Students explored their own or other’s names through a series of prompts which began with a reading of Name That Means Holy in Greek by Kim Addonizio. What occurs in the naming of someone or something? How does it sound when spoken? How does it feel to be announced or announce someone by their name? Who speaks the name like you do?
Lesson Note: Addonizio once told Contemporary Authors: “Writing is an ongoing fascination and challenge, as well as being the only form of spirituality I can consistently practice. I started as a poet and will always return to poetry—both reading and writing it—for that sense of deep discovery and communion I find there. There are only two useful rules I can think of for aspiring writers: learn your craft, and persist. The rest, as Henry James said, is the madness of art.”
Ms. Taylor, 8th Grade
Period 1
Lucy
Ariana C.
Lucy means light
She has blonde hair, freckles and blue eyes
The 4-letter name
can you remind you of a minty color
Lucy is cold like the winter
She reminds you of a rock in the wind
Unbreakable
Dusk till Dawn
Alexander Y.
Dawn after night
Sun coming up with
Blue yet light skies
Chase not for the first
but in between the main inks
A name not given as if it was
important
It comes up everyday not
awkwardly repeated, but
beautifully on beat
Mean people take it unseriously
Letter tht count up to four
Four legs, so balanced and free
Uranium make me open to blue skies,
and good byes
Not fake, never fake
It’s just weird
You would never wanna change that though
Ms. Taylor, 8th Grade
Period 2
Untitled
Lydia S.
My nae, Lydia
One filled with grace and responsibility
It means music
Lydia was an Ancient Greek Kindom
Too much power
When people think of it: ‘prim, neat, firm, stubborn
I prefer Lilly or Dia
More relaxed
Lilly was my nickname from when I was a little girl
Playful and cute
Very few call me that
Old friends that i haven’t seen in years
And my Sunday School teachers
It brings a sort of comfort
Dia is a name only my sisters can call me
There is no way that I could remember the day I was named
I only know that I was named after my great grandmother, Lillian
that could mean anything to me
I never knew her
Untitled
Hayden P.
Before I walk into that camp,
they think I’m a boy?!?
Every thought’s a clear as a shiny penny, all girls.
GIRLS Computer Science Camp!,
read the webstie
Everyone settled down and they ask.
‘Is Hayden here…?’
Just to confirm I’m 100% girl.
Or maybe to embarrass me in front fo everyone.
Ugh, let’s just not talk about that anymore.
Also, I’m Hayden, not Haydn
It may look like a one letter difference,
But to me, it’s everything
Hayden is me,
Haydn is a composer.
I wonder…
The only people who’ve ever called me HI-den,
were music teachers.
And HI-den was a somposer…interesting…
Ms. Taylor, 8th Grade
Period 3
Lizette
Sherlyn C.
Gift of god
A girl, kind, funny.
Everything said makes you nod,
Nice, smart, and sunny personality.
Inspired by Lizette
her name became Lizette.
Green, nature, flowers, lizards
Lizards, calm, cray, scaly.
Interacting with peers, having
fun, without being nasty.
Words, Names
Hailey K.
Words tumbling
like cascading waterfalls
names said
like ripples throughout the ocean.
Names can be
the same,
names can be
utterly unique.
When names are the same
they spread, wave after wave
name after name
until its less of a name and more of a word
When a name is unique
It skims the surface of the water
a rock, skipping three, four, five times
only you, yourself, your identity.
Ms. Taylor, 8th Grade
Period 5
Priscila
Priscila M.
Priscila
sounds fancy but really isn’t
Priscila has 8 letters
8 letters can mean ‘I love you’ or ‘I hate you’
Contrasts.
8 letters is a song.
Priscila likes music.
Parents picked the name.
Not sure what it means.
Most poeple pronounce it right.
A lot of people really spell it wrong.
When you think of Priscila the color that comes is
Pink.
Bright colors match the name.
Priscila means bright.
My Name
Aleksandar D.
Aleksandar
A name handed down by grandfather
Spelled differently becaus I am Serbian
It has many different nicknames
Aleks or Sandy
My name means defender of the people
I have taken that to heart
I always like to help and serve
it is a promise to my self
Each time I write my name
My name reflects me and my heritage
It also represents some great people
Soem that led Greece to victory or conquer Persia
I love my name.
Ms. Taylor, 8th Grade
Period 7
Olivia
Olivia H.
Olivia means peace.
Olivia is peacful
Olivia is happy and shy, but once you get to know her she
is loud and happy
Oliva doesn’t usuallky like nick names, but she doesn’t mind
being called ‘O’ because thats’ what her family calls
her
Oliva is the color pink. She is all shades, depending on
how she feels
Oliva feels like a calming, relaxing breeze on a hot day
Poem
Anna D.
You name could not be any more confusing
I love how our crazy duo confuses people
Common and 2 syllables
then 3 syllables and 7 letters of an unkown threat
Ja-co-mo? G-a-ac-omo? Jack-omo?
Who knows really
Just like you in real life
I have no idea what’s wrong
But it’s fine
cause I really don’t have a choice
and you’re still okay sometimes
