Historical Poetry - 5th Period

EDITORS NOTE: The following poems were written by the students of Mrs. Taylor's 12th grade English Class, Period 5. The assignment was to write a poem that MAY one day be used as an original historical document. The assignment parameters were that the facts the poems are based on must be independently verifiable, and the historical significance can be personal or social. Any style was acceptable. I have edited for spelling only, and any errors remaining were at the request of the individual author. Appearance of the poems here constitutes first publication, and all authors retain all rights to the individual works. Matthew E. Forman

Rugby Poem by Brad Puckett

So powerful and great
You have to be aggressive and strong
Striving for the plate
We can play all day long.

Running down the field
Fast, swift, untouchable.
Don't even need a shield
We are unbeatable.

Now in the try zone
Sliding to place the ball
Now look...then gone
We score without a fall.

First place is really fun position
The opponents would pay a ton to be in our position.
-------
Untitled by Justin M.

I was watching the TV
And on came the news.
This guy jacked an airplane
Like he was drunk on booze.
He hit the twin towers
And caused a big scene.
The passenger of the plane
Was very very mean.
---------
Untitled by Matt Williams

My life has been wonderful over the past few weeks.
Since you came into my black and white mind things have grown color.
Love is a strong word but when directed toward you it's
Weak my feeling for you make tremble, and shake.
I'm not scared it's a feeling that I have never felt until
You came and brought color into my world.
I left my ignorant ways behind all the bad people and bad
Things I have done mean nothing anymore.
All that matters is your and me, not what I used to do with my old crew.
I guess it's true what they say the good prevail because
Since I left that world behind I came upon your trail
Life is beautiful in full color; you without me is like the
Flag with no stripes.
-------
Poem by Cody Messick

I was sitting there
Not paying attention
Just in my chair
Trying to achieve levitation.

Then like a flash
The principal called.
Told us to turn on the TV on quickly like a splash.
When my teacher had seen what had happened she bawled.

It was such a devastating thing
To see such a horrid sight.
The flames were as orange as Tang.
The terrorists acted as if they had much might.

I will remember this day always
For it is permanent in my brain waves.
---------
9/11 by Kayla Womick

Horror strikes when you least expect it.
In the blink of an eye everything can change.
You could see the thick black smoke,
But it was not over yet.
Again you hear another boom,
And look to see that now the second one was hit too.
Many deaths occurred, but none greater than the other.
Husbands and wives, sons and daughters, moms and dads,
All lost by this tragic unseen event.
It's a day of remembrance.
A day that saddens many
And reminds them of their losses.
This tragic day will be remembered for years to come.
It's a day that hit so many, so close to the heart.
--------
The Night Before Christmas Retold by Michael Palmer

It Twas the night before Christmas at the Palmers' house
Mother was asleep, and so was her spouse
There I lay in my bed, pretendint to sleep
Counting snores, instead of sheep
Hearing the sounds, from inside their room
"It must be safe!" I quickly assumed.
Slow and steady, wins the race
However, I picked up the pace
My door creaked, like a tree in a storm
While the choir in the floor, began to perform
Reassuring snores, from the room next door
As I slid along, the hardwood floor
The lights from the tree had shown the way
O how long I waited for this day!
The aroma of gift wrapping filled my nose
Just like a burger from Fat Moe's
A bright red box caught my eye
Bows and ribbons on it were tied
It must be good I thought to myself
It could have been made by an elf!
Toys R Us or an elf I didn't care
Just be sure that the maker beware
Halfway in, or almost done
My dad walked in with his gun
Scared me to death I almost cried
Christmas Eve I almost died
-------
Poem by Leslie Cope

My days used to be so bright
Everything had color, everything had light
Now I feel my lights growing dim
I have a feeling I'm going in.

Those lights that shone bright? Artificial.
Turns out the loved ones in my life are superficial.
Constantly lied to, constantly torn
Nothing had any value, nothing to adorn.

No one wishes to be part of the new family "statistic"
I wish on no one to feel the feeling of constant sick.
Society's "dream" is now forever corrupt.
What can people do to make this up?

Should teh dreams of future families perish?
Should everything just be thrown away and not cherished?
I will not be influenced of what I've witnessed.
I will grow up in life being shameless.
--------
Untitled by Quentin Beckwith

My grandpa died when I was ten.
He meant more to me than anyone knew.
He lived his life to better others.
Never thinking about himself.
So when that dreadful day came,
Christmas Eve ended in shame.
-------
Four or Five by Ali Gadd

It was early December,
She was fourteen years old.
Happy and playful,
"This is strange," I was told.

She was normally distant,
Not very nice.
It was her calico nature,
So it would have to suffice.

A few days later,
She began to bleed.
We thought she'd got a mouse,
It was her nature to feed.

The blood went away
So we thought she was fine.
A few days before Christmas,
Blood again I would find.

She became very weak,
She could barely walk.
More and more frequently,
She would painfully talk.

It's now Christmas Eve,
We know the end is coming.
While lying on the floor,
She slowly begins coughing.

It's now Christmas Day,
A time of joy.
Still lying on the floor,
She looks more like a toy.

A cat has nine lives,
But we believe this is a lie.
But before she finally left,
She had four or five.
-------
Untitled by Kalee Stefanski

My last pep rally was the best
My last time cheering "RHS"
Now I'll be yelling "let's go big blue"
Because that's the next step - "MTSU"

It's time to turn in the red and gold
Blue and white I will now hold.
This last pep rally is kind of goodbye.
On to a new path, my hopes are high.
--------
Personal Oregon Trail by Morgan Neal

I wasn't exactly part of the Oregon trail
But the same destination was in common
I didn't realize the long drive that would entail
Across the country I had never been, that journey was
about to begin.

We waved West Virginia good bye
And were headed for a new life
I said farewell to friends with a sigh
The homesick feeling cut me like a sharp knife.

Yet another move for the Neal clan
Anxious for the new year, in a new place
U-haul, dogs, and belongings were in the caravan
The fear and excitement of the move was written all
over our face.
---------
Historical Poem by Courtney Rogers

February 14, 2009
Recent date never will I forget.
Wake up to the now familiar site of an empty hotel room.
What the day was to bring I already new.
"Pack your things," so they said to me.
Driving home one last time.
"Do you need any help or extra bags for your things?" my father inquires.
Not the words I was looking for by a long shot.
"You know this is it, there's no coming back after you're gone."
Toothbrush, coat, a blanket or two, and of course my stuffed animal.
"Yeah, that's just about all of it," I reassure myself.
Step mom won't look. Dad won't speak.
Holding back those stubborn tears on last time.
No weakness in sight, just one angry & resentful 18 year old.
Silent hug to my father, & that was the end of it.
Driving away I take one last look...
At all I'd ever known, & all I'd ever regret.
Those silent farewells leave scars,
But that's just another weakness I shall never show.
-------
Standing Strong by Corey Crunk

It was a horrific day for the United States.
Warnings had gone ignored. Early in the morning,
near the time school had begun,
the first of the damage had been done.
The al-Quida had hit us hard, but even in the middle
of the tragedy, heroes had emerged. Damage
was done, lives were lost, but
our country had stood strong.
-------
The Two Towers and The War by Elliot Ralston

The president calls for war,
our military prepares to destroy.
Brave soldiers fight into the bloody gore;
They live men's lives even though they are boys.

To seek revenge of lives taken,
Thousnads of families all forsaken.

The world pacing in the dark,
as Americans live their lives in fear.
Enduring Saddam's burning mark,
We put our actions into gear.

