6th graders Travel to Real & Imaginary Places

For our 4th week of poetry, 6th grades explored places in reality and those hidden in our imaginations. On Tuesday we read “candy store,” by Nate Marshall, a poet who grew up in Chicago. Marshall used his five senses: sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste to help readers experience his childhood neighborhood candy store. Past-prime Sour Patch Kids or fruit chews sticky & stubborn to chew/Flamin’ Hot Cheetos turn tongues red & Fingers Michael Jordan Jersey red for the rest of the day. Students wrote poems about their favorite places to hangout in Chicago.

On Thursday we discussed traveling to another planet. We first listened to the song “Earth Is Ghetto: I Gotta Leave,” by Aliah Sheffield who wrote the song during the pandemic. In her lyrics she discussed that due to the violence and homelessness on Earth, she wanted aliens to take her away. Next, we read “Another Planet,” by Dunya Mikhail. In her poem she imagines a perfect where police and guns don’t exist. The war has left its ”r” behind and turned into love, so the weapons sleep beneath the dust. Students were inspired to create their own unique ideal planets.

Readers make sure to book a ticket and pack your suitcase as you explore these wonderful poems by Dulles 6th graders.

Ms. Alford 6th Grade

The Mall by Tierra B.

I can touch the clothes.
I can touch the shoes.

I can taste the cinnamon buns
from Auntie Anne’s.

I can hear the music in the stores.
I can see the cars in the mall parking lot.

The Shed Aquarium By Takia L.

The cold class protecting all
of the interesting animals.
The warm cheese pizza.
The fishy smells of the dolphins,
jumping out the water.
The quiet murmur
of people talking.
The annoying kids
running around.

Milkshake By Mariyah J.

My planet is always
hot like an oven.

My planet is pink.
My planet is called,
Milkshake.

My planet is as cute as me.

On my planet, nobody
can step on my planet.

My planet is calm.

My Lovely Planet (Destiny & Love) By Markaylah S.

On my planet you can learn in peace,
without distractions.

On my planet people are as kind
as a bunny or dog.

The sky is baby blue and the bunnies
are very fluffy.

The air is warm and not full of gas.

The war has picked up and left for good.

The government has no secrets,
whatsoever.

This planet has more love than hate.
This planet has no racism.

This planet is perfect because
no one will judge you.

Steven's Planet By Steven T.

My planet is as big
as a Fortnite Map.

My planet is as cold as ice.

On my planet the rain
is money.

On my planet there are no cops.

On My Planet By Kamaya C.

On my planet birds play all day.
On my planet trees can talk.

On my planet everything’s free on Sunday’s.
On my planet houses can float.

On my planet people don’t get older.
On my planet you get paid every week.

On my planet you live for a long time.