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DocuSign Envelope ID: CF1E5821-41D3-41CA-BE86-7063BD8D1470 <br /> is <br /> I Am From... <br /> Purpose: "I am from" poems are some of the most common poems used in poetry workshops. <br /> They are universal, as everyone has an origin and a place where they find their roots. This <br /> workshop serves as an exploration of identity through describing the place, people, and culture <br /> that one comes from. In addition, it introduces the concept of"showing" rather than "telling" in <br /> poetry, or using vivid images rather than plain, explanatory language to tell a story. <br /> • Play the song"Habitat" by Mosdef, and have the class analyze the lyrical text picking out <br /> the most vivid images. Explain the idea that much of who we are comes from where we <br /> are from, and that the place, people and culture we come often plays a big part in how <br /> we identify. <br /> • Have participants write the word "Place" on their paper, and then write three sentences <br /> or phrases that describe the place they are from, considering the different senses. Write <br /> an example on the board. <br /> *Ex. - Place: red brick apartment buildings, the buzz of cicadas at night,the aroma of <br /> honeysuckle trees outside the living room window <br /> • Next, have participants write the word "People" on their paper, and then list three <br /> people who have been very important in their lives. These can be family members or <br /> relatives, friends, neighbors,teachers, mentors, etc. <br /> *Ex.—People: my mother, my best friend Sergio, my little league coach Jacobs <br /> • Next, have participants write the word "Personal" on their paper. In this section, they <br /> are going to brainstorm three aspects of their own personal interests or passions <br /> growing up:their favorite food, their favorite thing to do, and their favorite book/T.V. <br /> show/movie/artist. They may consider cultures or subcultures they come from (chicano <br /> culture, or skateboarding subculture) in giving their answers. <br /> *Grandma's "arroz con polio", drawing,the Hunger Games <br /> ti <br /> • Explain the concept of a refrain as a literary element used in poetry.Then, have <br /> participants write a poem using the refrain "I am from" which includes information <br /> about the place they are from (city, neighborhood, buildin g),the people they are from <br /> (family, friends, neighbors), and their personal interests. The poem must be at least 15 <br /> lines, and focus on using images to describe these different elements of their origin. For <br /> example, instead of saying"I am from my grandmother,"they should think of a sensory <br />