About Hands on Stanzas

Hands on Stanzas, the educational outreach program of the Poetry Center of Chicago places professional, teaching Poets in residence at Chicago Public Schools across the city. Poets teach the reading, discussion, and writing of poetry to 3 classes over the course of 20 classroom visits, typically from October through April. Students improve their reading, writing, and public speaking skills, and participating teachers report improved motivation and academic confidence. You can contact Cassie Sparkman, Director of the Hands on Stanzas program, by phone: 312.629.1665 or by email: csparkman(at)poetrycenter.org for more information.

Monday, April 28, 2008

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.
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