I Remember

I Remember
Javier N.

I remember the first time I opened my eyes, it was clear.
I remember the first day of school, I was shy.
I remember when I could walk.

I remember the time when it was my birthday.
I remember the first day at the beach and I was swimming and playing with sand.
I remember the first day of Christmas. It was the best Christmas ever.
I remember those memories. They were good memories.

I Remember
Philip D.

I remember when I went to my first Cubs game.
I remember the first time I learned to swing.
I remember the first time I was on a baseball team.
I remember when I got a D in math.
I remember when I first had outdoor recess.
I remember when I got hit with a belt and pretended to cry.
I remember when I broke our front window and was banned from using a soccer ball in the house.
I remember when I first went to Mexico, riding on the goats.
I remember I remember when I went to a fireworks store. It was awesome.
I remember when I was batman for Halloween.
I remember when I went on my first trip over 15 hours
I remember when I used to get wet when the pump was open.
I remember everything from birth until now.

I Remember
Monica R.

I remember when my grandma would take care of me when my parents were at work.
I remember falling off the motorcycle on my birthday.
I remember when it was my first day at Pasteur School and when I met my best friend.
I remember those rainy days, having to stay inside.
I remember my first doll and still having it now.
I can remember a lot of things, but that is what’s best about having a memory.

I Remember
Jose P.

I remember when I first went to Mexico.
I remember when I broke the car window and everything shattered.
I remember when I found 50 dollars.
I remember when I broke my hand and my bone popped out.
I remember when I played my first soccer game.
I remember when I played my first football game.
I remember when I made my first goal.
I remember when I made my first touchdown.
I remember the first day of 7th grade. I was nervous.
I remember when I first dove into 13 feet.

I Remember
Jazlynn V.

I remember the first time my sister was stung by a bee.
I remember the day I moved to a new home.
I remember the day my dad painted the living room, my mom’s room, and my room.
I remember the day someone stole my dog.
I remember the time I rode my bike.
I remember my first birthday party.
I also remember the day I had a baby brother.

I Remember
Jesus A.

I remember when I had my first day of school
I remember my first tooth.
I remember the time when my first tooth fell.
I remember I put it in my pillow and the next day I had 20 dollars.
I remember my first doctor’s appointment.
I remember my first communion.
I remember when I fell down the stairs and I fainted.
I remember when I saw blood and I fainted.

I Remember
Andrew C.

I remember my first birthday when my godfather got me a clown and a giant cake.
I remember when my brother was born I would always give him a hug when he woke up.
I remember when I got my first dog and he would always lick me when I was falling asleep.
I remember when I was on my first plane and we went to Mexico to see my family.
I remember when I hit my first baseball and it went the wrong way.
I remember the first time I wrote a poem.

I Remember
Weronika C.

I remember getting a sister.
I remember when I was little and fighting with my sister.
I remember the dresses I wore.
I remember getting my first rabbit, so white and so black.
I remember the little babies she had.
I remember playing with my sister.
I remember my mom having a baby
I remember going to school on the first day and crying so much.
I remember going to Poland, the fields and the barns.
I remember my very first dog. He was black, white and gold.
I remember going to the Grand Canyon, riding through different states.
I remember…

I Remember
Amanda C.

I remember my first day of 5th grade. Ms. Honchervich, my science teacher, yelled at me for putting my feet on the chair.
I remember the day I had my dog.
I remember the first movie I saw, Toy Story.
I remember my first day of kindergarten.
I remember the day I met my best friend.
I remember the first time she came over.
I remember my kindergarten graduation. Even the dress I wore under my dad’s shirt.
I remember my first F. Yesterday in science.
I remember when my sister taught me to color.
I remember when there was a girl in my classroom with the same name.

I Remember
Airetta

I remember when my sister pulled my hair.
I remember when I want to Columbia.
I remember when I got my dog, Snowy.
I remember my baby brother was born.
I remember I went into the deep side of the pool and never told anybody.
I remember when I got the Wii system.

I Remember
Annalisa S.

