About Hands on Stanzas

Hands on Stanzas, the educational outreach program of the Poetry Center of Chicago places professional, teaching Poets in residence at Chicago Public Schools across the city. Poets teach the reading, discussion, and writing of poetry to 3 classes over the course of 20 classroom visits, typically from October through April. Students improve their reading, writing, and public speaking skills, and participating teachers report improved motivation and academic confidence. You can contact Cassie Sparkman, Director of the Hands on Stanzas program, by phone: 312.629.1665 or by email: csparkman(at)poetrycenter.org for more information.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

November 11

This week we began by looking at "The Spoon" by Charles Simic and then discussing simile and metaphor, both new concepts to the students. We did some examples together using a fork. Then I pulled out The Deep and we looked at pictures of creatures from the sea. I encouraged the students to do their best using similes and metaphors. They picked up on it pretty quick and here is what they came up with.


Ms. Jaurigue

The Red Jellyfish
by Karina B.

It is as red as fire
while flames are coming out.
It has grown
just like a red flower.

It can swim like a fish.
It stings
just like an
electric shock.

It is ready to swim
to the light
be happy and
free.


The Blue Jellyfish
by Raul D.

The blue jellyfish
like a Blue Jay
swimming in the sea
with his sea friends.

The blue jellyfish
like a blue sponge
wandering the sea
if you touch it it will sting you.


The Blue Down Deep
by Alex B.

It stings
it could turn to a ring.

I could feel my hand go through it
but I need a first aid kit.

It can't stop swirling
neither more.

I like the jellyfish's color blue
just very cool.


Mr. Stasiak


Untitled
by Jessica N.

That orange flower in the
deep sea. A strange creature it
looks like a firework. The color
is yellow and orange. It puffs up like a
jellyfish.


In the Sea

Bianca P.
I see in the deep blue sea so many
things oww no! I see a creature stuck
in a human net it's skin is an orange
yet red skinned creature. I help him out
I said please don't sting. I'm here to
help. You look like a flower blowing in
the wind wait don't go. I chase
after him I have yell wait wait
Mr. gelly fish. Ow no. I got stinged
my life goes dark he has buried
me.


The Fish
by Allen B.

That strange creature
Red as a rose
so strange and mysterious
It has feathers like a bird
It's a bright red cup in the sea
or maybe the tip of an airplane
the little strings sticking out look like arms
grabbing food.
If I could name it it will be "Redcup."


Ms. Mays

Untitled
by Giovanni S.

A jellyfish is like
a thunder of the night.
And like lightning
thunders.

The Jellyfish
Carmen S.

A Jellyfish is
like a leaf in looks
like a circle, it
looks like a lot of
stuff.

It looks like
it tries to swim
it looks like the
jellyfish wants to
move.

It's colorful
it looks blue
like the sky
and like the
ocean, it glows
like the night
like the starts
of the night.


The Fish
by Maria G.

The blue fish
looks like two
love ducks in
the pond.

They are together
so they can cuddly
up. For ever.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

October 26

Today I presented some Issa poems to the students and we discussed anthropomorphism and how it can bring us closer to animals. Here is what they came up with in response.

Ms. Mays

The American Eagle
by Kimberly S.

There up in the sky is an eagle.
It’s soaring over the building.
It looks like it’s looking for something.

Eagle I ask what are you looking for.
Just at that moment up pops a worm.
The eagle comes down like a strike of lightning.

The eagle takes the worm and takes it up to her nest.
And with that single worm she feeds her chicks.
Right after they were done eating
they smiled and chirped.


That turtle
by Daisy M.

That turtle
walking slow
waiting in line
to get some food.


The Fox
by Jorge S.

That fox--
looking here, looking there. Did you
lose something?

The fox howling through the
dark. Waiting for the sun to
come up.

Keep on waiting, howling fox.
The sun will not come up for
another 3 hours.


Cheetah
by Elizabeth P.

Cheetah
why do you run
run? Is some-
one chasing you?


That cat
by Oscar P.

That cat--
looking here, looking there
as it tries to fly everywhere.


Ms. Jaurigue’s


That Bunny
by Jasmine R.

That bunny--
hopping and playing
like a little kid.
Not eaten your vegetables
like a little kid crying
suffering not to eat
your vegetables.


Gorilla
by Ivan P.

