KIPP Writers House

Video: Extra Credit

2011-09-04T06:43:00.000-07:00

For extra credit, watch this video and leave a generalization in sentence form.

Make sure your name and class period number is included in your post.

Last chance to post: September 9, 2011 at the end of the day.

KHHS 2011-2012: Video

What do you see?

2011-04-14T16:19:00.000-07:00

On Writing a Research Paper

2009-04-22T01:20:00.000-07:00

Hello class of 2013.

First of all, welcome to the KIPP Writers House blog. Take a look around and leave comments whenever you want!

This picture was taken early last Sunday morning, the first and last day of the MS 150 ride. You don't know how hard it is to fit 18 bikes in a van.... I certainly know how difficult it is to ride 70 or 80 miles, up and down the hills, with a strong wind in your face. And how nice it feels to finish the ride. I applaud your effort and fundraising for this disease.

Now on to the queston at hand. As we are almost finished with our first research paper, please add a comment below on what you have learned from this process and what specific things helped you get organized in order to write. I am mostly interested in hearing what things you learned that you will continue in writing your big history paper. -Ms. L

"Secret Friendship"

2009-03-30T19:30:00.000-07:00

Gaby Gil

He is my waffle
And I am his pancake
And he is my best friend
In the whole wide world
He is my butter
And I am his jelly
Together we make perfect PBJS
Cause I love you so
And I want to know
That you to know
That you always be right here
And I love to sing this song to you
Because you are so DEAR <3

"Adventure in a Book"

2009-03-30T19:25:00.000-07:00

Racheal Tran

As you open a book,
Go and take a look,
Your journey has just begun.

What are you to be?
When you truly see,
Any character you can choose.

Where will you go?
The book will know,
And you will travel far.

When you turn each page,
The story will not age,
And enjoy your bewitching trip.

But when you are at THE END,
Do not be melancholy my friend,
And just take another book.

And now you start again,
Your new journey began,
A new adventure awaits.

"Bracelets"

2009-03-30T19:18:00.000-07:00

Chris Fernandez

Monday morning I wake up half alive
I get ready for school
As I got to school I drag myself through the hallway
I get to homeroom and all I hear
OMG! Does are like some nice bracelets, you would not mind if I borrow one
No, she would not mind she won’t even know it was gone
I go up to her and tell her “you can last a day your bracelets” but then
You would need to call me a liar
What are you trying to hide
Do you cut yourself, did you burn yourself or did they beat you
She gave me her bracelets and the next day I gave them back to her
I tell her what was the point of all your bracelets
You have no cuts, bruises, or burns
And I get a one word response
FASHION!

"Laughter"

2009-03-30T19:12:00.000-07:00

Tarik Tyler

Laughter can’t go away
Even if you try to hide it.
Laughter will always be with you
No matter who’s with you.
Laughter takes your mind away
From the chaotic mess we call life,
And sometimes laughter can hurt a life.
Some laugh with their mouth wide open
And some laugh with their mouth close.
Some reveal their pearly whites and
Some will refuse
No matter what you do,
Laughter will always be with you
To brighten up your day
Or make the tears go away.

"Whenever I See You"

2009-03-30T19:11:00.001-07:00

Edgar Sanchez

Whenever I see your dazzling eyes, I can’t stop admiring them. Your eyes bright as the full moon at night. And then I see your gorgeous smile, that I could see from a mile away. Then your sweet, soft voice, so idyllic, and so breathtaking makes me wonder how you could be so flawless. Seeing you is like staring at a piece of art, so beautiful. I get hyponotized by the way that you see right through me. And I feel as if cupid has just hit me. You must already know the way that you make my heart pound faster, faster, and faster by every second that passes by. I am so glad to have found love that last forever.

"Innocent Voices"

2009-03-30T18:53:00.000-07:00

Nelly Valladares

What did we do wrong that now they want to kill us?
I look outside the window trying to see the future but the only thing I saw was American
Soldiers killing innocent voices.
Voices that will never be heard again.
Voices that might have beautiful future.
Voices that will never be heard by someone else.
What I also see is family working so hard to maintain their whole family together.
We have come so far, whether should I give up or continue my way lying to myself that everything is fine.
Innocent voices that had nothing to do with it.
Innocent voices never heard, but the sound of bombs I always heard.

"Chocolate"

2009-03-30T18:48:00.000-07:00

Dana Faran

Chocolate is my favorite candy
There’s white chocolate,
Milk chocolate,
Dark chocolate,
Hot chocolate,
Chocolate on strawberries,
White chocolate on strawberries,
All kinds of chocolate.
Truffles and lemon chocolates,
Raspberry and strawberry chocolate.
Hershey’s and reeses cups,
Chocolate ice cream,
Chocolate covered pretzels,
And many more I can list,
But now I’ll stop.

