Younger students wrote comparison poems and the older students read Gwendolyn Brooks’ classic poem, ‘We Real Cool’ before crafting their own ‘cool’ poems using their own words and ideas for what is cool, rhyme repetition, and the short form.
We Real Cool
by Gwendolyn Brooks
The Pool Players.
Seven at the Golden Shovel.
We real cool. We
Left school. We
Lurk late. We
Strike straight. We
Sing sin. We
Thin gin. We
Jazz June. We
Die soon.
Lesson Note: “Well, I’m a poet, but I’ve also worked in libraries and in institutions like the Schomburg Center that seeks to understand and convey the power of Black culture. Poets often make connections between things, which is also what a museum does. It connects us to conversations, it confronts us with artifacts and history in ways that poetry does. And it also reminds us of our roles in the world and with each other. In other words, it asks us to think about our humanity. Great museums and great poetry do that in different, but complementary ways.”-Poet, Kevin Young, editor of ‘African American Poetry: 250 Years of Struggle and Song’ to Oprah Daily, April 30th, 2021.
Ms. Williams, 5th Grade
You’ll never Catch Me Lacking
by Demijah S.
I’m a co-captain you’ll never catch me
lacking. I love the way I’m acting you’ll
never catch me lacking.
Untitled
by Ja’tonte F.
My Gucci socks are fire, school makes me tired
i have to change my tires and i have to change my
car wires and I see a spider.
The Love for God
by Jas’Aslean M.
I love God.
some people might think it’s odd.
I don’t need no squad.
Most of them are just some freaks.
I love Jesus.
those freaks might Just displease us.
Jesus is the right one to please us.
Mr. Peachey, 7th Grade
roll the boat
by Jasmine P.
money means motion
I need some lotion, we go and
slow motion, I tink I just drank
some potion, I go tot school to meet the
roles. Just like I need a lot of fools.
Money/Motion
by Brayen R.
I get all the money
I love all my school friends
They think I’m very funny
you have to go to school
so you don’t be a dummy
My mom works
So I don’t look bummy
Things I Like
by Jaylin R.
money means motion
Like skin needs Lotion
Like I drove to school
and strive to meet rules!
When I play sports
I wear shorts.
Untitled
by Kelan Smith
Money means motion
Like skin needs lotion
Like I drive to school
Where we strive through the rules
I don’t want to compete
But it’s time to put you to sleep.
I’m trying to move millions
but I’m not trying to be stealing.
After Gwendolyn Brooks
by Keiayla S.
Money means motion
like skin needs lotion
like I drive to school
where we strive to meet rules
Rules are cool
it’s cool like we get in the pool
in the pool we get wet just
like a rat.
Ms. Turner, 6th Grade
The Way I’m Cool
by Serenity R.
The music I like
the clothes I like
The things I play
Everybody thinks I’m cool
Either way.
I’m cool as a dude
The type of cool when i
walk your way
Everybody be like Ooooooooo
Our Cool Poem
by Jah’Siri W.
I went to school in my new shoes
My friend had the blues.
At home, I learned I had the flu.
I showed my skates which were cool.
When we move in, I invited my friend over to
show off my brand-new pool
Our Cool Poem
by Kareem H.
I went to school and everybody looked at my shoes
The kid thought I was cool, but I was such a fool
He took them from me, he was very crude,
When I got back home I was asked where are my shoes.
I told my mom someone took them, she said not cool
I want to go in my room because they looked so cool
I went to school again, but with straps on my shoes
When I want to go eat my food.
Ms. Swinehart, 3rd Grade
Dog
by Nan’Kyl
A dog is like a soldier
A cat is like a spider
A lizard is like a stalk of broccoli
A human is like a robot
Grades
by Nathanial W.
An A is like your mind-blowing
A B feels like spring
A C feels like summer
A D feels like fall
An F feels like an F
An F- feels like two winters
Untitled
by Dominique W.
Starts in the sky are like flashing lights
Trees are like castles
My shoes are like a foot glove
My eyes are like pool balls.
Untitled
by Eric S.
My smile is like a rainbow
Trees are like blooming flowers
My eyes are like pizzas
The sun is like a lightbulb
Pets
by Logan E.
A dog is like a thunderstorm
A bunny is like a hopping cloud
A cat is like a newborn baby
A pig is like a piece of gum with legs
A kangaroo is like a ball!
Ms. Williams, 5th Grade
being beautiful
by Anyiah C.
What makes me cool
is my style
I love when people make
me smile
I know that I’m very, very
smart
but I also can do
art.
Talent
by connell W.
I play football
I play the game
I have a talent
Its called backflip
Cool as the Sea
by Alayab J.
The breeze of the sea
The way I feel
these are the things that make me cool.
My locks I hope to put mine in a mini bun
That will make them fun
basketball I make the hoops
I’m just cool like you
