I am from...

Proud poets in 221 have begun "I am from..." poems. We began by hearing some model poems.

I am from old pictures
and hand sewn quilts.
I am from the Yerba Buena
to the old walnut tree that is no more.

I am from carne con chile
to queso con tortillas.
I am from farmers and ancient Indians
to the frijoles and sopa
they ate.
by, Lurdes Sandoval

Next, we got ready to brainstorm what might go in our own poems. I shared with the children the kinds of things that might go in my poem. We thought about: items found around our homes, items found in our yards, items found in the neighborhoods, names of special relatives, sayings, or names of special foods and dishes. The kids thought of other important special things that didn't fall into these categories. This week we will turn our brainstorms into poems. We will add significant and precise details, we will pay attention to sound and feeling. Soon they will be hung on the closet doors attached to our unique self portraits.

These poems give children the chance to share who they are. We all have different experiences, memories, and traditions that make us who we are. Each person's is different. It can depend on our culture, our religion, the color of our skin, where we grew up, or just the personalities of our family members. Ask your child about their brainstorm. Ask them to share about their experience trying to think of what to share. You can even share your own special memories from your own childhood. Maybe even challenge yourself to write a poem.