The Light to The Night

The Light to The Night

Lunch Poems

by Students in Ms. Laird’s Third-Grade Class at University Prep Science and Math Elementary Spring 2020

The Light to The Night

The Light to The Night

Lunch Poems

by Students in Ms. Laird’s Third-Grade Class at University Prep Science and Math Elementary Spring 2020

826 National’s Commitment to Inclusion As an organization committed to encouraging youth in their creative expression, personal growth, and academic success, 826 National and its chapters recognize the importance of diversity at all levels and in all aspects of our work. In order to build and maintain the safe, supportive 826 environment in which great leaps of learning occur, we commit to inclusion: We will not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, marital status, English fluency, parental status, immigration status, military service, or disability.

826michigan Staff Dr. Naimah Wade, Executive Director Catherine Calabro Cavin, Education Director Frances Martin, Operations Director Courtney Wise Randolph, Communications & Development Manager Megan Gilson, Program Manager David Hutcheson, Program Engagement Specialist Christina Chang, Student Engagement Associate

Copyright © 2020 by 826michigan and Blotch Books.

All rights reserved by 826michigan, the many whims of Drs. T & G Blotch and the authors.

This book is a work of fiction. Any similarities to any people or events, real or imaginary, is purely coincidental. No part of this book may be reproduced without express written permission from the publisher, except for small excerpts for the purposes of review or scholarly study.

Design by Robyn Charles, digital color by Haley Dillon.

Cover images © Tartila, via Bistockphoto.com.

By purchasing this book, you are helping 826michigan continue to offer free student programs. For more information, please visit: 826michigan.org

Acknowledgments Our Volunteers Pat Gold, Connie Powers, and Lauren Rudewicz, workshop collaborators and small group discussion facilitators Robyn Charles, designer

Partner Teachers Ms. Laird, Teacher Mr. Greer, Paraprofessional Educator

School Administration Ms. Shena Hill-Scott, Principal

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Also published by 826Michigan Young Authors Book Project Because No One Else Could Do It In Our Defense—The Defense Project In the Clouds Over Ypsilanti A Moment to Remember Rare Air / Aire raro A Lantern of Fireflies Where Is It Coming From?

Enjoy! Recipes for Building Community All I Could Do Was Look Up: Anatomy of a Middle School What to Call the Place I Call Home: Voices of 26 Ypsilanti Middle School Students 2020: Visions of the [Near] Future Don’t Stay Up So Late How to Rise Or, I Put My Heart into the Close Tall Tales & True Stories Suddenly My Heart Stopped for Just a Small Portion of Time: Defining Moments

OMNIBUS 826michigan OMNIBUS 1 826michigan OMNIBUS 2 826michigan OMNIBUS 3 826michigan OMNIBUS 4 826michigan OMNIBUS 5 826michigan OMNIBUS 6

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826michigan OMNIBUS 7 826michigan OMNIBUS 8 826michigan OMNIBUS 9 826michigan OMNIBUS X 826michigan OMNIBUS 11

Contents JaKayla Myler.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. 1 Sydney Wade.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. 5 Cassidy Bell.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. 6 Robert Hall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. 6 Ethan Coleman.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. 8 Cameron Johnson.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. 9 Ashton Johnson.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. 10 Samuel Hoffman.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. 11 Xander Vinyard.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. 12 Reginald Anderson.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ................. 12 Write your own Lunch Poem.. . . . . . . . ................. 14

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JaKayla Myler Age 8

My Talents Come Naturally Roses are red, violets are blue Those are the colors on a paintbrush, too!

I could draw you, or I can paint me A portrait of the sky, flowers, and a tree.

My brush strokes are light and they are swift My talents come naturally as an artistic gift.

They Are Life Roses are red, violets are blue Those are the flowers I’m writing about, too Flowers outside, flowers inside Wherever they are, they belong in The weather like you Flowers could be red, blue, or the color of you They are plants, they are life, they are me, they are you.

Lunch Poems by Students in Ms. Laird’s Third-Grade Class

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A Virus So Scary COVID-19, a virus so scary The way it affects people may vary It hit the country so swift like a meteor People were nervous and didn’t know if they should stay home or Live their life like they normally did Even schools were no longer safe for kids To fight the virus we must do three things Wear a mask, practice social distancing, and keep our hands clean.

The Light to The Night The Night is dark The light for it is a rock A big rock in the sky, maybe it can fly?

I don’t like the dark, it’s scary There could be a guy behind me The Day is light, the dark for it is clouds I like the light, it’s so bright Space is darkness with light Guiding to the stars Stars are the light to the night The Sun is a big star, it burns, don’t stare or it will Turn you blind so you won’t find, anything.

