Where Im From Poems A REFLECTIVE AND LYRICAL

Where I’m From Poems A REFLECTIVE AND LYRICAL LOOK AT YOUR PAST Dr. Michael Cook Auburn University

What Works �Introduces poetry or creative writing about the self �Utilizes model texts and mentor authors �Provides structure and scaffolding to writers �Promotes classroom environment and peer relationships by spotlighting and valuing both similarities and differences

�Gives voice to all students’ experiences and what they bring to the writing community �Helps to break down writing apprehension �Ultimately strengthens collegiality and conferencing in the writing classroom

A Model of “Where I’m From”

Prompts to get you started… � 8 separate prompts � 2 minutes per prompt �Time to write

Prompt 1: �List things you remember from around your house as a child 2 minutes End

Prompt 2: �List things you found in your yard as a child. 2 minutes End

Prompt 3: �List things found in your neighborhood (or relatively nearby your house) when you were young. 2 minutes End

Prompt 4: �List names of relatives (these can be nicknames, pet names, things only you called them, etc. ). 2 minutes End

Prompt 5: �List old family sayings or sayings you remember from childhood. 2 minutes End

Prompt 6: �List foods you remember from your youth (maybe these bring back happy memories, or maybe these are foods you only got at certain relatives’ houses). 2 minutes End

Prompt 7: �List the places you kept your childhood memories (secret hiding places, places that weren’t so secret, just places to store important items, etc. ). 2 minutes End

Prompt 8: �List anything else you can remember from your childhood that stands out. 2 minutes End

My “Where I’m From” Poem Where I’m From I am from shag carpets That beg to be laid upon From matchbox cars and broken-in furniture To pass the lazy days of summer. I am from tomato plants Spilling red across the yard From tobacco fields Where character was born. I am from dirt roads and general stores And small town southern life From next-door neighbors Too far away to see. I am from Uncle Brother Whose name always confused me From Sawyer family reunions And country folk gettin dressed up. I am from “Rise ‘n Shine” Too early every morning From “I’ll give you something to cry about” And following through if you called their bluff. I am from spaghetti and french fries Which only made sense to us From vegetable soup That’ll cure anything that ails ya I am from photo albums Documenting life From boxes in the attic That prove I was here. I am from love A kind unparalleled From pride and thanks In knowing where I’m from. ~Michael Cook

Time to Write!! Use your responses to the prompts and compose your own “Where I’m From Poem. ” Feel free to use either George Ella Lyon’s poem or mine as a model to follow. You may also go your own route if you feel so inspired. 15 Minutes… 15 minutes End

Additional Models:

What About Yours? Volunteers?

Takeaways � Each of you has a voice � Each of you has something to share � Each of you contributes positively to this writing community � Consider what you’ve learned about yourself in this exercise (e. g. , comfort level in sharing your work; experimenting with the poetic mode; your connections to your peers) � The language features you learn from reading and writing poetry carry over to other modes of writing and communication Thank you

Literature supporting the “Where I’m From” Poem: Bigelow, Bill et al. , Rethinking Our Classrooms: Teaching for Equity and Justice. Milwaukee, WI: Rethinking Schools, 1994, pp. 4 -5. Blum, Joshua, Holman, Bob & Pelington, Mark (Eds. ). The United States of Poetry. New York: Harry N. Adams, 1996. Christensen, Linda (1998). Where I’m From: Inviting Students’ Lives into the Classroom. Rethinking Schools, 12(2), pp. 22 -23.