Group Rhythmic Exercise
Here’s a way to use an empty coffee canister to stimulate creative writing.  Allow 5 to 10 minutes for students to write answers to questions like:  Have you ever smelled coffee before?  When? What memories or thoughts does it bring to mind? 

• Collect ideas:  Allow students to read their writings, and then record them on the board.
• Edit and arrange:  Ask the class to choose their favorite lines.

Poem: Coffee
Coffee, coffee
Coffee, coffee
I smell coffee in my neighborhood
Wish I had a cup
It would taste so good

Take me to a make believe land
With fountains of milk and sugar canes
Like Peter Pan, I thought I could fly
But then I thought why, why, why
Why can’t I taste what I just smelled?
Oh! What a waste.

Coffee, coffee
Coffee, coffee
I smell coffee in my neighborhood
Wish I had a cup

It would taste so good

Bias Brain
A group poem

Bias brain
So mean
Accusing every different person of something
Bias brain
Full of hurtful hateful discouraging things
Bias
Bad, Ignorant, Absolute, Segregating
Brain
Stop being so mean!
Because that’s how you’re going to be treated
Bias brain
Think that everyone has to be the same

All I have to say is shame, shame, shame.

Seven Steps

I lay here, at the bottom, nothing to do, say, or feel.  Immersed in utter stupidity, no knowledge, wait, I have the knowledge to realize this, I must go forward.  I am here, a novice, I am ashamed in my simplicity however, prideful in my journey, I have slight knowledge, however it is only slight. I must go forward.

Secondary, second, better than the first, but still, simple, I am learning though, I am learning. My knowledge is growing, but I shan’t learn more here. I must go forward.

Thrice have I advanced, now I am here.  Now I learn more than the first and second, but less than those ahead. I am skilled, however satisfied in my mediocrity I am not. I must go forward.

Quator, Quattro, four; here I am, four. I see my past, I laugh at it, I have new companions, true friends; friends that will stay with me. More knowledge and skills flood my sub and conscious. However, it is not enough. I must go forward.

Five, what a joy. Never did I think that I would be here.  Knowledge times five; I am admired by those below me, and taught by those above me.  I relish this admiration; I desire to teach those in my position.  I must go forward.

Now I am here, one before the last, I am admired more now, and admire more than ever. I complete the course and see the arms of those who teach me reaching for me. I want to join them. I must go forward.

Salvation, Nirvana, I am here. In this state of knowledge, I rest.  I will continue to strive for the deeper I go, the deeper the Nirvana embraces me.

However to do this… I must go forward.

Samantha
Fossil Ridge High School, Keller ISD
2008