Ask me any question

School
Mark Twain Elementary School

Poet in Residence
Joy Young

Date

For our 5th poetry session, the theme was questions. Twain 6th graders were asked, Why do people ask questions? Most students mentioned how people ask questions because they want to gain knowledge and know what others are thinking and feeling. We also discussed rhetorical questions, questions that are often asked without expecting a clear answer such as “What’s the meaning of life?” or “What happens after we die?” These questions are asked to emphasis a point, create a dramatic effect, but also offer deep self-reflection.

Together we read the poem, Wilbur Asks Charlotte Ten Questions,” by Jane Yolen. Her poem is inspired by the character’s in E.B. White’s book, “Charlotte’s Web.” Yolen writes in the voice of Wilbur a pig who lives on a farm and is saved from being eaten by a sweet and clever spider, named Charlotte. Wilbur asks Charlotte questions that are related to their story. Do you really spin silk out of your body or are you slowly unraveling through time?/Is the bar our world or is the world larger than the barn and yard? I was excited to learn that the majority of students read or had seen the film adaptation of the book. It was one of my favorite books as a kid.

Students wrote poems in the voices of animals, objects, and people, thinking of interesting questions they might ask someone or something else.

School
Mark Twain Elementary School

Poet in Residence
Joy Young

Date

Mr. Barr 6th grade Group 1

A Cat Asks Another Cat 6 Questions By Noah K.

1. Why are dogs so big?
2. Do you like to take showers?
3. Do you know where the cat treats are?
4. What’s your favorite cat toy?
5. Why is Tom leaving the house?
6. Why don’t we have food forever?

Target Asks Employee 8 Questions by Danna M.

1. Why do you want to work here?
2. Can I have some Starbucks?
3. How much money do I have?
4. Can I play with the toys?
5. Why can’t I be free?
6. Why can’t I buy myself?
7. If I rob myself, will I still get in trouble?
8. Why am I red and white?

Mom Asks Me 6 Questions by Valentina V.

1. How was school?
2. Do you really know about my life, like I know about yours?
3. Did you get in trouble at school?
4. Have you been overthinking?
5. Do you always tell me the truth?
6. Have you gotten in a big fight?

Mr. Barr 6th grade Group 2

Matilda Asks Miss Honey 6 Questions By Stella A.

1. Why did you never go back for the doll?
2. Are you afraid of my abilities?
3. Will I keep living with you forever?
4. Am I your favorite student?
5. Are you afraid of Miss Trunchbull?
6. Will you forever be my teacher?

Pencil Ask Paper 6 Questions By Jimmy C.

1.Why do you use me to write?
2. Why don’t you use a pen instead?
3. Why am I used a lot?
4. Why am I orange?
5. Why is my eraser almost gone?
6. Why is the writing Gray?

Ankle Asks Me Questions By Gema D.

1. When will I heal?
2. What is the other ankle doing?
3. Why did you have to sprain this ankle?
4. Why does it hurt?
5. Will this ankle take forever to heal?
6. Will the wrap they gave me, help me heal?
7. How many doctor appointments will I have?

A Book Asks A Stuffed Animal 12 Questions by Grace F.

How does it feel to be everyone’s favorite?
Why do people forget about me?
What’s it like outside the library?
How come nobody reads me?

Is she doing well in reading?
How’s everyone catching up?
Does she still struggle sleeping?
What’s it like being stuffed?

Does she still pay attention to you?
Does he still bring you everywhere?
Is she still smart?
Why does nobody read me?

Mr. Barr 6th grade Group 3

Hello Kitty and Snoopy By Sebastian

Do you talk?

How old are you?

Are you just a normal dog?

Who is your creator?

Why did they create you, if you can’t talk?

Ant Asks Six Questions to Tree By Makenna G.

1.Why are you so big?

2. Are you able to move?

3. How do you get food?

4. Do you have friends?

5. What’s all those green things on you?

6. Do you have legs?

Character Ask Creator Questions to Author By Daniel V.

1. Is there more world beyond the book?
2. Do you have more freedom?
3.Is it possible to feel something?
4.Have you felt sadness?
5. Am I real?
6. Can I be in the real world?
7.Have someone you know died?
8.Can you make me real?
9.Are you evil hearted?
10. Why did you choose this?
11. Can you bring him back?
12. Can I have something happy?

Mr. Barr 6th grade Group 4

Brother Asks 6 Questions to My Mom By Penelope B.

Do I have to clean my room?
Mom will Penelope be taller than me forever?
Can you take me to soccer?
Can you make me food?
Can you play Call of Duty with me?
Mom! can you make me more food?

A Cartoon Asks the Creator 8 Questions By Gabriel C.

What are you?
Can you make things?
Did you make me?
Can you erase me?

How do you do it?
Why do you do it?
Why did you make me?
Can you make another me?

The Ground Asks the Sky 7 Questions By Yassuri L.

1.Why do you have puffy white… things?
2. Where do angels come from? You?
3.What can you do?
4.Are you friends with the glowing star?
5. Are you crying when you rain?
6. What does the Blue do?
7. Why are you named, “The Sky?”

My Dog Asking Me Questions By Celeste M.

Why you no give me ice cream?
Why do you leave me alone?
What is Target?
Why do you talk about Target?
Where do you put my treats?

Why do you dress me up?
Why do you sleep in my spot on the bed?
Why do you not give me treats?
What is that shiny thing on your lips?

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