Welcome Back

This is my third year at Charles Kozminski Academy and starting off as one of the best. I am teaching 2nd Graders (Sims), 4th Graders (Forsell) and 8th Graders (Collins-Jones). What I find very interesting is the level of interest and enthusiasm with the students. Going into my third week I am excited about the school year and since this is MY ELEMENTARY school (Class of 1982), its a great feeling to have such support from the front office staff, Mr.Bordelon and Ms. Ruge, the MCLT. So far, I do have to stay that the classes are flowing well.

The first two weeks focused on Eloise Greenfield's (I Remember and By Myself) poetry along with Maya Angelou (Still I Rise) and some memory poems. This week's poem will be poems using Imagination.

Here are some samples from classes thus far:

I Am
Iesha W.
(Collins-Jones, 8th Grade)

I am a black mixed girl.
I am a good singer.
I am a black thick girl.
I am an independent girl.
I am bossy.
I am sweet as a rose.
I am mean sometimes.
I am a worshipper.
I am the type of girl that likes it my way, or no way.
I am a leader.
I am miss lady.

I Am
Rashida B.
(Collins-Jones, 8th Grade)

I am lyrically right in this world of song.
I'm never wrong.
I'm a blessing to life, who light shines bright.
I'm always right.
I'm a beat that flows all day long.
I'm never wrong.


As I Rise
Briana B.
(Forsell - 4th grade)

As I am stepping on the hill
I rise with the sun
The sun is reddish yellowish
I didn't know what it was
I was scared because it is big
I didn't know what it was...

I Rise From Art
Yazi F.
(Forsell - 4th grade)

I used to be so bad at art
I did not like that but I got better at it
I see now I rised
Now I can enjoy my self
I can draw what I feel
No one can stop me
from believing myself
So just back up....
because I have risen

Memories from Ms. Sims class:

I Remember
Tiffany S.

I remember that I was walking to the park
I remember that me and my little sister...
I remember that I was a little baby.

I Remember
Joshua H.

I remember my girlfriend Brianna.
I remember my toys.

I Remember
Trevone K.

I remember when my snake bit me
but it did not hurt
I began to get sleepy for a little bit
but for my Mom that was a bit

Please check back for more fabulous poetry by the students at Charles Kozminski Academy!

Pam Osbey
Artist In Resident
Poetry Center of Chicago