Forever will our flag fly tall and strong,
as long as people hear our song.
-------
Began Like Any Other by Amanda Wendler

The day began just like any other,
I was brushing my teeth getting ready for school.
While from in the other room I heard...
My mom let out a dreadful gasp
I ran to see what was wrong;
My mom just stood there speechless
The tv reflecting in the tears in her eyes.
I looked and all I saw was smoke
I stood in a daze all puzzled and confused.
I looked at my mom and began to cry too
'Cause I had no clue what else to do.
---------
Untitled by Lidsey Davis

As I sat in my fifth grade class,
My teacher had this look on her face,
As though someone had hurt her.
We all wanted to know what had happened.
She wouldn't say, just out country will take care.

We we all got home that day,
We couldn't watch out favorite shows.
All over the t.v. was of the tragedy.
The Twin Towers and the World Trade Center
had been bombed.

Not one of us really understood, oh so confused,
They sent troops to their countries to
"fix" the problem, which started out war.
We all felt the effects of this day on 9/11
and we all still are.

One day it might get better,
But the pain and sorrow will never leave.
------

Scared
by Priscilla Perkins

I was scared to death when you told me the news.
I thought I was going to cry the blues.
I held your hand as we talked through the night.
You told me not to tell mom and dad because it would just start a fight.
I knew you were scared, because I was scared too.
I just wanted to hold you and tell you how much I loved you.
As time went by I knew what I had to do.
I had to tell them even though I knew you didn't want me to.
Even though I knew you would be really mad.
I hope you know it was for the best, so please don't be sad.
The time will come when one day you too will have to rat me out.
I just hope you still think of me as your sister and don't try to shut me out.

--------

Untitled by Kyl Lentz

The fires of war are burning,
Bigger and brighter with each passing second,
Soon the world will be covered;
Our path to self-destruction is laid.
In front of us it steers us
Down an ever changing path
to the worlds annihilation.
--------
Untitled by Lauren Collins

Who do we blame
for all this destruction
there's so much construction,
Who do we blame?

Who do we blame
Hurricane Katrina
destroyed homes and mannas,
Who do we blame?

Who do we blame
Louisiana's destroyed
troops were deployed,
Who do we blame?

Who do we blame
The one we call president
people are starting to resent,
Who do we blame?

Who do we blame
the nation's divided
instead of being united,
We're all to blame.
-------
My Haiku by Emily Haynes

My nephew was born
on a rainy April day.
That day changed my life.
------
First Day of School by Megan Marren

Big hair
dalmatian vest
purple boots

Sweaty palms
stomach butterflies
eyes with tears

Mom walks me into my first class,
teacher shows me my seat,
Mom leaves me alone by myself

The first day of the rest of my
school days.
--------
The Perfect Day by Lindsay Crawford

The start of a perfect day
with my friend in the hot
tub, we went for a swim.

We exercised and ate healthy that
day, which made it more fun
and easier to go to the Greenway.

The Greenway that day with
Myriah my friend was splendid
and fun with a Subway trend.

We ate our Subway under
the beautiful trees, by the river
with an oh so peaceful breeze.

We took a long wald down
the Greenway trail, all the way
to the dam and the rocks,
where we almost fell.

Into the water with all the
fish, who swam around and
went "splish-splash-splish".

As we walked back to the
start of the trail, me and Myriah
reflected on the perfect day where
we bonded so well.

Historical Poetry - 4th period

EDITORS NOTE: The following poems were written by the students of Mrs. Taylor's 12th grade English Class, Period 4. The assignment was to write a poem that MAY one day be used as an original historical document. The assignment parameters were that the facts the poems are based on must be independently verifiable, and the historical significance can be personal or social. Any style was acceptable. I have edited for spelling only, and any errors remaining were at the request of the individual author. Appearance of the poems here constitutes first publication, and all authors retain all rights to the individual works. Matthew E. Forman

Untitled by Katie Davis

My historical event would
have to be in 2007 August
When I was driving home
after I had went to get my
check from Kroger and
was driving down Cason Lane
and I was sick and was
coughing and sneezing and
traffic in front of me
was stopped and I rear-ended
a brand new red 350z and
I got a ticket for improper
following and had to go to
court four times and driving
school.
------------
Poem by Jimmy Gilbert

I play baseball for Riverdale
But once I played and it was hell,
I threw the ball and to my surprise,
My elbow broke in front of my eyes!
I dropped to my knees and grabbed my arm
and everyone ran to me at my alarm!
I had to have surgery and got a big scar,
But you can't see it when you look from afar
I still play baseball but I hope and pray
that my elbow will be fine and I'm there to stay.
------------
Tragedy by Rebecca C.

It was a beautiful morning
People getting their morning coffee
Walking to work
Kids laughing in school.

We heard on the announcements
on a fine day at school
That a horrible thing has happened,
teachers put on the news.

We watched two buildings fall
people screaming for their lives
Mothers crying because they know
they lost a loved one that day.

Silence was all around me
people getting called out
one by one. This is a day we
remember, that day September 11, 2001.
------------
You Lost Your Little Girl by Kelly Martin-Culet

Stranded all alone in a world so much bigger than I.
From the other room I hear you scream,
No, you can't take my baby from me!
I used to believe that you wanted to try.

Foster care system, child after child.
I was stuck there in that place to be a slave.
They would punish me because others could not behave.
I knew it would only get worse once the termination papers were filed.
I came to see your love was a lie.

Visit after visit, you never showed.
Days passed so slow.
Where were you, my family? I did not know.
My hate for you only seemed to grow.
How could you pick beer over me? That makes me cry.

I began to lose home, night after night.
I was forced to be a mom of a child that was not mine.
I laid in bed and listened to the others whine.
You were sick and you didn't even fight.
How could you live with yourself in a lie?

Year after year I've prepared myself to find you.
I am so nervous that I can't say what is needed to be said.
The thought of seeing you both messes with my head.
The fear, the pain, the scars and a great gain, if only you knew,
that for loosing me I am thankful to you.

Why I wish to find you dear mother and father, well one reason only.
To remind you that you are weak and it was your fault that you lost your little girl!
How do you sleep at night? How do you speak a word of joy?
How do you still pick up that can and drink?
------------
Daddy By Angel Wilson

My dad and I were alike in every way
Even the blind could see.
When you looked deep in both our eyes
you could see me in him and him in me.

Christmas was just a few days away
My sister and I lay silent in bed.
I never knew that after a night of sleep
The next morning he would be dead.

Over the years I try to forget my tragedy,
But the sadness seems to build every day.
I try to hink of all the good memories
But the sound of a gunshot never goes away.

I wish I could've known who he was
As days pass his voice and face dim.
All I can do is listen to stories.
God must have needed an angel beside him.
-----------
Untitled by Sam Omanchonu

It happened during the day
Everyone was sorry to say
The towers had fell
America was going through hell
I was very sad, the towers were gone
The skies were dark for very long
The whole country grieved, what a horrible day
But we all hope things would return the same
----------------
Poem by Albert Atakpu

Growing up just figuring out how to do backflips
I was an impressed child. One day on
January 24, 1998 I was being taught to
do backflips on my bed with my brother
and that day has been in my head ever
since that day. This was the day that would
make a change in my life forever. Forever since
that day I still have backflashes of the day I
busted the back of my head open and I had
to be rushed to the emergency room. I received
8 stitches to the back of my head and that is a
day that I will never forget. At the time
my brother had told me to go forward but
at the time I thought that meant backwards.
So I proceeded to go backwards and pursue
my backflip one that was the worst day of my
life yet. This was the day I experienced
my life changing event January 24, 1998.
---------
Silver Band in the Spring by Kayla Van Winkle

The rain beating on my tin roof is
Almost as soothing as your touch
But it's not quite equivalent to your hand.
Oh how I miss you so much
And the only things left to remind
Me of you are these pictures and this
Silver band.

