There are some realizations you can only come to by reflecting on your past. This is what the 7th graders of Clinton did as we explored our childhoods with the Aimee Nezhukumatathil poem “When I Am 6”. Students first drew their homes, reflecting on the memories held there. Then, they compared these to memories from a previous age. Students wrote about a wide range of ages, and told a wide range of stories, exploring the ups and downs of being young and of growing up.
Ms. Logothetis (Group A)
“Nostalgic Times”
by Skylar L.
When I was six, every morning on school days
I’d lay on the heaters that were as warm as the sun.
When I was six, I’d wake up to my mom’s nutella
sandwiches that were as sweet as her.
When I was six, I was skipping rocks on the way to
school.
When I was six, I woke up to all my toys chewed up
by my dog, he chomped them down like a monster.
“Untitled”
by Siti Z.
When I was 10, I like to watch movies with
siblings or cousins. Of course my parents allowed
us to watch movies. One day I decided to go to
my cousin’s house to watch scary movies but
no one of my family knew. I was a bit naughty
at that time.
“Untitled”
by Saul R.
When I was 5 years old. My brother
would drag me because he thought
it was funny. I am 5 I would
always break something in
the house. I am 5 I would
fight my stuffed animals
like if it was a
real person. My mom would
make pancakes when it was
a Wednesday and BACON it
was SO GOOD!
“Untitled”
by Ilyas M.
When I was six I just began school
I felt scared but excited at the same
time it felt like getting punched in
the face with emotion. My first day I was
very quiet. My second day I made my first friend,
third day I had a whole friend group.
Ms. Macmillan
“When I was 4”
by Fayruus A.
When I was 4
I came to Clinton
I met my Kinder-
garten teacher
In class I
made 2 friends
I loved my
friends in Kindergarten
“Untitled”
by Karin C.
When I was seconds old
I was born, Swedish hospital
becoming apart of the human
“When I was 5”
by Jeremy R.
When I was five,
I was just alive
When I was six,
I was barely getting fix.
When I was seven,
I was just a legend.
Ms. Krasic
“When I was 9 and 13”
by Melanie C.
When I was 9, I joined a new classroom. I seemed
like a hive of nerves. When I was nine I fell
off a swing and snapped my arm as if it
were peanutbrittle. When I was nine I tripped
and slammed into the ground with a scar forming
like a pepperoni slice on my knee. When I was nine
my dog passed away, I cried a ocean of tears weeks
after. When I was nine, I got my first iPad, as
if it would suddenly make me feel great after
the heart breaking experience of losing my dog.
“When I was 8”
by Tanishka D.
When I was 8, we had to move out of our home. Me and my sister
were in despair. All was okay after we agreed to order takeout
When I was 8, we had to visit family in L.A. We had to wake
up before the sun to be ready for our flight. We had the
time of our life there.
When I was 8, I crept up next to my sister, watching her fold
the colored paper in her hands and transforming it into a cat. I
asked her to teach me.
“Untitled”
by Jair R.
When I was 12 I met this girl. She was like
the light around darkness. She gave me her
hand and helped me back up. With that same
hand she showed me how to defend myself.
She helped me understand school and gave me
a warm comforting friendship.
“Now That I’m 12”
by Puteri M.
Now that I’m 12,
My eyes are glued to books.
I crave for more moments with my Taekwondo Master
I’m desperate to play soccer again, but my parents and PT won’t let me
I’m so addicted to books that I listen to audiobooks instead of
being “normal” and listening to music.
Why would anyone want to grow up?
Ms. Logothetis (Group B)
“When I was 12”
by Anny Fernández.
Cuando yo tenía 12 era muy feliz mi vida era perfecta
yo amo cuando saliamos en familia y lugares distintos
cuando dormíamos juntos hasta que mi mama y mí
papa se separaron hasta ese momento todo era feliz
pero ahora que tengo 13 es díferente.
Hay un día mi padre esta en la carcel y no lo
puedo ver amable cuando hablaba con mís
padres my vída era perfecta hasta ese momento
toda mi vida se temo de un color oscuro
y cuando estoy con las personas me siento
feliz, pero cuando estoy en mí casa mí
corazón se llena de pura trísteza
pero cuando estoy con mí mej́or amiga ella
síempre trata de sacarme una sonriza.
“When I was 6”
by Caleb L.
When I was 6,
I played with sticks.
Swordfights,
that lasted all night.
Time to sleep my dad said,
so you can do it all over again.
In my sleep I said,
I’m gonna do this everyday
again and again.
“9 Years Old”
by Osman W.
I went to Chuck e Cheese and laughed
a lot.
and never seen fights in the parking lot
Wisconsin dells with my friends and the fam,
then came home and ate all the ham.
Everyday was a good day,
and my dad would always pay