"Memories Forever"

2009-03-30T18:42:00.000-07:00

Leslye Campos

TICK, TOCK, TICK, TOCK
It is a simple fact that
Memories don’t last forever,
But there is always one thing.
One memory,
That stays with you forever,
And follows you everywhere you go—
It might be the day you threw your hat up towards the sky
As people clapped and admired the newly graduated class of
Ninety ninety-nine,
Or maybe the day you said
“I do,” to that loved one sitting right next to you,
Or maybe,
Maybe it was the day you held your baby in your arms for the first time
As you kissed him sweetly on his cheek
And softly whispered
“I love you my dearest baby,”
That is the day you realized
That he is the only one keeping you in the world
Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock
Wow,
Time ticks by fast
And that is the one thing,
The one memory,
That has stayed with you forever
And has followed you everywhere you go
TICK, TOCK, TICK, TOCK

"The Fire Burned Me"

2009-03-30T18:32:00.000-07:00

Lissette Carranza

I felt my heart pushing against my chest.
My blood rushed through my body and I felt my flesh burning.

I felt the tight knot on my voice that washed away my voice from my vocal chords.

My heart kept pounding.
I felt it in my arms, my legs, my face.

I heard it when I leaned against the wall, when I learned
Against my shoulder, when I closed my eyes.

That feeling, the feeling of embarrassment—I hate it!

I was empty inside, the looks they gave me.

The fire on their eyes; the look burned me.

I felt my heart pushing against my chest, my blood rushed through my body and I felt my flesh burning.

I saw the fire on their eyes.

The fire burned me.

That feeling; the feeling of embarrassment—I hate it.

Cruz's Poem

2009-03-30T18:22:00.001-07:00

Cruz Aguilar

Like…Ummm….Uhh…Mmmmm…Uh…Like…
I wish I had like the finished my work but…
Like Uhh….Mr.Professor sir… Like my … like…
My dog ate kind of…like…took it

Well couldn’t you have gotten it back from it

Like… He kind of… like ate it…all

Well what can we do about this little problem.
Ahh. I got it you can do it all over again.

Well I can’t… like do it. because … I’m like .. going… to… the…
Bahamas.

Well then I hope you have fun in the pyramids

Well… I will have fun climbing those pyramids and having fun in the hot sand of the desert

Well then listen there is there is no pyramids in the Bahamas

Yes there is… you just said so.

Well I lied.

So there are no pyramids

No but Do you know what there is?

No. What is there

There is a detention pass waiting for you

What?

Listen. YOU HAVE DETENTION.

What?

Ohh… Just get to room 213 with this pass

O.K.

"Freedom"

2009-03-30T18:01:00.000-07:00

Emelyn Caceres

Bright blue skies,
Butterflies ruffle by,
Beautiful white picket fences
Fresh tall green grass
Love in the air people who care
Giggles, laughter, joy and happiness
Keeping a grasp to the farm’s past
And its true background roots behind…
They scream out their lungs
They cry deep inside
The fear in their eyes
The unnecessary surprise
Blisters, Blood, Brutal deaths
Unsteady patterns of their every breath
Paranoia, Insanity and Madness
Slowly creeps into their bleeding minds
As they give it their all to survive
Paralytic corpses lying on the floor
Limbs bursting out of their very bodies
Crawling for freedom
Looking for the sunshine’s welcome
Grinding their numb hanglessly skin on the cell’s floor
Trapped, Trapped, Trapped
Breathless, crowded, trapped
Slowly their dying for your own pleasure
These animals are suffering just to get what you call “food”
When it’s just slaughter
So tell me, next time, will you think about what’s on your plate?

"'Silence is golden'"

2009-03-30T17:42:00.000-07:00

Leslie A. Campos

“Silence is golden”
The phrase that has been used so many times
Yet it is such a lie
The words repeatively with no such courage
Though all of it is just word of the mouth
Does the child
Trapped by her father
Self-kept from her mother
Believe silence is golden?
Does the unborn life
Sushed without a choice
Kept from living
Believe silence is golden?
Does the man
Lying on his cardboard bed
With his breath singing loneliness
Believe such a cliché statement?
The words that echo through the wind
Left unnoticed
Are silent
Is “silence is golden”
Would there be a heart beat?
The beat that contains our survival
Like the drums that pound the heart away
If “silence is golden”
Would there be music?
The music everywhere
If it’s not Aerosmith
Vivaldi
Or Nickelback
Or simply a child playing with pots and pans
Clink, clank, thump
Making the sound of life
If “silence is golden”
Why would we need words
Why would we need letters
Why would we need
Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X,
Y would we need the alphabet
If my words will only come out like (this)
And my mouth will only be (moving)
If “silence IS golden”
I
I would be dead
My heart beat
My beat
Beat
Beat
Beat
Silent

"Follow Your Dreams"

2009-03-29T16:20:00.000-07:00

Priscilla Larrea

Trouble arrives I measures,
And we stack it up real high,
Until we’re convinced,
We have no reason to try.
If you feel defeated,
You’re absolutely wrong,
For if you follow your dream,
You could never loose for long.
The future holds great promise,
Your destiny unknown,
And you’re never alone.
Soar bravely toward your goal.
Let nothing darken the way.
You can change your tomorrow,
If you seek your dream today.

