The Lovett Middle School: A 21st C. Learning Community » Space

Space 2008 Issue 2: Building a Community of Writers

msresourcenetwork — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:05:49 +0000

Don’t take me away…
Please.
It’s my only place
to forget the past,
and move on…
Just THAT place.
That SINGLE place.
That each and everyday,
creates a new
shining star,
and a silver turning point,
in my life.

-From My Shining Star, Giselle 8th Grade Maryland

The words unfold, the images stir, the ideas and thoughts and dreams of students across the United States pour onto the pages of Space 2008 Issue 2.

Please read and reflect on the writing of students from Lovett and these other schools, and leave your comments for them here on this post. You can reference their writing (title of work, author) and they will come read and comment back here.

Enjoy!

I Am From

msresourcenetwork — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:36:10 +0000

I am from organized chaos
From brightness even at night when the moon shines through the window
From a place of solitude and freedom that I can retreat to in times of turmoil
And where my memories are all around me
I am from home-

I am from colorful outside toys strewn everywhere
From the shouts of my brothers and their friends echoing through the cul de sac
From the smell of just blossoming honeysuckles
And the wind whistling through the leaves

I am from the gold dome of the capital building
From the home of the Braves
From a place to have a block party with friends and neighbors
And where ya’ll isn’t slang but a way of life

I am from the home of the brave
From the country where the people decide
From a place where liberty and justice are real
And people are free to speak their minds

I am from deep roots in northern Europe
From the struggle to find a better way of life
From farmers, engravers and jewelry makers
And an example that hard work and determination pay off!

I am from a place without war, pollution and injustice
From a world where no one lives in fear
From cool tropical breezes on the beach
And the sound of the crashing waves on the shore
I am from Home

-Hope B., 8th Grade, The Lovett School

I Am From

msresourcenetwork — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:32:14 +0000

I am from flickering candles
From swirling colors of bright blue and green
From photos of places I’ve been
And loud music blasting from speakers

I am from a cottage in the woods
From bright colors of the flowers sprouting
From where two dogs run here and there
And open welcoming arms of family greet you

I am from flashy cars
From shopping malls
From mega-mansions
And people living the high life

I am from the Land of the “Free”
From a history of sadness and discrimination
From backyard cook-outs for the whole neighborhood
And the land of opportunities

I am from beating drums
From trails of tears
From not wasting a thing
And becoming one with the Earth

I am from paintbrush swooping the snowy tops of the mountains
From flashes of cameras capturing a moment of peace
From where the world becomes one someday soon
I am from home.

-Katie A., 8th Grade, The Lovett School

I Am From

msresourcenetwork — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:24:46 +0000

I am from music blasting from speakers,
From piles of shirts, shorts, socks, and sneakers
From every wall, you see a picture
And laughs and memories are within these mixtures

I am from a room, a house, a home
From a yard where people stroll about, a yard where dogs roam
From the hissing of skates on the gray, cement pavement
And a family of long-living lives is spent

I am from the big state of the famous peach
From the Lovett School, where teachers teach
From the city also known as the “ATL”
And “being chill” is what we do well

I am from the red, the white, and the blue
From the freedom that’s marked on me like a tattoo
From Mount Rushmore where four heads are stoned
And three unknown soldiers are respected but unknown

I am from a big, happy family
From a large but loving family tree
From a German to European and even a French man
And the list goes on, and on, and on, and…

I am from a love and passion of art
From music to painting and acting in my heart
From a wish to become a musician some day
And from this I must say,
From a fondness of my house, my state, my land,
And of all of this, I understand,

I am from home.

-Besty P., 8th Grade, The Lovett School

I Am From

msresourcenetwork — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:17:29 +0000

I am from games all over the floor,
From Xbox and Connect Four,
From Monopoly, Money and Sorry,
And my homework done in a hurry.

I am from a two story brick built home.
From a garden filled with flowers from Rome,
From kids playing on the yard,
And a tight security door guard.

