Student poetry inspired by the "Where I'm From" poem by George Ella Lyon
I love teaching this lesson and always learn so much about my students when I teach it.
I
am from books
And
from hot combs and curl creams
I
am from green walls, vanilla candles
I
am from the sand
I
am from the huge evergreen,
I
am from making chicken wings and coke for Santa and Taylor Swift
From
Officer Campbell and Ora Lee Thompson
I
am from knocking on wood and praying
And
from eating together
I
am from no disrespect and eating my veggies
And
from kumbaya my lord
I
am from Sunday dinners
I
am from Texas and Ireland
Chocolate
pies and southern-fried chicken
From
a tragic relationship
Someone
I never got to meet
I
am from missing teeth in the tub and being worried I'll never find it
8th grader
I
am from ovens
From
cooking and creativity
I
am from warm feelings of
My
family.
I
am from the grass
The small tree that grows flowers in the
spring and peaches in the fall
I’m
from holidays and opening one present on Christmas Eve
From
my Mom and my sister.
I’m
from helping and giving
And
from listening.
I’m
from not worrying and not listening to mean people
And
from wise mistakes are best mistakes
I’m
from eating junk food on Friday
I’m
from Texas and Croatia
Tomatoes
and peppers
From
parents winning a lottery
To
win a free green card
Who
came to Texas and they
Kept
the Green Card as a memory.
I
am from if my parents never won the green card, then I wouldn’t be here.
7th grader
I
am from our wood floors
From
pictures and TV’s
I
am from the bricks stacked up high
With
big trees
I
am from the blue bonnets
The
pomegranate tree whose long gone limbs I remember
as
if the were my own.
I’m
from baking cookies and crawfish boils
From
Mom and Dad
I’m
from loving and behavior
And
from a smart family
I’m
from go outside and play and clean your room
And
life’s a game meant for everyone
I’m
from baking with my family
I’m
from Texas and Irish
Homemade
meal and take out.
From
Cancer
To
sadly death
Pictures
are the best memories
On
the shelves.
7th grader
I
am from our kitchen table
From
stepping stones and wish bones
I
am from the green place that I will call home
With
fresh mowed grass littered everywhere
I
am from the backyard that I roam in
The
oak that branches off in every direction
I’m
from hugs and road trips far away
From
Mom and Dad
I’m
from running and walking
And
loving
I’m
from facts and falses
And
nothing more
I’m
from life
I’m
from Texas and Texas some more
Shrimp
and spices
From
the sailor dog
Traveling
far away
The
beach that feels like home
Miles
and miles
From
here
-7th grader
I
am from PlayStation 2
From
books and food
I
am from the apartment
And
it smells like bacon
I
am from the apple
The
big tree
I
am from Easter egg hunting and curly hair
From
My mom and Dad
I’m
from arguing and cheating
And
eating.
I’m
from there’s boogy man and listen and learn
And
my ABC’s
I’m
from family reunions
I’m
from California and the country
Chicken
and tater sauce
From
baby pictures and drawings on the wall
-7th grader
I
am from TV
From
my room and Mom’s room
I
am from the crib
Smells
like candy
I’m
from my birthday and party
And
New Year’s and Christmas
I’m
from biting my nails and snoring
And
from fighting
I’m
from Be Good and Mind My Business
And
get er done
I’m
from Easter
I’m
from Hillcrest and Waco
Pizza
and nachos
From
turn up
Tall,
long hair
Big
diamonds
In
my heart.
- 8th grader
I
am from my bed
From
pillows and blankets
I
am from the orange little house
With
the smell of strawberry
I
am from the dandelion
The
roses
I’m
from brown hair and long hair
From
Mom and Dad
I’m
from laughing and being silly
And
from great smiles
I’m
from no spitting and not much candy
And
a girl on fire.
I’m
from doing all holidays
I’m
from Laredo and a park
Burgers
and pizza.
From
a car crash and my brother
Old
coins
In
my heart
- 7th grader
I
am from my phone
From
video games and YouTube.
I
am from the brand new smell
And
cold floors
I
am from thru roses and tulips
The
pecan tree
I’m
from family reunions and quinceaneras
From
siblings and grandparents
I’m
from laughing and having fun
And
from joking around.
I’m
from brushing my teeth and pee before you sleep
And
the saying “Don’t take anything for granted.”
I’m
from making homemade tamales
I’m
from Waco, TX and El Paso, TX
Tacos
and menudo
From
reading stories and articles about how my Mom
Passed
away
My
mom got in an all terrain vehicle accident
Laguna
Beach
I am from in
a picture frame
In
my phone, in a dusty Nike box under my bed, and
Also
in a book.
- 8th grader
I
am from the mirror
From
the light and the dark
I
am from the door
Fresh
flowers
The
yellow flower
I’m
from Christmas and Halloween
From
the good and the bad
I’m
from the veggies and the snack
And
from the fruit.
I’m
from sleeping and playing
And
clean
I’m
from plane and the wind
Falafel
and dolmas
From
hurt
Sad
The
heat in my heart
In
me in my
Brain
- 8th grader
I
am from my little fridge
And
watermelon and strawberry
I
am from the ghetto hood
That
smells like Asian food
I
am from the thorn plant
The
big long tree
I’m
from picture and celebrating
From
Dad and Mom.
I’m
from chores and celebrate and partying.
I’m
from Asian kid and education
To
be respectful
I’m
from eating rice
I’m
from American and church
Rice
and ramen
From
my cousin Peter died
Peter
was really cool
Family
pictures really nice
In
my heart
And
on the wall.
- 8th grader
I
am from a computer
From
tables and chairs
I
am from the three front windows
And
the brown bricks
I
am from the rose
The
grass
I’m
from prayers and small eyes
From
Mom and Dad
I’m
from forgetting and hard working
And
from waking up early.
I’m
from education and morality
And
never give up
I’m
from the Festival of Lights
I’m
from Nepal and Texas
Rice
and noodles
From
jumping out a window
And
falling in debris
Nepal
paintings
On
the walls
I
am from a place called home.
- 8th grader
I
am from toilet paper
From
plunger and whoopee cushion
I
am from the fun time kingdom
Cozy
and crazy feel
I
am from the tickle me plant
I’m
from jokes and water balloon fights
From
funny parents and siblings
I’m
from pranking and laughing
I’m
from pee before bed and monster at night
And
rock a bye baby
I’m
from playing around
I’m
from Austin and Hispanic
Steak
and rice
From
funny and me and my dad spending time together
In
my heart.
- 8th grader
I am so grateful to my dear friend and fellow Teaching Artist who introduced me to it. Click links below to see the films and animated versions she created with her students.
https://youtu.be/jHM5Yo-JrMM
