Poetry Mailbox

School
Mark Twain Elementary School

Poet in Residence
Joy Young

Date

For their 7th week of poetry, Twain 4th graders thought about different ways they communicate with others. A few students mentioned learning sign language and even signed words for me with their hands. Other forms of communication discussed were text messages, emails, phone calls, and especially letters.

Together we read the poem “Dear Daydream,” by Heidi Mordhorst. In her poem Mordhorst uses rhyming words when she writes in the voice of her younger self, addressing a letter to a daydream, asking it to appear during certain moments of the day. You’re welcome in math, science, and art/You’re wondering wandering makes me smart/ Please come visit and read with me/ Just don’t interrupt me during P.E. To Mordhorst, her daydream is like a best friend that is entertaining, and someone she can be creative with. Students enjoyed this poem, and thought about their own daydreams, especially during art and reading time, where having a vivid imagination is important.

Inspired by Mordhorst, 4th graders wrote their own poetic letters to interesting people, places, creatures, and objects. So, check your mailboxes readers and read these fabulous letters below.

School
Mark Twain Elementary School

Poet in Residence
Joy Young

Date

More 4th Grade artwork

Ms. Gomez-Drakulich 4th Grade Group 1

Dear Sister By Jayleen O.

I am going to pick my sister.
I’m going to write about happiness.
I want my sister to play more with me.
I want her to be happy.
I will play tag with my sister.
Sometimes she gets sad.
I can make my sister happy
playing Hide & Seek or tag,
because they are her favorite
games to play.

Love,
Older Sister

Dear Turtle by Andrea C.

He is so tiny, and he is so green like grass
When he is hungry, he is really whiney.
He makes me feel happy when I am lonely.
I miss him when I go to the beach.
He is so tiny, that he looks really cute.

Sincerely,
Andrea

Dear Pencil by Joselyn P.

Why do you always break apart
in the middle of a test.
I always have to sharpen you,
which I don’t like.
Every time I sharpen you,
you get shorter.
You used to be so tall,
it looks like you have
no more leaves in fall.

Sincerely,
Joselyn

Ms. Hayes 4th Grade Group 2

Dear Eminem by Adan J.

I wake up to hear the best song.
Lose Yourself is my favorite song.
I wish it was 10 minutes long.
When I finish, it’s in my mind,
and I can’t get it out.

Sincerely,
Adan

Dear Noshiy by Benjamin M.

Noshiy, creator of Rivals.
I want you to update the med kit,
that you can heal other players.
I like your game.
I wish I was you helper double.
I like the name of Rivals’ visuals

Sincerely,
Ben M.

Dear Ms. Joy by Delyla L.

Ms. Joy, I love how you teach me,
You make me want to be me!

Ms. Joy teachers me Poetry,
she teaches me under a tree.

Your hair is pretty!
Just like your style.

When you leave,
I’m going to miss everything!

Sincerely, Delyla L.
To: Ms. Joy

Dear Bestie by Sol M.

When I first met you,
You made sure my days weren’t blue.
You’re my best friend,
A friendship that doesn’t end.
Playing together day and night,
never really had a fight.
Never interrupted me.

Sincerely,
Your Bestie

Ms. Williams 4th Grade Group 3

Dear Jaylani by Marilyn P.

You are the best. You are cool.
I wish you could live with me.
We are going to have fun.
I’m writing this to you because
you are cool, nice to me, kind to me,
and play with me and go to my house.

I miss the days that we went to the park
to eat ice-cream, in a beautiful dream.

Sincerely,
Your Bestie

Dear Chris Pratt by Julian R.

Why Chris Pratt,
you are such a brat.
I’m mad about Guardians of the Galaxy
Part 4 not coming out.
This will not be tolerated!
You should bring back the OG Groot.

Dear Marilyn by Zoey W.

You are my best friend.
You make my day, all day and every day.
You are so nice to me; you make me laugh a lot.
You are so funny and cool, and so fun to be with.
I will help you if you fall.

Ms. Carther 4th Grade Group 4

Dear Xbox by Angel R.

I like the way that I play with you.
I like to turn on you Xbox, so I can play
all day with my friends, brother and sisters.
I feel like a fox, to play hunting animal games.
I need a new Xbox because the old one is
an Xbox 1.

Dear Lily by Luciana V.

You are the kindest person I have met.
You are the most awesome artists in the 4th grade.
I love how you are so kind to everybody.
I love you, how you are.
I love how you drawl a girl.
I wish you would keep up with the swirl.

Sincerely,
Luciana

Dear Spiderman by Armani Z.

Spiderman you are the man.
you are my best super fan.
You shoot webs and grip buildings in New York,
while trying to eat soup with a fork.
Be my slave for 24 hours
or lose your powers.

I recommend Spiderman and his movies
because he is a good guy, and gets bad
guys out the city.

Dear Puppy K9 by Maria Z.

I am waiting for you.
I miss you puppy.
When are you coming home?
I am crying because it is
so sad without you.

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