"The Day I Cried"

2009-03-29T16:07:00.000-07:00

Lisett Baiza

As I walked out the door.
I saw my sister in the bench sitting down.
She was trying to hide her tears so I couldn’t see her.
Ii saw her wipe away her tears.
I told her “Why are you crying. You don’t have to hide your tears?”
She didn’t want to tell me.
I was getting worried.
I ask my brother what was wrong.
My brother Juan took a deep breath.
He didn’t know how to tell me.
I told him just to tell me, but he said it was too hard for him.
He didn’t look hurt like my sister.
I felt like I was left out.
My brother Juan told me my brother Noe was at the hospital.
I was wondering why, but in the outside some tears came out.
I started to cry and felt the pain that my sister was going through.
I wanted to be with her so we both feel the same pain, but I thought it will be better ffor us to reflect in own way.

"A Friend"

2009-03-29T16:00:00.000-07:00

Marleny Yanez

A friend is like a flower, a beautiful flower, a beautiful rose unleashing its petals to be exact, or maybe a brand new gate that never comes unlatched.
A friend is like an owl, both beautiful and wise, or perhaps a friend is like a ghost, whose spirit never dies.
A friend is a like a heart that grows strong until the end of our lives, or maybe a friend is like a clover hard to find but lucky to keep. Where would we be in this world if we didn’t have a friend?

"The Hideaway"

2009-03-29T15:50:00.000-07:00

Nadia Garcia

Billy’s a boy who likes to play
Billy’s a boy who stays away
From all the rest of the boys and girls
Including the girl with the big red curls
You see when Billy plays
He doesn’t just play
But he goes to a secret hideaway
It’s not in his head.
It is indeed real
That other boys and girls can touch and feel
“The Magical World of Billy Hay”
He laughs and plays in a silly daze
Billy sees past what others can see
Billy sees far more than what things appear to be
Billy sees far more than you and me

"I Wake Up"

2009-03-29T15:38:00.000-07:00

Leo Artiga

I wake up to go to

School then come back

And act like a fool

And next thing you know

I get nothing to do.

But then i go to bed

And I wake up with

A trend and when

I arrive to school I

Figured I have left

My homework in

Bed.

"So Much Luck"

2009-03-29T15:15:00.000-07:00

Brenda Chapa

Tick tock tick tock
Life goes on fast
Thud, thud, thud, thud.
Your blood pumps through
You know you are alive
You just have to hold on.
Not knowing what's going to happen next
You let your life go.
You smoke,
You drink....
As if you don't care what's going to happen next.
Supposely this cures you supposely it helps you.
But you don't know who you're harming.
One step closer to death,
A catastrophe...
You get older and you start to enjoy it more.
As infections such as HIV and Aids start to infect your body.
Why can’t you understand?
Supposedly with that much fun,
Your life seems to get better?
Can’t you understand?
Can’t you just listen?
Can’t you see your body is decaying as of you were a skeleton?
Your skin on your bone so tight, as if you’re anorexic.
Don’t you think that if you just wake up one day you could be dead?
Why are you coughing?
Why do you look so sick?
Didn’t they tell you?
Didn’t you listen?
At least you’ve survived?
Can’t you still understand?
Don’t you why can’t you?
What, must a car knock the sense out of you?
Wait don’t tell me you will still survive that?
Seeing you laying there useless as if you were
A little kid wearing its diapers.
As if you were a kid but instead in the form of an adult.
What about your parents?
Verily affording for your care?
Supposedly they say you may not be the same?
But we all hope you will come back as the same once again.
They just say, they all just think that all you had was luck.
Tick tock tick tock
Your life could be gone.

"Irony"

2009-03-29T15:09:00.000-07:00

Elaine Flores

Silhouette's dance in the morning sky,

City lights glisten, and twinkle as bright stars,

Subtle variations of blue faintly appear,

A mockingbird sings a soothing, melodic chirp

An ocean wave shrinks and fades as it hits the ocean shore,

A flower bloomed after a long, icy winter,

And anyother person was silenced forever and eternity,

Left to die with their dreams,

On that newly green, green grass,

On that beautiful day

"I Don't Want to Leave You"

2009-03-29T15:01:00.000-07:00

Mario Chum

I feel dry I want to touch the sky.
My dreams are in some butterfly.
Time passes by. I don't want to say good bye.
One creepy dream inside I refuse to hide.
My dreams are like some butterfly.
I can't forget the time i cried.
One creepy dream inside I refuse to hide.
I wish i would never wake up with anger.
I can't wait to find my soul mate.
I wish I would never wake up with anger.
My future is almost over
Don't know why.
I can't leave that pretty girl,
So I don't want to die.
I don't know why time passes by.
I don't want to say good bye.
My future is over and don't know why.

"The Bystander"

2009-03-29T14:54:00.000-07:00

Gerardo Garcia

What do I do?

What can I do?

I guess I'll just wait.

It is not fair, the kid wasn't doing anything and he is shorter and weaker than he is.

But he doesn't care.

He is torturing him, pushing him, punching him.

He threw him on the ground and now he is kicking him.

I can't watch... it's too morbid.

I guess I'll just wait.

Wait... he just went away, but the kid did not get up.

