The first step to building empathy is putting ourselves in the experiences of another, especially if that other can’t speak. The 8th graders of MLA asked themselves what inanimate objects, animals, or fictional characters they would like to be before reading “Hulk Smash!” by Greg Santos. After exploring what a day in the life of someone or something else would be, students wrote poems in those voices. From trees to the Flash to salt to pencil cases, students reflected on the experiences of characters, animals, and things beyond themselves.
Ms. Sapa
“Pencil Case“
by Erica C.
I am full of pencils, markers, etc.
I carry stationary for school
I was made in a factory in China.
I am always carried around to classes
I am always thrown or pushed on a table
I do not like getting dirty.
I hate when my zipper gets stuck.
I hate when a marker’s cap is missing inside.
“Palm Trees“
by Cheimy P.
I am very tall
I have long leaves
I am beautiful
I am often seen as a symbol of summer
I am round in tropical sunny areas
I talk to my fellow palm tree friends
I am near beaches / oceans sometimes
I don’t like when it’s windy and
my leaves move all over the place.
I like that I am in tropical areas
I like that I’m tall
“I’m a Water Bottle“
by Oscar G.
I am really see through, my favorite
part of the day is when they drink me
I hate when I go in the trash
I come from a lot of factories
I hate getting thrown everywhere, I
don’t like when my cap is small
I’m too see through, I hate the
trash in a water bottle.
