Last Blog of the Year: Voice Poems

After 19 lessons, and 19 weeks of literacy programming, we are now at a end at Walter Reed Magnet Cluster School. Yes, it's been a wonderful ride and not without the support of staff and the students, (and teachers). We have written using personification, free verse, onamatopoeia, similes, metaphors, structured units, using musicality, and emotion!

We've had some great lessons, some learning lessons, some lessons that we "scratched our heads" but overall, students were exposed to a diverse group of poems, poets and lessons.

Today's lesson we focused on Voices, and writing using the element of voice.

My Mad Voice
Jauron M.
3rd Grade

When I get mad, my voice gets deep like the middle of the Red sea.
When I get happy, I sing very loud.

When My Voice Ran Away
Tiffany A.
3rd Grade

I lost my voice.
It ran away.
Far, far, far away.
I worry about it.
I cry at night.
I heard my sister's voice.
She is saying, "Ha Ha Ha."
I want to say "Ha Ha Ha."
but I can't because I lost my voice.
I heard my nephew's voice.
He is saying "Ha Ha" too.
I wish I had my voice back.
My wish came true and I had some pay back.

My Voice
Keora H.
3rd Grade

My voice is deep like a lion.
My voice is nice like a bird.
My voice is soft.
My voice is loud.
My voice is deep.
My voice is deep like a dinosaur.
My voice sounds like Keyshia Cole.
My voice is nice.
My voice talks.
My voice speaks.
My voice sings.
My voice asks questions.
My voice reads.
My voice can do math.
My voice can do science.
My voice is good.

Untitled
Nayshawn E.
8th Grade

When I sleep
I hear voices
When I sleep
I hear noises

I hear chatter in
a box
I hear people playing
dots

I am happy
Sometimes sad
but I rather be sad
than mad

A Person
David B.
8th Grade

A person might be lame
That thinks they have game
They should feel ashamed
they might be in the hall of fame
or their career might end up in flames
They came to be a person
but it is just the same
but still know my name is "David"
just don't take blame
A person can talk
and don't know how to walk.

I lift my voice
Danielle S.
8th Grade

I lift my voice
to sing
to sing God's praises
I lift my voice
to speak to the people
to give a speech to the people
I lift my voice
to renounce the star spangle banner
I lift my voice
to put smiles on people's faces
to light up the gates of heaven
I lift my voice
to pray
in my job
in my home
in my church
all day long
I lift my voice

Untitled
Kwanisha B.
8th Grade

I always hear my Grandmother's
voice in my head saying
"Never give up!"
She always say,
"Kwanisha, never give up. You're gonna
make it. You are a wonderful person,
you have a whole future ahead of you.
Don't just let one little thing bring you down.
Keep your head up high 'cause you 're gonna
make it."

The Voice of Englewood
Lavontae C.
5th / 6th Grade

Sometimes I want to escape.
The voice of Englewood.
I can't escape it.
This is my home.
If I do, we might be living in a dome.
The noise of animals.
The birds chirping.
It is loud,
but I have to face it.
This is my home.
I won't fake it.

The Voice in the Hood
Harold T.
5th / 6th Grade

The voice in the hood doesn't have to be bad.
The voice in the hood doesn't have to be mad.
The voice in the hood could be good.
The voice in the hood should be good.
The voice could be nice.
It could even skate on ice.
The voice is good like it should be.
You should be good like I know you could be.

A Lot of Voices
Around Me
Mark W.
5th / 6th Grade

When I'm walking through Englewood.
I heard high voices.
Low voices.
They're here.
They're everywhere.
I hear cursing and hollering everywhere.
Nonstop.
I hear so many voices my head might pop.
Deep voices.
Light voices.
They're all around me.
When will it stop?
It's so annoying.
But I'm going to keep walking till I get to my
destination.
Singing and talking in my head.
Man, it sounds like the end of a presentation.
But I keep walking, walking and walking.
Man if they don't stop, I'm going to start hollering.
But now, they're quiet.
What happened to their voices?
Now it's getting scary.
I don't understand.
Why did all of their voices stop when
the police made a command?

We hoped you enjoyed reading most if not ALL of the poems from this school's year. Please check back by October 2008 for more poems from this school. We definitely encourage you to read poems with your children and WRITE poems!

Have a great summer.

Pamela Osbey
Poet-In-Residence
Poetry Center of Chicago

Organically Speaking

Some poems come from deep lessons on learning poetic techniques. Some poems are inspired by one word or several words that may pop in a writer's mind. Today's class were combinations of both techniques. Discussions about life and the world around the students inspired the poems written by the students at Walter Reed.

