A Poet’s Voice is a Musical Instrument

School
Shoesmith Elementary School

Poet in Residence
Joy Young

Date

This week at Shoesmith students we explored lyrical poetry; discovering how poets incorporate elements of music into their poems. Students were asked to brainstorm on two intriguing questions: Can a song be a poem? What are the connections between music and poetry? Most students believed that both songs and poems contain strong emotions, figurative language, rhyme, and rhythm. One student described how like a musician; a poet’s voice can be used as an instrument to tell a story. Other students mentioned their favorite artists Drake, Cardi B, Billie Eilish, and the late rapper Tupac whose songs were originally poems he wrote in his journal.

Together we listened to the song “I’m Sensitive” by poet/singer Jewel who sings about staying positive and true to herself, and not conforming to society’s negative ideals and stereotypes. Through Jewel’s moving lyrics, students learned about rhyme scheme, order patterns of repeated sounds at the end of lines. “I was thinking I might fly today/and disapprove all the things you say/it doesn’t take a talent to be mean/ Your words can crush things that are unseen.” Students also discovered rhythm and meter, a pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables, that create a beat that can be clapped or tapped. Throughout the song Jewel uses words with combinations of stressed and unstressed syllables to create a slow and beautiful echoing effect. Which emphasizes not only Jewel’s soprano voice but her resilient spirit as well.

Students had the opportunity to write their own lyrical poems inspired by Jewel; experimenting with rhyme, rhythm, and meter. Enjoy this week’s published poems.

School
Shoesmith Elementary School

Poet in Residence
Joy Young

Date

Ms. Wesson's 5th Grade Group 1

Rap Game Alyce J.

I’m classy like a book, more fresh than you.
I’m cleaner than your shoes.
I got facts about you.
First thing, your nothing but a nut.
I can cut you off like food.
But you keep trying me.
I’m goin get the dudes.
I got it all planned out,
why don’t you?

Playing Football Maakai R.

Playing football with my friend.
It’s never going to end.
Playing football, on my game.
Of course, I’m going to the hall of fame.

Just as the bees like honey,
that’s how I like my money.
We’re going to the top
and we’re never going to stop.

Chillin Landon W.

Chillin at a barbeque in the sun.
My youngin on the grill cooking
brioche buns.

Playing Madden in a one on one
game that burns. Kansas City Chief
Patrick Mahomes who misses the
mark like a gun.

Playing with my cousins, Oh how it’s
fun!

Ms. Wesson's 5th Grade Group 2

Depressing Keith J.

I am so hungry.
I am alone, so lonely.
Please come and help me.
I have no friends, nobody.

Always by myself.
No one here to help.
All my friends left me
and my mom has passed.

I go to school and get bullied.
I sit at the table with nobody.
I have no money.
Nobody talks to me.

Heartbroken Janiyah R.

I locked myself in my room, but my momma.
keeps calling.

I try to put my demons to rest, but they
keep stalking.

My sad feelings, they keep coming back.

My heart is broken, but I’m trying to go
down the right track.

My Best Friends Magnolia T.

My best friends are always there.
My best friends, they truly care.

When I’m down, they raise me up.
When I’m frowning, they keep me
smiling.

When I’m eating my feelings,
they make me feel special.

Ms. Henry's 6th Grade Group 1

My Life Miley C.B.

You take care of me on your own time.
But I’m not a second choice.
You can hurt my heart, but not my voice.

You put them before me like I’m not part
of your heart and soul. Where I should
have my father, it’s a giant gapping hole.

The hard times you’re not there for me.
You always wanna argue, but at the end
of the day my mom take’s care of me.

You say you love me, but it doesn’t show.
Please be the father that I know and love.

Why So Much Work Xorla F.

I wake up in the morning, I got do some
schoolwork. Why does work have to bully
like me like a jerk? It always makes my hands
hurt. Why do I have to do so much work?
When I sit beside the window, I’m always
writing. I see people fighting, dying, while
others just be so trying.

Why so much work?

In the Future on a different Planet Cozier G.

My new planet is shiny from top to bottom.
With floating objects like a car
that doesn’t get you very far.

The future has a big problem because
it doesn’t have enough solar power.
It only last for 100 hours.

On my planet we always have a blast.
But the parties always go so fast.

On my planet we have animals too,
but don’t be alarmed. We have special
procedures so the animals don’t get
harmed.

Ms. Henry's 6th Grade Group 2

Going on a Trip Kalaya B.

I’m going on a trip.
I have to catch my flight.
I’m a little bit scared, cause
I don’t like heights.
Looking out the window,
Oh! What a beautiful sight!

I’m going on a trip.
I arrived safety at my destination.
No need for cooperation.
I just unpacked my bags.
I just kick my feet up and relax.

Teaching Sean J.

I tried, but I can’t teach you anymore.
You think my class is a bore.
I’ve never seen this type of behavior before.
I tried to help you students with your education.
But you never listen.
This is embarrassing, that’s why I never sing.
You students don’t want to learn anything.

iPhones Ryder T.

I love the iPhone brands,
especially the iPhone 11 Pro Max
that feels right in my hands.
It has social media that’s just like
an encyclopedia.
Emojis are sweet as cupcakes.
iPhones have great updates.

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