This week we read a translated excerpt of Mario Benedetti’s poem No Te Rindas, or Don’t Give up. We’ve reached the time in the school year when students have to a lot of mandatory testing happening, and so this creative break was a welcome moment by students. We discussed the idea of resilience and how we can encourage ourselves and others in a moment of difficulty. Many students mentioned how they’d needed to pump themselves up during testing, and some shared stories of the people in their lives who encouraged them. There were some wonderful poems this week and I hope you enjoy them!
Ms. Caplan’s 6th Grade Class
Don’t Give Up
Azalea
Don’t give up
even if you’re not
perfect.
Don’t give up
when can’t
get straight A’s.
Don’t give up
even if you’re a burden
to your dad.
Don’t give up
even if you don’t
feel like you’re
enough.
Don’t give in if
time passes and
if some things
still leave a sting.
When I’m Dreaming
Eli
When I’m dreaming I am
being a winner, but when m
I think of strength, comes my heart
If I feel down I go to sleep
and when I celebrate life I do
it by living my life. But when
my days are long and hard I think
of the good days. What I have learned
is to always keep your head up if someone
feels down, I tell them
it’s ok, not to be ok.
Ms. Murray’s 6th Grade Class
Don’t Give Up
Delilah
Don’t give up, don’t over
think don’t under
think you’re too
amazing to let
your thinking take
you over.
Accept yourself
accept your life
don’t have insecurity
because that’ll
just take over
your life
Don’t stop
keep going
you’ve been here
so long might
as well keep
it flowing
Don’t quit, don’t
stop even if
your insecurities
take over
even if people’s
comments
win you over.
Even when the
thinking hurts more
you’re still here
so let’s keep it
that way, you’re
still you so
stay that way
because being you
is better that being
fake.
Because knowing
you is better
than not.
Staying the same
is better than
faking the fame.
Don’t Stop
Alan
Don’t stop keep moving
I dream of being the
man that my mom wishes
Dont’stop, keep moving
my strength comes
from my dad.
When I feel down
I come back and laugh in joy.
I celebrate life by
thanking God,
Don’t stop
keep moving.
When I Let Go
Paola
When I let go of
fear, I sleep and dream
of unicorns.
When I let go of
fear I call Emma
and talk nonstop.
When I let go of
fear, I draw swirls
with hearts, and stars.
When I let go of
fear, I let go and
let God in .