I welcome you to their jazzy, contemplative, diverse poetic world.

*This is the next to the LAST blog for the year 2007-2008 at Walter Reed Magnet Cluster School*

Try My Life
Tunya C. - 8th Grade

Come walk in my shoes
and feel my sorrow.
and feel the abuse I went through.
Sometimes you just don't know what people been in or through.
So won't you just come and try my life?
Don't be afraid to just say you were wrong.
A lot of people are very emotional about things you say.
Most people have been to hell and back.
Don't try to judge my book cover just come
and try my life.
One day I might be the next, most..youngest richest teen.
It's not that you might not care,
maybe it's because you have no self respect.
Too much doubt on yourself.
Live in somebody else's shoes
and just try their life.

Motherless Children
Tyrone H. - 8th Grade

I can't believe the
amount of motherless children
it's just terrible.

It's like every new day
a new mother motherless child.

Looking at motherless children
just makes me sad
makes me feel sorry.

Do you know what a mother could do for you.
A lot.

I wish I could help motherless children
and someday I will.

In the Iraq War
Ryan G. - 8th Grade

In the Iraq War, there's nothing going on.
In the Iraq War, people are dying.
In the Iraq War, our soldiers are suffering.
In the Iraq War, oil is all we are there for.
In the Iraq War, our president is Professor in a study called DEATH.
In the Iraq War, four score years ago, it wasn't happened because our
forefathers wouldn't let it happen.

Untitled
Darrious C. - 8th Grade

What I hate is black on black crime.
Clear yo mind, let's reunite.
Let's not fight.
We are all we have.
So let's just sit down without a frown and wear a crown
like the Queens and Kings we are.
We are we.
Now you are a star.
So show it...don't blow.
So get this poem
and show me that you know it.

The 8th/7th grade classes had to write a free verse poem using one word or theme to start the poem and building around the theme of atrocities or horrible things they'd love to see fixed. They came up with their own fabulous poems based upon a discussion in the class.


Dear Bee
Nikia S. - 3rd Grade

Do you miss me?
We used to be close friends but now we're not.
I miss the way you used to stand up for me.
Can we still be friends?
P.S. I love you.

From,
Mouse

Dear Moon
Diangelo W.

I miss you so much.
I wish you never left.
You are my best friend.
I miss your pretty smile.
I like when we used to meet
together and we will melt.
We used to always play together.
You should have never left.

From the Sun to the Moon

Dear Dog
Detric S.

Hello dog, ready to run?
I'll be there at 1:00.
I want you to clean your fur.
I am going to get cat food and dog food.
I'm going to my vet and I am going to get our fur cleaned.
Come to the open dog house.
Dog, let's play fetch.
Dog, let's run around in the grass.
Let's watch the sun go down together.
Let's eat together.
Let's wake up together.
Let's drink together.
Let's jump together.
Let's scratch together.

Love,
Cat

Untitled
Vaughn F. - 5th/6th Grade

I miss the moon.
Do the moon miss me?
I love the moon.
The moon loves me.
There it shines so bright all beautiful.
Shine down on us.

From the Mouse
To the Elephant
Ramone A. - 5th / 6th Grade

I'm supposed to see you.
You told me a week ago.
Did you get lost?
I gave you a map.
My parents got home today.
Come after they come from breakfast.
All the cats are back from the store,
so we must stay in the hole.

Friends,
The Mouse

Dear Hair
Ezell S.

I miss putting me on your hair.
I miss roping up around your hair.
I miss the way your hair smells.
It smelled like shampoo and sometimes Wild Cherry.
I miss putting your hair in a ponytail the way it was
fluffy still.

From your favorite rubber band

The approach for the lower grades was to read "Letter to a Bee" and discuss personification and use it in a free verse poem in a letter format. Students could choose anything two things to compare and write from one perspective / thing to another one.

We're happy you took time to read the poems and have a great day!

Pam Osbey
Artist in Resident
@ Walter Reed Magnet Cluster Elementary School

Time is Elementary

Over the years I've done all kinds of "time" poems. I used to use Alicia Keys time poem, from her collection, "Tears For Waters" but as time as gone on, I now use a general poem by Michelle Hyde "There is a Time to..." as a catalyst for students to write about time in either a free verse or a chant poem format.

Since this is the 18th week of class, I thought I would use the poem to start a conversation about time, how we use time, what is special about time, and other questions that are organically birthed from the conversation and discussion of the time poems.

Ms. Lopata Class (7/8th Grades)

I Had....
by Ryan G.

