Last week, we read a personal story poem adapted from a longer poem by George Ella Lyon, “Where I’m From.” We had fun discussing the poems and the use of imagery that stood out in each line of the poem before brainstorming ideas for our own poems. I asked the students to write reflective poems, about themselves, and where they’re from. I wanted students to write autobiographically and continue playing around with metaphor and imagery to paint us a picture of where they are from in their own poems, just like George Ella Lyon does in her poem “Where I’m From.”
Scroll down to enjoy this week’s published “Where I’m From” poems!
Ms. Willis
3rd Grade
I’m From
Syncere S.
I’m from Christina and Desmond
From cookies, cake, cupcakes, and ice cream
From pizza and macaroni and cheese
From houses and orange places
I’m from Atlanta and Chicago
From a field of grass
From a tall building on a plane
From concrete by a house
Untitled
Jose L.
I’m from Jose and Ariana
From the smell of cookies and milk
From chile con carne and tamales.
From the park with plants and kids.
From Mexico and Chicago.
From “it’s ok.”
I Am From
Janiyah T.
I’m from Jessica and Manny
From the smell of bacon and eggs
From chicken and macaroni
From streetlights and concrete
I’m from Chicago and Wisconsin
From “you got this!”
I’m from the smell of cinnamon doughnuts
From the apartments and gas stations
I’m from rain in the sun
Ms. Sanders
3rd Grade
Untitled
Erick R.
I’m from Emely and Erick (Dad)
From the smell of tequeños and reina pepiadas
From chicha and empanadas
From Venezuela to Chicago
From Chicago and Orlando
From “no more ice cream!”
I’m Weird
Gio R.
I’m from Rosa and Victor
From yogurt and juice
From rice and coca-cola
From my dogs and toys
From Puerto Rico and Miami
From “time to eat!”
From “pause for ten seconds…
and unpause!”
Zombie Boy
Samir
I’m from Ray and Karina
I’m from Chicago and San Juan
I’m from Moos Elementary and school
I’m from Miami Heat
I’m from Game Stop
I’m from rappers
I’m from Moos
I’m from 4th grade
I’m from Ray and Harold
I’m from a day and night
