Update from Sally– October 24, 2006

I borrowed Allison’s idea of asking students to write me a letter today. We read Langston Hughes’ poem, “Dear Mama,” which was a good example of how you can convey a lot of information about a person in a short letter. Also, since Hughes often uses everyday speech in his poems, I used this as an opportunity to discuss the difference between the vernacular or Ebonics and standard English. The students call their vernacular, “Ghetto,” but I said there were additional ways to refer to that mode of talking.

I gave them the choice of writing about themselves in any way they wanted to, but as a prompt, we had a discussion about how they fit into their families. I asked how many were oldest children, in the middle or the babies. Then we talked about the advantages and disadvantages of all the positions. I got a wide range of written responses.

Charisma, Grade 7

I have three sisters and two brothers. I have almost gone crazy because they were all screaming. I am the oldest of all my sisters and brothers. When my Mom wants to leave or has to leave, I have to watch all my sisters and brothers. My sisters are 3, 5 and 12. My brother is 1 years old, talks like he’s 5 and acts like 10.

Sometimes if I treat them bad they will all jump me and kick me and stump me. When we play we play but when someone cries that is when I stop playing. I have to change my little brother’s diaper when I am at home and it needs changing. I have to wash the dishes every night after dinner. You may think this is hard. Well, it is then I have to do my homework and we sometimes have a lot of homework.

Jamaul, Grade 7

I love it
I love it
It’s the best there ever is
I love it I love it
you should see how it is:

No trouble
No punishment
No yelling at
No staying home
me! always gone
Never alone
No dishes
No broom
No duster
No tile
No toilet scrubber
No making beds
I live happily
why
cause I’m the baby of the family
______________________________________

After last week’s 7th grade class, I printed up three examples of student writing on the floral paper in the bookshelf and pinned them up in the hallway. I will do a group each week until there are examples of writing from every student displayed.

yours,
Sally