As a literary extension of our Caribbean Social Studies Unit in fifth grade we read a poem by Puerto Rican poet Aurora Levins Morales. Students were assessed in many ways throughout the four lessons we spent with the poem. On day one, we read together as a choral reading. On day two, students made posters where they cut out sections the poem and titled each part according to meaning. They drew an illustration for each section. They were assessed on reading comprehension and ability to summarize. On day three, students re read the poem chorally and wrote their own I am a Child Of poems, filling in blank spots I deleted from the text with their own information. I assessed writing clarity and  work ethic. Many students wanted to take their poems home to work on them. Even more wanted to read them aloud to the whole class! We decided to work on some to include in our culminating event. We practiced public speaking. On the last day during the social studies celebration five students read their I am a Child Of poems aloud to the third grade class as well as family visitors. They were assessed on public speaking. Through this close reading, I gave many different abilities an opportunity to shine.

Child of The Americas

by Jasmine

I am a child of the World

A child of many diaspora born into this continent at a crossroads   

I am an islander warm and cold

A peaceful daughter of a calm family                                                     

My other language is French

The language of croissants and corn              

The singing of poetry the dance of my feet                                             

I am of culture                                                                                            

I speak from that language

I am not Indian

I am not African

I am not Guatemalan

I am confident. History made me.

I was born at the Hospital and I am TALENTED.

 Child of The Americas

by Eli

I’m  a child of the Americas

A child of many diasporas born into this continent at a crossroads

I’m  a dark skin native American

An Indian

Of all Indians

I speak Algonquin with passion it’s the tongue of my consciousness the tool of my craft  the ripples from tongue

My other language is African the language of mangoes and green beans the singing poetry of my running legs

I’m am from the Americas

I speak from that country

I’m not Italian I’m not French I’m not Japanese

I am Eli Roberts

history made me

my first language was Indian

I was born at the crossroads and I am different