Boys To Men: The Prelude
What can you say about a group of kids who are shy, yet expressive in a way that makes you smile and say "Write on!"?
What is there to say about a group of young boys on the verge of being men eager to learn and though still "tender" in the 6th grade, their responses fill you with some kind of hope and pride for the future?
As anyone can tell, I had a ball with MY group of 6th grade boys. Today was the day I was to meet with them as part of a volunteer project through an organization that my mother is a member of. The organization itself focuses on community service with emphasis in the education community. So you can gather a lot of the women involved in the organization are currently active or retired from different school systems. Each chapter is subject to a community service project, and my mother's chapter has been going to different public schools (within their chapter's jurisdiction) and doing themed presentations of etiquette with females of 6th grade classes.
This year was the first in which they included a themed presentation for 6th grade boys; the theme of creativity and using your skills through entrepreneurship. Unfortunately, a small local business owner that was suppose to give his presentation didn't make it today. So the boys just had 40 minutes of me working with their creativity.
I had a whole bunch of "goodies" planned; music of Coltrane , Miles and Dave Brubeck to write with, one of my Langston Hughes books with book marked poems to read and explore and the same with Shel Silverstein's Where the Side Walk Ends.
Instead, in the essence of time I stuck with the main crux with a quick impromptu that worked out.
When I was introduced to a colorful group of Black and Latino boys, I had no idea I would be featured as a published author. So as I told them that I am a (freelance) journalist and was published in an anthology I asked them questions about an anthology. Of course they were right on time with answers such as
"An anthology has parts of stories..."
"...it has different writings..."
This was the beginning of how the boys made a good impression with me.
I did do the Tupac question as I was curious to see where conversation could go.
"Was Tupac Shakur a rapper or a poet?"
Like sixth graders... some couldn't contain their answers. Some blurted out rapper while other blurted out poet. Then some even said both.
One little guy in particular at first told me rapper and then switched up to say both. However, he was at a lost for words as to why he felt it was both.
Another student put it very eloquently as to say (in so many words) Tupac was a poet that expressed his words in a rhyming way, as in rap and he was being real an expressing hismelf even though he cussed.
*insert chuckle*
I told the boys that they were all right. 'Pac was a poet that expressed his thoughts through the art form of hip-hop and I began to briefly explain how poetry is delivered in various forms; be it rap, spoekn word, haiku, prose or just a free for all.
I read a poem from Tupac's poetry book, entitled When Ure Hero Falls.
When Ure Hero Falls
Written by Tupac Shakur (1971-1996)
when your hero falls from grace
all fairy tales r uncovered
myths exposed and pain magnified
the greatest pain discovered
u taught me 2 be strong
but im confused 2 c u so weak
u said never 2 give up
and it hurts 2 c u welcome defeat
when ure hero falls so do the stars
and so does the perception of tomorrow
without my hero there is only
me alone 2 deal with my sorrow
your heart ceases 2 work
and your soul is not happy at all
what r u expected 2 do
when ure only hero falls
There was brief discussion about the meaning behind the poem and I had them express aloud their feelings about their heros. Of coruse some were shy and some were eager to express their thoughts. My impromptu came in when I asked them to sum up their hero in two lines and if they made it rhyme it was even better.
Sure enough my impromptu worked as I called on another student and he read me his lines that rhymed. Immediately when I mentioned how the lines were a couplet the kids smiled and even the teacher. Later on I would learn that the kids had not long ago had a lesson in couplets and the teacher was pleased that they were able to excercise an example of that today.
What really took up the bulk of the time is when I had the guys write a bio poem. This is where their minds really began to work and I was further impressed.
So this is what I had the boys do with their Bio-Poem.
BIOPOEM
Directions: Create a bio poem about yourself
Line 1: First Name (write first name of nickname)
Line 2: Four traits (characteristics) that describe the person
Line 3: Relative ("Brother", "sister"," husband", "wife", "daughter", etc. ) of __________
Line 4: Lover of __________ ( list three things or people your love)
Line 5: Who feels __________ (list three items)
Line 6: Who needs __________ (list three items )
Line 7: Who fears __________ (list three items
Line 8: Who gives __________ (one item fully explained )
Line 9: Who would like to see __________ ( list one item)
Line 10: Resident of __________ (list city, state or country)
Line 11: Last Name
I went line by line with the boys in helping them create their poem. By the end of the assignment they were all eager to share their poem. Starting with the most shy boy in the class, I made them stand up in front of their classmates tall and project their voice. The teacher was pretty impressed with some of their answers, especially with one student who is obviously the "class clown," and even a couple of boys who listed their fears with one being monkeys.
*insert chuckle*
I had a ball with my group and I hope to return sometime in April for part two of the project with them. The project leader and I discussed that their poems could be compiled into a booklet to publish. Of course the boys were excited to hear that. If Im able to return for part two of the project I want to touch on some of the things I cut out today. Hopefully the business guy that was no show today won't be that way in April. After having a meeting with the principal today, it's quite clear that she is concerned about her 6th grade boys lacking positive male mentors. Yet, in part of today's meeting with her a solution was discussed as to how to invite other male reinforcements into the project just as observers and supporters for the boys.
Nevertheless my time with the boys was wonderful and I really did enjoy this tasks. The Snickerdoodle WAS with me the whole time and was such a little lady during the whole presentation. Well..... she did get a little fussy towards the end and then she was rushed down the hall to my mother where she was working with the females until I finished up.
I'm tired.. but I'm in the feel good tired stage.
The sun was out
I smelled hints of spring in the air today
My brain is a little overworked doing and thinking too much.. but that's ok
Today was truly a good day.
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