Where we’re from is never just the geographic place we call home. This week, the high schoolers and 8th graders of MLA explored how place impacts their sense of self. After reading George Ella Lyon’s “Where I’m From” poem, students first drew their homes, reflecting on the memories held there by using their five senses. Students wrote about the many smells, sounds, and stories of the places that raised them.
Ms. Higgins (Group A)
“Who am I“
by Deysy O.
I am from open fields & animals
I am from tall buildings
I am from small ranchos
I am from going to church every Sunday
I am from Irma & Guadalupe
I am from Irma & Nicolas
“I am from…“
by Jesus S.
I am from the living room,
I am from fighting with brothers,
I am from dancing bachata
with my mom,
I am from Breaking Plates,
and my mom yelling,
I am from singing in the Bathroom
“Untitled“
by Sam R.
I am from my dad telling me ponte las pilas
I am from the beans on the stove
I am from the papers I needed to translate
Ms. Higgins (Group B)
“Where I’m From“
by Karla D.
I am from Hermosa, where
nothing is hermosa.
I am from a place where nothing
is thick but thin.
I am from my room where I be in the
moon and stars sleeping.
“Where am I From“
by Katiam S.
I am from dominoes with Puerto Rican flags used as decor.
I am from Caso Cerrado playing loudly in the background.
I am from arroz con gandules y pernil for the holidays.
I am from pink donuts and salchichas carmelas.
I am from having nicknames like flaco or flaca.
I am from dirt brown eyes and wavy hair.
“Where I’m From“
by Emanuel O.
I am from the Fbody Camaro
I am from the smell of gas/oil
I am from the wrenches and sockets
I am from dirty and rough hands
Ms. Sapa
“I am From“
by Alexa G.
I am from “Alexa callate, tu tienes que ser perfecta”
I am from papochito’s hair that gets everywhere
I am from a sister who does hairstyles
“My Home“
by Jianel G.
I am from my dog who runs a lot
who runs all the time.
I am from rice, my house smells like
rice because its cooked all the time.
I am from chickens, I hear my
chickens clucking
I am from my video games who
run all the time.
I am from salt water who have
fish in them
I am from my siblings who fight
over a ball
