In “Pokeberries,” Ruth Stone recalls members of her extended family—mostly women—and how they (positively) impacted her life. Her brief yet potent poem is packed with vivid details and initiated many lively and fascinating conversations. Students intuited that since the speaker says, in the first line, “I started out in the Virginia mountains,” the poem’s setting was the American south, which explained some of its more interesting vernacular (dandelion wine, greens, back-fat). However, they also noticed that the speaker “bought [their] own / place in Vermont” once they saved up their “first piece of ready cash,” signifying a move northward as well as more economic stability. One of the poem’s most interesting lines occurs near its middle: “My whole life has been stained with pokeberries,” and we wondered what that might mean, deciding that the speaker’s experiences growing up shaped them to be strong, self-sufficient, and independent.
Family is a universal concept that is also unique to everyone’s particular situation which was explored in this week’s student writing.
Ms. Kawa
4th Grade
Family Always Elsa D. Your friends may come and go, and you will feel sad, but your family will always be there You may have heartaches and sad days but your family will always be there You may feel lonely or alone but your family will always be there Family Sonia G. my mom who gives me hugs and works hard my dad always making jokes me always making random stuff our family Untitled Lillian H. Family caring and loving always there for you sometimes annoying sometimes thoughtful family always whether you like it or not. Welcome to My World Kai M. We are family Mother, father, Sophie, Tom, Here for each other. When we're together, None is lost and all is found We are not alone. The things we do now Impact our togetherness Welcome to my world. Family Felix M. Family is important. No matter what, family is there. Family is why you exist. Family is what you need. Nothing beats family. Family is more important. What you need, family beats it.
Ms. Makris
4th Grade
Family Lincoln D. My family is the best in the multiverse. I have a lot of family. School family is the second best because I have a lot of people supporting me. I feel like I have a family of superheroes. I would do anything to protect them. My Family Emilia O. My family is the best family in the world. They are awesome. They love me, and I care about them sooooooooooooooooooooo much! They will always... help me, love me, care for me, and will support me with any questions I need help with! I love them so much they're the best family I … could … have! The Color Purple Raadhya S. Purple is strength, purple is Knowledge, purple is kindness. Purple is my dad, my papa. The guy who loves me no matter what I do. On to the next color, and that's blue. Blue is power, blue is mercy. My mama's blue. Mama's kind and accepts me for everything I do. I love purple and blue. Family Aarohi S. My family is the best because of my mom, dad, and brothers. My mom is very sweet not to say no to anything. My dad is really strict to say yes to anything! But the strictness helps me for my education because he taught me how to use your time wisely. And I love my family. Relative Naomi T. Older sister: a reliable source. Younger brother: a new joy to your life. Father: a person to ask advice from. Mother: an ear for all your secrets. Younger sister: a reminder that you're great. Older brother: a person who's always been there. Family. Family is life.
Mr. O’Brien
4th Grade
Family Kyle H. my family is cool we use lots of tools I have a mom, dad, sister, brother, and don't forget the dog today is fall and everybody in my family is tall My Family's History Bronson K. My family's history goes back to 1453 I've been doing some tracking and it was John Washburn the first. I can't imagine what it was like then but it had to be cool to see Leonardo da Vinci. Helping Hands Alistair L. Family. Nobody realizes how important they are. They bring joy, and care about you. They make you believe, and they're just like a friend. Tell everybody how important family is. They will help you. Maybe not so often, but when the essential time comes, they will be there. Perhaps you can help them too. Scary Brother Bhavagna T. One day my brother left a small white tooth when he saw he left a tooth he was crying and crying. Family Baylee S. I love my family and they love me. I appreciate them. They give me a shelter, a roof over my head, food on my table, and clothes on my body. They love me to ∞ infinity and beyond. I love my family.
Ms. Nelson
4th Grade
The Lion Family Yesong K. The lion looks scary, but its heart isn't. When the lion catches its prey, the lion looks very bad and scary. But it's for baby lion. The lion is scary to protect his family. Then everything looks bad or scary. They're just protecting something or protecting themselves. Family Arjun R. I have a clumsy family, but we always try working hard. My brother is already in high school, collecting straight A's every day. My cousin getting a pile or circuits and transforming them into the coolest machines. My sister paints with colorful watercolors and makes a spellbinding masterpiece of art. My father, typing every word in code, word by word, file by file. My mother makes the most awesome, delicious meals that taste like heaven. And me, myself, trying to release my hidden potential to become an Albert Einstein, Jr. Untitled Homero T. Family. Family is a thing that gives us company and feeds us. Family Myles Y. 1, 2, 3, 4, mom Dad, sister, brother My dad loves cars My mom loves cooking My sister loves drawing My brother loves his Xbox Family Family... Sepanta Z. Mom and dad we love them. They love us. Brothers and/or sisters annoying sometimes but we love them, they love us. Yourself. You are the most important human for yourself. Always believe in yourself. And remember your family will always love you.
