Self-Portraits in Poetry

In our first class meeting, Waters 6th and 7th graders read “Self-Portrait with my hijab” by Noora S. a 7th grader at Peterson Elementary. In class students discussed the use emotion and the idea of a significant object in this poem. Students used these ideas as a jumping off point to write their own Self Portrait Poems. We also talked about lines and how they help separate different ideas within a poem. Below are some of the students poems.

Ms. Smallwood 6th Grade

My Brain lets me think Nathaniel P.

My Brain lets me think
my soul is real
I tear my ace of spades into pieces
I read my atlas
I do politics on my computer

[Map of the US drawn by Nathaniel P.]

I watch as Neptune flys around the house Leila

I watch as Neptune flys around the house
back to me. She circles back and lands on
me and climbs onto my shoulder to join
Pluto. Pluto flys around my head and
lands on one of the many things
to find something. I call him back
and he flys to Neptune to
share a treat. I watch
with a huge smile as
I pick up my book
and look deep into the
pages. I curl up with the
birds on my shoulder to
call my best friend and after
I take my birds home and collapse
on my bed and read and call my best friend –
Evelyn

Se que no soy perfecta Sara

Se que no soy perfecta pero a go lo
que puedo A veces se que tomo
las decisiones incorrectas pero también se
de que los errores se aprende y me a
afectado mucho el pasado pero sign adelante
y como dije el pasado es pasado

Ms. Hernandez 7th Grade

I see myself as a Soccer player Kiera W.

I see myself as a Soccer player
I’ve worked really hard, but when I see my
awards, it drives me to work harder.

Soccer reminds me to be grateful,
because I’ve had so many opportunities

When I see a soccer field I feel
excited because I want to see
the ball go in the net.

When I look at myself I feel
a sense of joy, because I
love the sport.

When I play all I hear are loud
and noisy parents saying “Go, go, go!”

When I’m on the sidelines I think about
How excited I am to go see my dog
and play with her after the game and take off my sweaty cleats.

All these things make who I am
A soccer player.

In the morning Abbie L.

In the morning, my chestnut brown hair is
thick and wavy, I straighten
it and it becomes thin, the
way I like it.

I put my flower necklace, cold
against my skin, circle shaped, from my cousin, it makes me
feel confident

I smile, my silver braces
showing, only a few more months
with them I think to myself