The Gorilla swings from
tree to tree and it
eats what it wants.
He stomped in the
jungle.

It goes wild when
it gets mad. It
eats bananas all
day and sleeps.



The Dog’s Missing Bone

by Isabel P.

The dog looking for his bone
but the only thing he finds is a
purple stone. The purple stone
reminds him of his bone. The dog
searching for his bone but the only
thing he finds is an ice cream cone.



Mr. Stasiak

That Turtle

by Daniel G.

That turtle
why does it move so slow
is your home so heavy
are your legs so strong?


My Cat
by Ambrielle P.

My cat runs around my house.
What is my cat thinking? I think
that my cat is thinking that she is
getting chased by something.


Dog
by Maria U.

Why do you bark when you hear a noise is
it because you think a stranger’s there or
because you’re afraid?

Why do you whimper and cry is it because you’re
sad and lonely?

Why are you sad are you thinking of
your other family?

Monday, November 5, 2007

October 12

This week we looked at William Blake's poem "The Tyger." After reading and discussing the piece the students wrote their own poems directly addressing an animal of their choice and asking it questions. They came up with some really beautiful work.


Ms. Jaurigue

The Beautiful Horse
by Lucy T.

Beautiful beautiful horse
Shining beautiful like a star
at night.

Beautiful, beautiful, horse
your eyes shining just like
your free meadow.

Beautiful beautiful horse
your tail wagging like a says
talk would right now.

Beautiful, beautiful horse
running free while a
kid is running to school.


The Cheetah
by Dievies R.

Cheetah, Cheetah
on the hunt.
Why with red eyes
do they fright?

Keeping your
distance in
the meadow
with your friends
and fellows.


The Cheetah
by Miriam H.

Cheetah! Cheetah! Fierce and wild
In the forest of the night
What rare hand or eye can
tame thy fearful beast?

In what distant high or low
can challenge the one and
only true beast of the east
who dare to go near his
razor sharp claws?
You’ll just have to stop and
pause He’ll pierce thy thin
skin with only one paw.

What the animal? What thy
creature would dare to go
near his evil features of
kill, strength, and power
Not even the biggest tower
could bring him down to
the ground!

Cheetah! Cheetah! burning fire
who dare to go pass his
burning flames it is impossible
a dark evil creature
No one could measure up
to his features.


Mr. Stasiak

Fearless Shark
by Destiny D.

Fearless shark dark and bright can you
eat during nite even do you have no site
your senses know what’s by your side.

Your great big fin scares human beings
when they see your shadow they start to scream.

I’m telling you once not twice you don’t
scare me with your by brown and black eyes.

I like you so much because you don’t
stink like a skunk and not small
your big with your big gray fins.


Lion
By Allen B.

Lion! Lion!
King of the jungle
tell me tell me
are you hungry?
I see some zebras
in the horizon
waiting for you
to fill up your tummy
Eat 1, 2, 3, 4 or even 10
for you are a king and kins eat
But lets talk before we eat
were tell me were
did you get all that hair?
did you wait until it grew
or did you drink a potion to get it big?
But first tell me
tell me why they call you “King”
is it because your courage
is it because you fierce
or is it because you eat a lot?
And tell me do you visit your relatives?
The Cheetah, leopard, panther, bobcat,
ocelots, mountain lion, jaguar,
and what about the tiger?
your closest relative
Oh lion! Lion! You are the king of the jungle!

The Rabbit
by Luis O.

Rabbit Rabbit come to me
Your the one I want to see
Your eyes are so beautiful.
Your figure is great
They in which I appreciate.

Your fur is tan
I love you because your face is bright
Rabbit Rabbit come to me
your the one I want to see.


Catfish Catfish
Nicholas R.

Catfish, catfish, deep in the
sea what kind of fish do you see?
Do you see sharks, or
do you see whales in the deep blue sea?

Catfish, catfish deep in the
sea are you going to meet me? I want
to meet you do you want to meet me?

Catfish, catfish deep in the
sea are you feeling lonely.


Ms. Mays

The Shark
by Miguel O.

Shark, shark, is
it boring to live
under water?

Are you mean?
Do you eat
a lot?

Is it great
having gills?

Shark, shark
I’ll ask you
one last question

Could you not
eat me?

The Lion
by Chris C.

