Did I Grow Up? By Sarah Barth Look at that picture of a little girl with two ribbons in her hair, You may not have guessed it, but that was me. What were once crayons are now ballpoint pens. Velcro shoes have turned into high heels. My pink overalls have been replaced by blue jeans. Mud on my face from playing has been replaced by makeup. Instead of Nickelodeon, I have clicked onto MTV. The boys had the cooties, but now seem to have been cured. My heart wallpaper has been covered with posters of my favorite bands. Instead of a cherry lollipop, you can find braces in my mouth. Whatever happened to my tiny hands? Oh, yeah, they grew. Whatever happened to my childhood? Did I grow up? Did it happen when I stopped playing with Barbie? Or maybe it happened when I asked mom to drop me off a block before the place I had to go. I used to watch Sesame Street and I used to have a bedtime. Where did all that go? I have become someone’s babysitter, and lost my own.

Step 1: Growing Up Poem Draw two columns on your paper. Begin by brainstorming the items from your childhood that have been replaced as you have grown up. Write them on a piece of paper in the left-hand column. What has replaced these items? Write these items in the right-hand column

Step 2: Writing your poem Read the poem, “Did I Grow Up?” What has the author lost and what does she have now? Write your own poem about growing up. Reflect on what has changed in your life in the past 2 – 10 years. Your poem must be a minimum of 12 lines.

Things to include… “Formula” to follow… BE UNIQUE!! Begin with a reflection – a sudden pause and a look back at yourself… Share your comparisons After comparisons, ask reflective questions: Whatever happened to…? Did it happen when…? (defining moment? or Or maybe it happened when… defining moment?) I used to…and I used to… Where did it all go? I have become… ****DECORATE, ILLUSTRATE, Clip art, pretty paper, scanned photos, hand-drawn illustrations, etc.