Examples of "Literacy Poems"

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