I had...
a time to run
a time to think
a time to have my mind made up
a time to jolt

a time to scream
a time to plan
a time to scram
a time to waddle away

There Was a Time
by Attallah

There was a time
in my life...when I had a good time.
And played
Talked
and acted silly
But it was the best time
was the only time
I had a GOOD time

There was an other time
when I had these bad times
but I didn't say nothing
the whole day

There is a Day to
by Tyrone H.

There is a Day to...
to go to school
to graduate
to go on with life
to be happy
to marry and..
to die

Back in Time
by David B.

I wish I can go back in time to
change the mistakes I did before.
If I had a time machine I can
stop the awkward moments.
To go back in time to tell my past
self what's going to happen next.

To warn people about their future event
and rent active to their future.
If I can go back in time, I would
save people lives.

Time
by Joseph M.

Infinite...
Time is an infinite thing
that never stops going.
It is a very strange intangeable thing.
Time is a nuetral event that is
not good or bad
Even though it has its ups and downs
and regular normal everydays.
I think time is a thing that goes in
a continual motion
and is what you make it to be.

And my favorite 5/6 Grade Class (Mrs. Johnson's ) -- Room 205 wrote a plethora of poems from the funny, whimsical and strange. Although I felt we might have lost some "time" because of the energy, we didn't and well written poems were birthed in the classes. My favorites were by Mark W. , Harold T. and Tyanna H. The longest poem was written by Monishae M. (8 stanzas/26 lines!)

Time Passes Because
by Mark W.

Time passes because you're having fun.
Time passes because the party has begun.
Time passes because you're playing outside.
Time passes because you're making rhymes.

Time passes because you're making jokes.
Time passes because you're about to choke.
Time passes because you're talking on the phone.
Time passes because you're singing cyclone.

Time passes because you're singing a song.
Time passes because you're not all alone.
Time passes because you're reading a book.
Time passes because you're in school learning.

Time passes...

With My Time
Tyanna H.

With my time, I talk.
With my time, I walk.
With my time, I play.
With my time, I lay.
With my time, I clean.
With my time, I dream.
With my time, I love.
With my time, I care.
With my time, I learn.
With my time, I be concerned.
With my time, I sing.
With my time, I dance.
With my time, I do a lot.
With my time, I shop.
With my time, My time...
My time.

A Fleet of Time
by Malik K.

Time is priceless, it is life.
But some takes it away with a death or a knife.
It goes fast and sometimes you'll think it forever lasts.
Believe it or not, we have a small period of time.
Our bodies will pass over both yours and mine.
So don't put this precious time to waste.
I hold your time and your fate.
A fleet of time!

Rich imagery, fun sayings...and always have something important to say, Mrs. Tomlinson's class all wrote amazing poems that made me smile. I am hoping you will also find something really fun and imaginative to these...

Clock Work
by Kendell B.

Mom, I have to watch Family Guy!!
I have 5 minutes to watch.
It was the Episode 100
Stewie was in George Bush's home.
They were shooting.
I was eating a twinkie.
We ordered some pizza.
It cost $20.
I went to get my hair cut..
I went to get a donut.

This poet wrote 3 different poems! TIARA's pen was on fire and I really appreciated her effort. Here one of her poems.

A Time
By Tiara B.

A time to sing.
A time to dance.
A time to shout.
A time to run.

I remember writing.
I remember learning.
I remember teaching.
I remember myself.

I stop to play.
I stop to work.
I stop to jump rope.
I stop to read books.

I wonder what's the day.
I wonder how was your time.
I wonder tick tock.
I wonder what time it is.

50 Seconds
by Jauron M.

In 50 seconds, I will go get a piece of cake.
In 50 seconds, I will go get a brownie at the Brownie shop.
In 50 seconds it will rain really hard.
In 50 seconds, I will go get a twinkie from the Twinkie Shop.

I hope these were as fun for you to read as it was for me to teach. Take some time to write your own "Time"poem. You might be surprised what comes out of your poetic mind.

Pam Osbey
Artist-In-Residence

Enjoying the Road & Cities!

The wonderful poem, "Knoxville, Tennessee" by Nikki Giovanni served as a lens on the road trip or enjoying great times with family and friends. The poem chronicles Giovanni's summer trip with her family and her love of southern cuisine, barbecues and running bare foot with Giovanni on a mountain in plush, green earth of the south. Yes, it's the road and cities, rich with imagery, foods, wind, and different seasons. I asked students on February 27th to focus on using imagery, food, and good times to reflect on travel poems.

Students wrote a plethora of things and remembered some excellent road trips, visiting different cities, and response poems reflected all of their positive interactions with the earth via planes, trains, and cars!

