Many Ways to Write a Poem

This past Thursday, I was excited to meet Twain 5th graders for the start of our 10-week residency. Some students I had worked with last year as 4th graders, so it’s great to see them again. For our first week together, we discussed how there are many ways to accomplish a goal or activity, including writing poetry. Everyone has their own unique idea and experiences, and we can learn from one another.

We read the poem, “9 Ways to Fly Away,” by former 8th grader Sahra A. of Taft High School. In her poem Sahra gives instructions on different ways people can fly, some of her instructions seem strange or silly, but also inspiring. Jump out the window and take to the sky/Become a bird and flap your wings/ meet a fairy and tell her why/you deserve to learn to fly. Sahra wants readers to dream and believe in the impossible.

Inspired by Sahra A., 5th graders wrote their own step by step instructional poem for activities they enjoy. So, readers follow the instructions and drawings carefully and have fun!

More 5th grade artwork

Mr. Maciasz 5th Grade Group 1

Don't Off Yourself By Savannah H.

There are so many ways to hurt yourself.
It’s easy as throwing a rock into the water….
But have you ever wondered how deep can
that rock go?

If you really think about it, nothing really matters,
like in 100 years no one’s going to remember you
or your family well, unless you become the president.
Maybe you will get remembered, but no one even
talks about presidents, so you might as do what you
you wanna do.

Stop letting opinions effect you.
Go ask that girl out, go invent something,
because at the end of the day, it’s your life.

Helping By Hetvi P.

1.Pick something up
for someone.

2. Hold the door
for someone.

3. Help someone with
a question.

4. Share with
someone.

5. Say something
nice.

6. Comfort
them.

Six Ways to Play Basketball By Agustin M.

Sometimes when I’m alone,
Basketball is the way to go.

Playing one on one or on the court,
Basketball takes a lot of heart.

Dribbling the ball takes practice,
It doesn’t take malice.

It is fun whenever you score,
You will always hope for more.

Making A Cookie! By Nadia R.

1. You need flour,
So, you can get power!

2. If you add milk,
it would come out smooth as silk.

3. Sugar is sweet,
that it can’t be beat.

4. Adding eggs are cool
Make sure they don’t have legs.

5. Now put it in the oven,
So, you will be loven your cookie.

6. Let it out in the cold
So, it will get a breeze.

Ms. Fernandez 5th Grade Group 2

8 Ways to Swim By Emily A.

1. Jump in the pool
and hop for the best.

2. Act like a fish in a finish bowl.

3. Act like a Floatie and Float away.

4. Let a shark carry you into the sea.

5. Go on a surfboard against the waves.

6. Let the mysterious sea take you away.

7. Go inside a bubble.

8. Since there’s no gravity in the water,
wear an astronaut suit.

8 Ways to Sleep By Sebastian A.

Sleep in a plane, don’t worry about babies.

Sleep in your bed, there’s no monsters under it.

Sleep on the floor, it won’t hurt your back.

Sleep with your parents, its comfortable.

Sleep with your baby brother, they won’t wake you up.

Sleep alone in the dark, don’t be scared.

Sleep with a cat or a dog, they won’t scratch.

5 Steps to Take a Picture of a Sunset By Kristen B.

Go outside with a blanket and a camera,
it could be a digital camera or a phone camera.
Or maybe something else.

Find a nice spot to watch the sunset.
Spread your blanket on the floor and sit
with your camera, then just wait.

When the sunset comes, try to get pictures
from different angles, from the left, from the right,
on the floor, or maybe somewhere else…