I am from Waffle House and Chick-fil-A,
From Coca Cola every single day,
From the cars all covered in pollen,
And trees with leaves that have hardly fallen.

I am from the red, white, and blue,
From the president and his crew,
From Lady Liberty standing tall,
And the great American sport, football.

I am from struggles in Brazil,
From dreams that must be fulfilled,
From the blazing heat in Ecuador,
And independence from conquistadors.

I am from a soccer gifted family,
From soccer practice daily,
From dreaming to be on that stadium field,
And scoring the goal to keep the game sealed.

I am from home.

-Marcos S., 8th Grade, The Lovett School

I Am From

msresourcenetwork — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:02:02 +0000

I am from rays of morning light glistening off of the walls and couches
From the quiet pitter-patter of animals on the hard, wooden floor
From the hypnotizing aroma of dinner wafting through the air
And the comforting heat of the new, glowing fire
I am from home – chaotic, comforting, and serene

I am from a beige castle hidden amongst the trees
From orchestras of birds and cicadas
From curving and cracking pavement
From a cold pool and a wet dog
And grass that never seems to grow

I am from endless skyscrapers and nonstop peaches
From lions of blue and white
From dusty roads and polo fields
From comfort food, a local addiction
And neighbors who stay closer than family

I am from fifty stars and thirteen stripes
From amber waves of grain
From Washington, and Jefferson, and Lincoln
From football and baseball, two true national pastimes
And equality and diversity through thick and thin

I am from the shores of Portugal and the shores of home
From the strong-minded and the strong-bodied
From the most independent and proud of people
From broad smiles and glasses half full
And where honesty is second to none

I hope for bright, careless mornings
From peace that will last and air that is clean
From justice for all, no matter the costs
From family and loyalty
And faith
I am from home.

-Grant F., 8th Grade, The Lovett School

Become Free

msresourcenetwork — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:00:18 +0000

Sometimes I want to soar like a silver tipped bird into a silky blue sky, singing with the soft sounds of the wind.

Echoes ring in my ears, the sweet sound of my destiny that is to follow.

I’d like to spread my wings to the farthest gates of the earth, pushing off this dry land in escape from this path I have taken too long.

I will wander into a land of bliss looking into the future for hope and contemplating my past mistakes, a haze that hangs in my eyes.

I will roam the skies with all my might and everything will flow seamlessly together.

I will fly to the beat of the wind and the birds will be my orchestra.

I will spread my wings into a canvas of time and become free.

-Suzannah T., 7th Grade, The Lovett School

The Writer in Me: Youth Twitter

msresourcenetwork — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:56:27 +0000

Spring means new growth, and looking around it is exciting to see the flowering trees and shrubs- especially the chartreuse fuzz on the boxwoods by my front door. My children asked me the other day what that chartreuse green was all about…they thought something was “wrong”. No, nothing wrong at all-just emerging growth that likes to shout that something is “new” around here.

The boxwoods are not the only things demonstrating growth. LeeAnn Emerson, our middle school English department chair, has told me all year “Just wait until spring; you won’t believe what happens with student writing.” And, she could not have been more right. The work I see on line and coming across my desk–either “required” by teachers as an assignment or passionately offered “just because”–is impressive. New growth is evident, growth that is building on years of work before and exhibiting leaps and bounds this year.

In the upcoming posts I will highlight some of the student writing that has been shared with me. Some of it will be from the student blogs, and others will be pieces that are not published…yet. Beginning today, the Lovett Middle School will officially become part of the Youth Twitter “movement” and contributors to “Space”. My friend George Mayo and a Twitter friend Paul Allison have launched Youth Twitter and Space to create community and a digital home for creative students. Be it photography, poetry, short stories, essays, or digital storytellings, students now have a safe and encouraging community–shepherded by teachers–to share their work.

The first submissions to Space follow. Look for the current issue of Space to be released later today, and our Lovett students to proudly share their “new growth.” Let them know, with your comments here and hugs face to face, that we too are proud of them

Congratulations!