Story
Juwan C.

I see bugs.
I see the good sun and it smelled good.
I eat a meat burger sandwich.
It tasted good.
The air passed my Dog and Cat.
I went to the ocean.
To Texas.
I went to Washington, DC
And to New York, Mexico, New Mexico
And I went to South America,
Zimbabwe, and it was fun.
I was happy in Russia, Gulf of Mexico,
And Atlantic Appalachian.

New Orleans
Kendell B.

I went to New Orleans on my road trip.
I was eating a gyro.
I saw a dog.
He was with a man.
It was a bull dog.
We climbed on a mountain on my shoes.
I was playing my Game boy in a PSP.

Mississippi
Keora H.

I always like Mississippi best.
My cousin’s Mom cut up cucumbers and put
Them in a bowl and put some salad sauce
On it.
Then we ate it and it was good.
Last time I ate macaroni and spaghetti,
Corn on the cob, and corn bread and greens.
I went to see the cows, pigs, roosters.
I went outside and felt flies on my arms and mosquitoes
Flying around.
Me and my sister was playing and running.
I had fun in Mississippi.

Poem
Ryan G.

I’m in Belize and it’s a hot sunny day.
And the sun is beaming and the sand is between my toes.
So you should come with me.
Come and spend a day on the sunny bay.
So we can have a good ocean spray.
It’s fun in Belize and it’s fun to play.
It’s fun to hang out by the bay.

Travelling
Telethe P.

I always like traveling.
I once went to Washington DC.
It was so beautiful and different, but interesting.
The great big pool I went swimming in.
I almost drowned in 7 feet.
The White House was much bigger in person that on T.V. shows.
I really enjoyed the soul food.
Fried chicken, hot wings with ranch, okra and fries.
I really, really loved the room service.
They were sooo nice.
The beds are so comfortable.
I slept all night.
Not one peep through my sleep.

Mississippi
David B.

I always like warm weather better.
You can eat country food
Such as…
Barbeque
And potato salad
And hot wings
I saw cows,
Horses,
Pigs, sheeps, and corn fields.
And a lot of land.
I went to a lot of parks.
And my family houses
And a forest reserves
And went to a farm.

Where to Go
Malik W.

When I went to Atlanta
The blazing hot air hit my skin
Like a flaming ball of fire
Hitting me.
Also eating greens, cornbread,
Mash potato.
It was so good.
Make you want to slap your mama!

Untitled
Lavontae C.

I’ve always liked New York on a Summer Day.
It might be hot but I have water.
I see big skyscraper.
Big buildings walking down the street
Going to the store.
I have on swimming trunks at the park.

I am eating chips, candy and chicken.
I am eating ice cream.
Jumping up and down I even spinned around.
The sun is beaming on my face.
I loved to play on that hot summer day.

Miami
Terrell B.

I always like summer
Best
Because you can have a water fight.
And eat barbeque.
You can play basketball, football
And baseball.
And you can eat ice cream.
And walk on the beach barefoot.

Week in Mississippi
Dillon P.

Me and my family went to Mississippi.
It took 16 hours.
We went to the Colorado Mountains.
It was the best trip.
It was hot as 32 of my relatives when I
Went.
It was amazing.
On Monday, we went to Red Lobster.

Musicality is the Key

Over the years, I have done an amazing amount of lessons with music poems. I used to teach them primarily using on sample poem -- Weary Blues by Langston Hughes (and playing John Coltrane and Miles Davis CDs) but this day (Reed Residency) was really interesting and inspiring and I wanted to do something a little bit different. So I chose to employ two different lessons for the three classes. Using musical selections, the skills of listening, analyzing and writing poems, along with traditional methods. It was quite interesting I must say. Using one of the lessons I tried from Kenneth Koch's book, "Wishes, Lies and Dreams" I was able to use a different teaching idealogy with the 8th and 3rd Graders. Different poems were generated because of the music I used (hip hop instrumentals, Nas, Kelis, and jazz evoked different emotions, and poetic themes in the following poems you are going to be seeing. I was very happy with the openness in my lower grades opposed to my upper grades. But all in all, I feel, since this was the first day back for students, we were able to share out love of music as a force that can inspire all types of things.

Untitled
Ranice G. (8th Grade)

Girls and boys die early.
Boys getting shot in drive bys.
Girls getting thrown in the alley.
All this violence stops soon.

Too late to fall back.
Too soon to fall forward.
To sudden to do anything.
So don't even try to move.