The sun standing on my skin is
Almost as warm as you holding me.
But it doesn't match the warmth
Of your arms wrapped around my body.
not to mention the feeling it made
Me have was grand.
Still the only thing that helps me
To remember you is this silver band.

Time and time again your face is imprinted in my memory
And your voice is all I hear.
And the words I believe to be passing through my ear
Are just memories calling to me
But still I can't help but let them
Take me to a faraway land
And have more to remember you
By aside from this silver band.

The wind hitting my lips almost matches your kiss
Though it is not a kiss at all.
This is probably the thing mostly missed
This silver band doesn't match it at all.

This feeling I have inside is a feeling
I can't compare to anything.
Because nothing can make me feel
The way you made me feel.
Now all that's left of you and me
Is this silver ring
That makes all the memories real.

So I will wait for the day when
Your face is right in front of me
And your voice is really passing
Through my ears.
When the memories have again become reality
And you are really near.

When I finally get to go to that faraway land
And your fa ce I have to dream of no more,
When I look down at my hand,
A tear will fall to the floor,
Because no longer
Around my finger
Will rest that silver band.
----------
9/11 by Stephanie Patterson

September 11th is an historic
event for all Americans.
I remember exactly where I was.
Mrs. Altheidess 5th grade class room.

The principal said on the intercom,
All teachers turn on your televisions.
Our nationi has been attacked.
My teacher immediately turned on the TV.
She started crying, I think
Someone she knew was there.

As I was watching the TV
All the people were running and screaming.
Many families looking for their
Missing family members.

It was such a tragic day
I or any other American
Will never forget that day.
America has changed forever.
--------
Untitled by Justin Baker

Clear cloudless skies
Children busy at play
And unsuspecting the worst.
The large steel mountains
Glowed silver in the sun.
Only a quick flash
Of fire and smoke
Ended the lives of many.
Planes had taken
The World Trade Center.
Made the huge mountains
Crumble. The rubble
Would devour everything
In its path.
Scenes often found in
Movies and books
Were nothing
Compared to this disaster.
This wound will take
A very long time to mend.
--------
The Election Day by Grace Par

The day had finally arrived,
The day the dream came true.
The thunderous sound of the cheering crowd,
The joyous tears that fell on our faces,
The strength we had in our holding hands,
That color or race matters no more,
On that day my heart rejoiced,
The election of 2009.
---------
That Day by Devin Murphy

It was a day in August,
The 29th to be exact.
When this storm
Went on attack.

My house was in its path
Thre was nothing anyone could do.
We thought we were doomed.
How could I help?

I'm too far away.
My dad is still there
I hope he's ok
There's know way to know.

Then we get a call.
It comes 3 days after.
He is alive, we couldn't be happier
But then he starts to cry.

He tells us we no longer have a place to live.
What a scary thought that is.
He tells us it will be ok, we still have each other.
He says he loves us, the phone call fades.
---------
Untitled by Nathan N.

On the way home
I was driving my car,
I wasn't very far
When I saw the light
On top of his car.
I got pulled over
In the parking lot of Taco Bell
This night was He__
I got a ticket from the cop
For failing to stop.
I will never forget
The Friday after homecoming.
---------
Historical Event Poem by Brittany Elliott

On August 17th 2001 I had my tonsils removed.
I was ten years old.
Before my surgery it was a struggle to swallow
I also could not talk very loud at all.

Mom scheduled a date to get my tonsils out
So my throat would no longer tremendously hurt.
I did not want them out, I was afraid of the after pain,
I was going to hurt before and after they were out again?

Mom said if I get them out now my throat would hurt no more.
She had me convinced, I wanted the pain no more.
We were in and out of the hospital that day,
It wasn't as bad as I expected it to be.

When I got home I had to drink plenty of fluids
And I got to eat lots of popsicles.
The soreness after the surgery only lasted about a week,
I was so happy that it didn't hurt to speak.
-------
Poem by Breanna Marquez

I was in a deep dream
When I heard my brothers scream.
He ran upstairs to wake everyone up.
I was so terrified at what I heard
All of my next actionis became blurred.
My brother said the house was on fire.
Boy, how I wished he was a liar.
The house burnt down to the ground
Everyone was crying and we all had a frown.
This was probably the scariest day of my life.
It happened about in the 4th grade.
I was shaking because I was such afraid.
I will never forget this day
When everything my grandmama had burnt away.
--------
Not so Good Friday by Jessica MacDonald

Night of Good Friday
April 14, 2006.
At a birthday party with friends,
Feeling of fun could never end.

Then 10 o'clock came around
And everything turned upside down,
My mom came and got me
And ended the fun of the party.

Once out of the house
The bad news came quiet as a mouse.
Like a silent explosion
My mind became eroded.

My cousin had died
While on his way to make him a bride.
The front left tire had locked
As he tried to make the car stop.

Went into the median, flew over the side
Hitting a van inside was a soon to be bride.
Killing the driver while he flew out
Breaking his neck with no cry for help.

On this day, my uncle's anniversary
To now become one for not 2 but 3,
My cousin died that morning
And left a family forever mourning.
--------

Historical Poetry 3rd Period

EDITORS NOTE: The following poems were written by the students of Mrs. Taylor's 12th grade English Class, Period 3. The assignment was to write a poem that MAY one day be used as an original historical document. The assignment parameters were that the facts the poems are based on must be independently verifiable, and the historical significance can be personal or social. Any style was acceptable. I have edited for spelling only, and any errors remaining were at the request of the individual author. Appearance of the poems here constitutes first publication, and all authors retain all rights to the individual works. Matthew E. Forman


Poem About Katie by Ashley Smotherman

At the age of 17 I got a reality test
The one person that I loved the best
Taken one night in a fit of rage
Never again to turn a new page
Dark & cold, such a lonely night
Katie Rose gave into the fight
Hour after hour the struggle grew
By the end of the night her family knew
She had taken all she could take
That Monday morning I felt my heart break
If only I could be there to take her pain
I'd steal it all to see her again
To hear her speak, to see her smile
It feels like years it's just been a while
In my heart she'll forever be
Because I know she's in heaven
Smiling down on me.
--------------
Untitled by Jack Scoles

Bottom of the ninth
Game five
I know we will survive
It was possibly a myth

The final game of the world series
One more pitch to throw
It seemed it was so slow
The pitch was thrown with furies

Strike three, Cardinals win
With the final win we no longer live in sin.
--------------
Untitled by Kayla Horne

Once so full of life and joy
Happiness surrounded her
My best friend, my mother
became my best teacher
I learned of medicines and patience
I learned of motherhood and being strong
At what cost did I learn this?
The cost of watching my best friend
slowly slip away.
The excruciating pain in her eyes
as she watched her children cry for her
The pain in her eyes when we told
We told her she had to say her good-byes.
The never ending prayers for her beloved children
The agony in her voice when she realized
She wouldn't be there for my graduation
Her last day will not be forgotten
Her words still ringing in my ears
"I love you and am proud of you"
Her begging me to be strong
Never to e forgotten the day
The day I got the news.
I would never see your face again
My never ending sadness of wishing
Wishing you were here.
Never to be forgotten
My best friend, my mother.
------------
Untitled by Bethann Anthony

The winds blow hard that day
A natural disaster the news will say
Millions of people lose their homes
to the hurricane still she moans
People from all over come
to help the ones who lost a great sum
I was one of them you see
I helped rebuild a house for someone in need
The levees broke the hurricane destroyed
But we made it through this awful void.
------------
The STORM by Lesha Ford

The day before the Storm was quiet and warm
not a cloud in the sky, but we were in
for a big surprise when day turned into
night.

August 29th, my brother's birthday, he finally
turned 18, he was so happy and full of
joy, i couldn't stand that boy.

