Where I'm From Poems
This is a lesson I learned from my mentor teacher, Ms. Danielle Dally. You start off by reading the poem Where I'm From by Georgia Heard. Then, students create their own Where I'm From poem.
I start the school year with this for a few reasons. First, it creates vulnerability. Second, it creates creativity. Third, you can hang the poetry in the classroom (after we stand in a circle outside sharing them), and on Back to School Night, parents enjoy reading their child's poems.
CA Standards:
7/8 grade: RL.5, W.4, W.5, W.10, L.2.a,b, L.3a, L6
9/10 grade: W.4, W.5, W.3.d, W.2.d,e
Where I'm From - Georgia Heard
Where I’m From
I’m from Virginia
And wet rocks in the creek
Crayfish and Mrs. Van Harlinging’s
Call to “come home sazzy”
I’m from cicadas ring
And blue tobacco haze
From woods at dusk
Shallow birdbaths
And the sweet smell of cut grass
From Mrs. Bradbury’s crabapple tree
Old Man River, and Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
From “ashenbecker bitte” and “I’ve had sufficient”
From red-eyed gravy
And quarter-moon spilling into rainfall
I’m from Tanka and Kayeus
And “at ease boys”
From uniforms and oopsie up the chin
From rough beard and magnified lullaby eyes
From Ginger and Wick
And military marching bands
From cocktails at five
From Generals and telescopes aimed at the moon
I’m from a house full of sisters
From commands and salutes
And from my father’s troops
Who were always “out of line”
By Georgia Heard
Where I'm From - Stephanie Timmons
I’m from Fence Posts
By Ms. Timmons
I’m from…
(Scottish) fiddles and hot (Canadian)
red rose tea, (Swedish) mint chocolate Christmas cookies,
hearty continuous laughter
and whipped butter atop (French) croissants.
I’m from… I’m from…
(Colorado) fence posts, horse tails to blank paper and
seashells and Moose. From stacks pen. From libraries, shade
of fashion magazines to under trees and literature.
train caboose.
Yep,
I’m from… That’s me.
In A Daydream to
“Stephanie Kay”. Board
Games, blankets and 1980 South Stands
Bronco Games.
I’m from…
Ben, Lucas, Wrangler,
Midnight, Flopsy and Draino.