You already there.
You already done.
You think it's funny.
You think it's cool.
They will have you in the hospital.
Eating out of a tube.
Looking dumb.
Looking like a fool.

So think before you do.
Think before you say.
Listen to the words that I say.

Untitled
Teressa J. (8th Grade)

The wave of a morning vibe.
He's rapping about the bad times that happened.
And think now his revenge is time.

Everything is so unpredictable.
Everybody is dying.
He feels bad and would never
make the same mistakes and would try
to enhance if he just had
one mic.

Life Beats
Danielle S. (8th Grade)

To that beat I hear
I see myself in my beat
Dance to that beat
Ride or die is what I feel
Living a life of a dark side
staring at the moon
As I think of that beat
Running for my life
I hear that beat
I run to that beat
Independent I stand
because of that beat
Independent woman in that beat
nothing with out beat
staring back at the moon
Trying to find out what to say
to the sky
I've never been good at saying
good bye
or hello they say
You don't know what you get until
what you have is gone
Til that beat goes away
I wish then I had something to say
Life beats
to that beat

2 Songs
Attallah H. (8th Grade)

I think that he mad about somebody
and tryna make it and he only have one
life and he need one microphone.

He gone upgrade on everything
he did in life
so dat he only need one microphone
2 make it in life
and where he need 2 be.

I feel that they having a good time
and they on they're anniversary
and tryna have a good time
and enjoy their self and going to keep
on loving each other
and they're not going to let
nobody come between them.

What is Music?
Carmen E. (8th Grade)

What is music?
Do you know?

Does it have melody?
Does it have a certain beat?
Can I flow to it?

I really want to know.
What is music!
Can you tell me please.

Cause I am stuck.
In this music beat.
I'm asking questions.
Can you respond?

Cause I am stuck
in this music band.
So what is music!

Can you tell me now?
Cause I really need to know
it now!

My Feeling
Reginald R. (8th Grade)

I feel calm and bored.
I feel sad and a little happy.
The tone sounds like a person in love or
having a romantic date.
Like someone on a get away cruise
or eating at a five star restaurant.

Untitled
Steven R. (8th Grade)

Bullets flying and people dying.
Can you smell the chicken frying?
And after all this people are still living
and dying.
Nothing we can do but just let it happen.
Unless we take action and do something about it.

Music played in class: "One Mic" by Nas & "Swamp Song" by Foreplay (jazz ensemble)

Untitled
Donovan T. (3rd Grade)

It sounds red.
It reminds me of my Grand Dad.
I hear dancing.
I hear piano.
I hear guitar.

Slow Music
Dezirme J. (3rd Grade)

I hear wind.
I hear a flute.
I hear a beat.
I hear squeaky noise.
I hear somebody talking.
It reminds me and my mom dancing.
I hear don-- donny.
I hear a piano.
I hear something that winds threw.
It reminds me of Chris Brown.
I hear smooth and soft music.
It reminds me of when I was listening to soft and smooth music.
I hear a beat.
It makes me feel like the music is gone off.
I think they know I like smooth and slow music
that make me feel like I'm somewhere quiet and peaceful.
I think the color..could be pink.

Untitled
Edward C. (3rd Grade)

Dis song remind me of my Granddad song
and he let me play the drums
and he play the good one and he called his friend
to help him make a song
and we had made a song for Grandmother
and she had small...

I did a good thing
for my family and even time I come from
school and play

when I grow up
I want to be a rock star
and I want to play the drums

I go in the bedroom
and think of some songs
for my Mom
and I just made a good beat

and have fun
and be yourself
and I will have fun
like you...

The Classical Music
Jauron M. (3rd Grade)

I hear the drums go boom boom.
I hear the flute go toot-toot.
I hear the beat going hum-hum.
I hear the wind going whoosh-whoosh.
I think the color would be light grey.

It reminds me of my Great Grandmother.
It reminds me of her kisses.
It reminds me of my Grandmother.
It reminds me of how she kisses me.
It reminds me of my Aunt.
It reminds me of her sweet hugs.

The Crazy Sounds
Tiffany A. (3rd Grade)

I hear the flute saying bom, bom, bom, like the drums.
But the drums are blue.
It sounds like toot, toot like the flute.
Sounds like bom hop, bom hop, like Africa drums.

Untitled
Tiara B. (3rd Grade)

I feel about songs.
It made me feel sad.
I remember of my Grandfather.
I hear someone's piano soft, musical.
It made me feel pink sleep.
It made me go to sleep.
Me put my head down
to when my Grandmother ...
I was okay.
Flew me and the air like a butterfly
like a star.
Like a sun.

