Student Poems

As the year comes to a close, I wanted to give my students a create way to reflect on their first year of middle school. Their assignment was to write a poem that captured their year. One requirement was that it be an extended metaphor. I showed them some examples, including a little piece from Shakespeare:

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players;

They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts.”

-Shakespeare’s As You Like It

We also watched Katie Perry's "Firework" and looked at her use of an extended metaphor in the song. That's all the inspiration they needed. Below are some of the poems written by my students. These are first drafts, untouched by me.

My 7th grade year was a jungle.

I staggered through the vines, tripping at every turn.

It became easier, but it was hard to adjust.

Running, panicking, something was chasing me into the dark caverns of math class.

Piles and piles of horrid paper flooded my way,

making it hard to breathe.

I almost gave up, numbers and letters telling whether or not I would pass or fail my journey.

But as I entered the joy of history class things became chaotic.

Screams and roars, fill the air around me as we venture through the year,

and teachers screech and throw obstacles from every which way.   

I’m struggling, but I can see the end.

As I run to the freedom that awaits me, I am swallowed once again.

The numbers and letters are back but are much more aggressive and intimidating.

I learn to control them, and a sudden clearing appears.

I have made it out, my life ever more complete than before.

Alex W.

My 7th grader year was like the ocean.

I began with pale, white skin, untouched by influential people.

The water was cold, waves smacking my legs.

I almost stepped out of the water but decided to keep pushing through deeper into the ocean

Eventually I got used to the water, no longer feeling cold to me

Once I thought everything was okay, a huge wave toppled over me, submerging me

I was in pain, struggling to get air

Right before giving up, a hand comes and reaches down for me, pulling me above sea level, saving me.

I was no longer alone in this

I was surrounded by people that I now love

I love them for saving me, for warning me for the oncoming waves

The water is now smooth again

As I walk out of the water after a long adventure of ups and downs

My skin is golden, kissed by the sun

I am victorious.

by Taylor N


End of the Year Poem
This school year was a solar system,
intimidating at first but rewarding in the end.
We are separated by hundreds of miles,
yet our goals are ultimately the same.
The sun our futures, shining bright.
Us the planets, orbiting the sun.
Around and around and around we go.
The asteroids present challenges,
trying to knock us off our path.
Stars are your teachers, lighting up the dark,
creating a path to follow.
The vastness of space our potential,
infinitely extending in all directions.
Conquering time and space is a daunting task,
however we get through it in anyway possible.
The concept of space is confusing and mysterious,
but somehow people managed to grasp it.
This new year seemed confusing and mysterious at first too,
but somehow we made it through.
This year was a solar system and the future is bright.
The possibilities are endless for us,

much like the universe we are limitless too

by Sophie P



My seventh grade English class was a neighborhood bookshop. Warmed by the faces of returning 
customers, my classmates. Everyone is remembered by the women who runs the shop
and the show. Mrs. Karney.
She knows how they walk, talk, act, and their fascinating interests.
The novels contain needed knowledge presented in an exciting way.
The stress of reading a book before the movie is the pressure of completing piles homework 
My spicy,hot drink is my love for reading and writing,
Always giving me the energy to persevere through challenging situations.
As time goes on and the year comes to a close, the bookshop begins to age.
The candles burn down and children check­out.
The owners fear of being forgotten, all the hard work put into new situations. However the constant 
opening and closing hours are a continuous routine. As children become adolescents
Adolescent, teens
And teens adults

Everyone will remember their time spent at the neighboring bookshop

Kayla R.