Teachers Give each student a copy of the graphic organizer pages (print front & back to save paper/ink). They will complete this organizer first, and then use it to create an I Am poem about the Columbian Exchange. (See Example at the end.) Teachers Give each student a copy of the graphic organizer pages (print front & back to save paper/ink). They will complete this organizer first, and then use it to create an I Am poem about the Columbian Exchange. (See Example at the end.)

I am (Two special characteristics the person or thing has) I wonder (something the person or thing could actually be curious about) I hear (an imaginary or actual sound) I see (an imaginary or actual sight) I want(a desire) I am (the first line of the poem is repeated) First Stanza

I pretend (something the person or thing could pretend to do) I feel (an emotion) I touch (an imaginary touch) I worry ((something that could actually bother the person or thing) I cry for (something that could make the person or thing upset) I am (the first line of the poem is repeated) Second Stanza

I understand (something the person or thing knows to be true) I say (something the person or thing believes in) I dream (something the person or thing could actually dream about) I try (something the person or thing could make an effort to do) I hope (something the person or thing could hope for) I am (the first line of the poem is repeated) Third Stanza

I Am… Poem Imagine that you are a Native American, European explorer, crop (potato, tomato, corn), horse, pig, disease, etc. that was impacted by the Columbian Exchange. Fill in the lines of the graphic organizer with information about yourself. You may use the graphic organizer for brainstorming, but please write your final draft on a separate sheet of paper.

I Am the Horse I am furry and brown. I wonder if people notice the natives dying. I hear people groaning because of how bad they hurt. I see yellow and purple spots on them. I want to be ridden, but I can’t. I am furry and brown. I pretend my owner isn’t sick and is riding me. I feel his presence on my back. I touch his hand with my nose. I worry he might die from disease too. I cry for him. I am furry and brown. I understand that he’s dead now. I say to myself, “Don’t go”. I dream he rides me one last time. I try to hear his voice. I hope I’ll see him again one day. I am furry and brown.