In Ms Sanchez’s 5th grade classes, we read a short poem by Valerie Worth called “Safety Pin” that imagined a safety pin as some very different things (a shrimp! a fish!). We talked about how poetry lets us play with language and make even the most boring objects strange and unfamiliar. We wrote short poems imagining regular, everyday classroom items as new and surprising things.
Eraseboard
-Ayelin
The eraseboard is like
a lonely apartment
with no one in it.
The eraseboard is like a car.
The eraseboard is like someone floating
in space.
The eraseboard is like half a city.
Chair
-Jimena P
The chair is
like someone
in prison that’s
going to be there
for days.
The chair
is like
a deadly animal
going to eat
another animal
in the forest.
It also looks like it is ready
to eat.
Book Box
-Luis S
A simple book box
could be a bridge that goes up and down
could be a ramp you ride a bike off and you back down.
Could be stairs upside that you lead you up.
All of these lead you up.
Another way you could go up is if you do good in life.
You will ascend and be happy
At least I think.
