Re: [ncte-middle] This tragedy & your students' poems

[Apples1996@aol.com]

I will never forget September 11, 2001, and I am sure my students will not
either for now they know they have become part of a tragic moment that
will be forever remembered in history.  I wanted to do something that my
students could contribute to without expecting some monetary amount from
them, so I had my students create this poem.  As each bell came into class
the following day, I had them get into groups of six.  Each group created
a sentence about their thoughts or emotions after the tragedy.  I had them
use white sentence strips to write on and asked them to write the words in
blue and red.  As they completed their sentences we put them on the wall
in an order we thought they sounded the best.  Each bell thereafter was
able to read the previous sentences, and create six more to plug in where
they thought they fit best.  By the end of the day they had created a
wonderful poem.  They are very proud of the poem because it was not
created in one class, but it is a combined effort of four different
classes with different thoughts and emotions that they felt at the time.  
It was not created by the "brighter" students but by all of my students.  
It showed that everyone has feelings and thoughts that are valuable to
people in the classroom as well as needed by others around the country.

I know they would love to see their work displayed in the next issue.  I
teach eighth grade American History, but I am certified English.  We have
already decided to enlarge the poem to poster sign and have the students
sign their names around the words.  We are sending a copy to the White
House, and we are currently looking for middle schools in New York and
Washington to share our words of hope with so that they may know they are
not alone.

Our school also had the students trace their hands and write words of hope
on them and joined them around the walls up and down the hallways as a
sign of unity.  Another teacher in the building had that wonderful idea.

Americans + Terrorists = Solidarity and Unity In Our Country

The twin towers that stood tall no longer stand at all.
Lives were shattered, tears were shed, hearts were broken, and we feel 
emotions of red.
We will be here today, we will be here tomorrow, and we will stand strong 
with hearts filled with sorrow.
Symbols of freedom were always here, now surrounded with innocent faces full 
of fear.
Tears and fears of the Americans under attack
What the terrorists did was wrong, but keep calm and stay strong.
Hatred and revenge is coming their direction.
Unexpectedly our lives were changed because of their jealousy and rage.
The terrorists can't hide from the red, white and blue pride.
State to state, city to city-America the great has always had freedom.
Loss of loved ones creating portraits of memories.
Many tears flooded streams of love September 11th for all those who suffered 
pain.
Fear and sadness run through our hearts.
We lost our loved ones, but we can't change what has been done.
After many years the towers fall to the ground.
As a result, many loved ones will never be found.  
Why did it take one strike of hate that took so many innocent lives to bring 
us as one to fight for our peace and freedom?
Red, white, and blue, what do they mean to you?  Freedom, Independence, and 
Perseverance
Terror won't break the spirit of our freedom.
Freedom rings loud over and over each day.
Events of that day are still a mystery, but THAT day will go down in history.
We must remember that United We Stand Divided We Fall.
One nation under God we stand strong, free, and proud.

This poem is the creation of the eighth grade Blackhawk team at R. A.
Jones Middle School in Florence, KY.  My God watch over and bless everyone
of us through our time of grief.

I was in the Army for five years, and I was in during Desert Storm.  My
hopes and prays also with the soldiers who will be embarking on one of our
most difficult journeys of our time.

Sharon Williams
Eighth grade American History
R. A. Jones Middle School
Florence, KY 41042