Give me a million reasons

On Thursday I was excited to have my first day of poetry with Twain 5th graders! I had the majority of the students as 4th graders last year, but it was great to meet a few new students as well. For our first session together, we talked about positive reasons and negative reasons to do something. Example: positive reasons for studying for a test is to get good grades, being prepared, and making your parents proud. Negative reasons for wanting to pinch your annoying sibling is you’ll get in trouble, feel guilty, or your sibling might pinch you right back.

Together we read the poem, “5 Reasons I Have Locks,'” which comes from the book “Crossover,” by Kwame Alexander. The poem is from the point of view of Josh, a middle schooler, who plays basketball with his twin brother JB, and their father a famous former basketball player. In the poem Josh gives reasons why he has locs or dreadlocks, a hairstyle with hair twisted into rope-like strands that can be locked into unique shapes. Out of Josh’s 5 reasons students liked Josh’s reasons #4. They make me feel like a king, and #1 his long-twisted hair like wings carrying him above the rim–I knew one day I’d need my own wings to fly.

Inspired by Kwame Alexander’s poem, students created their own poems giving reasons for why they like or not like something. Please enjoy the interesting poems and artwork below.

Ms. Respress Group 1

Reasons I Like Chicago by Lily A.

Chicago has big buildings and skyscrapers.

Chicago has yummy food, like deep dish pizza and Chicago style hot dog.

Chicago has famous landscapes like The Bean.

Chicago has Lake Michigan.

Chicago has lots of fun places to go to.

5 Reasons Why I Like Making Poems and Rhymes Mateo S.

1. You can shine when
you rhyme in just a
little time.

2. You can make poems
short like this one or add
a little more.

3. I love writing in
my free time.

4. You don’t need to be
good at writing to do
some poems.

And lastly…

5. You feel good when someone
says you do a good at your poems.

Reasons Why I Like Dogs by Alicia S.

5. My dog chases me whenever I
play with them outside.

4. My dog chews my slippers
and runs away and I have to
chase them around with the
slipper my dog has in their
mouth. Sometimes I’m
chasing them with one
slipper on my foot.

3. Whenever I come back to
school, they wag their tails
and they jump.

2. My dog makes me feel
the happiest person on
the planet.

1.Whenever I cry in front of
my dog, they look at me, and
comfort me.

5 Reasons I Like Soccer by Isabella Z.

It makes me feel free and stop thinking.

I hang out with friends while
practicing.

No one has a better team than
Altos.

I am a big part of the team.

I like trying to get better.

It makes me try my hardest
and reach my limits.

Mr. Maciasz Group 2

5 Reasons Why I Like Animals by Jayson D.

5. Animals make me feel
safe around forests.

4. Some are cute like dogs
and some are cool like
crocodiles.

3. Some animals you can
keep as pets.

2. Not all animals live on
land, some live in water.

1. Some don’t have eyes, some
don’t have legs and some see
different than humans.

5 Reasons I Love to Draw & Create Romance Novels and Read Books by Madeline G.

1. The Romance novels I make
are very interesting and a little dramatic in my opinion, but
I also do love Romance novels
with drama.

2. When I draw, I get a lot of ideas
for poses, couple bases, and other
stuff.

3. I really love the fact that I get
to read in the rain and thunder
storms. Also, especially Graphic Novels and Romance Novels.

4. Drawing calms me down
and relaxes me! Especially
Azurtime and others!

1. The stories I make, I really
enjoy in my opinion and I love
Romance! So, you can probably
tell what the type of novels
I make…

5 Reasons I Like Miss Joy by Angelina A.

She is understanding and calm.
She teaches poetry very well.
She has a lot of patience.
She is smart and intelligent.
She can get the class together
without losing her temper.

6 Reasons I Don't Like Girls Like My Sister by Mason R.

1. They are mean.

2.They are annoying.

3. They are too expensive cuz
they buy stuff and then I get
no money from my dad.

4.They yell at me for nothing

5. They hit me for no reason.

6. They talk too much.

 

Ms. Fernadez Group 3

6 Reasons Why I like Trains By Leonel S.

1. I like the sound they make.

2.They are also cool to look at.

3.My dad fixes railroads
and sees trains all the time.

4.My favorite train is the
Polar Express and I love
the sound it makes.

5.There are so many types
of trains.

6.I’m determined to drive
one when I grow up.

7 Reasons I Love Music By Arantza P.

7. I love singing and dancing.

6. It helps me understand people
through what kind of music they
like.

5. There are so many different
styles for when you are feeling
things.

4.It helps me see the reality
of the world through rhythms
and beats.

3.It helps me concentrate.

2.It makes me feel very
connected to the music.

1.It helps me connect with
myself and escape from
reality for just a few minutes.

11 Reasons Why I Love Art By Angelique S.

1. I can draw anything I imagine. 2. I know mine is different from everyone else’s.
3. It makes me full of different emotions.
4. Nobody can tell me what I can
or can’t draw.
5. You can do it anywhere.
6. You don’t need fancy skills to do it.
7. Everyone has different distinct
art styles.
8. Art is something you can do
anytime you feel.
9. Everyone sees it differently. 10.It feels good to finally finish
your art piece.

11. All you need is creativity.

Reasons Why I Love the Color Yellow and Blue is... by Camilla C.

The color yellow is because
the sunset is yellow and very
pretty.

My best friend “Arantza”
loves that color.

Then the sun is up with
the blue sky, so for me that
blue and go together.

Next, is that my best friend
is always kind to me, even
on my ups and downs, just
like blue and yellow.

Finally, is that our friendship
will always be strong and will
be best friends 4 ever until
we are old.

Ms. Bell Group 4

5 Reasons Why I Love Horror Movies By Mikayla

I like when I see the gore
but after I snore.

Whenever the movie has
a jump scare, I jump out
of my seat.

The mysteries shock me.

The plot twists are a big mix.

But the killers are what
make you cry.

 

Reasons I Like Cats by Gizella M.

1. They have soft fuzzy fur.

2. They don’t always need
attention.

3. Cats are cuddly and adorable.

4. They’re very silly, funny,
and sneaky.

5. I have many cats at home.

6. Cats are very playful.

 

 

5 Reasons I Love Writing by Leslie O.

1. Writing is a way to express
one’s feelings.

2. It helps me think about
ideas for drawings.

3. It lets me think about more
to talk to others about.

4. It helps calm down after
a long day.

5. I’m able to use my creativity
and imagination to write.

6. You can write anything.

Reasons I Like and Don't Like About Steven Universe by Natalia H.G.

1. I like the character Garnet
because I like their glasses
and that their emotionless.

2. I don’t like Steven because
he is too silly.

3. I like Pearl because she
is responsible.

4. I don’t like Amythyst
because she was too many
funny scenes and parts.

5. I like Lapis because she is
my favorite color.