Here are some of the literacy poems generated by former students:
"Sewn for the Masses"
I imagined my education as a sequin-covered gown
tailored to me
made...for me.
unique.
Representing who I am...what I will become
what I want to be
I would feel proud...competent...accomplished.
Instead they gave me rags
Sewn for the masses...designed for them...
...not for me!
I am drawing in their fabric
In their tight knit stuffy fabric
In their one size fits all fabric
My clothes are torn
I am worn
I am educated.
"Literacy is Power"
Literacy is Power
Increasing by the hour
Strong Words
Multimodal, now we get it
So important we won't forget it
Tough Language
Sahara, Gruwell, and the dog
Showed us how to do the job
Brawny Expressions
Make it fun, make it new
Bring literacy into all you do
Hefty Vocabulary
Use a video or a comic book
Encourage students to take a look
Burly Terminology
The printing press and the working class
Corresponding societies as they clink their glass
Strapping Jargon
Don't keep the gate
Allow your students to create
Stalwart Lingo
Literacy is Power
Increasing by the hour
Literacy is fun
It is imagination and creativity in one
you can write or read in any fashion
you can even make it your lifelong passion!
Make use of any kind of multimodal, go ahead I suggest you do
use the internet & pictures...your students will say 'WA-HOO!'
Literacy expands a student's world but they see it as a chore
they aren't interested and often say to their teacher 'what a bore!'
A teacher should make literacy fun, play video games & write comics
You will see your students learning and they'll lose their bad antics
A literate student means so much to parents, principals, and the public
the students will love to see they got an 'A' on the rubric!
Make literacy fun, not only for students but for your sake...
because if you don't, they'll all fail, come back and give you a headache!
"Write for Right"
Visionaries
We speak the truth
that they are afraid to face.
We're brave soldiers
on the front lines of life
Fighting for what we see as Right.
With pens as our weapons
we turn on lights
in the middle of the night
And scream.
And cry
And whisper.
And laugh
On paper
Emotions are the pallet.
We are the color-sayers
separate, yet together
we'll surpass material
And bask in the glory
of our potential.
Ode to Technology
How you make my life so easy!!
Today before I lecture I want to show a quick film
Bringing technology into the classroom
First I must let the projector warm up
What do you mean this system is not compatible to a Mac?
Well we will just use the TV and DVD player from down the hall
How you make my life oh so easy!!!
Where does the read AV cable go?
The TV has to be on channel three for it to work
Do you see anything now? How about now? Now?
I'll bet the DVD player doesn't play burned discs
How you make my life oh so easy!!!
I'll just call the tech guy and he can help
So how is everyone doing today?
You finally got it working thanks so much
Let's watch the film. Bell Rings!!! Maybe tomorrow?
HOW YOU MAKE MY LIFE OH SO EASY!!!
L anguage presented in an
I maginative way to
T each and
E ngage
R eaders of all ages, including
A dults,
C hildren, and
Y outh
