I am from…….Structured Poem
This lesson introduces the idea of writing poems. It assists students with providing them with
structured sentences and frames. It also provides the opportunity to express students’ cultural
identity. This lesson can be easily adapted to all levels. (Middle school-high school)
Language Objective: Students will be able to express (define) their identity by writing a poem
using poem template and variety of adjectives and nouns.
Content Objective: Students will be able to decide and evaluate who they are and where they
come from and how their cultural background influences who they are.
Function: Describe location, Describe people, Describe events, Explain, Evaluate, Define
Time: 2-4 class periods
Materials: Structured poem template
Step by step:
1. Warm up activity ideas (Optional): Read to students a sample poem below.
2. Oral practice warm up: Practice with students asking questions and responding with
given structures. Post both questions and sample answers on a poster and practice saying
them with the students.
Teacher: Where are you from? Students respond: I am from _________________.
What kind of a city are you from? Students respond: I am from a beautiful city.
3. Go over adjectives (see a list of adjectives under Vocabulary Lists – ELD tab)
4. Hand out the template for the poem.
5. Have students fill in the template with personal responses.
6. Encourage students to use a few native language words, and ask them to provide a
translation. Words related to food, or holidays sometimes carry more meaning in the native
language, especially if the food or holiday is unique to that student’s culture.
7. Revise, review, edit and ask students to rewrite a final copy of their poem. This can be
typed. Students can also illustrate their poems.
8. Have students present/read their poems to a class, or with partners. (Line up)
9. Post poems around the room.
10. Have students read each other’s poems and create a group poem.
I am from…….Structured Poem Template
I am from _____________ ________________ and ________________ ________________
(adjective)
(place of birth)
(adjective)
(country)
From _______________ ________________ and _________________ _________________
(adjective)
(nature)
(adjective)
(nature)
I am from _____________ ________________ and ________________ ________________
(adjective- smell)
(adjective-feel)
(adjective-taste)
(home, city, church)
From _______________ ________________ and _________________ _________________
(adjective-smell)
(adjective-feel)
(adjective-taste)
(home, city, church)
I am from ____________________ and ___________________ and ___________________
(family habits/activity)
(family habits/activity)
(family habits/activity)
I am from ____________________ and ___________________ and ___________________
(family habits/activity)
(family habits/activity)
(family habits/activity)
I am from ___________________ ____________________’s _________________
(adjective)
(person)
(food item)
And from ___________________ ____________________’s _________________
(adjective)
(person)
(food item)
I am from _________________________ and _________________________
(plant, flower, natural item)
(object in the house)
I am from ____________________ and ___________________ and ___________________
(family habits/activity)
(family habits/activity)
(family habits/activity)
I am from _______________________ and _________________________
(name of a song)
(saying or proverb)
From _______________________ and ______________________________
(holiday)
I am from ______________________
(adjective)
And
______________________
(adjective)
(holiday detail)
_________________________
(family member)
_________________________
(family member)
I am __________________, _____________________, _____________________
(anything)
And __________________ , ______________________, _____________________
(anything)
I am from a big family tree that starts with ______________________and ends with me.
Sample poem - a poem composed by combining several different poems from high school students.
I am from small town and a big world.
I am from bonito Mexico, Aztec pyramids, warm plazas and spicy streets,
From dark tunnels, mysterious callejones and awakening volcanoes.
(bonito- beautiful)
(callejones- narrow streets)
I am from sleepy, quiet, cold and rainy Seaside,
From misty air, sandy beaches, grey skies and hurricane winds.
I am from essence of roses and sweet perfume of mangos,
From the smell of tortillas and the taste of avocados.
I am from stickiness of peaches and aroma of flowering orange trees,
From the smell of the fruits at the market and flowers en la catedral.
(in the cathedral)
I am from my mom’s tasty tacos and my dad’s delicious quesadillas,
From mi abuelita’s tasty tamales and mi tia’s rich mole.
(abuelita- grandma, tia- aunt)
I am from greasy Fultano’s pizza, fried chicken and yummy candy,
From family reunions, quinceañeras, bodas, bautismos and field trips.
(quinceañeras, weddings, baptisms)
I am from running on the streets and playing soccer,
From cherished memories and challenges in life.
I am from Dia de los Muertos and “trick or treating,”
From Christmas and Posadas, and 4th of July and fireworks.
(Day of the Dead)
(Christmas celebrations)
I am from growing up in Seaside, smelling the ocean and remembering mi lindo Mexico,
From being an eagle to being a seagull,
I am from a small town and a big world.
(lindo-beautiful)