"I Am From" Poem-revisited

A reader asked me to provide a little more information on the structure of the "I Am From" Poem. I welcome any questions/clarifications on ideas readers want to incorporate in their classrooms. Also, I am not the expert! Part of what makes teaching such a great profession is collaboration among teachers! If anyone else has ideas to add, please comment and share!!!

From the book Write More! Learn More! By M. Carrol Tama & Anita B. McClain (which by the way has many great ideas for writing and I really recommend it), here is a different description of the poem in a format meant for students to complete:

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1. Brainstorm a description of the place that you want to write about.

2. What do you see there? When you visually walk around your home, or neighborhood, or where you come from, what do you see, hear, or smell?

3. Who are your family members? What do they do? How did they get to the place where they now live? What peculiarities or idiosyncrasies of place or family can you describe?

4. What are your favorite foods? What did your family say frequently?

5. Use the details you have created to create your own "I Am From" poem on another page.

I hope that makes the "assignment" more clear. As I explained to the reader, my poem shares information about many different aspects of my life growing up rather than focusing on just one place. I think the poems could be written either way--with the overarching goal being to get students to share stories and information about their lives. This type of poem validates students and allows them to develop voice!

If you are thinking about getting Write More! Learn More!, here is an idea of what kinds of information you will find in this great book:

1. Writing to Build Community
2. Writing to Organize
3. Writing to Respond
4. Writing through Note Taking
5. Writing Essays
6. Writing for Reading
7. Writing Project
8. Writing for Assessment

Each chapter offers strategies, directions, black line masters, and examples.