As the night grew dark and the clouds
came and the rain came down hard, little
did we know out homes would be gone and
So will the 9th ward.

it happened so fast and nothing could stop
it, i wished the rain would go away, but
it didn't, it continued day after day after
day.

As the waters rose i feared drowning
because i can not swim, the lights
wen out, the darkness surrounded us and
our chances looked pretty slim.

Sitting on rooftops eating from a cereal
box, sharing with 4 other people, looking at,
the destruction of what mother nature could do, looking at my own people.

Family members dead friends misplaced, my
life will never be the same, a child's hopes
and dreams lost due to a Hurricane.

Winds of 175, I thank God I'm alive, who
knows where I would be, time after time
I often repeat the phrase "O, God why me?"

Everything I ever held dear to my heart was gone
within 3 hours, every day felt like weeks. I couldn't
even take a shower.

Children scared for life people losing lives
husbands with no wives a little girl is missing
have you seen her? All of this because
of Hurricane Katrina.
------------
9/11 by Vania Patterson

The sirens are ringing
They say planes have crashed
There are cries, like someone singing
The Twin Towers have been smashed
Debris is all over the ground
People are trying to be saved
The cries for help remind me of surround sound
The urge to get out is certainly craved.
Why did such a disaster come upon us?
Innocent lives just had to be lost
The mourning of these people was decorous
Survivors who came out of the towers looked like frost.
Firefighters giving up their lives
Forgiveness for this is something that I'll strive.
------------
Untitled by Stephanie Bryson

In 2001, on the 11th of September
there had been an unexplainable tragedy
though I was to young to understand, I do remember
clueless to the fact that it was a complete catastrophe.

My fifth grade class was headed back to the classroom
when we entered it was dark and Mrs. Bonner was crying
it was like entering a dark and scary cave of doom,
she tried calmly to explain to us that people were slowly dying.

We saw two towers on the television with smoke from them arising
I guess no one in the world could believe this was happening
no one took it lightly, and to them it was surprising
the gloomy look on her face was very saddening.

To this very day I'm still trying to connect the pieces
but over the years it has become easier for me to understand
back then I never cared or wanted to know reasons but now
one thing I fully comprehend is divided we fall united we stand.
------------
Free Verse Poem by Drake Doyen

Weeks of preparation couldn't prepare,
The day came when it was finally there,
Hurricane Ivan striped the glade bare.
Even after that scary night,
There would still be plenty more fright.
Bugs, disease, robbery, down trees...
Flooding, debris, no electricity.
For two months this went on,
But through it all our community held strong.
Even after all the reconstruction,
Everyone knew there would be more destruction.
There will always be more hurricanes to come
But our spirits will never be bummed.
-----------
Worst Fear by Justin Bridges

In class one morning nothing to do
until we were told to turn on the news
no one knowing what to expect
all I knew it was something like a big wreck

My teacher's face starts filling with tears
for what has happened is everyone's great fear
every channel is filled with this news
it has everyone shaking in their shoes

The planes have crashed the buildings are burning
The whole world has just stopped turning
One day later the buildings are gone
and the destruction has only begun,

The things we hve done in return
needs to be something we all should learn
for this information will help one day
and maybe all the soldiers can stay.

Historical Poetry

EDITORS NOTE: The following poems were written by the students of Mrs. Taylor's 12th grade English Class, Period 2. The assignment was to write a poem that MAY one day be used as an original historical document. The assignment parameters were that the facts the poems are based on must be independently verifiable, and the historical significance can be personal or social. Any style was acceptable. I have edited for spelling only, and any errors remaining were at the request of the individual author. Appearance of the poems here constitutes first publication, and all authors retain all rights to the individual works. Matthew E. Forman

Untitled by Trevor Hancock

In the year two thousand and one

Allison cam ashore and flooded Houston.

She was a tropical storm

a little out of the norm.

She headed north for a while,

but changed her mind in unusual style.

I remember rain and a beer truck

Watching people swim out for beer to save a buck.

We watched the water rise

We saw it coming up the drive.

Over the sidewalk and in the yard

Mom was getting nervous - dad was out of town.

It rained, and rained

and lots more rain.

------------
UNTITLED by Matt Ahrens

A hot day in May
It was a good day
It was such a surprise
Mom happy with the look in my eyes
She told me with assurance
"YOU CAN'T AFFORD THE INSURANCE"
"We're going to look for another one"
"Don't get mad you're coming with me son"
"Be waiting outside"
"We're going car shopping"
Looking down the drive
My car was coming
The blue was shining
Windows down
First time I was driving
My own car now.

------------
Poem by Shanrekia Ward

My historical thing
Its outside sometimes inside
Its cold sometimes hot
Sometimes you win Sometimes lose
Sometimes you happy Sometimes sad

Its always part of a team or 1 on 1
Its like a little orange treat
Fits in your hand
It bounces it shoots
My historical thing is getting my first
Basketball game.
-----------------
3-22-08 by Ashley Rybinski

Heading back home today
Its nice out so Ryan and Lynne decide to ride
While Irby and I follow behind.

We've taken this route before
So why was it different this time?
I started to have a bad feeling
and the feeling came true
When Ryan could no longer see his mom
in the rear view.

Since we had fallen behind
We were the last to the scene
But we still saw it happen
All three of us part our ways and pace.

March the 22nd 2008
Was the day God took Lynne away.
The day comes very soon, it'll have been a year
But we're all doing good
'Cause we know she's here
Watching over us, protecting us, guiding us.
------------
The Dream by Maria Frebis

It was a historical day in the United States
People were chanting and screaming
To many people all of it seemed to be opening new gates.
This day ever surpassed Martin Luther King Jr's big dreaming

This day of January 20th 2009
Was a day history was made
It was a big day for President Obama to shine.
He did not have one moment alone in the shade.

This day was one of the biggest of them all.
The first African American president is now here.
They even threw him one big ball.
Everyone was filled whit cheer.

This day made history and never will it be replaced
Everyone will remember the day when a dream was embraced.
------------
UNTITLED by Esther G. Bell
The planes hit
The smoke so thick
People are screaming
People are jumping
Just to ease their suffering
Sirens sound in the distance
Bits and pieces flying in the air
People are buried beneath
Can't breathe, can't gasp for air
Tears are shed for the loved ones lost
People scattered, calling out
Calling out in hope and fear
For this tragic day is...9/11
------------
UNTITLED by Edgar D.

There she was shining during the day
All black
"Man I like your car" is what people would say
A 1997 Honda Prelude was my first car and that's a fact

Black rims with black interior is what she had
My pride and joy
When she wasn't clean it made me sad
My car was my favorite toy

My car was the best
and I loved her to death
-------------
Untitled by Michael Filyaw

I received notification of a scholarship,
For those interested in business,
The application was really long
But I had a feeling that this was mine

Starting on the long application process,
I finally finished after 10 days
The first final copy looked like a mess
I was in a very big haze.

After all the corrections were made
I take it to the post office drop off box
Now I have to wait until February tenth.
I wonder until then, if they received it.

February tenth is finally here
I drive down to Manchester in a small church to wait
Unfortunately, I had to work so I had to leave,
but I received a call saying I won.

I had a feeling that this was mine.
------------

Historical Event Poem in My Life by Jen Allen

I wrote this poem when I was ten years old,
which was a real while ago.
Please don't make fun
cause I know I was really young.
So here it goes,
pay attention or I will get my friend Joes!

My Aunt Lisa died about three years ago,
They said she had a blood clot but what
the heck do they know?
I don't think anyone loved her as much as I
did although we had our fights every now and then.
We used to play games together.
Now all I do is wonder is this
a dream or reality?
It was funny to watch her play race car
It looked as though she was driving a real car.
She never quit at things
especially card games.
I wish I could go back,
back to the day when she died
and flew away. Flew up pass
the clouds to see God Himself
and where she prays down
here on us so we don't have to
live in a land of hurt,
we pray back that she loves us as much
as we love her.