I remember when I cried because my mom said I could not get a stuffed animal.
I remember when I could not swim.
I remember when bees laid nests under the deck of the swimming pool.
I remember when my dad could dance.
I remember when I went to six flags and waiting in a long line for a ride and then got scared and left.
I remember when I built a snowman.
I remember the day my brother got glass stuck in him.
I remember when my living room was cleared out.
I remember we got my cat Boo because of me.
I remember my golden birthday but I don’t remember what happened when I was a little baby.
I remember when I built a car out of wood.
I remember when I built a birdhouse.
I remember the first day I got my best friend.

I Remember
Salina R.

I remember when we had a bird’s nest right above the light in our backyard and it caught on fire.
I remember when my brother got caught late at night in the park.
I remember when my brother took 20 dollars from my dad so he could buy some donuts.

I Remember
Diego S.

I remember when I was small I loved to go to school
I remember when I wanted everything
I remember when they bought me a play station
I remember that soccer is my favorite sport in the world
I remember when I went to the slide
I remember when I was holding a pencil
I remember when I started to watch soccer
I remember when I had best friends

I Remember
Mario O.

I remember the day of my communion. I was the same age as I am right now.
I remember the day I went to my first soccer game.
I remember the day I went to six flags.
I remember the day my great grandfather died.
I remember the day I rode a horse.
I remember the day my sister was born.
I remember my first birthday.

I Remember
Anabel V.

I remember the hotness of Texas.
I remember the lights always flashing.
I remember traffic so big and slow.
I remember the birds moving leaves.
I remember the sweet apple so sour of my mom’s.
I remember I always used to ask for a cookie.
I remember my mom’s soft pillows.
I remember the cats and dogs in the street.
I remember the flash of me.
I remember that everybody used to call me Texas girl.

After Gwendolyn Brooks

My Mom Is Waiting for Me
Christian G.

My mom is waiting for me
We live with toys and food
She sits on the couch waiting
She smells like strawberries
The color of her eyes
Is the same color as the sky
My mom is waiting for me

My Cousin is Waiting For Me
Jose H.

My cousin smells
Like my uncle
He is 12 years old
His hair is brown
He always waits for the car
On Saturday
He is like a twister
Hitting our house
He ways for the car
On Sundays too

My Dad
Giovanni M.

My dad smells like bubblegum
My dad is the color white
Like the snow
And when it snows
I can’t find him
My dad

Mom
Andrew S.

Her hair is golden like pancakes
When she cleans the house
It looks like a million dollars
She smells like a plum
When she sprays air freshener
She makes the house smell like peaches
She cleans and makes it smell
Like peaches

Waiting
Silvia L.

He’s lighter than walnut brown
His smile is like his daughter’s happiness
I can smell his scent arriving
Before he does

He is the United States savior

I love him
The United States savior
And until he comes
We wait

My Mom
Gwendolyn M.

My mom is the best.
My mom has hair like a bright red strawberry.

Every day before I leave school
My mom smells like my grandma

My mom is the best!
I can’t get over her!

Brianna
Monica R.

Brianna is my cousin
I learned so much from her
Her hair long and dark
With a smile so bright and cheery
She always had a special book
A beautiful blue sea shade

Which kept all her memories
And a sample of her favorite perfume

I anxiously wait all year to see her
And when I do she gives me a big hug
As if it has been ages since we last saw each other
Even though she was as clumsy as a frame with no stand
She was always like my best friend

Brianna, my cousin, my friend

I Am Waiting for my Brother to get to the Park
Jose P.

I am waiting for my brother to get to the park.
We live on food and waiter in a 5 bedroom basement.

I am playing soccer with some friends
Waiting for him to walk around the corner
Of the block with my soccer shoes.

He is tall and has peach skin.

I care about him and it is wonderful
To see him with his peach-colored skin
And dark brown hair.
He is so tall and thick
I like seeing him happy.

She Was Really Happy That Day
Lizet S.