Untitled
Ernest H. (3rd Grade)

The music feels soft and gentle
like the wind.
The music feels like it's blending in with the beat
just flowing through the air.
The music is so nice and gentle.
I just might fall asleep.
It sounds like my Grandfather's band
playing the blues.
That's the way the music feels.

The Jazz Song #2 and #1
Kiara F. (3rd Grade)

I hear the song in my heart
like a person who likes to sing
a song of what I know.
I can like...
I do...
I know who I like.
I know I can be what i want to be.
My teacher Mrs. Tomlinson and I love
as a friend Mrs. Tomlinson.

Song #1
Diangelo W. (3rd Grade)

It sounds like a piano.
It don't sound like jazz.

Song #2
Diangelo W. (3rd Grade)

It sounds soft.
It sounds like Jazz.
It was like truck music and piano
with strings.

Music played: Brooklyn Funk Essentials & Foreplay

Untitled
Lavontae C. (5th Grade)

Boom.
Boom.
Hear comes the parade.
The sound is beating through my head.
It comes in one ear.
It comes out the other.

I am walking home.
I hear a sound...
rat-ta-tat-tat!
What is that sound?
Then I start looking around.
It is a man
working on this street.
I say "hay, that's a good beat."

The Noise That is in My House
Monae S. (5th Grade)

I hear myself wheezing
when my Asthmas is messing with me.
Then my heart is racing so fast like the weather.
When I go outside my Aunt told me
'going to be alright'.
I am on my way to the hospital when I get
on a machine.
It sounds like a trumpet.

I'm Walking Down the Street
Montera C. (5th Grade)

I'm walking down the street.
I heard funny beats.
It was a clarinet.
It was like squeak squeak squeak
like a sound of an owl.

Then I looked around and saw a girl.
She was holding it and she blew it and
it was like beat beat beat.
...of an instrument of an clarinet.

Follow the Beat of your Heart
Martarvia P. (5th Grade)

Follow the beat of your heart,
then you'll have a healthy start.

You can try a violin or clarinet.
The one that fits you the best.

You can have a drum to add to the beat.
so you can tap your feet.

You can try a flute that sounds
like birds in trees.

Or a trombone that sounds like you're
moaning and groaning...from scratching from fleas.

You can choose whatever you feel just remember
follow your heart to whatever you like.

My Own Rhythm
Raesha R. (5th Grade)

I try to hear the beat like a drum.
That comes to my heart.
Some that bring together or apart.

Some have piano or a flute
and some have a instrument that goes
root-toot-toot.

I wonder if I can make a rhythm
with a horn or a bike.
So I can see what rhythm sounds like.

People think that beats are just raps
but I use a beat.
I beat my hands on laps.

The Rhythm
Jazmin L. (5th Grade)

The rhythm of my beat.
My sounds are like bom bom bom.
Shhh..bom.
I am never quiet.
I just make more noise as if I were a trumbone.

What I Wake UP To
Dalvin S. (5th Grade)

A dream that I had in me,
I woke up to see.
I seen my brother walk around on the guitar
acting like a clown.
It was not a lot of noise.
People that I see walk down the street.
Some people in their house beating their drum.
Some people I see that are funny.
In the summer, they see bunnies.

The Rhythm
Daisha B. (5th Grade)

What do I hear when I wake up?
I hear the stove sizzling "ssss."
Then my baby brother beating on the table
boom boom like a drum.
My sister screaming.
It sounds like a cho-cho train.
It's all the rhythm that I hear in my house.

No music selections used, but traditional reading and discussion of a poem inspired these.

Onomatopoeia Poems

The fun part of being at Walter Reed is the openness of students. Event if they don't quite know if they are writing their 'poem' right, they are open to the experience. Today's class focused on the simplicity of using words that have the element of sound, i.e, onomatopoeia. Lapota's class were very chatty but also many of the students took the poetry challenge and dived right on in to the exercise. Ms. Constance class (#204, formerly Garland) were very excited to see me as well. In the class, I asked several questions about things they love to hear, not not hear. I asked for words that had the element of soun (hiss, bam, boom, splish, splash,etc.). They were able to apply their 'brainstorming list of words to an original poem. Tomlinson's class were sooo great we had all of the students read their original poems during the reciting time. All of the students had fabulous poems that inspired me.

The Things I Hear
Shyneshia S. (Ms. Constance, 5/6 Grade)

The things I hear.
I am in the pool.
The water splash splash in my face.
Bounce bounced the ball goes to my brother
playing with his fastball.
Tap tap girls!
Jumping rope.
Roll roll
my sister is skating.
My brother jumped and the pool
splash splash
goes again in my face.
I get out and go in the
house put on some clothes
and go out the door.
I go
stomp stomp
the the girls asked
"do you want to play rope?"
and I said,"yes"
Then I go tap tap in the rope
the wind is blowing back
my wig.

