Read the Poem, “where I’m from” by George ella lyon. September 5, 2014 Swbat: create an “I am from” poem about themselves to illustrate the events of their lives through brainstorming. Initial Activity: Read the Poem, “where I’m from” by George ella lyon. Write down what you think the author is trying to tell us in this poem.

“Where I’m from” – George Ella lyon I am from clothespins, from Clorox and carbon-tetrachloride. I am from the dirt under the back porch. (Black, glistening, it tasted like beets.) I am from the forsythia bush the Dutch elm whose long-gone limbs I remember as if they were my own. I'm from fudge and eyeglasses,           from Imogene and Alafair. I'm from the know-it-alls           and the pass-it-ons, from Perk up! and Pipe down! I'm from He restoreth my soul           with a cottonball lamb           and ten verses I can say myself. I'm from Artemus and Billie's Branch, fried corn and strong coffee. From the finger my grandfather lost           to the auger, the eye my father shut to keep his sight. Under my bed was a dress box spilling old pictures, a sift of lost faces to drift beneath my dreams. I am from those moments-- snapped before I budded -- leaf-fall from the family tree.

What do you think the author was trying to tell us in this poem? Answer the questions on the sensory brainstorming worksheet. After you finish the questions on the worksheet you will have a chance to discuss them with a partner to share your thoughts. Ask at least two questions to help clarify what your partner is describing.

How can we engage our senses? I am from a blue blanket that feels as soft as fur and smells fresh. I am from a pool that is warm and it feels like a hot august day with my friends. I am from a tulip that is red and shows me signs of spring and warmer days ahead. I am from a family that loves to gather together on Christmas eve, and enjoys different foods together and sharing gifts. Take 5 minutes to answer the questions on the sheets.

Pair/share You will now break up into partners. Each person will get a chance to share their answers. Ask your partner at least two questions so that they can clarify their answers to you.

Work period – how can we construct our poem from our brainstorming? The class will use their brainstorming sheets to create their poems. You will use the template to create the poems. Upon completing this partners will pair up again to ask final questions before final revisions.

Work period – shared out Students will each share out one thing from their poem that describes something about them. Be sure to use the adjectives you used in your poem to describe the object or the memory you are discussing in the poem.

Summary – exit ticket Each student will write what they learned about their partner. What makes this new fact interesting to you? Did you know about this item, tradition, or event before discussing this with your partner?

Homework – week 1 By 9/8/2014: Read and sign the ELA syllabus with a parent/guardian at home Bring folder and notebook to leave IN CLASS for ELA ONLY By Monday – Extra Credit choose an important quotation about reading/writing, from a famous author and make it pretty so that I can decorate my room with them. Authors to consider: JK Rowling, Dr. Suess, Mark Twain, Roald Dahl, and E.B. White.