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The Light to The Night

They Say It’s Blue Rain is from above It comes down and down It helps plants survive But you can hear the sound Drip drop It’s not a solid, it’s a liquid if you didn’t know No color but they say it’s blue I guess you think that, too It might be pink, it might be red It might be the color of your head

It’s Tasty Fried rice So good and nice It’s tasty Almost like from a bakery Maybe you like it Or maybe not It’s your belly, it’s your tummy

Lunch Poems by Students in Ms. Laird’s Third-Grade Class

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But Do You? Roses are red Violets are blue I think of something Do you do it, too?

I think of food like donuts and things blue blueberries muffins and, um, do you?

Oh right, red, too like pizza, candy, but do you?

I think you would, too Food is in your tummy Like eating jelly . . .

Oooh.

A Whole Other World An iPad is a whole other world you could know There are things there but maybe not snow But maybe in games You don’t know There are apps, games, fun things too Just follow me and I’ll show you Look, YouTube, Netflix, and oh I forgot something to show you though Before that, you see you need a password like a key just tap it in then follow my lead

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The Light to The Night

Sydney Wade

Age 9

Oak Tree Sheddings I was playing in the yard but things were falling from the sky, but it was not rain. In my head I thought about what it could be. Then I figured out what it was: they were oak tree sheddings! So I picked some up and put them in a baggie and went inside. I studied them and here’s what I wrote: They were covering the ground like a blanket. They’re brown. They are like leaves, and they feel weird. I took my piece to my mom and she read it and said that it was good. From that day on, every time I saw oak tree sheddings, I would add them to my collection. The end.

Lunch Poems by Students in Ms. Laird’s Third-Grade Class

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Cassidy Bell

Age 9

The Rainy Day The wet grass is very shiny. I see the beautiful tree and flowers are blooming out. I see the porch, it is very wet, I’m afraid if I go out I will get wet, too. I hear a car passing by and all the cars are very wet.

Robert Hall Age 9

The Toys Are So Fun In the box sits lots of plush and toys They are for the same gender, girls and boys!!!

The toys are so fun to play with but the Wii U is dead.

I also have so many Wubbzy DVDs That I don’t wanna donate any one of them to someone EEEEEEeeee!!!!!

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The Light to The Night

Tiny Pizzas!

Crust, Sauce, Cheese, Toppings, Tiny Pizzas are popping!

They are the best, but I did not try them.

Crust, Sauce, Cheese, Toppings, Tiny Pizzas are popping!

I love how the word CRUST, fee-ee-ee-ls!!

Crust, Sauce, Cheese, Toppings, Tiny Pizzas are popping!

They are like pizza, but way smaller!!!

Crust, Sauce, Cheese, Toppings, Tiny Pizzas are popping!

That’s the end of the rap, hope you liked it!!!!!!!!

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is the fear of long words.

Some Latin person made it up.

It’s a real phobia.

They made the word to scare people who have Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia.

They wanna watch the world burn to crisps and ashes.

Lunch Poems by Students in Ms. Laird’s Third-Grade Class

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Ethan Coleman Age 9

All I Saw The air conditioner was broken so we went to the basement and all I saw was couches and arcades

My Pet Fish I see my pet fish Joe. His body looks as light as a feather.

Joe makes me feel happy.

My parents kept their promise and bought me my pet fish Joe.

Water Table fish tank water sponge bob pet fish joe

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The Light to The Night

Cameron Johnson

Age 9

Another Puppy I want another puppy, They make me feel safe, They’re cute, warm, and fluffy, When I’m around them, they bring joy to my face.

I will teach my puppy to attack burglars, sit, and stay.

I want another puppy so we can go outside and play.

When I Look at Birds When I look at birds, I feel happy When I look at birds, I think about first grade That is when I learned about different kinds of birds and the music they made.

Robins, Sparrows, Cardinals, and many more, Those are just a few birds you’ll find outside our door.

They come in many colors, Red, brown, pink, and blue, When I look at birds, I feel happy and you can, too!

Lunch Poems by Students in Ms. Laird’s Third-Grade Class

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Ashton Johnson Age 8

I Wonder Sometimes I sit and wonder about the things I don’t know like why do pineapples grow why did dinosaurs rule the earth where did snow come from I just like to say I wonder about the things I don’t know

Meaning of Snow The ice is falling the clouds or snow for the things I know the trees are windy the trees are down well there has to be a meaning of snow

Relaxing in the Sun I see a green tree Relaxing in the sun Like an oak tree

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The Light to The Night

Dubai The tallest building In the world Malls People Pool Sand

Samuel Hoffman

Age 9

Utensil Drawer Utensil drawer in kitchen— Whisk, measuring cup, fork, scale.

The whisk blends pancake batter.

The measuring cup tells me how much batter I have.

The fork helps me eat the pancakes.

I use the scale to weigh my ingredients.

My Garden I see a garden in my backyard The garden grows as fast as me!

My garden makes me happy, as I watch the vegetables grow.