On the ground he stayed.

The ambulance came.

What did I do?

What could I have done?

I could have stopped it but I did nothing.

I am a bystander.

"Smiles"

2009-03-29T14:41:00.000-07:00

Ana Reyes

Smiles
Smiles can represent different emotions in different ways.
Smiles are often used when you wake up on your birthday and your whole family is there singing "Las mallanitas" or "Happy Birthday" to you.
Smiles can be real when wanted
Like when your crush looks straight into your eyes and smiles back at you while your heart is beating 100 times harder than normal.
And smiles can be fake when wanted.
Like when when you don't like one of your family members but your mom tells you to smile and be nice.
You smile when it's Christmas morning and you go downstairs to open up your presents and you see a box with your name on it and open it up and see the game you've been waiting since it came out one month before and you run up to your parents and hug them and say "Thanks you're the best!" and they smile back at you with joy.
Smiles can be sad in a difficult way,
Like sadness hiding deep, deep inside of you.
But all I know is that
You smile,
I smile,
And that we all smile.

"2 Faces"

2009-03-29T14:33:00.000-07:00

Jonathon Rodriguez

US TEENAGERS...
IN PUBLIC...
WE FAKE A SMILE,
PRETEND WE ARE OK WHEN WE ARE NOT
LAUGH LIKE THERE IS NO TOMORROW
WE JOKE AROUND
AND WE HAVE TONS OF FUN
BUT THAT IS JUST ON THE OUTSIDE.

IN PRIVATE?
WE LET IT OUT!!!
SCREAM UNTIL THERE IS NO VOICE LEFT IN US.
GO BALLISTIC!!!
UGH!!!!
WE HATE OUR TRIBULATIONS!!!!

IN PUBLIC WE MUST LOOK GOOD!
WE HUG PEOPLE!
WE BEHAVE LIKE HYPOCRITES...
SOMETIMES WE STAY EXPRESSIONLESS...SAVING OUR ENERGY...

SCREAMING?
IN PRIVATE!!!

"Beautiful Flower"

2009-03-29T14:27:00.000-07:00

Evelyn Montiel

Blooms like a sun shining in the sky or when you just all water it brightens your day and makes you smile like a newborn baby. Opens its petals and blooms to see what awaits it. Opens its petals like a newborn butterfly just spreading out of its cocoon and opening to the new world. Describes happiness and joy which can bring a smile to your face by smelling the delicious fragrance running through your nose. A flower is a flower that just opens just for you.

"Hypnotized"

2009-03-29T14:09:00.000-07:00

Rolando Gomez

Hypnotized
The word that comes
To mind when,
I see your eyes
Your lips. They are like magnets
That attracts me right to you. When I see
You, you make me stop thinking, but
You make me start thinking of you as
If you were a beautiful red rose with soft petals.
When you talk to me, you got me
So hypnotized that the only thing I see
Is you brown eyes, I myself sometimes get embarrassed
To talk to a beautiful girl as a
Beautiful butterfly flaps its blue-violet wings in the blue sky.
You hypnotize me to no end, just as there is no end to us.

"Nigerian Princess"

2009-03-26T13:41:00.000-07:00

Unwana Ekpa

I don my offspring iwud--lacy, vibrant scarf wrapping around my head.
"Sine offong! Ini ekem edidaka!"
Mommy yells at the top of her lungs, rushing me to hurry up and get ready to go.
What to wear... what to wear
I choose the pink outfit, but
stares of admiration slip from my eyes.
I can't help it,
falling into this daydream;
this outfit transforms me.
In the midst of the vast, deafening Independence Day festival
looking down at myself brings such glee.
Floating in the embroidered pink lace,
the pattern of the silver vines.
The silky, cloisonne designs
are a clever alternative to gold.
A scalloped edge intertwines the colors: the gentle pinks and the striking silvers and golds,
and finishes my appearance.
How do i look?
Outsides
hating the itchy Nigerian clothing;
insides churning--I do not do my garb justice
Frantically, I search for a mirror
the revealing glass brings tears to my eyes.
Is this me? Me,
black girl whose parents happen to be born in Africa?
Or me,
governor's daughter, niece, something?
Anyone but me.
Whenever mommy wears her Nigerian garb,
she is so blissful.
The stunning queen of her terrain.
Not the Houstonian.
Akwa Ibom royalty.
One who says, "Abadiye! Idioko?"
To her state that knows her so well,
and "Hello! How are you?"
to the outside world who does not.
She represents my country.
Where NEPA frequently turns off the electricity;
where fufu and egusi soup are eaten daily.
And I, fruit of her womb,
I have never felt this pride
until now
though I see it
in her eyes all the time?
Born with innocent embarrassment around my heart,
these clothes make me feel what she feels.
Please to embrace me, Nigeria
simply because
that's who I am.
Nigerian princess.

