Originally published on 2/1/22
RISE Academy students are learning through writing during a fun project in honor of Black History Month. Cindy Bailey-Stuart, RISE English teacher, chose Langston Hughes’ poem “Mother to Son” to incorporate creative writing into her teachings. She shared, "Creating poems help students realize the power of words and how they make others feel.”
The project asked students to write a poem about overcoming obstacles in their everyday lives including anything from relationships, families, jobs, or anything they choose to share. The final poems were compelling.
Andre Lange, RISE Academy student, was eager to share a piece of his poem he wrote using symbolism to talk about his car.
"Life for me has not been a new car.
It has had flat tires,
and dents,
and an engine with no gas in the tank.
But all the time,
I've been rolling on,
And reaching new destinations..."
Andre added, “This poem reminds me to keep going when life gets tough and not to give up when things get hard.”
Overall, the project has been a success allowing a creative outlet for students to express themselves in a learning environment. “This process has been a great vocabulary builder and activity that our students truly enjoy,” Mrs. Stuart stated. The finished pieces will be recorded and shared on QR codes to allow others to take a listen.