I know it's not that good
but at least it doesn't sound like it's from the hood.
------------
My First Car by Cole

I drove my mom's car down the street
Mr. Hennessee I wanted to meet
My '09 Versa waiting on the lot
Man I must say that car was hot
I've waited all summer for this day
The only thing I could say is yay
The Versa handles like a dream
And rides as smooth as cream
The dealer handed me the keys
I'm so happy I just freeze
The first place I go is to the store
For my mats for my floor
My new car is so special to me
And it always will be
------------
Poem by Kristin Martin

I was sitting in Mrs. Hall's 5th grade class
When the planes crashed
My teacher was crying & explaining what happened
We heard people scream through speakers that were
old fashion
I watched a couple hold hands & jump from the building
In my heart I'd never known that kind of feeling
Feelings of terror & remorse
All from two planes that flew off course
So many children became orphans
left hungry & poor
I cried for them & their families
------------
Historical Poem by Rich Emslie

As the days count down
One would begin to look around
Four years has finally settled on this
Who's to say what all you'll miss
Friends who might join or leave your side
It is up to them to seek what they find
The distance we've traveled and then some
Will these memories mean something to anyone
Even though there's little to fear
I can't help but remember our final year.
-----------
Untitled by Micah Randolph

I thought that Derrick would have rose to the occasion
but instead Kansas got a standing ovation
up by nine with two minutes left
bricking free throws would result in their death
my squad Memphis would win, that was the talk
but all I could hear was rock chalk Jayhawk
because their free throw shooting was so bad
in early May 208 I was sad
------------
9/11 by Kyle Summers

9/11 was scary for me
I was twelve years old
The terrorists' hearts was cold
I was young enough to not
Know what was going on
All that I knew was
that it was very wrong
Osama bin Laden has
been hiding One day
I hope that we find him
9/11 was scary for me
------------
Faith by Kate Burks

A five letter word that means so much
To have faith in someone, to believe in something
Growing up in a small town
Where Grandpa was a preacher
I went to church every Sunday
Until June of 2000
I had gotten in a wreck with my cousin
My best friend, my angel
Yet I was the one who walked away
She stayed
Never moved, never breathed, never again
I questioned God, why would He take someone so great?
But He did and I lost my faith

High school came along and I made friends
They went to church, I didn't
I wanted to believe again, to feel better
So I prayed and prayed
Last summer, I was saved.
------------
St. Augustine by Jessica Hatchel

Cobble-stoned streets of fading red,
The much older time frame of the city, in my head,
The aged architect of the old, tall, buildings,
The openness of the city, with no shieldings,
A vast gazebo in the middle of the square,
Sunshine, smiles, landscaping everywhere,
The smell of a hot August day,
The apartments sitting on a street way,
The feeling of exploration in my body and mind,
Imagination in things I would find,
The sun that day gazingly poured down,
You couldn't help making a smile from a frown,
I miss you.
------------
My Historical Life Poem by Alex Burbank

beating the Stars
what a glorious day
to see the sadness on their face
what a glorious day

how great it felt
to win the district and region champs
what a celebration we had
I loved beating the Siegel Stars
------------
Untitled by Brandi Hawkins

It was Christmas Eve of '99.
The family was heading out to the farm.
As we were puling into the drive,
I say a black tail from behind the barn.

I screamed and became very excited,
Because I just realized what we were here for.
I couldn't believe she was going to be mine,
Just for me, my very own horse.

I jumped out of the truck and ran through the gate
Walked up to the mare with a smile on my face.
A black quarter hours, the prettiest thing in sight,
She was my first horse, I named her Midnight.
------------
Untitled by Alice O'Brien

The sun is rising,
I jump out of bed,
it is Christmas morning.

Santa came to visit,
I run down the hall.
The presents are laid out nicely,
stocking hung on the mantle.

I reach up for my stocking.
I take a peak inside.
A set of car keys was on top.

I grab the keys, and run
out of the house into the garage.
There in the garage sat
a shinny, silver Honda Pilot.

A big red bow was tied
to the front, I couldn't believe
my eyes.
-----------
Repeat by Cole
At the age of eight,
I learned something terrible
About war, life, our past, and our future.
We are doomed, to repeat ourselves
because people care more for their
deadly sins, than for family,
memories. Learning this I cried for
the poor children who suffer and
wish for the life, I live.
The parents I had,
Sadly, my cries go unheard, drowned by
the sounds of bombs and gunfire.

Historical Poems from Mrs. Taylor's 1st Period Class

EDITORS NOTE: The following poems were written by the students of Mrs. Taylor's 12th grade English Class, Period 1. The assignment was to write a poem that MAY one day be used as an original historical document. The assignment parameters were that the facts the poems are based on must be independently verifiable, and the historical significance can be personal or social. Any style was acceptable. I have edited for spelling only, and any errors remaining were at the request of the individual author. Appearance of the poems here constitutes first publication, and all authors retain all rights to the individual works. Matthew E. Forman



UNTITLED by Cat Brinkley



September 11th 2001 was a normal day at first;

It was morning and I went to Ms. Monroe's

Spelling class, and we were going over

Prepositions when Ms. Goodwin the principal

Told the teachers to turn on the news



Everyone in class including me were wondering

What was going on.

When we saw the news the first thing

I noticed was the plane crashing into one of the twin towers.



We were all watching the images of the

twin towers collapsing.

We didn't really know what happened

or why it happened.



Everything was quiet after Ms. Monroe

turned off the t.v.

After spelling class was over the day went

on as usual but at the same time

everyone was worried about what we saw in the news.

------

UNTITLED by Delano



'94 is the year and

I am silently waiting as I hear

Shouts of pain

Dawning on the task of helping you

State your claim

I don't yet know your name

but still love you the same

I pray to God that I will be a good

example

for I am now the oldest and should be the example

My name is Delano and I'm your older mister

I would now like to introduce the world to my new

baby sister.

-------

The Last Game by Alex Farley



It was the last quarter

Hope was anything but lost

With a score of nine to seven

A touchdown would win but a kick would do



On a big throw we took the ball over

It was a big thrill



We needed a big drive

Only then would our season continue to thrive

Things looked promising

The kick was lined up

It went wide right



Now it was over

They had won

It could have been different if it was me.

---------

GRANNY WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN by Patrick Alexander

I will remember that winter forever
The day my granny died it was so sad
Tears coming down our eyes
She was so sweet
I wish I knew her a little more
She had some hard times
But I know now she's walking through the door
She stayed real strong
Wouldn't let anyone bring her down
I love her so much and I wish she was still around
Mom took it hard to be strong
Bur its hard to be strong when your mother is gone
She in a better place now she has no more pain
-----------
POEM by Kelsey Rogers

Mommy looks so sad today
As she buttons up her blouse
Shaking fingers, heaving chest
She rushes 'bout the house

Mommy looks so sad today
As she combs her pretty hair
Shaking fingers, heaving chest
She rushes me down the stairs

Mommy looks so sad today
As I hold her pretty hand
Shaking fingers, heaving chest
She helps me into the van

Mommy looks so sad today
So pretty that it hurts
Shaking fingers, heaving chest
We pull up to the church

Mommy looks so sad today
Dressed head-to-toe in black
Shaking fingers, heaving chest
She wants her daddy back

Mommy looks so sad today
Now that grandpa's gone
Shaking fingers, heaving chest
She sings his favorite song

Mommy looks so sad today
As she stares at the pretty stone
Shaking fingers, heaving chest
She whispers' "Let's go home."
-------------
Untitled by Michael Carroll

Speeding down the interstate,
It's 2:00 in the morning + I'm super late,
Taking a girl home but she ain't in trouble,
If I'm not home soon I'll get double.
Bout a mile from the exit I see the lights,
She looks at me as I pull over in fright,
"This can't be happening," "No way it can,"
I'm really glad it was a nice policeman.
He ran my tags, but nothing more,
The night was made horrible as rain began to pour,
Two years later now + I haven't been pulled over,
Now when I'm driving that late, it will be slower.
------------
Untitled by Jordan Scott

It was close to 13 years ago
I grabbed my sticks for the first time
I was nervous, so I started slow
Once I started I knew the talent was mine.