Her face was as red as a ripe tomato
My mom was laughing so hard that day
She was really happy
Which made me happy too
She was wearing her favorite perfume
Sweet coconut
She was really happy that day
A day she will never forget

The Worker
Sophia V.

My mom the worker
She works all day
Smelling like her Italian restaurant

My mom the worker
Her white and tan-colored skin
Her black suite dirty almost always

My mom the worker
Is like the president
Except a lot prettier
My mom the best of them all

My Uncle is Waiting for me to Come Home
Vladimir J.

My uncle is waiting for me to come home
When I arrive, I get the smell of my mom’s food
I see my uncle with a red deck of cards in his hand
He is like a money losing machine
I say hello to him and I sit down to play
I wonder, “am I going to lose or am I going to win?”
My uncle is waiting for me to come home

My Friend
Amanda T.

My friend is and
Always will be
My grandma

Every time I come
Home and hug her
She smells like
The cream

She is sweet as sugar
And soft like a bear

She is warm and fun
She always wears a brown sweater I love

We always make a sandwich
Then go outside to eat
And talk

My Sister is Playing
Crystal R.

My sister is playing
She runs, she plays and hits
She is waiting for me to come home

Her smile is as bright as the sun

Her skin is light brown

She waits and waits
For me to come home

My Mother
Lizbeth G.

My mother is in the blue window
I am coming from the school
I see her coming out from the door
She waits at the gray fence

I smell her perfume of strawberry and grapes
Her hair looks like a brown branch

Every time I smell the perfume
I smell her hair as she looks like
A bath of bubbles

My Grandfather
Omar D.

My old grandfather in bed
He is dying
Waiting to be taken
To the hospital
On his bed
I smell his old skin
Always telling us legends
And stories
As skinny as a stick
As tall as a door
Another loss to this world

My Papi is Waiting for Me
Natalia G.

My papi is waiting for me to call him
We see each other almost every Sunday
Or a weekday if I need something

My dad is in his big white van
Waiting for me to come out
So we can go somewhere

He is brown and clean
Like a shiney brown car
We go out to eat every Sunday

We eat hotdogs almost all the time
In a restaurant outside

I love my dad dearly
He is sweet and funny
With a shiny touch
He sings and listens to good music
I love him a lot

Waiting for me…
Ismael S.

Waiting for me lonely and cold
Every day waiting to see me
On his black bumper, working
Every day on it, every night

My uncle Mario sitting on his
Black bumper, waiting
For us to come and see

He is brown like a tree

The black on his dented car shines out

The cologne on him washes
Away other smells
His skin as a cats fur
I love my uncle Mario
Soft black hair
He sits on the street curb
That’s where it ended

Mom
Diana B.

My mother is crying
Cleaning the home
That has been occupied
For years
Looking out the kitchen window

My mom’s smile is yellow
Like the shining rays
Of the sun
Caring and loving
As she’s done the last several years
Of her life
Looking out the kitchen window

She looks like a red rose blooming in the spring

I love my mother
She is a wonder to have around
But not always easy to confront
She will love until the end
With her big red heart
And we will love back
Even if she won’t know it
Looking out the kitchen window

Movie Stars

Last week at Pasteur, we began a two-week lesson on Graphic Poems. We used the poem below as our example. The students worked to create poems about an object that they have fond memories of... something that is important to them. Then we discussed how two different art forms can collaborate to create something even better: poetry and pictures in this case. Well, you wanna see the results? Check out below! We had fun making this video to share. All of the students were very enthusiastic about making their film debuts. Turn the volume up... you'll want to hear EVERY word.

Graphic Poems

Click on the graphic poem to view it larger.

My students as Pasteur are working on a 2-week project where they create their own graphic poems. We read "The Giant Slide" by Ted Kooser last week. Unfortunately, I was unable to bring everyone beautiful, color copies. Here is the original graphic poem for your (and their) viewing pleasure.

I'm sorry. So sorry.

This Is Just to Say
Salina R.

I am sorry I hate your
Hot puff

But I could not help myself

They were just so delicious

So Much Depends Upon
Salina R.

