Where I’m From
Poem assignment
You are going to write your own “Where I’m From” poem. This poem should be a reflection of the person you
are today based on the experiences you had as a child. Keep in mind where you grew up, the places you have
been, the people in and out of your life, the things you love, your hobbies, activities, etc. Recopy the poem or
type it and decorate it. Be creative. Remember, poems do not have to rhyme.
Where I'm From
By George Ella Lyons
I am from clothespins,
from Clorox and carbon-tetrachloride.
I am from the dirt under the back porch.
(Black, glistening,
it tasted like beets.)
I am from the forsythia bush
the Dutch elm
whose long-gone limbs I remember
as if they were my own.
I'm from fudge and eyeglasses,
from Imogene and Alafair.
I'm from the know-it-alls
and the pass-it-ons,
from Perk up! and Pipe down!
I'm from He restoreth my soul
with a cottonball lamb
and ten verses I can say myself.
I'm from Artemus and Billie's Branch,
fried corn and strong coffee.
From the finger my grandfather lost
to the auger,
the eye my father shut to keep his sight.
Under my bed was a dress box
spilling old pictures,
a sift of lost faces
to drift beneath my dreams.
I am from those moments-snapped before I budded -leaf-fall from the family tree.
I am from…..
“I Am From” Poem Template
Adapted by Levi Romero
Inspired by “Where I’m From” by George Ella Lyon
I am from ___________________________________ (an everyday item in your home)
from ____________________________ and ____________________________ (products or everyday items in your home)
I am from the ___________________________________ (description of your home)
___________________________________ (a detail about your home – a smell, taste, or feel)
I am from the___________________________________ (plant, flower, natural item)
The ___________________________________ (plant or tree near your home)
whose long gone limbs I remember
as if they were my own.
I’m from ____________________________ and ____________________________ (a family tradition and family trait)
from ____________________________ and ____________________________ (family members)
I’m from ____________________________ and ____________________________ (family habits)
and from___________________________________.(family habit)
I’m from ____________________________ and ____________________________ (things you were told as a child)
and ____________________________________ (a song or saying you learned as a child)
I’m from___________________________________ (a family tradition)
I’m from ____________________________ (place of birth) and ____________________________ (family ancestry,
nationality or place)
____________________________ and ____________________________ (family foods)
From ___________________________________ (a story about a family member)
___________________________________ (detail about the story or person)
___________________________________ (description of family mementos, pictures or treasures.)
___________________________________ (location of mementos – under my bed, on the wall, in my heart)
___________________________________________________________________________ (more description if needed)
___________________________________________________________________________ (more description if needed)
By (student name)_____________________________________________________________ Date_____________
Name:_________________________
Where I'm From
Grading Rubric
Meaning and
Originality
Points earned
_____________
Figurative/Symbolic Language
Points earned
_____________
Grammar
Points earned
_____________
Artistic
Creativity/Effort
Points earned
_____________
Exceeding
Standards
25 pts
Exceeding
Standards
Poem is creative
and original. It is
evident that the
poet put thought
into their words
and uniquely
conveyed their
ideas and
emotions.
Exceeding
Standards
Meeting Standards
21 pts
Meeting Standards
Approaching Standards
18 pts
Approaching Standards
Below Standards
15 pts
Below Standards
Poem is thoughtful and
creative. A couple of
phrases or ideas may be
revisited, but the overall
product is carefully
written.
Most of the poem is
creative, but appears to
be rushed. This is evident
in the poet's redundancy
or use of cliches.
Poems appear to be
thoughtless or rushed. Work is
very repetitive, and ideas are
unoriginal.
Meeting Standards
Approaching Standards
Below Standards
Imagery is used
throughout the
poem. The images
make the poem
come alive for the
reader.
Imagery is used in some
of the poem, but does not
extend throughout the
poem.
Imagery is used only once
or twice in the poem.
Exceeding
Standards
Proper use of
English spelling
and grammar is
used consistently
throughout each
poem.
Punctuation is
utilized when
necessary.
Exceeding
Standards
Poem is decorated
artistically and
creatively. Ideas
are original and
unique.
Meeting Standards
Approaching Standards
A couple of spelling or
grammar mistakes are
evident, but do not
diminish the meaning of
the poem. Punctuation is
utilized when necessary.
Meeting Standards
Poem is decorated in
some basic way with
color.
The poet's intended
meaning is confused by
several spelling or
grammar errors.
Punctuation may be
misused.
Approaching Standards
Poem is decorated in
some basic way.
There is no imagery in the
poem.
Below Standards
There are numerous spelling or
grammar errors, making the
poems difficult to understand.
Punctuation is used
incorrectly.
Below Standards
Poem is not decorated.
Notes:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
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