February 15

This week I brought in Alice Notley's "I miss dinosaurs." We first discussed why Notley might be missing the various things she listed. From there we talked about litanies and discussed the value of repeated phrases in poetry. The students then took up the challenge of creating their own litanies and this is what they came up with:

Ms. Mays

I love
by Elizabeth P.

I love coming to school and hearing Ms. Mays
I love smelling the chiles rellenos my Mom makes.
I love remembering my sisters when they were 2 months.
I love playing with my sisters, Yasmin and Yesenia.
I love remembering my Grandmother.
I love my family.
I love my Mom.
I love hearing my favorite song Solo por un beso.
I love playing with my friends.
I love when there are block parties on my block.
I love bachata.
I love Spring.
I love smelling flowers.
I love remembering Mexico.
I love music, only Reggaeton.


I Miss
by Richard D.

I miss seeing wolves in Iowa.
I miss playing with my PSP.
I miss my old school in Iowa.
I miss my pet fish.
I miss hearing my mp3s.
I miss my old friends.
I miss my old house.
I miss my grandmother.
I miss playing with my cousins.
I miss going to the park.
I miss playing with my kite.
I miss my cousins in Iowa.
I miss visiting a ranch.
I miss riding a horse.
I miss swimming in a pool.


I like
Miguel O.

I like to play soccer.
I like to be smart.
I like to eat a lot of fruit.
I like to play my DS.
I like to read Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
I like to run a lot.
I like to watch The Simpsons.
I like to behave good.
I like to be clean all the time.
I like to get good grades like an A.
I like to play my gamecube.
I like to ride my skateboard.
I like to help other people.
I like to sleep a lot.
I like to read jokes.


Ms. Jaurigue

[I will do my homework]
by Julian S.

I will do my homework.
I will go to Mexico.
I will see a movie.
I will not drop out.
I will always play my video games.
I will be more patient.
I will play soccer.
I will eat pizza.
I will watch tv.
I will come to school every day.
I will go to the doctor.
I will get a pet.
I will play with my cousins.
I will take my pet to the veterinarian.
I will take good care of my pet.
I will always love my pet.
I will go to my friend’s house.
I will go to my cousin’s house.
I will not stop playing.
I will join the soccer team.
I will go to the movie theater.
I will eat more vegetables.
I will not bother my cousins.
I will go to a sleepover.
I will go to the zoo.
I will go to the aquarium.
I will visit my family.
I will be a good friend.
I will be rich.
I will get a mansion.
I will get a good job.
I will get a Ferrari.
I will get a Cadilac.
I will see a basketball game.
I will see a scary movie.

I love my mom.
by Tania B.

I love my mom.
I love my aunt.
I love my dad.
I love my bunny.
I love my games.
I love my earings.
I love my cousins.
I love my grandma.
I love my grandpa.
I love to color.
I love my computer.
I love my milk.
I love my glasses.
I love my music.
I love to write.


I remember all the cool stuff
by Alex B.

I remember WWF.
I remember the old school rap and hip-hop.
I remember my childhood.
I remember my pitbull.
I remember when Diego Corrales died.
I remember my old games.
I remember when my cousin made a guy mad.
I remember when Jeff Hardy beat Matt Hardy.
I remember the Raiders.
I remember Tupac.
I remember the hardcore life.
I remember the tough times.
I remember when Rey Mysterio went to ECW.
I remember when I lived in California.
I remember my first medal.



Mr. Stasiak.

I remember anything
by Erik C.

I remember having fun in a park.
I remember going to the movie
I remember having fun with my parents
I remember doing fun stuff in winter.
I remember doing something with my parents on holidays.
I remember having fun in school.
I remember doing my homework.
I remember doing my chores.
I remember having a great house.
I remember doing great activities in school.
I remember having something big.
I remember wanting to go to a big state.

I will
by David J.

I will walk to school.
I will walk to the big truck.
I will listen to music.
I will go outside and play basketball.
I will walk to my classroom.
I will use the bathroom.
I will do my homework.
I will play on my computer.
I will play my game.
I will play in the snow.
I will eat my food.
I will go to my grandfather’s house.
I will walk home.
I will put on my shoes.
I will put my books in my bookbag.
I will listen to the hard-working teacher.
I will put my brown hat on.
I will finish this test.
I will take out a blue piece of paper.
I will go to my friend’s house.


I miss playing games
by Alan F.

I miss going outside to play.
I miss playing snowfight.
I miss playing games.
I miss riding bikes.
I miss my parents during the day.
I miss my uncle Franky.
I miss goin to Mexico.
I miss playing board games with my family.
I miss playing soccer outside.
I miss playing basketball with my uncles.
I miss playing with my gameboy.
I miss playing bloody knuckes with my uncle Franky.
I miss drawing pictures.
I miss playing football with my dad.
I miss my dog, Magic.