A Walk
Malik W. (Ms. Constance, 5/6 Grade)

I am walking
I don't know where.
I think I heard the scratching of a bear.
"Clutch. Clutch." his claws scratching in the tree.
I walk along.
I hear a "knock. knock."
I wonder what it is.
I see it.
It's a wood pecker in a tree.
I walked pass a basketball court
"Swish. Swish."
The ball is in and the crowd cheers
"Yeah. Yeah."

Noises In the Morning
Donovan T. (Tomlinson, 3rd Grade)

In the morning
I hear
sizzle sizzle
drizzle drizzle.
It is my Mom cooking.
We are eating.
I hear
munch munch
It's Cane eating.
I hear
*ding*
the plates are
in the sink.

I Hear Noises
Keora H. (Tomlinson, 3rd Grade)

I hear the water go
splash, splash, splash.

I hear the thunder go
boom, boom, boom.

I hear the car go
honk, honk, honk.

I hear the cow go
moo, moo, moo.

I hear the horse go
nade, nade, nade.

I hear the drum go
boom, boom, boom.

I hear people go
clap, clap, clap.

I hear a baby go
wah, wah, wah.

I hear the duck go
quack, quack, quack.

I hear kids talking I go
shhh, shhh, shhh!

I hear the dog go
bark, bark, bark.

I hear the cat go
meow, meow, meow.

Untitled
Danielle S. (Lapota, 8th Grade)

Running down the court
tic toc tic toc
the clock is ticking
time is almost up.

Swish!
The ball is in.
The time is up.

Yaaaaay everyone screams.
Thump, thump, thump...
Stomping I hear
1 ... 2....3
Yaaaaaay
They rise starting for joy.

Finally the game is over.
Boom boom boom boom boom.
The crowd is running to the center
Pop a needle is being pushed through the balloon.
Picking me up out of the air
and I feel like a winner.

!HAY I AM A WINNER!

Untitled
Lashawn R. (Lapota, 8th Grade)

I hear the mustang.
The motor was rumbling.
The motor was like zoom zoom.
Zoom.
Down the block fast as it go.

I tried to run down the street to
look but it was so fast.
I wet my foot in a puddle nearby.
Down the street it goes still leaving me behind.

I finally got tired and stopped
and put my hands on my head to get
some wind.
The care still burning..
rubber still going like scrrrrrrr!
Leaving me behind.

Untitled
Steven R. (Lapota, 8th Grade)

As I throw the freesbie.
It went 'swoosh' through the air.
As I heard the tick tock of the clock.
As I heard the 'vroom vroom' I noticed
a car racing up the street.
As I watched the sunset I heard the
birds chirping and singing as the
day ended.

Simplicity with William Carlos Williams

His poem, "This is Just to Say" is a simple, 'found poem' format whereas the line breaks of the poem drives the poetry. A very basic poem broken up in three stanzas, Williams focuses on apologizing for eating the last plum in the refrigerator. A wonderful way to say, "I apologize" for inconveniencing you by the poet was very relatable to the students at Reed Elementary. We discussed food or drink items, family or friends have taken, or the affect of apologizing to someone for something done in the past. Students focused on things done to them or done by them in response to situations. This short form is a great form to replicate with younger or old. I found students that normally don't like to write, loved this poem as a way to express themselves in a different way. I found some of these poems, funny, endearing, and refreshing.

Untitled
Detric S.
(3rd Grade, Tomlinson)

I have eaten
all
the grapes
that were
in the grape bag.

and which you
were probably
saving for dinner.

Forgive me. They
were good
so sweet
and
so juicy.

Untitled
Edward C.
(3rd Grade, Tomlinson)

I have eaten
my sister donuts
and eaten my
Mom's nachos

and I have eaten
my Dad's pizza
and his root
beer pop

and do not
even leave a
root beer pop
on the table

and I told my sister
my Mom
and my Dad
that
it will not happen again

but do not
leave an
root beer pop
on the
table

Untitled
Ernest H.
(3rd Grade, Tomlinson)

I'm sorry
for
hitting you
it was
coming
as you
said
"sorry"

I tried
to stop but
I couldn't

a tear
fell from your
eye

I'm sorry
little brother
please
forgive me.

Untitled
Teressa J.
(8th Grade, Lapota)

She was sad
and angry, but
I spoke
to her.

