Write an I am poem. Chose one of the following versions.

Complete this poem

and put finished copy into your English portfolio. Remember to record it in the
table of contents.

I Am. (version 1)
Line:
#1 I am
#2 Three nouns about which you have strong feelings. Begin each with a
capital letter.
#3 A complete sentence about two thing that you like.
#4, 5, 6 Three nouns that describe what you like to see in other people: end
with are important to me. Capitalize each noun
#7 A sentence containing a positive thought or feeling. It can tell what you find
acceptable or nice about yourself
#8,9 Sentence in which you show something negative in yourself or others,
however the sentence must end by showing that out of something BAD can
become GOOD. Use the word but to link the bad and good.
#10, 11, 12 Each line is a short sentence relating something about which you
have strong feelings- likes or dislikes. They do not have to relate to each other
or to the previous lines you have written.
#13 End with This is me or I am.
Student examples:
I am
Life, Hope, Living
I care very much about the world and life on it.
Honesty is important to me.
Optimism is important to me.
Unselfishness is important to me.
Hospitality is a good thing.
Meanness is bad, but can be good to get people off your back.
The world is getting weaker.
The longer the day the more beautiful they are.
People are too negative.
This is me.

I Am. (version 2)
I am (two special characteristics)
I wonder (something you are actually curious about)
I hear (an imaginary sound)
I see (an imaginary sight)
I want (an actual desire)
I am (the first line of the poem restated)

I pretend (something you can pretend to do)

I feel (a feeling about something)
I touch (an imaginary touch)
I worry (something that really bothers you)
I cry (something that makes you sad)
I am (the first line of the poem repeated)

I understand (something you know is true)

I say (something you believe in)
I dream (something you dream about)
I try (something you make an effort about)
I hope (something you hope for)
I am (the first line of the poem repeated)

Read the poems below and chose your favorite line. Discuss why this line stood out for you
particularly. Then write at least 5 stanzas with 4 lines each, or 5 stanzas with 3 lines about where
you are from, just like the examples.

Where I Am From

Where Im From

I am from get-togethers and Bar-B-Ques

K-Mart special with matching shoes.
Baseball bats and BB guns,
a violent family is where Im from.

I am from sweaty pink tights and bobby pins

Winnie-the-Pooh
And crystals.

I am from get it girl

And shake it to the ground
From a strict dad named Lump
sayin' sit yo fass self down.
I am from the smell of soul food
Cooking in Lelinnas kitchen.
From my Pampas war stories
to my grannys cotton pickin.
I am from Kunta Kintes strength,
Harriet Tubmans escapes.
Phyllis Wheatleys poems,
and Sojourner Truths faith.
If you did family research
And dug deep into my genes,
Youll find Sammi and Ora, Genny and Doc,
that's where I am from.

I am from awapuhi ginger

sweet fields of sugar cane
green bananas.
I am from warm rain cascading over
taro leaf umbrellas
crouching beneath the shield of kalo.
I am poke, brie cheese, mango and
raspberries
from Marguritte
and Aunty Nani.
I am from speak your mind,
it's okay to cry
and how can I help?
I am from those moments of magic
when life hums your soul
and life remains a fairy tale.