Drumming is my talent
It's what I'm good at
Drumming is my talent
It's what I work hardest at.

I started very slow
But now it's what I'm best at.
------------
May 1, 2007, a Poem by Sarah D.

It was the first of May
And it was a sunny day.
Cheering and stunting right after school
How that day would end so cruel.
Trying my hardest
To push my flyer the farthest.
And then the accident came.
As my flyer fell in a tangle
She left my wrist mangled.
Through the sobs and tears
There also came fear.
Tushing to the emergency room
Hoping the nurse would bring good news soon.
A simple surgery was all that was needed
I was so happy I pleaded.
To be able to cheer once more
I was so glad my life wouldn't be a bore!
------------
Untitled by Katie Richard

Two years ago at cheer leading camp
I went through the most stressful week of my life
We learned a cheer, chant, and a dance
My coach, at the last minute, incorporated stunts in the routine
My stunt group had the hardest time with it
And it was all my fault though
When it was time to perform the routine I took a deep breath
And I prayed I wouldn't let the other girls down
I gave it everything I had and it was all worth it
We hit the stunt and I felt like I was on top of the world
Hard work really does pay off
------------
Summer of Hard Times by Kristin Brannon

The phone rang and rang but no one was home;
Message after message I listened to alone.
My aunts and uncles with worry in their voices,
Didn't say anything but call back quick.
I knew how to reach her, so I called her right then.
I told her it was an emergency but I wasn't sure what.
We rushed to the ER where they all were.
She was finally stable but to sick to come home.
Day after day we went to visit her that summer.
It was before my freshman year.
They tried and tried but it only got worse.
She moved to Vanderbilt where we still went everyday,
but I had to stay away no kids aloud in the room.
After 2 weeks at Vanderbilt the
nurse came and got everyone; except for her
grandchildren. They all followed her back and
stayed in the room forever.
One by One they all came out, with tears
in their eyes. That when I know. My mom
was still back there with my grandfather too.
They cam out together, I knew she was
gone. The person I went when I needed
to talk, who helped me with my problems
and even my homework sometimes. She was
more than my grandmother.
She was also my friend.
-----------
Untitled by Taylor Lewis

It is a beautiful day
With birds chirping in air
When I have a hunch about this
I think today is a special day

Without doubt we get a call
My brother Ryan is to come down
Ryan's wife will be down too
She is in the hospital though

Now it is more clear
My brother is to be a Dad!
I am soon to be an uncle!
Today was a very special day
-----------
Death by Jody Dominguez

Much grief was caused from my father's death
but life went on nevertheless
times were rough, what can I say
but to me it was just another day.
Three years have passed since that time
but I have not let it hide my shine.
Seasons changed, and I got older
but that was something I just brushed off my shoulder.
-----------
Grandma Dying by Alex Silavong

My grandma passed August 13, 2008
It hurt me so had she had to leave that way.
She had internal bleeding on the left side of her brain,
It made her whole body numb, she wouldn't feel any pain.
When she tried to speak all she could do is whisper
and I then asked God why You do this to her?
First time she went to the doctor he said she would be fine
then the second time we found out that she was running out of time.
The doc said the only way to save her is to do surgery
but my grandma said if it came to that then don't even worry.
When he said that we knew we could do nothing else
that was the worst feeling that I had ever felt.
The doc never told us when she would pass
so we went up there as much as we could 'cause we didn't
know how long she would last.
The day she passed I was sitting in school
Then my aunt came up here and told me the news.
We tried to hurry to the hospital so we could say our good-byes
but halfway there we got a call that said she had already closed her eyes.

February 27, 2009

Weclome, Friend.

After a week of the flu, I returned to all the classes today to review the tests from last Friday. The review went well, with a lot of positive feedback from the students. Additional essays were turned in during the week, and Mrs. Taylor extended the extra credit for essays because of this.
I will be getting the submission information for NPR's This I Believe program for the essays.

More soon!

February 20, 2009

Welcome back!

Test day, and I see that I was a little over-optimistic. Average grade was an 86, with a possible 120 if all questions were answered correctly and all bonus points were earned. Mrs. Taylor tells me that this was a very successful unit, with a number of students scoring better on the test without bonus points than is usual. She warns me not to keep my expectations too high, but I also cannot let them drop to low. The students were engaged and challenged, and they learned a lot from the lesson. And that is the mark of success.

More soon!

Februaury 19, 2009

Hello again, Friend!

Today was section review for Literature as Historic Documents and The Star-Spangled Banner. It was very encouraging! I had thought that at least half of the students overall had been ignoring the DVD yesterday, and when I started by asking "What did you learn from yesterday's DVD?", I was surprised at the different responses! It was almost as if those students who seemed to pay the least attention got the most information. This led to a lot of very good discussion and questions from the students on the material, and fed into the overall review very effectively.

During the review of what constitutes Original Source Documents, I was able to show the students that every day, they each generate informational public records that are original documents in and by themselves. They were particularly surprised to learn that the letters they wrote to President Obama will become Original Historical Documents and that they will become a part of the Obama Presidential Library one day.

Also reviewed the format for tomorrow's quiz: 5 matching, 10 fill in the blanks, 5 multiple choice and a short essay, with extra credit questions available. I explained to them that if anyone gets less than a 100 on the test, it is because they chose to.

More soon!

February 18, 2009

Welcome back!

Day two of the lesson plan. Today I showed the classes the History Channel's War of 1812 segment on the Star Spangled Banner as an alternative lesson for the students. This gave a brief history lesson on the writing of the poem, the burning of Washington City and the Battle for Baltimore as well as the Defense of Ft McHenry. Actually less emphasis on the bombardment than the rest of the events! Gave a lot of information on the Flag itself, and the students seemed to enjoy learning about this aspect of their history.

In English class...go figure!

Love being able to bridge the different courses this way...

More soon!

February 17, 2009

Welcome back, Friend!

All in all a great day and a great experience! Started a four day unit with all of Mrs. Taylor's classes on Literature as Historical Documents, with a special emphasis on when poetry can be used as an original historical source document. First period I felt as if I were completely unprepared, did not think I gained the students attention while reviewing what Literature is, explaining what historical documents are, describing historical fiction as opposed to fiction set in an era, and the rare cases when historical fiction MAY be original documents (basically, only the names are changed, and everything is verifiable with other sources). Despite my misgivings on the reception, Mrs. Taylor says I did as well as possible with the first period class because they were coming back from a long weekend due to Presidents Day. The poem I used to demonstrate poetry as historical document was The Star Spangled Banner, and I introduced it by playing a CD of Jimmi Hendrix's rendition as played at Woodstock. That seemed to wake people up!

Have set seven focus questions for the week's study, partially review, partially new materials:
1) What is Literature?
2)What are some different literary forms?
3) What is an Original Historical Document (OHD)?
4) What are some examples of an OHD?
5) What is Historical Fiction?
6) When can Historical Fiction be examples of OHDs?
7) When can a poem be an OHD?

Mrs. Taylor reviewed the lesson plan I wrote for this section as part of my FOED 1010 and 2010 classes, and approved the use prior to the end of last week. She has allowed me to assign home work projects and I am writing a quiz for assessment. Mrs. Taylor has also allowed me to give a voluntary extra credit assignment for any student who wishes to improve their marking period grade by 2 points.

