Memory+Poem



=Memory Poem =

Write a poem of at least 50 lines (including the refrain, but don’t use the refrain more than three per 50 lines) that reflects the past 12 years. A way to s__tart this assignment is with a prewriting list that compiles the most salient (important) memories of your past__.

50 lines sounds like a lot, but most people end up with 75 or more. If you have a three-line refrain and use it 3 times, that is already 9 lines. Four lines about each grade level, not counting kindergarten = 48 lines.

Have fun with this. Create something of meaning. Some students choose to be serious; others choose to mix the humorous with the serious. You do not have to share this with anyone. It is as private as you want it to be.

The list may look like this: --Was afraid to start kindergarten --Mom gave me a Ninja Turtles book bag to carry the first day --Got in trouble at recess and had to stand in on the line with Kari and Billy --Loved my third grade teacher who read us //Charlotte’s Web// --Grandpa Ed died and went to heaven my mom said --Tried out for cheerleader in the sixth grade and didn’t make it --Broke my arm by falling off my bike --Dad moved out when I was in seventh grade --Started to love math in fifth grade --Fell in love with the guy who sat next to me in biology --Sneaked out the basement window with Marti and went cruising

Try to use concrete images in your list: a new red shiny bike; dyed my hair platinum blonde, for instance. (Look at the sample poems online.) Come up with a refrain such as this: “Memories from my past slip into my mind Remembering….”

You may substitute your own refrain or use mine. Place it in your poem at key places. Do not overuse it. You are encouraged to make your poem individualized and unique. This is a free verse poem due to its nature. ** Do not worry about rhyme **. Free verse poems do not rhyme. Try to eliminate excessive wording after you have written it. Go back over it and cut words that make the lines too long. Compress your lines as much as possible. I will show you some examples of how to do this. Make sure that you carefully edit this.

=**__Poem is at least 48-50 lines and reflects student’s past__; the poem is a**= __Poem uses clear, concrete images of specific experiences__: lots of specific references to people, events, and experiences are included. Original language; interesting images. **__Effort has been made to make this look like a poem__. Lines are similar in**
 * Grading Focus **
 * balanced treatment of the past 12 years. **
 * length and structure. The refrain is placed to indicate shifts in time or **
 * experience. Refrain was used enough to tie memories together but **
 * without becoming excessive. Poem used compressed lines and line **
 * breaks were selected with deliberation and care. **

Submit both draft and final to turnitin.com **