Poem Title Here

2009-03-26T08:38:00.000-07:00

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2008-10-12T04:36:00.000-07:00

"I am" by Zainab Animashawn

2008-02-19T13:59:00.000-08:00

I am Zainab
I am Zee
I am a change
I am that person that is going to make a chenge in the world
I am an Animashawn
I am giving
I am hopeful
I an that difference in this world
I am caring
I am somebody in this world
I can make a big change
I can help with poverty
I can help with homeless
I can take them off the street
Nothing to do
Nothing to get but
to strive; to strive; to strive
I am that change
I am Zainab
I am Zee
I am a change
I am that person that is going to make a change in this world

"Life" by Jessi Munoz

2008-02-19T13:51:00.000-08:00

What is life?
Is it the fact that you live
Or that you have a heart in your chest
A soul in your body
Amind in your head
Life

Is it bravery in your heart?
Is it the culture in your blood?
The color of your skin?
Color you ask
Yes that's right

Is it the beginning of your roots?
Is it the family you are in?
Is it the money which you hold?
Or is it something more drastic?
Is it the memories that you give?
Is it the love that you share?

Love
that's right love
Is it the pride in your soul?
The dreams that you have
The people that you know
The fact that you're Mexican, Salvadorian, Equdorian, Martianian

Is it the fact that you live?
Or the things that you do
But I do know here today that life is all about...
Taco Bell's Cibatta

"Windows" by Twenewaa Adu-Oppong

2008-01-29T14:37:00.000-08:00

Staring through a snow white window when she's 75
She watches the 14 year old girls converse
fresh, faithful, full of pride
their pure hearts live without damage

Staring at the withering roses
She planted when she was five
She gets a feeling from deep, down below somethings not right
Previously red cheeks are now a fragile pink

How did time disappear in the blink of an eye?
When did her choice of atire go out of style?
How did her age seem to pass by?
When did her wild night outs become passive bingo mornings?

Every day tasks take too much effort
So she thinks'She thinks to those girls enjoy life while you can
Because tomorrow you might wake up and be the one staring out a window
Snow white window when you're 75

"The Risk I took" by Katia G.

2008-01-29T07:22:00.000-08:00

Take the risk
reach for the knob and turn it
The door of oppurtunitires
seek it without doubt
risk it without fear

It's amazing to see those who
cross the bridge of bravery
and walk through that door
The door of oppurtunities
Millions of unpatient eyes stare at me
butterflies squirm in ym stomach
two tiny figures show up
one on each side of my shoulder

The tomatoe like color figure
runs away
Little Miss Sunshine starts dancing
I scream at the top of my lungs!
What should I do? Take a risk?

Take a risk!
There's the open stage
Dance like nobody's watching
Make it look like rage is nothing
compared to that stage you're going
through...

Take the riask
or let it go to waste
the talent that is in you
in this casse
It's about the risk I just took

"Your Angel" by Jennifer V.

2008-01-29T07:12:00.000-08:00

You consider me your best friend, that
someone who doesn;t pretend.
At times it seems as if we are siblings,
laughing at each others funny doings.

Once on your shoulder, I feel secure for
your feelings are so pure.
During the sad times, I hug you to console
your pain to stop your weeping similar to the rain.
In return the things I ask for are not much
but I would like to have them in my clutch

As for your angedl, I wish for your smile to remain
for a while, for the tears to fade and disappear
and for you love to stay pure as a wonderful
white dove.
nIt's not a huge list but if you keep this up
my fondness will hide in the forgetting mist
My heart will surely come apart,
once your affection start to depart.
And thought it's a troublesome thing to bear,
I'll be there waiting with care to share.
I wish to be by your side, so my passion would
never hide.

If you leave me behind, I'll lose my mind.
If you let me lead, my guts will begin to bleed.
Dont worry; I will proceed for you
are all that I need

"She..." byTania Espinosa

2008-01-28T14:58:00.000-08:00

Its her only hope
her open window
her best way to cope
the same reaction as dope
It claims her soul
lifts her up.... and its all right
tight!
She gets high and dozes off into
her own world
thats her best friends
the one who never pretends
it makes her flow
straight out of depth of her
worries, and all her hurries....
But I care for her
Shes the other half, the
missing link of me ......
Ohhh when I stare at her
It kills me, its her sparkling
glare. So don't you dare declare her glare
She declared

"Algebra 1B" Luis Sandoval

2008-01-28T14:43:00.000-08:00

Wondering what people doing across the street
Then sirens go by loud enough to snap me, I
blank out
I stare at Ms. Franklin and she ask me for the answer
I examine deep in my head for the answer
After a short lecture all I hear is "get out"
In fustration I bang my fists onto the desk
I escort myself out with my classwork
Regretting to act a fool with nothing to do just read
and stare at the wall
A messenger is sent by Ms. Franklin for my request
Walking in I get stared at by the rest as the best
nod their head with disgrace

"Its Funny" Krystal Mathis

2008-01-24T14:51:00.000-08:00

Its funny how you
lose your phone when its
off or on vibrate

Its funny how you study
and study but the day of
the test you blank out

Its funny how you forget your things
when you need
them the most

Its funny how you practice
and practice but the day of the game
you break your ankle

Its funny how of all the good deeds
you do, you get recodnized for the
one thing you did wrong.

