During our second week together, Dulles 6th graders wrote memory poems and odes. On Tuesday, we read Aimee Nezhukumatathil’s “When I Am Six” and talked about the sensory images she uses to conjure her life at six years old. Then, students wrote their own poems rooted in early childhood memory.
On Thursday, we read Sharon Olds’ “Ode to Dirt” and discussed poems of praise. The students then tried their hand at their own odes for the people, places, and things in their lives they wish to praise. We paid attention to Sharon Olds’ use of the second person address, and some students implemented it in their own poems.
Ms. Jackson/Ms. Walker
6th Grade
Things About Me
by Aaron G.
My mom gave me a marker and I drew
on the wall when I was 5
My name Aaron Jr. the 3rd
I used to turn my car seat
backwards
I used to play 2k15 on my
Xbox 360 and GTA and Madden
Things When Little
by Michaela B.
When I was 6 I had went outside
played with my friends
We had fun
playing in the park
until it started raining.
We went inside
just to have
fun
fun fun, where I begin
I played with my doll
we had fun
When I Was Young
by Marshaune B.
When I was young I did a lot of
things like throw wet
tissue at my bathroom ceiling
and wet my hands then
throw the water on
the mirror and I used
to eat cheese and jelly
Me as a Kid
by Danya M.
When I was ten
I went to Wisconsin
with my dad and other siblings
We went to Applebees
and when we came back home
we went to Chili’s.
On my ninth
birthday I had a Tiktok
party and it was fun
My granddad made my outfit
and my cousin made my shoes
and now I’m
eleven and I like
basketball and
cheer
and my fave food
is baked mac & cheese.
My fave artist
is Rod Wave and
Lil King. My fave thing to do
is playing the game.
Ode to Basketball
by Janayla S.
When you run down the court
it feel like you in the WNBA
I just love it
The feeling of the ball when
it in my hand
it good I’m good when it
busted I’m very sad
Sleep
by Victoria T.
Sleeping is a good thing for you.
Sleeping give you more energy.
Sleep make you think.
Sleeping make you happy.
Sleeping make you calm.
Sleeping make you feel good.
Sleeping make you have fun when you wake up.
Sleeping like to play.
Sleeping make me feel good.
Sleeping is good for you.
Trees
by Ibn M.
I didn’t notice that trees
are important
They give you oxygen
and help you breathe
and help you grow
Ode to My Momma
by Maaliyah T.
Dear Mother, I apologize
for everything. Why am I apologizing?
Hurting you
Disobeying you
I blamed you only when something went wrong
I’ve realized
I need to do better
I need to better myself
Now, I will try my best
to give you everything you deserve.
Respect, that counts as something you deserve.
The world is something you deserve
for trying your best
to be the best mother you can be.
You never gave up
on anything.
As a matter of fact
you never gave up on anyone.
