Junior English
Ms. K. Law – 2014
Identity – WHO HAVE I BEEN?
Creating an “I REMEMBER POEM”
After reading, discussing and analyzing “And I Remember” by Afua Cooper, you
are challenged to create your own, specific “I Remember” poem that:
a) Uses REPETITION (repeating words or phrases to emphasize an idea or a
meaning to the audience)
b) Uses IMAGERY (strong, descriptions using creative adjectives to give the
reader a vivid mental picture)
c) Conveys a THEME (a meaning or a main message or a take-away lesson)
Step 1) Brainstorm
On your post-it notes, in
your notebook,
brainstorm a list of 4-6
specific things that you
have vivid memories of
doing from your
childhood. Try to
highlight the VERBS
(action words) that
make up each memory.
Step 2) Writing long off a post-it
Put each of your post-it memories in your notebook on top of one another
on the left hand side of the page. Now, beside each memory, write the
details of your memory. Focus on expanding on the memory giving sights,
sounds, smells, etc. Describe every last detail that you can! Use descriptive
ADJECTIVES.
Step 3) Review & add a summary statement that begins with “I remember
thinking…”
Review your list and descriptions. When you read them, what sort of
childhood experience is being described? Do the memories sound happy?
sad? positive? excited? scared? What do they suggest about your feelings
about growing up and the world around you? After your “writing long off a
post-it” notes, write a statement that begins with “I remember thinking…”
and finish it with a thought you remember having about your childhood or
the world around you.
Step 4) Creating your poem
Choose 3-5 of your memories that you feel are your strongest, best and
most vividly described. These will become the STANZAS of your poem.
Following the structure of our sample poem, use REPETITION and IMAGERY
(remember your verbs and adjectives) to begin to create your poem! End
with your “I remember thinking” statement.
Step 5) Editing your draft
Go through and read your draft! What words or phrases could you add,
remove, move or substitute to make your work stronger and more
descriptive? Have Ms. Law read your draft and give you some feedback!
(must get an initial)
Step 6) The Good Copy!
Neatly, write out your finished copy on blank paper! From your words,
create your memory visual, from the brain handout! (Ms. Law will
demonstrate!)