Join the Two Writing Teachers blog for Tuesdays Slice of Life Challenge.
Today is my first day back to school. The kids come on Friday. Ready or not?
This year our gifted team plans to focus on heroes. For one of our Summer Poem Swaps, Tabatha Yeatts sent a prompt to write a poem from the words of someone. I chose to look at Malala Yousafzai’s words with the theme of heroes in mind. I found this image and quote.
One child
can step by step
walk across stones
wobble, fall, rise
to hope.One teacher
can line her shelves
with books, voices
pointing the way
to climb.One book
can open young eyes
to injustice, prejudice, pain
so they can build a road
to peace.One pen
can move a single hand
to create new lines, new words
new art, making a change
to the world.–Margaret Simon
Who is your hero? Can you write a poem off his/her words?
Reflections on the Teche 
I LOVE this!!! I love the concept, how you created it, the words of Malala and mostly I love your poem!! This is so creative and beautiful!!! Now, I’m off to find my own inspiration!! Look for a poem from me soon… Thank you for always inspiring me and Happy First Day Back!!!
There are so many new picture book bios out in these recent years, I imagine you can use them to motivate with other hero stories. What a wonderful idea. I love your poem, Margaret, an ode to Malala and others as you begin your year. Have a terrific week back.
Margaret,
Your writer self just sees possibility everywhere, Your posts teach me so much.
This made me think of Burkis and Yaris’ work they call Heart, Head, Hands and Feet
http://www.burkinsandyaris.com/setting-the-course-for-the-future-the-power-of-words/
Have you seen?
Thanks for the push toward this article. Picture book biographies are a way to go. Love the lesson, too.
Your poem shows the power of one. That one can make a difference in the world, just like Malala and so many others before her. I would ask the students, “Will you be the one that makes a difference?”
Wow Margaret – you have inspired me. This is really a beautiful poem and I really like the technique! Thank you for posting your slice today.
Loved that you picked Malala, Margaret – and what a lovely poem. Good luck with the first week back!
Back to school??? I’m so much a NY lover and for us it’s midway. Great year ahead and great inspiration to kick off the year. Love your selection and your poem. Great modeling…
Bonnie
Inspirational. . . Thank you.
What a great challenge, Margaret. I’m thinking of a found poem based on a speech. I’ve done that once before, with an interview by jazz singer Etta James. Since I entered it in SPARK a few years ago, several artists have responded to the poem. Here’s one of my favorites (the poem is posted here as well): http://www.getsparked.org/spark17/jan-irene-miller-and-from-women-in-jazz-tv-special-in-the-1980s-interview-with-etta-james-httpwww-youtube-comwatchvzseblzhmkf8featurerelated
Laura, Thanks for the link to your wonderful rhythmic poem. The artist’s interpretation is wild!