Students watched a bear cam video similar to the one described in the poem we studied, ‘There was this bear cam’ by critic and poet Sandra Simonds. Sandra Simonds charts the formations and deformations of the social and political through the observations of the poem’s speakers, interspersed with the language of social media, news reports, political speech, and the dialogue of friends, children, strangers, and politicians. Then, students crafted their own poems based on videos they watched using the vernacular.
LESSON NOTE: ‘Poetry is a body of unprecedented experiences, ‘ said poet Kevah Akbar in a writers’ workshop I attended. Authors Jack Collom and Sheryl Noethe agree: ‘Much of the fun [of this type of exercise] is the juxtapositions, which can be jagged or unexpected but can point to new meanings.’
Mrs. McClain, 7th Grade
The Speedrun
by Elijah K.
One day, I was playing a videogame
I was struggling to beat the levels and frequently lost
I decided to look for some help on Youtube
And scrolled through to find something useful
I clicked on a speedrun for help
They were always fast and efficient, so it would help me
improve.
I could see it now, me, victorious,
Standing over my enemies’ bodies
Swinging my sword through the air
And saving all the princesses
Restoring peace to the kingdom.
But as I looked on, I realized something.
I didn’t have all the things I needed.
Nor the right character.
I tried to do what the player had done,
But died over and over again
So now, it’s back to YouTube, looking for tips
just beginner’s guides.
I had to find a video
by Harber D.
I had to find a video for an assignment
so I went to YouTube
I started looking, but all I saw were
tik tok trends from 2021
all I wanted was to find a cute or
moving video that would change my perspective
on life.
I thought about seeing those selfless people
doing something amazing and everyone loving them,
Or those cute cats that fit into tea cups.
But I was met with a girl putting
ice cream and chocolate into her water bottle
I sit and scroll and keep tying
to find a video.
Mrs. McClain, 8th Grade
One Little Penguin
by Jayden V.
There was a penguin.
Oh, so little and so small
Struggling to get along
The narrator states
“in order for it to gain independence, it must gain friends.”
“Birds can dive 600 meters
and hold their breath for 20 minutes.”
My mouth is open wide
My eyes are stuck to the screen
I am amazed.
“It’s the smallest of them all.”
I see some other penguins
Skinny or fat
tall or small
leader or follower
This little penguin was the star.
The dog no one wanted
by Kendall D.
A dog that no one gave a chance. Over 600 days in the
shelter, a dog that didn’t get a chance. The dog
finally had a chance because of his sweet and spicy
personality. When given the chance. He was foster
failed. The dog that no one gave a chance. What do
you know, he was foster failed. The dog no one
gave a chance.
Mrs. McClain, 8th Grade
“bird chirps”
by Alice F. P.
I want to hear the beautiful chirp
and the vibrant colors of the feathers
I want one to fly on my windowsill
And I want it to stay there no matter what the weather.
I can imagine one flying onto my hand
and peck on seeds lying in my palm.
I imagine it flying in big, large flocks,
soaring through cities and roads and blocks
They nest in tall trees and buildings
with twigs and mud and worms for eating
“A Very Hungry Man”
by
Iris Z.
I clicked on a video of a man eating Raising Canes
only to find this man scarfing down 6 pieces of
chicken tenders, 3 Texas Toasts, 3 orders of fries
and another chicken sandwich.
I was shocked by this
I never knew someone could eat
so much in one sitting
Even though the sigh of the man
devouring the food grossed me out
It also made me extremely hungry
Because the chicken looked so picture
perfect
I wonder if the man always has
such a big
appetite.
Mrs. McClain, 7th Grade
Kitty Cat
by Estrella K.
Cute as cute can be
A fur baby, they call it
The red can shining bright in the dark light
A head pops out
peek a boo I think
then, the man–holding the can
there, with a smile big as can be
the cats head popping in and–
our of the can
how adorable!
Cheeto, Chicken, Cheese
by Sergio H.
As this intimidating man put cheese-dipped chicken with Cheeto dust
He ate 3 before he sipped his water
He pulls out a bowl of ranch
He dips it in with no shame
and with this came another sip of water.
