For our third week of poetry 5th and 6th graders celebrated using odes. An ode is a poem that celebrates and gives praise to people, places, and objects. I asked students why it is important to celebrate others? Students’ answers were outstanding: we celebrate to give people confidence, brighten their day, recognize their achievements while they are still alive, and it make ourselves feel good to see others happy.
Together we read the poem “Abuelito Who,” by acclaimed Chicago poet and storyteller Sandra Cisneros. The word Abuelito is Spanish for grandfather. In her poem Cisneros describes her grandfather using repetition, metaphors and similes. A metaphor is when you compare two unlike things using the word is, are, am, were, while similes compare things using the words like or as. Abuelito who throws coins like rain/ who is dough and feathers/who tells me in Spanish you are my diamond/who tells me in English you are my sky. Although he is getting is older and often sick, Cisneros’ loving bond between her and her grandfather remains strong.
Students wrote their own ode poems, celebrating the important people in their lives such as friends, family, classmates, teachers, and even celebrities that inspire them.
Ms. Yassky’s 5th Grade
Group 1
My Mom
by Anthony H.
My mom is like Captain Marvel flying to go love her family.
My mom is like a giant heart that never breaks.
And if it does, it explodes with love.
My mom is an amazing Valentine’s Day event.
My mom is a tsunami, but instead of spreading water,
she is spreading love.
My Sister Who
by Kylie H.
My sister who is a diamond.
My sister is as pretty as a flower.
My sister who is pretty like a pearl.
My sister who is as funny as a comedian.
My Sister
Ms. G
By Lena E.
Ms. G is as pretty as flowers.
Ms. G’s smile is as brilliant as the sun.
Ms. G is as smart as a wizard.
Ms. G is happy like popcorn.
My Mom’s Favorite Dresses
by Rashaun T.
My mom puts on her favorite dress.
My mom who shines like a ruby
while wearing her red dress.
My mom whose smile is as
bright as the sun.
Who’s a big teddy bear
when she is tired.
Who’s a jester when she
tells me a joke.
My mom who’s sweet like
a candy cane on Christmas.
who I hope I get to see again soon.
Ms. Yassky’s 5th Grade
Group 2
Best Mom Ever
by Jaray B.
My mom is my superhero.
My mom is my sunshine.
My mom is like Rosa Park’s mom.
My mom is my bestie.
My mom is my everything.
My mom is my cook.
My mom is my helper.
My mom is my car.
The Author
by Desiree E.
My mom shines bright like a diamond when she writes.
My mom is reading like a teacher.
She is soft as a pillow.
And is soft like a marshmallow.
My mom slays like the runway.
My Uncle
by Noah R.
My uncle is like Gordan Ramsey.
My uncle is a genius chef.
My uncle is a cooking machine.
My uncle is a refrigerator.
My uncle is like a walking cookbook.
Ms. Henry’s 6th grade
Group 1
Masashi Kishimoto
By Caleb C.
Kishimoto a great artist.
Kishimoto is a creator.
Kishimoto is cool like water.
Kishimoto is as busy as a bee.
Kishimoto is OP like Mardara.
Kishimoto is as great as Naruto.
Kishimoto is as kind as Naruto.
Kishimoto is as smart as a computer.
Kishimoto is as good as his games.
Kishimoto is as old as the sage of 6 paths.
My Dad
By Aubrey L.
My dad is new money.
My daddy is a therapist.
My daddy is two faced.
My daddy is the Rock.
My daddy is a listener.
My daddy is like a block.
My daddy is like my grandma.
My daddy is like myself.
My daddy is like chocolate.
My daddy is as protective
as my uncles and aunties.
Larrion
By Larrion J.
I’m as funny as Kevin Hart.
I’m like a goat, calm at times,
and ramming the walls another.
I’m as loud as a baby crying
in the middle of the night.
I’m like the sweet and sour
item at the restaurant.
I’m like a math problem,
always thinking.
Jayla
By Chloe M.
Jayla is a flowerpot.
Jayla is a Christmas sweater.
Jayla is a dinner roll.
Jayla is as tall as a lamp post.
Jayla is as funny as a clown.
Jayla is as bright as the sun.
Ms. Henry’s 6th grade
Group 2
Autumn
By Taniya A.
Autumn is a calculator.
Autumn is a loudspeaker.
Autumn is a box filled with creative ideas.
Autumn is a tall tree.
Autumn’s personality is
bright like the sun.
Autumn is like sweet lemonade.
Autumn is like a wild lion.
Autumn is like a golden flower.
The Hero of Justice
by Amir B.
MLK is an empire, whose
voice is as strong as a tornado.
The leader of the wolf pack.
Who is brave like a lion.
His pride is as tall as a giraffe.
Metaphors and Similes for Lamelo Ball
By Nia W.
Lamelo is a big giant.
Lamelo is a dinosaur.
Lamelo is a cheetah.
Lamelo is strong like steel.
Lamelo is bright like the sun.
Lamelo is fast like car.