Its funny how it always
happend to you

"Seasons" Raquel Esquivel

2008-01-24T14:45:00.000-08:00

The coldest time of the year is coming
scarves/sweaters come out
and you are in doubt...
the warmer part of the year is coming
flowers are blooming trees are growing
and so has my love for you...
We have truly become true
the hottest aprt of the year is coming
the swimming pools open and ice cream trucks run
I go away for a month, so far away from home
the perfect time pf the year is coming
the leaves are falling and the water is shifting
I am changin... and I want out'the coldest time of the year is coming
scarves and sweaters come out
they are no longer for you and me to share
and you are once again in doubt

"Learning-Anyone?" Edgar Silvia

2008-01-24T14:37:00.000-08:00

What has happened to our love for learning?
Is it hidden in our binder
or was it thrown away with some of our papers
that we were suppose to keep
since the first day of school?

When we are asked to do something
We say
"Oh sorry but I'm doing my homework"
while we are actually watching TV
or just staring at our blank paper thinking about nothing
just to waste time.

What has happened to us?
When the test comes up.
We detest them so much
that everyone starts memorizing not learning, memorizing the vocabulary just to pass;
It seems we are more scared about strikes. The Big Bad Numbers than our grades.

What happened with our work ethic that
How long does this poem have to be
seems the first question to pop into everyone's mind
instead of "What is a Poem?"
when we are asked to do one.

What has happend to us?
What has happened to us?

"Mi Padre" Saida Sarmiento

2008-01-24T14:28:00.001-08:00

His appearance looks familiar
The same man
who left his daughter preaying
" Dios por favor ayudame pelear contra este dolor"
as the tears of pain poured down her cheek
like the rain from the cloudes

I know his face
but not his heart
I hope no more for
that man to be
my father
"Dios por favor ayudame pelear contra este dolor"
The seed
that once grew has been destroyed
That man will not change
My hopes are
gone
like the seed of
Love
Does he still love me?
"God please help me fight throught this pain"

It could be
but I will probably
share
his love
with five
other kids that
nee
his love like I do.
"Dios por favor ayudame pelear contra este dolor"

"First" by Morris Coleman

2008-01-08T14:30:00.000-08:00

Hesiman.

As the sweat drips from my helmet finally it's time.

Down.
Set.
Hut.

All the words running threw my head. When those words come up, Im ready.

Down.
Set.

No, no no, not now "hut"!

As my legs jam into the ground. Yes, I have the ball. Go, go,go you can make it! My eyes are scannig for the safety. Where is he? Whoa, no, no he is running like a mad dog, running towards me!

Nothing.

He is afraid of me. Good, it will all work now. Sweat is coming down my face into my eyes, The sweat slides from my head to my helmet. OK no there it is again. Legs shaking is how I feel.

Down.
Set.
Hut.
My kick slide, but you still have it. As the wind hits my face the ball graps me like super glue. Run is on my leg pull. Pop another still run. Pop going down like the twin towers. The hall is on me like super glue. Wind is pushing on me and sweat is dropping off. Pop going down. Pain just fight. Pain will go away.

Down strong left.
Hut as the line moves you travel like a car on a straight away, but with a wall in the road. Sweat meets shirt. All came with price. Give your best shot. Sweat dripping eyes as long as lash live.

Football is a sport for a physical person.

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler by Sarfina O

2007-12-22T04:37:00.001-08:00

In the background, the Cajun music pounds on the ears of the true New Orleans--the smell of gumbo, dirty rice, and red beans escape nearby restaurants. Everyone is concentrating on the beads being thrown from the beautifully decorated floated ahead. On the corner of Bourbon Street, my best friend Amalachi, fights for a feathered spear with a crazed reveler. Men and women wearing feathered headpieces and glittery clothing are tossing various objects from their floats. Children go to nearby stands to get their faces painted, and to swipe a few cans of silly string. I try to catch a flashing bracelet, but sadly, I miss.

Yells come from every corner.

“Throw me something!”

“Over here!”

The sky gets dark, but hundreds of people still stretch their hand trying to grasp a piece of plastic jewelry. Homeless people leave their cardboard boxes to join the festivities. I take a quick look at what I have caught—loads of beads, glow sticks, and plastic cigars fill my three grocery bags.

The crowd gets crazier as the sky gets darker. A little boy almost gets run over by a float. Fights break out; policemen break out as well, twirling their batons, fiddling with their mace cans, and flashing their guns. Gates and chains are placed in front of the street to prevent any sudden movements. My necklace glistens in the light of the full moon. The lights in front of restaurants flicker; hunger overwhelms me. It is almost time to go.

With every second that passes, the level of danger increases. Men with sagging pants emerge from their hiding places. Women take their place on street corners and smoke cigarettes. The streets are no longer filled with people by with loads of unwanted beads and Big Mac wrappings.

In the background, the Cajun music pounds on the ears of the true New Orleans.

Theme Mind Map by Chris L and Jerel E

2007-12-14T04:15:00.002-08:00

Mind Map from Sr2

2007-12-14T04:15:00.001-08:00

Mind Map from SR3

2007-12-14T04:14:00.001-08:00

Scary Boys

2007-12-13T18:12:00.001-08:00

"HATE" Franz C.

