For their 19th week of poetry Shoesmith 5th and 6th graders explored different types of words. Words are powerful, they help us express our thoughts, feelings, and tell stories. But words can also be hurtful, the wrong word can crush someone’s self-esteem. Luckily there are words that can brighten someone’s day and give others confidence.
Together we read the poem “Pretty Words,” by Elinor Wylie. In her poem Wylie uses similes and rhymes to describe the types of words she loves. I love smooth words, like gold-enameled fish/which circle slowly with a silken swish/ And tender ones, like downy-feathered birds/ Words shy and dappled, deer-eyed deer in herds.
Inspired by Elinor Wylie, students wrote poems about their favorite words. See if you can spot some of the words you love in the poems below!
Ms. Yassky’s 5th Grade
Group 1
Words
by Richard H. and Josiah R.
Words are mean like bullies.
Words are nice like flowers.
Words are sweet like candy.
Words are caring like family.
My words are nice and sweet.
Flowers are beautiful because
they are renewable.
My words are sweet, so they bring me treats.
Words are mean like a silver bean.
Tiny Words
by Larrion J.
I like when words are small.
Words that are big and very tall.
I like when words are small as an ant,
with big words I just can’t.
I like words as small as worms.
I like words as small as a second,
maybe even a millisecond.
Sweet Words
by Keira L.
I like words as cute as cats.
But not as ugly as rats.
I like words as sweet as candy.
I hate words as sour as Sour Patch Kids.
I like words as strong as a rock!
Words that can hurt like a pinch on your arm.
Ms. Yassky’s 5th Grade
Group 2
Creativity
By Rocky L.
My mind is like an ocean of ideas.
As creative as a brilliant piece of artwork.
I make poems that sprout words like a tree.
Poems that are carefully crafted like origami.
Poems that fish up words like a fisherman.
My Poems are so beautiful, they are like looking
at the horizon.
After making a poem, I feel like I win.
Strong Words
By Zinanta N.
I love pretty words that are as pretty
as a butterfly’s shadow.
Words that shine like a dish.
Like the ocean rising.
The powerful wish.
I love words that are meaningful and bold.
Sometimes as bright as gold.
I hate words that are the color
red like a tomato,
just like red Play-Doh
Words
By Autumn W.
I hate words that are as loud as a crying baby.
I like words that are as happy as friends playing at recess.
I love words as funny as a comedy show.
I hate words that are as mean as a school bully.
I love words that are as bright as a toy light.
They shine in the night.
I hate words that are as rude as someone
in a bad mood.
Sometimes its like a crazy dude.
Ms. Henry’s 6th Grade
Group 1
Unique Words
By Janiyla B.
I love words that are unique as me.
I enjoy words that got a buzz to it like a bee.
Sometimes words can be expressed like a test
I like large words that twist my tongue like a tongue twister.
I enjoy words that buzz, ruzz, huzz, and even duzz.
Words can bore, or even soar.
Words can be cold and bold.
Words can be as powerful as you.
Words
by Joseph D.
Words are like Spagetti
Words are like family.
And my brother is like words to me.
And words are like my heart.
I Love Words
By Londyn N.
Socape:
I love words that are soft and fluffy.
Like marshmallows or a feather duvet.
Words are like an escape.
Like breaking free from a jail cell.
Conneat:
I love words that are conniving and sly
Like sneaking a fly in an apple pie.
I love words that are nice and neat.
Like organizing or fixing a bed sheet.
Words That Speak
By Ashton S.
Words that are nefarious.
Words that are delirious.
Words that look like clowns
without the attire.
Words that are dripping blood
with the constant reminder.
I like words that you can’t touch
like a ghost.
I like words that bring you hope.
I also like words that help you cope.
Ms. Henry’s 6th Grade
Group 2
Scary Words
By Ryan B.
Words are scary like when a shadow appears.
Words are scary as a black cat on Halloween.
Words are as creepy as a door opening
by itself *Creekkkkk*
Words are scary as spiders.
I hate scary words that sound
like an evil laugh.
Or walk down a haunted path.
I run away from creepy words
that sound like screeching noises
that don’t feel like roses.
Words
By Judah F.
Words are as sweet as candy
or as handy as a pencil.
Words can be angry
or scary as a charging bull.
Words can be empty or they can be full.
Some words are trash.
Some words are treasure.
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
Some words are lazy with one
syllable like “it.”
Some words are normal like “orange.”
Some words go above and beyond
like “creativity.”
Some words are…
Wonderful Word World
By Ophelia H.S.
Many things happen in the wonderful word world.
Gallant ground gophers grow gallons of gold.
Socks like silky sunshine are sold.
Beautiful battering butterflies birth.
Crawling caterpillars like balls of mirth.
Many things happen in the wonderful word world.
Towering trees too tall to climb.
Lions licking lollipops like lemon and lime.
Rippling rivers, row boats and roses.
Harmless hollies like hickory, helping hysterical
human’s hoses.
