Poets can see into the future

For their 8th week, Twain 6th graders used poetry as a crystal ball to see into their futures. I asked students “What do you wish to do in the future? How can you achieve it?” A few students mentioned their future goals of becoming a professional soccer or NFL player, while others thought about things they wish to do in the summer, and things they hope to accomplish in 7th grade in the new school year.
Together we read the acrostic poem, “Future Hoopsters,” by Avis Harley. An acrostic poem is a poem where the first letter of each line spells out a word, name, or phrase. Harley gives a special message to young future basketball players, that spells out Hoopster Hopes, encouraging them to never give up, practice, and hone their skills to achieve their dreams.
After reading the poem, I have students create a “Future” word web, with their goal in the center, and words connected to this goal. Then students picked their top two words and wrote acrostic poems, spelling out messages to help inspire themselves and others.

Mr. Barr 6th grade Group 1

Future Lawyer Nanigi A.

Landing in court
Always sucks
When you have a lawyer
You always have luck
Everyone knows
Respecting them is good
Sometimes you need one

Pretending to tell the truth
Record the evidence
Open the court case
The truth is out
Everyone is shocked
Could this be?!
This is crazy

Boxing Abel G.

Beat everyone that I fight
On my mama I am going Pro
X-rays every month
I hope to injure
Nice punches
Guiness World Record

Future Goals Danna M.

Dedication to others
Observing a person’s symptoms
Caring for others
Trying to heal the sick
Operating on patients
Rich

Mr. Barr 6th grade Group 2

My Piano, My Future Juan D.

Pleasing my mom
In all days I have,
Anxiety but,
Never someone who can fix one of the problems like the
One that I have but my

Favorite friend,
Uses the sound,
That relaxes me,
Uses the method that
Really works with me and helps to,
Express myself, e is my piano, my therapist.

Resting All Day Craig T.

Resting on the bed
Easily going past the hours
Sleeping tighter than a knot could ever be
Trying to sleep harder than the outer shell of a tree

Eerie sounds no more
All eyes shut down like in a school lock down
Slept all day, maybe skipped school
Yanking off the bedsheet at 1:25pm “OH NO!”

Nothing can make me get up
Owning the sleep I had

Aching a long day passing
Longer and longer
A minute passed but really it was 3 hours
Retro sleeping in Pedro’s bed
Music having get out.

My Future Music Career Rodolfo M.

Main instrument guitar
Unison sails through my mouth
Scale after scale
Instrument after instrument
Corridos roar through my guitar

Love of music
Inspiration of El Rey de corazonez
Feeling for my guitar
Emotions excitement and pride

Future Ice-Cream Place Miriam V.

Chocolate chip ice-cream
Heaven for chocolate lovers
Okay for some people
Chocolate chip ice-cream
Owning its own spot
Love it, hate it, that’s okay
All that matters is
That some people
Enjoy it.

Inspiring sweet taste
Cold yummy treat for a hot summer day
Enjoy the cool taste it brings

Creamy goodness
Right on the hottest days
Existing to be loved.
Amazing goodness to lots of people
Magnificent everyday

Mr. Barr 6th grade Group 3

Future Kaylene C.

Coughing while laughing
A good friend
Talks a lot
Always with me
Laughing with her
Inseparable
Never away from her
A lifelong friend.

Volleyball game
On the court with Catalina
Looking for the ball
Long time searching
Everyone going for the ball
Yelling for the ball
Better than the other team
Always winning ball
Looking for Catalina
Laughing with her after the game

Future 7th grade Izabella G.

Funny
Reasonable
Immature
Everyone is goofy
Never annoying
Didn’t try on work
Such smart people

Wise
Our strength
Responsible
Kind

Future Chef, Future Soccer Player Jesus L.

Cooking pasta
Heat up the water or
Eat up
Food is the best

Score in the net
Outstanding
Championship league ball
Copa America
Europe
Robbery by other teams

Mr. Barr 6th grade Group 4

Future Gamer Nathan D.

Famous game to think
OMG it’s fun
Run from
The pros
Never fight them
It’s so hard
To beat them from
Elimination

Money in your hands
OMG it’s real
Not spending, its careless
Earning it
Yelling with joy

No Homework In the Future Alexander S.

Frustrating
Really hard
Upsetting
Something everyone experienced
Ton of hate
Unloving
Reckless
Abnormal
Troubling
Irritated
Never going to like
Going to crash out

Future Home Designer Izzabella V.

Running to the bank
Investing in my business
Chase the bank
Hoping for good

Mutiple bags of cash
Overflowing bag
No haters
Everyone jealous
Young baller

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