spring is beautiful where the flowers bloom
Jackie G.
Spring Season
Spring is coming
Its my least favorite season
Come in allergies, flowers, happy things
No more staying in, expected to go
Outside, walk the dog, grow flowers
And chores, spring cleaning
Tyson T.
Spring Break
Spring can be fun,
It can be boring
It also can be hot.
I jump in a pool,
The water is cold
I’m bold
Ice cold
Common W.
Boring
Spring is fun because
I can wear shorts
It is fun to be in the sun
And I can ride my
Ripstick
I like the weather
Darrick B.
Starting off the Spring
Flowers are shining, pollen is flying
ants are dying
Animals are running across the tall
green grass, kids are outside
playing with some fake cash
Go outside to the beach
put on some socks ‘cause
I don’t want nobody to see my feet
Go outside see some bugs
look across the street and see a lady
with a mean mug!
Kamarria W.
Coming Soon
I love spring, outside all day
Going on vacations, going to beaches
Hanging out with your friends
Flowers growing, wind blowing
Sun out, not getting as dark
Sprinklers out, running through them
Ice cream truck out
Birthdays coming up
People doing sports out
Back to school
Testing again
But after all, the joy of spring
