We Are Family @ Shoesmith 5th & 6th Grade

Holidays are often celebrated with family. This week is not only the third poetry session but the last week before winter break and 5th and 6th graders discussed the true meaning of family. A few students defined family as people who are related and take care of one another. While other students mentioned how sometimes children can be adopted into a family. Sometimes friends can be considered your “chosen family.” This means that family isn’t just about blood; love can also create a strong connection between people.

Together we read the poem “Genetics,” by Jacqueline Woodson. In her poem Woodson uses similes to describe her family, how they are similar and different. Similes are comparisons between two unlike things using the words “like” or “as.” While Woodson has a dark brown complexion like her parents, her little brother Roman is a lighter skin tone, which she describes as pale as dust. Often when people meet the poet’s family, they don’t think her brother belongs to them. Despite this difference, Roman shares a special physical trait with his family, a beautiful, gaped-tooth smile.

Woodson shows us that all families aren’t perfect, not everyone looks or acts the same. Inspired by Woodson’s poem students wrote their own poems describing their unique families using similes. Make sure to read these poems below with your own family. Happy Holidays!

Ms. Yassky's 5th Grade Group 2

My Crazy Family Amir B.

My brother is as sly as a fox.
My mom’s hair is brown like a bear.
My other brother is as shy as a bird.
My dad is as tall as a giraffe.
My cousin is as famous as a rapper.
My friends as talented as a basketball player.
My Auntie is as good as cooking as a chef.
My sister is as smart as a scientists.

My Family Latrell J.

My dad is as strong a gorilla.
My mom is as beautiful as a sunset.
My dog is as wild as a wolf.
My baby cousin is as bad as a bully.
My mom’s hair is as bright as pink.
I’m as short as a ball on the ground.
My friend is as big as a box.
My friend’s hair is as curly as Spring.

Cool Family Dion T.

My mom is very sweet and funny.
My dad is very cool and funny
My little brother is very funny and nice.
I’m very funny, cool, and mean.

My mom is as sweet as a flower.
My dad is as cool as a famous person.
My lil’ bro is as nice as a superhero
My older Bro is as cool as a YouTuber
I’m as cool as a comedian.

Ms. Henry's 6th Grade Group 1

My Family/Friends Heaven H.

My sister is skinny as a stick.
I am as tall as a tree.
My cousin Morgan is loud as a speaker.
Kevin is dark as chocolate.
Xochitl is as quiet as a mouse.
My eyes are brown as a coco.
Mr. Hodges is cool as the wind.

I love my friends and family because
I care about them and they care about me
They make me laugh.

My Family Morgan R.

My mom is nice like candy
My Nana looks young like Tina Turner #blackdon’tcrack
My aunt is as short as a toddler.
My cousin Sanai has teeth like a beaver
I am brave like Percy Jackson
My dad is wise like Chiron
Me and cousin are in sync like twins
My family is as loving as cupid.

We might argue or even fight but at the end
of the day we love each other unconditionally.

Similes For My Family Ashton S.

My uncle is as tall as a door.
My mom is as pretty as a Queen.
My cousins are as wild as a boar.
My family is as loving as a puppy.
My friend’s hair is as short as a dwarf.
My dad is as hardworking as a basketball player.
I am as handsome as a King
I am as funny as a jester.

I love my family because they are there
for and they love and care for me.
They may not give me everything I want
but that is building me to know
when I get older everything ain’t gonna
go my way.

That’s another reason I love them because
they teach me valuable lessons that will
guide me through life and they would die
for me.