I am from…

Each of us is influenced by a variety of factors in our lives. This writing activity explores those places, people, sights, words, sounds and smells that give us our cultural identity.

You’re going to consider the elements that make up your cultural identity, and create a poem.

Here’s a sample - I AM FROM…Southern ways

MusicSoul food

People of all shadesSlaves

Bright colorsLoud voices

Concerts“Go on Girl”

Sweet potato pie andTurkey in the oven

Chitterlings on the stovestinking up the house

Dancing all nightRacism and small slights.

(W. Gary)

Now it’s your turn – Make a list using the matrix below to generate ideas, then put your ideas into

a logical order to create a free verse poem.“I am from…” Matrix

Category/factors

Places

Products

Food

People

Common things

Pictures

Events

Phrases

Smells

Sounds

Sights

Ouches

October Identity NarrativeDirections: Create an identity narrative page using your “I am from” poem. Include

a title, a border, a visual and a written section.

1.Title – “I am from”

2. 8.5x11 cardstock/Border – a similar border to your previous page.

3. Visual – at least one illustration or picture of an element in your poem.

4. Written Section – “I am from” poem generated from matrix

Include the following poetic elements:

*Form – free verse poem

*Theme/Main Idea – your cultural identity

*Mood – how should the reader feel reading the poem?

*Imagery -can the reader see, hear, taste, touch, or smell where, what or who you are describing?

Analyze your prompt using FATPP

F – free verse poem

A – teacher and students

T – places, people, sights, smells…that form my identity

P – to entertain

P – you may use the ideas you generated completing the matrix, or explore new ones.

Time to share and turn in your Final Product!

• Read over your poem and complete the checklist.

• Gather with your group (your row) and each of you read your poem aloud.

• Choose the page that is “Most Unique”, “Most Eye-Catching” and “Best Poem” and label them with a sticky note.

I am from…The world’s most famous beach

Steak-burgers, shakes and TAKHOMASACKA place where no one is from, but everyone goes

Twenty-six miles of beachy splendorSisters and best friends

A place where hurricanes blaze a haphazard trail of destructionThe City of speed

Small town high school sports“The Sandcrabs”

Wally WingsMom & Dad

Sawtooth LaneHome

(L. Ring)