Lion. Lion. You’re so strong. You could even lift a car.
You run so fast and leap so high.
You could probably leap over a semi.
Your mane is soft just like your fur.
You fear nothing and everything fears you.


The Lion
by Richard D.

Evil lion of the dark
why you kill and what’s
your heart. Is it good or
evil I want to know.

If it’s good or bad I’ll
understand, and if you’re
good I’ll be proud
cause your good and not
bad.


Monkey, Monkey
Joey B.

Monkey, Monkey
why do you
hang from
your tail?

Why do you
have big ears?
And why do
you have your

feet like your
hands? And
why do you
jump vine to

vine? Oh why
do you go “oh,
oh?” Why do you
like to go up high

to the trees. Oh
why do you hang
on your feet? And
on your hand oh?
Why please tell me why?

October 5

Today we read "This is Just to Say" by William Carlos Williams and talked about how poems are sometimes used to communicate feelings. They went on to write their own poems to friends and family members to confess their deeds and express their feelings.

Ms. Jaurigue


It was soo Tasty
by Elizabeth R.

Dear Mom and Dad,

Sorry I ate your
delicious incredibly tasty
hamburger that was on the
kitchen table.

And which you were probably
saving for the afternoon
Is that my mouth was
getting all watery and I had
to taste it.

Please forgive me, it was
so tasty and I couldn't
help eating it.


Dear Nancy,
by Leticia R.

I have eaten
the piece of chocolate
that was on the table

and which you were
probably saving
for desert

Please forgive me
it was delicious
so sweet
and so soft.


Dear Brother
by Anthony M.

I have taken your PSP
charger that was in your
dresser.

And which you were
gonna use because your
battery was dead.

I’m sorry forgive
me because my batt
ery was dead too and
I wanted to play my
favorite game.


Ms. Mays


Dear Brother
by Brenda B.

Dear Brother
I have taken
your piano
that was
given to
you in
Christmas

and which
you were probably
saving to play
on your birthday

forgive me
the music
was so
wonderful.


I just let you know
Yadira A.

I have taken
your favorite
toy away which

you probably
were going to
give away for
five dollars

but I could
not let you. It
was my
favorite toy
too, I loved
that toy.

Oh please
forgive me.
Is that I
cannot let
you give
away that
beautiful toy.


Listen to what I have to say
Itzel F.

I have taken
your favorite sweater
that was in
the closet

and which
you were probably
going to wear it
to your friend’s
party.

Forgive me it
was very
comfortable
so warm
and so soft.

September 28

Introductions September 28
For our first week the students looked at "Sonnet" by Dante Alighieri and we talked about all of the wonderful places they could go if they had a magic boat of their own. Read on and see the interesting places they traveled.



Ms. Jaurigue

Flying with Friends
by Deivies R.

Alex, I wish that you and Kyle and I
were carried off by magic
And put in Ice Cream Land, and every
time there was melted ice cream we
would drink it till it was gone.
Dante, Kyle and I would play ice cream
ball fight on till it headed Midnight.
We would sleep on the Ice cold floor
till Midnight was over.

Untitled
by Husana A.

Jenny, I wish that you and Miriam and I
Were carried off by magic to shoppingland.
And put in a ship, every time there was a
breezy wind, would sail on the ocean
exactly where we wanted which is shoppingland.

In this way storms and other dangerous
weather like snow wouldn’t be able to
harm us. And I wish that, since we all
were of one mind, we’d go on wanting
more and more to be together as best friends.

And I wish that Ariel and Yahaira too,
All five of us would go on a shopping
spree and buy shoes, clothes, cosmetics,
jewelry, and perfume.

And I wish that we all did nothing but
talk about us being best friends and shopping
And I wish that they were just as glad
to be there
As I believe the five of us would be.


The Good Drifter
by Alfredo R.

Davin, I wish that you and Jorge and I
were carried off by magic to an obstacle course so we could
race with my nissan 350 with turbo 2 against Devin, Jorge
Raul De la Cruz, Raphael.

I’m ready to race so is everybody else we each went through the
loop of fire, and then we went through the ramp of flame, where flames
come flying to the sky and then we had to drive under
the strings of fire then jump over the tank of water filled with water
and sharks.


The Magic Land

by Miriam

I wish that Jasmine, Husana and I
were carried out by magic to
a mystical land called the shimmery waters.
It will be filled with clear blue water.
It will be the most peaceful and sweet place.