So much depends upon
The show

Without the shower
I wouldn’t be able
To smell clean

It is yellow
And pours down
So soft
Next to the wall



This is Just to Say
Manar S.

I’m sorry for pushing
You in the mud

And which you didn’t
Want me to do
Especially on a rainy day

Forgive if you may
It was hilarious

So Much Depends Upon
Manar S.

So much depends upon
My wii

White and hard
So much joy

I don’t know what I’d do
Without it

This is Just to Say
Annalisa S.

I accidentally
Knocked the
Paint bucket
On your head

I am very sorry
And did not
Mean to

On the bright side
The paint
Matches your anger






So Much Depends Upon
Annalisa S.

I depend on awater

Water keeps me alive
It is a liquid

So white and blue

This is Just to Say
Carolina F.

I have eaten the
Strawberries so red

Which you probably
Were going to eat
On a picnic

But forgive me
It was so good
And sweet

So Much Depends Upon
Carolina F.

A book to read

It is good with
Pictures

And letters and
Too many sheets

To look at or write.

This is Just to Say
Noel O.

I have taken
The berries
That you have left
In the basket
You were maybe
Saving it for a snack
Sorry they were good

So Much Depends Upon
Noel O.

The oven
It is black
When I look it in
When it opens
It feels like a tub
With hot water

This is Just to Say
Monica R.

I have yelled
At you five
Or six times today
And you were mopey
All day
Expecting an apology
Forgive me
You were just
Annoying
So jumpy
So bothersome

So Much Depends Upon
Monica R.

So much depends upon
The beautiful blue lake
Crystal clear in summer
Beside the bustling city

This is Just to Say
Destini H.

I did not change
The baby’s diapers

And which I know
Will make the house smell

I could not help it
So stinky and liquidy

This is Just to Say
Philip D.

I hate your snickers
That were in your room

And in which you probably
Were saving for a snack

It was delicious
With its peanuts
And its nice thick chocolate
Coat
There is still some in my teeth
Thanks for the snack

This is Just to Say
Jesus A.

I have stolen
The money from
The room

Which probably you
Have saved to buy
Something

Sorry but they
Smelled so good
And I wasted it

So Much Depends Upon
Jesus A.

A white bright ball

Glazed with the sun
And touched by the
Shiny green grass

Besides watching TV
All day



This is Just to Say
Raudel R.

I have eaten the
End of the chips
That were in
The cheeto bag

And which you were
Planning to take
To school

Forgive me my brother
They were spicy
And heartwarming

So Much Depends Upon
Raudel R.

So much depends upon

A soccer ball full
Of life

Through the goalie’s net
Beside the fallen goalie

This is Just to Say
Yavana Y.

I have replaced
The flag on
Iwo jima with
Another

Which we are
Proud for
Placing on that
Day

My apologies but
I will make millions




So Much Depends Upon
Yavana Y.

The TV
Black and noisy

Glistening color
On the box

Beside the comfy red
Couch

This is Just to Say
Weronika C.

I have eaten
The tomatoes
That were
In there refrigerator

And which you
Were probably saving
For dinner

Forgive me
They were so delicious
So sweet and juicy

This is Just to Say
Trent B.

I have taken
All the chocolate
That was in
The freezer
And which
You were
Going to take
To my school
Forgive me
They were
So cold and
I was only checking
I there was poison
In them


I Just Wanted to Say
Jazlynn V.

I just wanted to say
I’m sorry for eating
Your fries

I also wanted to say
Sorry for being
Such a brat

I just wanted my blanket
And the fries
I couldn’t help myself
They were so good

This is Just to Say
Natalia G.

I have eaten
Your cookies
They were on the table
With a glass of milk

And which you were
Probably saving
Before you went
To bed

Forgive me
They were so delicious
And soft
And so hot
Right out of the oven
I am so sorry

This is Just to Say
Isacc L.

I have eaten the candy
Bar that you were saving

And which you were
Probably going to
Eat

Forgive me but
It was tasty
And sweet
Crunchy and nutty

Collage Poems!

