For their sixth virtual poetry residency Shoesmith Elementary’ s 5th and 6th grade students explored ideas about celebrations. Student were asked the questions “What is a celebration?” and “In what ways do we celebrate?” A celebration is an organized special occasion or event that commemorates a milestone or achievement. This includes birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries. Students mentioned watching the recent presidential inauguration on TV, celebrating Joe Biden and Kamala Harris being sworn in as President and Vice President with music, speeches, and fireworks.
Together we read the poem “Jook Joint Saturday Night” by J. Patrick Lewis. In his poem Lewis uses alliteration (repeating consonants sounds) and rhyming couplets (a pair of rhyming words) to describe a party taking place at night club or “jook joint.” And when the hive begins to hum/Its like a dim and distant drum/ And when the drum begins to beat/Its like a circus down the street. Through Lewis’s lyrical lines the reader can experience the Delta blues as patrons dance, socialize, and cut loose after a long work week.
Inspired by J. Patrick Lewis students wrote poems describing important moments of celebration in their own lives. Please enjoy this week’s published poems.
Ms. Yassky’s 5th Grade
Group 1
Summer Fun time
By Michael B.
Today the day was so bright.
So we made a party that lasted into the night.
The savage sun light slapped and snapped so the sea could sparkle.
We all had fun dancing as our bones started to crackle.
We all fell frightened we would fall so much we would collapse.
As as the sun set the sunlight burned through the sky.
You could see fireworks in our souls and our eyes.
And this was the long lasted love of our summer fun time.
2021
By Ka’Niyah H.
Jump up and say yay!
Today is a great day.
All you have to do is believe.
Believe in yourself.
Believe in your dreams.
Because if you do all will go good.
If you don’t believe.
You have to will have to believe in me.
This might sound crazy
But all I have to say Congratulations
You made it to 2021.
Ms. Yassky’s 5th Grade
Group 2
Game Night
By Equere E.
The moon was crystal clear!
The light felt like it was near,
Stuff was lame,
so we played a game.
It was a game night.
I had a mask,
So I did a task,
To do the task my friend had a book.
Which my other friend took.
Deedee the Dinosaur and Dopey the Dog
By Xochitl H.
Deedee the dinky dinosaur dines with Dopey the dumb dog.
During dinner Deedee the dinosaur devours duck.
And Dopey dog dines on dog food.
After dinner Dee the dinosaur and Dopey dog dance.
After dancing Deedee the dinosaur and Dopey dog dive in the dark sea.
The day was getting darker so they had to drive home.
Christmas Day
By Noah O.
It’s Christmas day
I can not delay.
I go downstairs
and sit in my chair
A knock on the door
who could that be for?
Christmas carol singers
With Songs to share
I was so happy to be there
They sang and sung
As they hit the drum my ears rung
And their bell went ring-a-ling-a-ling
I closed the door so happy and bright
And could stop singing their Christmas carols
Ms. Henry’s 6th Grade
Group 1
Thanksgiving
By De’Anna A.
Taking the turkey to the table.
Making mac cheese with my mom.
Slurping spaghetti sauce with my sister.
Drinking juice with dad.
Sometimes I eat all day.
My sister and I we go to the in play.
If we are full with all the food we eat.
The last thing we do is go to sleep.
Party Ball
By Sergio D.
When the party ball became so bright.
We decided to let it be lit all that night.
The ball was so big, it was bigger than the moon.
The beat was so hard that even the disco ball dropped.
The Party On The Block
By: Kaidyn F.
The water gushed gorgeously out of the green hose.
They walked up to it and drenched their clothes.
The simmering sun shined brightly.
Then the party became exciting.
When the people began to clap.
As the boombox boomed and bopped.
The kids tell everyone to come on.
Come watch the flowers bloom and blossom.
Ms. Henry’s 6th Grade
Group 2
Halloween Party
By Kai E.
All the spooky, scary skeletons hanging on the wall.
The haunted house is ready for the kids to have a ball.
All the creepy cool costumes at the party.
Some dressed like they was in the army.
My Birthday
By Brandon L.
My birthday fireworks are booming.
The tv is resuming.
Sun is shining.
Everyone wanted to eat cake.
I blow my candles out.
It’s my birthday, no reason to pout.
Everyone is eating.
And listening to music
After I was done eating.
I had a stomach ache.
Happy Birthday Friend
By: Nigel M.
Happy birthday, my fearless friend.
We will go crazy and celebrate until the end.
And even on this rocky rollercoaster, my friend.
Our fantastic friendship will never end.
Even if it is a dream my forever friend.
I hope this dream will never end.
So let’s blow out the candles, my friend.
And hope that this day will never end.