The home work project, due Friday the 20th, is for each student to write his or her own original historical poem about any event or incident that they personally witnessed or experienced. Mrs. Taylor expanded it to allow 'witnessing' the event to include through the media, which allows for 9/11, Katrina, the inauguration of President Obama, and much more. She has also said that it can be as personal as a family birth or loss. I have given the students complete freedom as far as form and content.

The extra credit assignment is an essay of at least 3 paragraphs, typed and double spaced, on "What the Star Spangled Banner Means to Me" from the student's viewpoint. First drafts are due by Tuesday the 24th, and Mrs. Taylor and I will be submitting them (unless asked not to) to NPR for possible inclusion in one of the programs on National Radio.

The review/introduction was lecture style, with my writing the focus questions on the board and asking "What is..." questions before giving definitions, and discussing examples the students have read in the past, although much of this segued into movies based on the books I was trying to discuss. Hard to believe how many of the students did not realize that "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" was a book first. When I asked for an example of a poem as HOD, I then played the CD and handed out copies of the original as found on the Star Spangled Banner website. We then did a detailed examination of the poem to find what factual information we could determine, using "How do we know?" questions as a guide in the analysis.

I will be asking Mrs. Taylor to post comments on her observations to this blog. This will definitely help me in assessing how I did.

More soon!

February 13, 2009

Hello Friend!
Who says Friday the 13th is unlucky? I was asked to substitute for Mrs Wolff, 9th and 12th grade Honors and AP English, at Riverdale. The majority of the students recognized me from working with Mrs Taylor next door, so no problems as far as discipline.
The Honors classes had their section test on Macbeth, while the AP classes had the option of silent reading or oral reading by cast. The students chose one of each, and I read a small part of Macbeth's lines when the class realized the student who should have been reading the part was not there. All in all, a great day!
More soon!

February 11 and 12, 2009

Greetings once more!



After Tuesday's classes, Mrs Taylor advised me that Thursday the 12th would be continuation of the review for Friday's section test. In light of this, we decided that it would be an excellent chance for me to do some of my SPED observations.



Let me take this opportunity to thank Mr. Don Bartch, vice-principal at Scales Elementary School. He placed me in contact with Mrs. Lynn Reynolds, who is a Special Education teacher at Scales, and she has generously opened her classroom to me for observations.



The students in her class range from K through 4th grade. These children each spend at least 30 minutes a day in full inclusion with a regular ed class, and receive both group instruction and one on one IEP instruction with Mrs. Reynolds or one of her two assistants. The disabilities represented in the class range from severe cerebal palsey to ADHD with co-disabilities of defience disorder, with emotional disorders and autism present in some students as well.



Wednesday was gym day, which allowed the students to have supervised self-directed play and exercise. I was only able to observe for one hour on this day.



Thursday's special activity was music. I am not certain what I expected with a class that is almost half non-verbal, but I thought that the music teachers and the aids did a wonderful job. This was a fantastic example of co-operative teaching across multiple disciplines! The teachers passed out and collected in turn bean bags, percussion sticks and marachas. The bags and sticks were color coded, and the students selected their favorites. Each item had an associated song, and the students who are verbal sang along with the recording and the teachers while all the students followed the action instructions in the songs. Particularly touching was how some of the students with full mobility helped those without mobiltiy participate and included them in the music play/learning. Activity lessons included reinforced body recognition (placing the bean bag against the arm, leg, foot, head, etc.), fine motor skills ('sawing' and rapping percussion sticks to beat), color recognition, and counting.



I was allowed to participate in the one on one teaching with Mrs. Reynolds. She explained the goals guide for each of the IEPs for the students we worked with, as well as a brief discription of the child's handicap. I was able to witness both the great joy of seeing these special children doing wonderfully in their individual areas, and the frustration of working with a child who is ED and defiant. I do not know if I could handle this day after day.

More soon.

February 10, 2009

Welcome back, friends!

Today was section review day. While Mrs Taylor conducted reviews of the last six weeks in preparation for the upcoming section test, I was given the task of reading and reviewing the sonnets from all the classes. Again, I am impressed with the writing and creativity all the students displayed.

Question: How does one assign a grade to an assignment that is so open to personal interpretation? Do you simply assign a pass (completed)/no pass (not completed)? If so, what do you do to recognize the most talented while encouraging all the students to continue and improve?

February 3 and 5, 2009

Hello friends,

Classes this week are being taken up by standardized testing, so no in-class work was being done.

January 29, 2009

(NOTE: For some reason, the original entry of this post did not post. Have I mentioned I hate technology?)

Hello again!

Today has to have been my favorite since the start of the EXL experience so far! Mrs Taylor and I were able to take time to go over the materials to be introduced and the assignments that are to be given, and then she turned the teaching over to me for 'our' two classes! I was able to introduce the students to Sonnets, explained the three styles and differences (Italian, English, and Shakespearean), go over rhyme schemes, and assign the class work. The students were each to write an original sonnet, and they could use any of the three forms or create their own rhyme scheme. The amount of talent these young people display is remarkable! I will be posting a number of these from each class soon so that you may read and judge them for yourself.

Snow day?

Arrived at the elementary school for my shadowing today, only to find that school closed due to snow....it arrived about 10 AM. Note to self: just because it is raining and above freezing, do not assume that school is open...turn on the television!

More soon.

January 26 and 27, 2009

Welcome back!

Monday was a full day substituting for Mrs. Taylor. I am beginning to see some of the frustration that teachers go through with extra activities during school hours. The school was holding a Pageant on Monday for Miss RHS, so students with tickets in first period were released to watch the pageant, and second period started with only 9 students! Then fifth period was also less than full with some of the students working the afternoon pageant.

Due to this event schedule, Mrs. Taylor had left the section review handouts and assignments, and to keep all the classes on the same page, each period became a study hall situation. It was interesting to see which students from the classes that I do not do the EXL teaching with remembered me from subbing before Christmas. They were easy to identify because of their attitudes and the fact that they paid attention. Still got to give the lecture on respect to these classes for those students who did not remember me. Basically, if you (the students) want me to give you respect, you need to show respect.

On Tuesday Mrs Taylor was back in class, and continued with review work. Again, I saw first hand how much of a teacher's time is taken with NOT teaching. Mrs Taylor is extremely dedicated to her students, and met one on one with each student who is preparing for a career shadowing day next week, making certain that everything is in order for successful experiences.
There was also school fund raiser surveys for the students to complete, and she took the time to let the classes understand that the administration values their opinions, which is so often not the case. These were supposed to be done by all first period classes, but it was apparent in second period that not all the teachers gave out the surveys. So much non-subject administrative work falls on the teachers, sometimes it is a wonder they are able to teach at all.

Today I will be shadowing a Special Education teacher in a K-4 school for SPED 3010. I look forward to this experience a great deal, and will post my thoughts on it here as well. More soon!

Much ado...January 22, 2009

Welcome back, Friend!

Yesterday was a great day in the English classes! Mrs. Taylor and I collected the letters for President Obama, and of those I looked over I was quite impressed with the writing and content these young adults displayed. A number of excellent questions and respectfully, well-worded and presented disagreements of opinion on major topics. All in all, some hope for the future still exists!

The classes have been watching "Much Ado About Nothing", the version with Denzel Washington, Michael Keaton, and Keanu Reeves (Hope I spelled his name correctly!). The students seemed to enjoy the presentation very much. Mrs Taylor took the opportunity to point out Shakespeare's use of comedic relief in his serious plays to lessen some of the tragedy and make his work more enjoyable to the mass audience. I was able to add that he often used his "fool" characters to make indirect references to the royal families in a way that would not end with his being charged with treason.