Time to get "weird"... here are some non-linear collage poems. We created lists of several things and then used those lists to construct poems. I urged the students not to edit themselves--poems can be interesting when they are strange!

Collage Poem
Marisol Trejo

15+5 = 20. 20 is the times my mom has told me,
"Hurry up!" She is furious. Her face is hot pink.
Hot pink is the color of Mexico when the war is going on.
Then I hear somebody yell, "Madre!" It is my cousin.
Her hair is shiny like a diamond. She wants to go outside
but it is cold and we can't go out and play.

Collage Poem
Victor S.

In the country rats are in the sky. Monito,
they have called me from that apple seed I
planted and grew into an apple tree.
They said 12+12=24, your shirt is as red
as an apple. Then a yellow coffin came out
of the ground and the tree said, "say goodbye
to Lou Gehrig". I have been asleep.

Collage Poem
Corina S.

Flouds in Kankakee and all of the world.
The blue birds flying above the flood
and then came Dr. King. He didn't
feel embarassed. He was a very brave man.
He said 5/95=19. 19 whites liked the "I had a dream"
speech. Then there was a princess of all princesses.
She had a son and he was late for school. He forgot
his lunch because he was watching a movie.
Before the princess told him to turn off the TV.
Someone says her face was like a teddy bear.

Collage Poem
Antonia B.

Everyone was born on earth.
Everyone was depressed on the Great Depression.
The sky is blue.
After the Great Depression, everyone was excited.
The sun smiles at evreyone.
Scientists found out 5*5=25. My cousin calls
me coconut head. I gave my dog the food.

Collage Poem
Nadia N.

My heart beats confused like a green drum.
1*1=George Washington, the first president.
Lost in Florida, hearing words, "I hate you".
Feelings buildling up, breaking apart
into uncontrollable pieces.

28
Ismael S.

7*4=28 the day of love.
London is as black as a grim reaper.
I hear my nickname: HubbiWubbi.
While others say, how do you spell it?
The Revolutionary War has black written all over it.
But as I play football, I get tired.
But as I think, everything turns black.

Collage Poem
Gilbert D.

Gladiator wars fighting by the ocean.
some falling in and never come out.
2x2=4. 4 was the year they all fought. 2008 years later
we hear, "Ric Flair retires". A lot of people were
worried but I was not. My cousins scream
my nickname. They said that the house was red
and as big as a strawberry. The sky turned baby blue.

Collage Poem
John R.

In Alaska, there is no world war. So, the snow
is red and wonderful. My smile is as bright
as a thunderbolt strucken across the sky.
87+55=142 planted seeds and seeds grow.
For Johnny no longer is falling slowly,
for I have landed.

Collage Poem
Giovanni D.

When Martin Luther King Jr. died,
Pepe solved the equation 197*100=19700.
When someone yelled, "Come here this instant"
I fell and got hurt.
I went to Las Vegas to visit my friend
who thinks a rose is like a heart.
I turn red when I am lonely.

Collage Poem
Jose V.

Before I left to go to the 1986 FIFA World Cup
in Mexico, I had to finish my homework; 36/5=36 was the best
problem I solved on my homework. As I walked out the door, my sister
said don't come home late. I kicked my soccer ball
into my backyard. The force of the soccer ball broke the window.
I ran as fast as a hawk to see the World Cup. The sky turned
black and suddenly it was over.

Collage Poem
Jerry E.

I visited Pluto cause of temperature in Chicago.
I was shocked when I saw the glowing red
dinosaurs in a car crash. One of the dinosaurs
screamed like thunder. I heard my nickname
in the emergency room. The injured dinosaures
from the car crash lost all of their memory.

Collage Poem
Amanda T.

California is my dream place to go.
I have a dream everything is pink.
I wake up and say 10*2=20 real fast.
I get to school and see somebody
and think to myself I like him.
I don't know his name.
He is anonymous.
He sees me and I run.
Somebody calles me Mandy.
It is my sister who is as mean
as a gorilla.
She starts yelling at me and
I feel like she began a Revolutionary War.