Lunch Poems by Students in Ms. Laird’s Third-Grade Class

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Xander Vinyard Age 9

My Neighborhood My neighborhood is pretty normal It has a lot of houses But in the past a house was burned So if I get a pool or bounce house People will try to steal them

Reginald Anderson Age 9

Pizza Falling The crust is falling from the sky Let me tell you why I’m going to make a pizza Do you want a slice?

Pepperoni and sausage are my favorite toppings Lots of cheese please Just how I like it The sauce will ooze out of the sides Yummy in my tummy Got to cook it first Beep beep from the oven The falling pizza is ready

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The Light to The Night

My Closet I woke up Looked in my closet There I saw it Red, white, and blue shoes A blue shirt I’m about to be so cool Got to find some shorts to match Let me go back In the closet to see If my black shorts still fit me It’s my lucky day My closet has made me happy It’s time to go play

Lunch Poems by Students in Ms. Laird’s Third-Grade Class

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Write your own Lunch Poem What is a Lunch Poem?

It’s a short break that’s precious in its shortness. It’s quick, it’s easy, it’s delightful. It’s more about being together than the eating of the poem itself.

It isn’t a pain to prepare—it isn’t steak, it's low-stakes.

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826michigan inspires school-aged students to write with skill and confidence in collaboration with adult volunteers in their communities.

Find out more at 826michigan.org!

TUTORING We organize trained volunteer tutors to work with students one-on-one with their homework after school. Tutoring is available for all subjects, for students ages 8–18.

We offer free tutoring at three locations: at our Liberty Street Lab in Ann Arbor, at the Michigan Avenue Branch of the Ypsilanti District Library, and at our Winder Street Lab in Detroit’s Eastern Market.

WORKSHOPS We offer a number of free workshops taught by professional artists, writers, and our talented volunteers. From comic books to screenplays, bookmaking to radio, our wide variety of workshops are perfect for writers of all ages and interests.

IN-SCHOOL PROJECTS Our trained volunteers go into local public schools every day to support teachers with their classroom writing assignments. Based on the teacher’s curriculum, assignments range from writing tales to crafting five-paragraph essays.

FIELD TRIPS We want to support teachers in getting their students excited about writing, while helping students be better able to express their ideas. We welcome teachers to bring their classes in for field trips during the school day. A group of volunteers, interns, and staff leads every field trip, whether we are solving mysteries, writing bedtime stories, or playing a life-sized poetry board game. Our most popular field trip is our Storytelling & Bookmaking workshop, which culminates in an original book for each student to take home.

OUR STORES Liberty Street Robot Supply & Repair and the Detroit Robot Factory are one-stop shops for robots, robot owners, and enthusiasts alike. They are designed to inspire creativity and bring awareness of our programs to the community. Come visit LSRS&R at 115 East Liberty Street in downtown Ann Arbor and the Detroit Robot Factory at 1351 Winder Street in Eastern Market in Detroit. All proceeds from our stores directly fund our free student programming. Onward robots!

115 East Liberty Street Ann Arbor, MI 48104 (734) 761-3463

1351 Winder Street Detroit, MI 48207 (313) 818-0255

WRITING IS

A way to figure things out by ourselves

We create a safe place to be ourselves and try new things We support the ways that writers work (like thinking, sketching, talking)

A way to help us connect to our world

We study the writing we want to do so we can try it We learn how to change our writing for genre, audience, and purpose

A way to help us learn who we are and who we will become

We work with a group of writers who help and support each other

A way for us to use our power to make changes and build a better world

www.826michigan.org

826 National was inspired to take a stand on issues of inclusion and diversity in light of the many events that spotlighted social and racial injustices throughout the country. We as educators, volunteers, and caring adults need to be aware of the wide range of issues our students face on a day-to-day basis. We need to support these young people as they navigate through and try to make sense of the world and their own identities.

We need the support and the feedback from our community to ensure 826 is living up to these standards.

Through our inclusion statement, our internal diversity and inclusion group, cultural competency resources provided to staff and volunteers, and partnerships with other organizations, we are always working towards being a more inclusive and supportive organization.

We at 826 have the privilege of working with the next generation of scholars, teachers, doctors, artists, lawyers, and writers. It's our job to make sure they are able to take their own stands.

As an organization committed to encouraging youth in their creative expression, personal growth, and academic success, 826 National and its chapters recognize the importance of diversity at all levels and in all aspects of our work. In order to build and maintain the safe, supportive 826 environment in which great leaps in learning happen, we commit ourselves to inclusion: we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, marital status, English fluency, parental status, military service, or disability.

The 826 National network is committed to encouraging youth to express themselves and to use the written word to effectively do so. We encourage our students to write, take chances, make decisions, and finish what they start.

And 826 strives to do this in an environment free from discrimination and exclusion.

by Gerald Richards, CEO