The creative arts–music, dance, visual arts, storytelling and poetry–are all important expressions of culture and provide children with an opportunity to find their voice. In this assignment, you will explore the importance of bringing poetry into early childhood classrooms.
Now, watch this amazing video of a young poet sharing her work at a TEDxKids Talk:
Review the powerpoint Our Cultures, Our Words: Poetry in Early Childhood Education.
The final slide of the powerpoint is my “I Am From…” poem, along with a photograph of me in Central Park during the summer of 1974.
For this week’s seminar project, write your own “I Am From…” poem and post it here on Open Lab.
I am from…
I am from here, there, and nowhere. From shared tiny spaces and quarter laundromats.
Driving over the bridge at 10 on a school night when the quarters ran out and mom mom and pop pops washer was free.
I am from staying up late while Mom was at work, walking with siblings to school
Standing in the snow, no latch key to use when dismissal was early
I am from a pinch to the arm and a plastic bat to the back for being a broken child from a broken home
I am from Bowie, The Cars, Hitchcock, and Imitation(s) of Life
I am from new beginnings that always end the same way. I am from too many drinks, too many drugs, too many men
I am from cancer, death from cancer, death by car.
I am a mother to a child from a broken home. I am from unbroken patterns.
I am from therapy, meds, and shifting narratives
I have built myself
Holly Squashic
Professor Reich-Shapiro
ECE 211
I am From…
Loud music on the streets no matter the season. The neighborhood I live in seem me grow into the young adult I am now.
Where there’s a deli on every corner. Your sandwich guy knows your fav. People say What’s up to you without knowing you. Friendly vibes surround your home place.
Mexican stores up two blocks are my go to whenever I want a Jarrito soda. Family and friends know my mom’s cooking taste bomb. Birthday parties are celebrated at “our park” with over 30 people assisting that are just family!
College students making parties every weekend and enjoying long nights on Emerson Place.
Benches are filled with people drinking, eating , and dancing. During the day there’s children running around the trees playing tag. Bedford- Stuyvesant is where I am from.
I am from the Boogie down, known as the Bronx but I am also from the beautiful home lands in Dominican Republic and Ecuador.
I am from the day of a Groundhog, Groundhogs day a Day I celebrate a special day yearly. The second of the second. (2/2)
I am from the sound and beats of my ancestors, With the movement my body flows too.. Spanish music.
I am from never giving up, keeping my head up and always giving my all.
I am from a big beautiful family, I came from a family of 6 & now I have my own little family of three.
I am from…
I am from a big family, where you have uncles that are younger than their nieces or nieces that are older than their aunt.
I am from a place of love, it doesn’t matter who you are they always are going to be there for you.
I am from a little town where everyone is like a family and they become part of your daily life.
Where I am from there are many tradition, one of the most popular is the day of death.
I am from Mexico… Family… Music…Food… Tradition… Culture.
I am from….
I am from the city that never sleeps
cars zoom by at the speed of light
busy train cars full to brim of busy people
early morning wakeups to school
busy city quiet neighborhood
people think i must have money because of where I live
but do I have money? or has my neighborhood become gentrified
I am from a neighborhood where I did not know that the difference in our skin tone mattered
everyone is unique and we were taught to love everyone because of that
I am from parents that push me to be my absolute best
“Be the people we couldn’t be and more”
I am from immigrant parents that work hard everyday to give my sister and I the absolute best
I am from Peru and El Salvador
A product of people of the hardest working loving people I know
I am from arguements with my mom and dad
they dont understand me?
Do I understand them?
They just want what is best for me
I know that now as I am older
I am from difficulties but learning how to get over them
I am greatful for what I have been through
and those who have helped me get to where i am
I am thankful for the people that raised me
Thank you mom and dad
te quiero mucho