In the land nothing can hurt us
The land will be filled with candy and big oceans
Everything will be made of candy.

It will be the most beautiful place ever
It will be sweet and pretty forever
We’ll all just sit there and talk
we’ll be best friends forever.


Untitled
by Patrick

Bob, I wish that you and Cain and I
were carried off by magic. . . .
In a boat made of cotton candy, and candy
canes with gum filled cannons, “Aye ye
pirates are coming” said first mate Bob, sailing
on the ocean, chocolate. Then a hail of jawbreakers
started raining literally. Man the jawbreakers
fill it with powder. Aye captain fire on
the pirates we hit the main sail!
Aah. . . The pirates were wounded but
boarded the ship. I can’t believe there going to make
us walk our own plank. Easy with the
candy Ahh!! We fall into the depths.
Wake up on the famous gum drop island
and we disappear on an uncharted island.




Ms. Mays

Untitled
by Yahaira C.

Noemi, I wish that you
and Sady and Nat and Ruby and I
were carried off by magic to
bestfriends land. We will
do everything together and
the place will be pink and
blue all around and people
will be nice and no people
will separate our friendship.


Untitled
by Ismael O.

Kevin, I wish that you and Jorge and I
were carried off by magic
and go to wrestle land where there be a lot
of opponents to face each time.

And so for each day we wake up
we need to prepare to fight
And I wish we could be able to see
all professional wrestlers each day.

And I wish that Kevin and Jorge and
the boy on the list of the classroom
number nine could come too on wrestle land.

And that we all did nothing but to fight
and fight all day and that will make us
very happy.


Magic Boat

by Jovanny O.

Migel, I wish that you and Jorge
and I were carried off by magic
to a huge water park and
swim in the wavepool and
get on water rides because
I love water rides. And when
we get in the wave
pool then the waves come
Then we could eat
funnel cake. And we would
get on the log ride
it goes really high and
it drops hard. Then we go
home.


Untitled
Yesenia J.

I wish that Carmen and Yadria and
I were carried off by magic to chocolate land.

In Chocolate land my friends and
I would swim in chocolate and
eat at the same time until
we got sick of chocolate. And
when we’re sick we’ll drink
chocolate medicine.

Our bed would be chocolate
everything would be chocolate
even the book.


Untitled
by Alicia H.

Miriam, I wish that you Jonathan and I
were carried off by magic
And wish we could go to Puerto Rico
where we could cruise around, looking
at everything beautiful.

We would swim and play, eat, visit
family members, explore Puerto Rico
Have lots of fun, it would be great.
Take pictures, send them off

And I wish Taneisha and Constance came too.


Untitled
by Ruby E. T.

Miley, I wish that you and
Jazmine and I were carried off by
magic to Mexico.

So we can play together
get wet in the pools in Mexico eat
Mexican food. Go to the Parks
go shopping eat snacks do anything
we want to do anything sleep for
5-10 hours. Eat candy, fast food.
Play any kinds of sports. And if
Mr. Mays wants to come and Ms.
Johnson could come too to
go shopping together.


Untitled
by Adalyz M.

Oh Brenda and Elizabeth and
I. I wish we were swept
by magic to . . .

Chocolate land. Oh how we
can swim in chocolate and
eat all of it. We can eat all
the candy we want instead of
our parents saying you can not.
We do anything. Without
our parents saying to do all
these things.



Mr. Stasiak


Mario World Adventure
by Luis O.

Roxio, I wish that you and Tiger and I were
carried off by magic to Mario Brothers Land.
Roxio jumped on the Koopas, Tiger roared
at all the baby cries and shot her laser
eye beams and made them all faint and
I just jumped and crushed the bad
mushrooms.


Rockland
by Andrea M.

Julien, I wish that you and Ampy
and I were carried off by magic
to Rockland where our favorite
bands will be there. You ampy and
I will play our drums, guitars, and bass
with them and plus we can get free
concert tickets and then we can go
to their house and then live with them.


Wisconsin
by Justin V.

Dylan, I wish that you and Nicolas and I
were carried off by magic to Wisconsin Dells.

In this way we could have more fun
and get wet and go down water slides.

I wish Joey and Alex were put in
Wisconsin Dells by the magician too.

And that we did nothing but talk
about having fun and getting wet.