She then went
off
I knew
it was my
fault cause
I spoke
first, knowing...
she was mad.

Later she came
back and apologized
and I
forgave.

Your Messy Room
Ranice G.
(8th Grade, Lapota)

I have seem
to lost my
white shirt
could you let

me search for
it in your
room please?

I know
your room was
just clean
I am so

sorry
I wish
I can help you
out so
my bad
I apologize

for the mess
I made
I hope this
dollar would help!!!!

This is What I have to Say
Malik K.
(5/6 Grade, Garland)

I have to
say
that I am
deeply sorry
for almost
breaking your
arm.

I am sorry
for
putting you
in the hospital.

I am sorry
for
breaking your
arm and putting
you
in the hospital.

They are making
you eat
choke sandwiches.

I feel
really bad
for you.

So I sent you
some good food.

I have
sent you
some salad with
tea
and tuna
and three apples.

I am
deeply sorry!

I'm Sorry Cynthia
Monae S.
(5/6 Grade, Garland)

I am
sorry
for eating the
last piece
of cheese cake.

I am
sorry
for getting you
up in
the middle of
the night.

I am sorry
for
making you
take me
to the hospital
because of my
asthma.

Forgive me
for everything.

I Apologize
Nicole W.
(5/6 Grade, Garland)

I have drunk
the juices
that were in
the refrigerator.

and which
you were saving
for work.

I apologize
the juices were
delicious
so good
and cold.

Can you forgive
me?
I"m sorry
for what
I did.

Forgive me
Mom.

Special Project: Walter Reed's Family Literacy Night

Under a bevy of activity and a very cold day, Walter Reed Magnut Cluster School's Family Literacy Night, kicked off on Thursday, January 24th. The night was filled with many activities for the community and the students to enjoy. The program started off with a very interactive "R U READY FOR SUCCESS" Game Show which focused on the behaviors that would be very positive for an employer to hire a person who contains successful traits of dependability, focus, and good work ethics to be hired and retained for employment. This skit was fun and relatable to adults and children alike. Other presentations in the night included tips from Ms. Johnson and Ms. Williams to parents about including great skills (reading to your child, and other literary tips to help them focus on details that will be required for the upcoming ISAT). As the Poet-In-Residence, I presented two poems, "A Big Little Girl in the City" and "Ode to Freedom". At the end of the presentations, all parents, community members and students were invited to come to break out tables. I worked the poetry corner, which basically had a station for anyone who wanted to write original poems. Some of the poems were written by parents, students, and very young readers and writers. There was not a 'theme' for the poetry corner. Rather, I would work one-on-one with writers. Several of my students from Ms. Tomlinson and Mr. Garland's class sat at my table to write poems by them selves and or their siblings. This was a very well attended event, with no seats left. I give kudos to the entire staff and Ms. Watson, the principal.

Enjoy the poems below!

My First Memory
by Anonymous
Let's take a stroll back into memory lane.
Either it's age or my memory..but it's hard to explain.

Time
Isiah K.

Time.
Time is your life.
Your time is ticking by a gunomite.
I still got my time and I'm still ticking.
Mine is not your time.
Is your head that's still ticking?
Only wanting it to like time.
Ticking when you get out of school.
Time.

Me, Myself and I
Ebonie C. (Room 204)

I'm sweet and pretty.
When I look in the mirror, I say
"I'm seeing something sweet and peaceful."
But some how it's so loud.
I just lay my head down.
I don't clown and in class I sit down.
You're so so loud!

Untitled
Timothy G. (2nd Grade)

The sky in the night is just so bright,
it has artistic flairs.
I see the moon every night
with good glares.

Love
Tyshianna J. (Room 311)

Love is in the air
that is why it is blue.
When you see me.
I see you.
Beautiful God, Oh mighty.
Mighty God.
I wish you were here to show
me what to do.
Show me the way.
Show me how to fly.
Beginning to end, my journey begins.

Little Brother
Isiah K.

I'm still under ground with my root.
He's up there, kicking his boots.
Bossing me around and put me in my room.
Like he's the sheriff.
The room is like a jail to me.
But I'm just in like my mother told me.
But it's boring to me.
So I sneak.
Tip Top...so he won't hear me.
So I got caught red handed.
I'm still his little brother.

The great thing about this special project is that it was simple and with the full participation of the parents, students, and community, it was simple. We all agreed that having books and reading is the easiest way to keep reading a priority. Reading 20 minutes a day, every day is a goal Walter Reed strives for and encourages, not only students, but parents too.

Pamela Osbey
Artist In Resident