2007-12-13T14:53:00.001-08:00

I didn't have hate from the start,
learned it and gained a shadow in my heart.
I was young and innocent at the time,
knew no such thing as crime

My father was just walking with me right behind him.
Along comes a man, walks up, and grabs him.
He punches my father swiftly and silently.
Grabs his wallet and runs away very quietly

The smell of beer and blood is all around me,
My father yells of pain and the sounds of his
bone cracking is still inside me.

I'm sad, scared, and confused then
I turn mad as hate pumps in my veins.
After that day I have rage in my heart,
but I will always remember I didn't have
hate from the start

"Simple Society" by Tracy S.

2007-12-13T14:36:00.001-08:00

i look out and see the world in which i live in.
People living in fear of what others are thinking.
They look inside and know it's not them,
but still they feel the need to pretend.
Stereotypers putting people in categories,
Mexican immigrants destined to work in factories.
Growing up with people who have this way of thinking,
constantly in wonder, is this what is to become of me?
Another wetback who's life is controlled by society.
To not get pregnant before I am out of high school that's just not the story.
This is what I've been told since i was young,
this is who I am to become.
No, not me the thoughts going through my head.
I'm going to college to get a degree in English.
'Cause to me life is nothing but a book,
everyone thinks they know what one is,
until they read that one that blows them away.
A book as common as beginning to end,
but what's in between is hand written with pen.
Once done past can't be changed.
You can write a stereotype and easily follow in it's path,
or choose to write a different story,
prove you can't be placed in a category.

"I am a strong star" by Saida S.

2007-12-13T14:30:00.000-08:00

I am the Gold of thesky
Shining bright in the
night, showing my might
I have it
placed in my heart
It is a gift to be a
star
I was a star since
the start
I am a star in which
holds pain and doesn't
let it go.
Once the pain comes out
I become a stronger star.
A stronger star with might to fight
I am a star

"My Past" by Saida S.

2007-12-13T14:26:00.000-08:00

I don't want to go back
to my dark room,
me praying
my heart stopping
my tears pouring
and my soul breaking

"I am a Star" by Esther O.

2007-12-12T09:53:00.000-08:00

You see the sky
and expect to live or die
You feel the wind
and hear the baby cry
I am a star!
and you're a star
wherever you are

The shine of my day
comes from my face
I smile
cause I am a star!
and you can tell from a mile away.

They bring me down from
where I am
They don't know who I am
I remind myself
I am a star!
and nobody can take that away
from my way
I am a star!
I am a star!

"The Star" by John F.

2007-12-12T09:49:00.000-08:00

Shiny and sparkly
on five sides
good as gold
in he sky
Deeper in it goes
brighter it glows
could be hope
or Death
in some way
in the sky
it glows on
forever

"I am a Star" by Felipe S.

2007-12-12T09:45:00.000-08:00

Many kids go to school
some cannot go
I will help them learn
they will have something to look for
at home , in school, in life

School is a priority
we are a pencil
a pencil of dreams
dreams we make happen a pencil that writes
these hopes and dreams
One pencil we are given,
one to spin, to twirl
to uncurl the dreams
of a star,
a star t go far
one STAR to HAVE and to BE,
I am a Star!

"I am a Star" by David L.

2007-12-12T09:37:00.000-08:00

I am a star,
Though I am scared,
I am a black sky,
I still find time,
To love with light

I am that star,
So restless I simply cannot
stop,
Persistence against the pessimism
Continuing with Mercilism

I stand a part from the rest,
With loneliness on I compress
My individuality still stands
Waiting for others to understand

And I will wait
from afar
Waiting for
another star

"Star" by Tony O.

2007-12-12T09:26:00.001-08:00

Parts fly never ending friendship
friends part away now the star
breaks apart,
No one knows where they are
the past is past and the present
is now.
Now space has never ending friends.
I am a part of a
star that doesn't know
where to go I am lost
with no friends
I am a part of a star.

"Haunted House "by Christopher M.

2007-12-05T09:37:00.000-08:00

Fear comes out
like sweat in
seconds

Smoke, shadows,
screams, and
banging walls as you
go through a nightmare

you walk, and hear
but can't watch for
the next move of horror

Ahhh! Without thinking you run until it stop chasing
you and the only thing you can hear is the pounding
but lately do you know that the
horror is just the beginning.

Rosie and the Mockingbird

2007-12-04T09:24:00.000-08:00

"I Am a Star" by Zainab A.

2007-12-04T09:19:00.000-08:00

(in honor of Inge Auerbaucher)

I am a star

I am high up in the sky

above the rest

When my head is held high

high, high in the sky

I am shining, shining in the dark

I am a symbol recognized as light

bright to lead the way over may days

day and day, night and night

I am there even though sometimes you can't see me

I am there

I am a star!

"My Sis and I" by Krystal M.

2007-12-04T09:11:00.000-08:00

Genesis and I don't look like sisters...at least not right away. Not the way you can tell my brother and sister are related. But on the inside, we are more alike than you would know. Our homework strategies for example. We both procrastinate; therefore, we end up staying up late.

