All posts in Poems

Letters To Self

As we come to the end of our workshop, I like to share more informal writing exercises with students that they can use on their own if they wish. A basic building block of […]

Tools of the Trade

This week was a departure from our usual read a poem, discuss a poem, write a poem format. When I’m able to, like to share some of the resources I use as a writer […]

Dreams

This week we read “Eating Dinner Alone at the 163rd Street Mall” by Ariel Francisco for both our English class and after school poetry club. Sometimes students shift around from different classes at LYHS, […]

That’s what makes me human…

Mario Benedetti’s poem, No Te Rindas has been a great addition to the curriculum arsenal. It’s always great when a poem can work across age groups because the message is so strong. For English […]

Like you I want the world to be a better place…

Today we introduced the concept of the list poem. Which is exactly what it sounds like! We read Pat Mora’s “To Do List” a silly poem about a student who imagines their perfect weekend, […]

I Will Never Forget

This week we got to read of my favorite poems to use with students. The Quiet Machine by Ada Limon works so well with students of all ages, and it gives them a really […]

In process alike

For class today we read “Versions of Me” by Aline Melo, a really wonderful piece that asks the reader to consider how all the different versions of us can be at peace with […]

Return to the blues

Brennemann 5th graders returned to their bluesy ideas from last week. While much of the blues are steeped in heartfelt sadness, some blues can make us laugh. Remembering that blues songs and poems have […]

Haikus and Emotional Creatures

Last week a student expressed interest in writing haiku, so I offered Nettelhorst 2nd grade teachers the option of working on haikus or emotional creatures this week. Students in Ms. Rodriguez’s and Mrs. Barbeau’s […]

Choose Your Own Adventure…with a Golden Shovel

This week Ms Caplan’s class continued working on their golden shovels. In Ms. Murray’s class we tried something a little different. Students did a quick free write exercise and then picked a line they […]

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I’M FROM THE CITY LIGHTS / STREAMING OUT IN THE NIGHT / AND HUGE SKYSCRAPERS / TOWERING OVER THE LAKE – MELISSA E., 7TH GRADE POET