We are trying to arrange an outing to Nashville for this next week were "Richard III" is being preformed. More on that Monday!

Have a fantastic day!

Historic Day - January 20, 2009

Welcome back, friend!

I am posting this the day following the inauguration of President Barack Hussein Obama, and I pray that God protects him and his family, and gives him the guidance he needs, which is not necessarily the guidance he wants in my opinion. No, I did not vote for the man, I am an independent and he is much to liberal for in my opinion, but he is the president and I will give him the support I would and have given all our other presidents since President Carter.

Due to the historic nature of yesterday, Mrs. Taylor and I abbreviated the class work so that the students could have the opportunity to witness history as it happened. Against my personal feelings for the President, I find that I have to agree with that decision. I remember the moon landing, and the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and Robert Kennedy, although I did not understand the impact - I was only 5 that summer. I graduated the year the hostages came home from Iran, watched the disaster of Columbia live in Belgium, was serving when the Wall came down in Berlin, and was part of the security for the B-1B the day it went on full active alert status. I have been honored to meet Ambassadors, Generals and heads of State on numerous occasions from many countries, and helped in the recovery of many victims of crashes and explosions. Each episode was historic in its way, and each has impacted my life, so I am not prepared to deny such a day to the students of this generation.

The class work that was assigned was to compare four pastoral poems for style, theme and literary devices, read a three page biographical entry on the Bard and note at least two items that are new information about Shakespeare to the student, and write a draft (bullet points) of a letter to the President, which the classes will write in class today.

Selected Poems by Matthew E. Forman

Hello Friends,

I have decided that I will post my poetry on a separate blog. Please check http://mformanpoetry.blogspot.com to view this work. Thank you!

Resume

Matthew E. Forman
Murfreesboro, TN 37128
eMail: mef3t@mtsu.edu
Social Security: Provided upon provisional employment offer.

WORK HISTORY
March 2009 - Present
Tennessee Technology Centers at Murfreesboro: Adjunct Professor of Personal Finance. Teaching course in Foundations of Personal Finance, 39 hour course with Certificate of Completion awarded to students.

August 2008 – Present
Holland Group/Rutherford County (TN) School and Murfreesboro (TN) City School Systems: Substitute teacher for grades K-12.

September 2002 – May 2008
Forman Transport Services: Independent owner and driver of trucking company which operated throughout continental United States and Canada.

June 1997 – September 2002
Truck Driver and Driver Trainer: Worked as company driver and trained newly licensed drivers in all aspects of over-the-road operations.

August 1991 – June 1997
Forman Investigations: Private investigator assigned to conduct criminal investigations for the courts in Bradford County, Pennsylvania and Tioga County, New York. In addition, I was contracted to conduct insurance fraud and accident investigations for national and international insurance companies.

March 1983 – August 1991
United States Air Force: Served in the USAF on active duty as Security Specialist Supervisor, attaining the rank of E-5 Staff Sergeant. I was responsible for the security of US Priority resources and installations while stationed in the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Received the Southwest Asia Campaign Medal with three bronze clusters (indicates second, third and fourth awards) for service in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Provide Comfort. I received numerous other awards throughout my career.

EDUCATION

Middle Tennessee State University: Enrolled May 2008 with current standing of Senior in good standing. Currently pursuing Bachelors of Arts degree with a major in English and minors in History and Secondary Education.

Community Colleges of the Air Force: Awarded Associates of Applied Sciences Degree in Criminal Justice in May 1987. Credits towards this degree were earned from the University of Maryland (Heidelberg), Hardin-Simmons University and City Colleges of Chicago while serving on active duty.

TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CERTIFICATIONS AND TRAINING

Training and certification for the following courses and corresponding codes was completed on December 6, 2008:

Personal Finance – new 2009/2010 curriculum, code not assigned

Social Studies – 3496

Business Technology – 3766 and 3767

Family and Consumer Sciences – 5613

Marketing – 5037 and 5038

Photocopy of Certificate provided upon request.

PUBLICATION HISTORY

“One Man” – October 2008 as the lead poem in the anthology Collected Whispers.

“The Driver’s Song” – January 1998 in PROLINES Newsletter for trucking industry by Proline Carriers.

“The Cry for Help” – September 1992 with a letter from President George H. W. Bush by the Rome, New York chapter of the American Red Cross in that organizations annual report. Later republished with permission by the International Red Cross for inclusion in First Responder/ Emergency Medical Training manuals.

“Personal Hell”, “My Daughters Still”, and “Heart of the Warrior” – Simultaneously published in April 1992 in the anthology Passages.

References will be provided upon request.

Day 1

Hello, Friend,

Today was a brief day in Mrs. Taylor's classroom. I observed her teaching pastoral selections to the first period class, and she and I discussed upcoming lessons so that I can prepare to do some of the instruction.

Seems I somehow managed to schedual all my classes at Middle Tennessee State University for after 1 p.m., and so I will be with Mrs Taylor from 7:30 until 11:00 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This should definately enhance the EXL experience for me!

This blog will also be used to document any other class work in the public schools that I do during the semester. For instance, in SPED 3010, Survey of the Exceptional Child, I will be required to "shadow" a special education teacher, once at the beginning of the semester, and once near the end, and write a paper on the experience. Also, any substitute teaching I do will become a source for the blog.

Keep watch for my next update!
Matthew Forman

First lesson in blogging...

Welcome back, Friend!

Well, less than 5 minutes into my career as a blogger, and I've learned my first lesson...profread before you post, dummy! If you are wondering, the accountant explained...and I am sure there are others...

I do tend to improve, so hang in there!

Welcome to my blog, or, what the heck am I doing here anyway?

Greetings Friend!
This is the first posting to a personal blog I've ever done, so please bare with me while an old dog learns a new trick or two. And please understand, if you are having problems with my blog, it's not you...I hate technology and technology loves to return the favor!

One of the gifts my precious wife, Patricia, gave me was when I had to close my trucking company due to the economic downturn early in 2008. As we sat in the accountants office and he explained that I could no longer justify operating the business, she simply said "Good. You can go back to school and finish your degree. What do you want to get it in? What are you going to be when you grow up?" Without thought, the words English and History so I can teach high school came out of my mouth. It had to be a God thing, because I had never considered this before. She immediately embraced this goal, and it was through her that I found the strength and courage to return to school. She passed away on November 4, 2008, and I thank God that I lost my business, because it allowed me to spend every day with her for our last seven months together, a time we had never had before because of trucking. You will read more about her, I am sure, and some of the poetry I will be posting is an attempt to deal with my grief. If you find it worth while in any way, let me know. If you find it offensive, keep it to yourself.

So why am I doing this, you may well ask. Good question! I know because I've asked it myself at least fifteen times since starting the title of this post! This blog has been created for three seperate yet equally compelling reasons. First, I will be using it to do self evaluations and reflective learning as I begin teaching this semester for an EXL course I am taking. Second, Dr. Kates said I have to. Finally, the third reason, did I mention I hate technology? I have to learn to use it sometime, may as well be now.

Through the next fifteen weeks, I will be teaching under the guidence of Mrs. Ruth Taylor at Riverdale High School. She will guide me, or I will assist her, as we teach 12th grade English to her students. The curriculum is British Literature post Shakespeare, and I begin tomorrow with my first class. I will only be in with Mrs. Taylor two days a week, and for only one class period each day, as I must keep enough flexibility in my schedual that I am able to earn a living and keep food in my stomach.

Thank you for joining me in this journey! I won't promise excitement during the trip, at least not for you, but I love being in the classroom with the students and for me, its the adventure of a new lifetime!

Submitted for your consideration on January 14, 2009,
Matthew Forman