One day, our mom went into Walmart, while we waited in the car, looking for a few items. I think in my head, "she will come out with more than she intended to." My sister says my exact thoughts out loud. That moment was like we shared the similar, stereotypical brain.

"Protection Given and Needed" by Saida S.

2007-12-04T09:08:00.001-08:00

No one to care for you. Stuck in this huge, clueless world in which you can't get out of. There is no knowledge to the outside world; how is it to be independent and strong by yourself? I have to protect, protect those who are not strong enough and need protection; my love comes from the pain that is approaching them from the unknown. Protection is what I give and protection is what I need. Who is there to protect me from the pain. as I do to those who need?

"Ruben and the Rain" by Raquel E

2007-12-04T09:01:00.000-08:00

The sound of the soothing, calming rain fascinates us. The continuous rain drops falling hard on the tin roof; rice on an aluminum plate. Everyone in my class likes the rain and up until that day, Ruben was the only one thought to not like the rain, but we were wrong. Ever since that day, every time it rains, we all gather around Ruben.

Ruben who has been in the first grade two times, and talks about his past school years and acts so tough tells us something new. Ruben, who never knows the answer when a teacher asks him a question, and has friends around the whole school, and talks about his past school years, has another past.

That day as we watched the heavy rain all sitting down cross-legged, Ruben joined us. He left the tree that he goes to when it rains andjoined our line at the edge of th concrete basketball court, letting wind blow water to our faces. That Ruben comes, breaks the silence, and say, "My Papa in Heaven makes the rain." We all turn to look at him and see his tears blend in with the rain. Ruben who never knows the answer to a question, and has friends around the whole school, has another past.

"The Blue Tears" by Stephanie O

2007-12-04T09:00:00.001-08:00

The Blue Tears

of the bright eye

cry out loud the soul

of the courageous guy

as his beloved, shiny tears

become the shadow

of his life.

"My Name" by Roberto G

2007-12-04T08:56:00.000-08:00

My name in Spanish means strength and humility. My name a color of beans; it is my dad's Colombian records blasting. My name is like an old, cranky rooster that stands alone, brave and not afraid to speak out.

At school, they say my name American...Bob. But it is better than my sister's name, Jennifer, which is too plain for me. But this is my intented. This name, Roberto, is as rich as my culture. My name stands alone from the rest.

"The Closing Door" by Felipe S.

2007-12-04T07:06:00.000-08:00

I'm off to work, my mom says--loneliness overwhelms me with a cold, sweaty shiver. Slowly by surely, I mature. My parents are divorced; my mom works at two places to help my sister and me. I try my best at school. I have friends, I am ready to be a young man--the absence of my father prevents this, but I try. The two jobs, the ones that limit me from experiences of having a family, do not let my life unfold. I do have a home, school is my home. The place in which my life is focused on. I am am afraid. I don't want to spend all of my life working two jobs like my mom. I want a family. A circle of unity--love.

2007-12-02T05:36:00.000-08:00

"Hairs" by Tania E.

2007-12-02T05:08:00.000-08:00

Everybody in our family has different hair. My dad's hair is like a dry, stiff mop that you stop and look with a glare. And me, my hair is obedient. It always obeys as I command. Mario's hair is thin and straight. He never needs to comb it. Luz' hair is curly--curls in your finders. And Emily, who is the youngest, has hair like a soft teddy bear.

My mom's hair is like cinnamon rolls. Sweet candy circles all curly and fluffy; therefore, she pins them and curls them in pin curls. When she is holding you, holding you and you feel safe it is the warm smell of cinnamon while you bake it, is the smell when she makes space for you on her side of the bed still warm, covered with her smell, and you sleep near her, the wind blowing outside and Daddy snoring. The snoring, the wind and Mom's hair that smells like cinnamon.

"Rears" by Estrella P.

2007-12-02T05:01:00.000-08:00

Everybody in my family has different butt sizes. My papi's butt is flat because he has none; he claims it makes him dance better. And my butt, my butt is small, so small I'm afraid to put on tight jeans. My brother Carlos' butt has a curve that makes it seem big at an angle, but smooth at another. I have envy of my sisters; their butts make a perfect round, not too big rear that no one in my family has.

My mother's end is so cute and small because the black pants she wears makes it seen round, but in a way that you know it is not big. When I wish my rear was bigger, I think of the times I see my mother's pretty end and know its not so bad because I got it from her, better than my dad.

"No Creases" by Morris C.

2007-11-22T05:47:00.001-08:00

One day you wake up and they are there. Ready and waiting to be worn to the big party. They're good for showing off and looking nice. When people see you at the party with the new Jordans, their mouths are going to drop. People are going to say, "nice, cool" all about your shoes.

Shoes, shoes, let's get some shoes, oh my God, shoes.

These shoes rule, oh my God, shoes.

Do not, I mean, do not put creases in your shoes the first week. Also, do not tie your shoes too tight. As you get older it will be hard for you to not put creases in your shoes. Tell the little kids about it, so they can pass it on.

No creases.