“This one goes out to you, babe,” exclaimed one 7th Grade Sonneteer in Ms. Munoz’s Language Arts Class as she dedicated her poem to a close friend. This week we dove into Shakespeare via his Sonnets and the heartbeat cadence of iambic pentameter. I wanted the students to try transport themselves back to Elizabethan England with its grand courts when they got up and shared their work.
Through Shakespeare’s Sonnet 127, we explored the structure of the Sonnet with its quatrains and couplet. With the sound of a heartbeat ringing through the classroom, students read to the beat of various Sonnet opening lines, and then some volunteered to read Sonnet 127 for the class, keeping to that same unstressed/stressed line make up. I pointed out to them that most of Mr. Shakespeare’s Sonnets are constructed with 10 syllables per line (the Shakespearean Foot).
After trying their hand at experimenting with the form, I invited students to make their own ‘Valentine Heart’ Sonnet art installation out of various heart-shaped art pieces, to recall the heartbeat cadence of the iamb. The large picture windows became the canvas for these. What you are about to read is, again, an experiment with the Sonnet Form. I asked students if they could try to create one quatrain and one couplet in our limited time together. You will see those efforts here, along with ABAB (Quatrain)/GG(Couplet) rhyme scheme experimentation. The topic of their Sonnet (needless to say) was up to them.
Eat your heart out!
Ms. Munoz, 7th Grade
1st Period
Sonnets
Haley S.
Writing sonnets is very, very hard.
Maybe Shakespeare liked it, but I do not.
But it is easier than writing cards.
But in my brain sonnets do lack a lot.
My brain is feeling very, very worn.
And no new thoughts are even being born.
Untitled
Lianna W.
I met her yesterday in the café.
Her outerwear was pleasing to the eye.
I got a cheese and spinach soufflé.
She left without a word, goodbye.
The food was great
but now its way too late.
Donuts
Jack M.
I like to eat donuts because they’re good.
But I hate the ones with jelly inside.
Do you eat donuts, because you really should.
I like to eat my donuts from the other side.
Do you like donuts because I really do.
You should eat donuts because they are good.
Ms. Munoz, 7th Grade
3rd Period
Sonnet LXVI
Mike D.
I do not like to write all these sonnets.
I cannot find a word and them rhyme it.
Oh wait, I just did, I guess it’s not hard.
But now I have to put it in a card?
I’d rather just jot rhymes on my loos leaf.
And have random readers in disbelief.
Oh, why, oh why, can’t I just write in peace?
But no matter what I will never cease.
Oh whatever I guess I do not care.
All of this stuff is just too much to bare.
Untitled
Charlie N.
I really do not like to go to school.
I don’t like to wake up in the morning.
I hate when people think they’re really kewl.
I can’t find a word that rhymes with ‘morning.’
I am very bad at reading and writing.
I really think my teeth needs a whitening.
Sonnet LXIX
Max S.
For she will be the life to be the best.
And not live in hate or war.
She not the least for she can rest.
Can leave from me if good for or
Not in lies she can not leave from
The past will kill in proper gore
Death to all the cheats and lies be dumb.
Zip It
Diego L.
He is very blue, very long.
He has some fun with your stuff.
And when you need it, you open up.
Ms. Munoz, 7th Grade
6th Period
Brookie Cookie
Lee N.
I love to hang and spend some time with Brooke.
She is so nice and is such a great friend.
She is probably a really good cook.
Because she so good at everything.
My Brookie Cookie is my best friend.
I will always be there to give her a lending hand.
Spring
Mary P.
From here I hear the sound, a bubbling brook.
Over yonder near the edge of the wood.
Toward the chirping birds I look.
Noticing these things more than I ever could.
When the snow finally comes down,
and icy paths cover my way
the sharp winds, the sound, the drown.
Oh, how we all wish for the coming of May.
But when Spring returns, the sounds come too.
The birds and brooks, and trees sing do-dee-doo.
Valentine’s Day
Melaney C.
I am not in love, I am not a loner.
Valentine’s Day makes me feel so lonely.
Valentine has no use governor
All the guys around me try to act so manly.
So on Valentine’s Day leave me along.
And don’t call me on my phone.
Da Furst Sonnet About Chicken
Greg. M.
Chicken is very good to eat.
The crispy, crispy flesh is good.
But the meat is the best to feast.
Chicken is loved by everyone, not just people in the Hood.
Ms. Munoz, 7th Grade
7th Period
Sonnet I (1)
Ariani G.
In this new age love is just a phase
Sadly love is sometimes just a big word
The lost of meaning left me in a daze
Good thing love can make you happy and heard
We must return the word to its feelings
After all, we need this as human beings
PS4
Eugene A.
I got a PS4 on Christmas day.
It was a present from my sis and bro.
I only have a couple games to play.
I played with it, until I sent away.
This was the best present I was given.
My birthday’s in August, I’ll wait ’til then.
The Queen
Lisa S.
The queen Oprah loved bread and so do they.
She joined Weight Watchers and lost all that weight.
And now she eats bread everyday.
Ms. Munoz, 7th Grade
8th Period
Heart
Desiree R.
My Valentine is shaped just like a heart.
And like my heart, it was ripped into two.
So if my soul and body are to part.
You know who did it: My Special Who.
Don’t be surprised If I am to cry.
For it was to happen, I don’t know why.
Honestly I Cannot Write A Sonnet
Madeline P.
Honestly I cannot write a Sonnet.
I hate rhyming, it makes me cringe I’d much
rather be outside and get stung by a hornet.
I’m so hungry, I need to finish my lunch.
I cannot wait ’til I finish writing
this couplet, then I can be done rhyming.