Collage Poem
Michelle O.

Sandra was as pale as milk when
she saw blue cupcake-shaped dinosaurs.
Her parents said good luck to her.
She was sad when she went to Mars.
She went to school and saw a cocoon
turn into a butterfly and learned 5*5=25.

Collage Poem
Alexis E.

North America is where I live.
When I was a baby to an adult.
When I was happy everybody will say hi.
5+5=10 soliders that lived in the Civil War.
When I got old, everybody called me quacky.
I hope this happens again.

Collage Poem
Jennifer S.

Downtown Chicago is upside down with everything.
Rosa Parks gets arrested for walking in the sky without
a walking license. As soon as I saw 9x8=72 eggs.

Collage Poem
Andrew C.

30+2=32 soldiers that the American soldiers killed
in WW2. The sun is turning black for no reason and
nobody really cares about it. Someone cut down a tree
and then the tree from the other side fell on top of him.
I was relieved that the ISat test was cancelled by a flood.
I think I might have heard that I am going to Tampa Bay
because Chicago is goign to be below sea level.
Like that might happen. Or, could it really happen?

Collage Poem
Steve R.

1+1=love which is the speech of Dr. Martin Luther King.
Stubborn is the Isat test coming up. Spring comes, flowers
blosson. The word sweet appears in my name. The sky is gold.
It is as free as a frog. This place is my home.

Collage Poem
Silvia L.

She came from Texas and her smile is
as bright as the gleaming sun.
Sil was lovestuck when she found out 12*12=144.
If you plant a seed, a plant will grow.
That was found out in WW2.
Aqua is a great color to wear when you say
"have a nice day" to the sea.

Collage Poem
David S.

I was going to Arizona. I was exhausted from the cold.
A group behind me was drinking a green
bottle of tea and having a party. I heard my nickname
then words came from the sky. Did you bring the mystery box?
Then another ball hit my nose and popped. It was just a dream.

How I Discovered Poetry

In class, we read "How I Discovered Poetry" by Marilyn Nelson. The students really seemed to love this poem and, in turn, we wrote poems about discovery.

Mr. Herbeck's 5th Grade Class

How I Discover the Chinese Buffet
Carlos A.

As I was going to my mom's work, I got hungry.
I thought about going to the grand buffet.
As the food talked to me, it said "eat me, eat me"!
I could not stop myself as this big piece of meat on a stick called me.
I had to eat it.
I hurried as the last piece was about to be taken.
I can't stop eating them.
I should sue the chef for making it so delicious.

How I Discovered Life
Natalie G.

I never knew what life was.
I was born, then grew and then I died.
So, when you die you know why you live.
Don't kill yourself to know.
Even if you're 10 or 11 or 100
You will know.

How I Discovered Me
Omar G.

I discovered me by watching TV
I discovered what food I like
I discovered me by seeing what sports I like
I discovered me by what art I like
I discovered me by what books I like
I discovered me by what musich I like
I discovered me by my friends
I discovered me by me

How I Discovered Math
Malgarata K.

When I was in school,
we were going to math,
when I first heard math,
It was like an angel coming and going.
I figured out math was cool.
A lightbulb hit my head.
I learned math was my best subject.
We all make up a math problem.

Ms. McDermott's 5th Grade Class

How I Discovered Soccer
Jerry E.

It all started when my dad
put me in this soccer team
when I was 4.
I did not want to be in soccer
but I started to ilke it.
I got really good.
I met many friends.
Many teams want me to be with them.

How I Discovered Video Games
Brian S.

When I first discovered video games
it was like touching me with words.
When I started playing video games
it was a dream.
The first game I got made time go fast.
I had to stop, it was like giving up.
When i turned it on and off
it was silent and I walked away.

How I Discovered Flexibility
Stephanie C.

It was like soul-kissing
when the flexibility came to me.
I showed it to my mom.
It was the first time I was flexible.
My mom signed me up for lessons.
I was a little bit shy the first time.
But I told myself I could do it
and I did.
When we left, I heard everybody
saying they wish they were me.