Armon Aarabi tkm

Walking
I...was...walking trough the forest

with Jem holding my hand

I'm the craziest ham

I was walking by the tree

what did I see

It was Bob Ewell trying to stab me

then I heard a bad crack as Jem fell on his back

walked to the street got to my feet

and I saw Boo Radley and Jem he was hurt pretty badly

I went to talk to Atticus about Bob being mad at us

then we called the doctor for Jem

he said he’d be there in ten

the doctor checked Jem

and thanked Boo for helping them

and the sheriff wasn’t clappin after he heard what happened

my costume saved me

the knife didn’t even graze me

I walked boo home

after we heard Jem broke a bone

so that’s our story

it could have been gory

but boo was there to save us so bob couldn’t take us

now boo was a hero and bob is a zero

William Harrison

They wanted “Boo” Radley to come out

Dill came and they try to get him to come out

Things were in a knothole of a tree

His way of communicating with the world

His uncle knew

It filled it with cement

They imagine him as a monster

Scout thinks he is more

Dill, Jem, and Scout want to be friends with “Boo”

Tom was accused of rape

There is no way out

People can’t face the truth

A white man told a lie a black told the truth

To set him free

Guilty… guilty… guilty… guilty were the words

Atticus tried, tried, and tried again

To set him free

There is no chance at all

Because tom is black

His wife is broken

She has to get a job there is no father for her children

Shot seventeen times he could not be saved

He was a cripple and a mockingbird

Yet he was convicted

Halloween pageant with scout as a ham

She is too late on the stage

Jem and she head home

She hears a “crunch” her costume breaks

They are saved by “Boo”

He tried to murder children before he died

CharlieTrujillo, TKM Poem

Boo Radley
He doesn’t come out, no one knows why.
He only comes out when someone’s about to die.
He saved their life once,
Underneath the dark sky.

There are many stories about his life,
But no one knows the truth.
Come out wherever you are we need help were, not that far.
He won’t come out and no one knows why.

They seen him once wasn’t so great.
But he helped them, now they appreciate.
He went back inside and won’t come back out,
Will he be there when they need his help?

They wait and wait for him to come back,
But no one comes
They never look back.
They keep on going but think and think,
Will he ever come back?

Scout and Jem are curious to see him again.
He sits inside, and wonders what to do.
Should he finally go out?
Or stay inside?

It’s Boo Radley he came to help.
They see who he is and what he did,
They don’t see him as a bad person anymore.

Lauren Groves, TKM Poem

Racism Poem

What is with the world and discrimination?
People are being judged all across the nation.
What’s the difference between black and white?
We are all the same people with equal rights.
Being judged for the color of skin,
Even though we are the same from toe to chin.

The world used to be full of hate.
Now we treat each other the same for common fate.
Singling someone out because of the color of skin,
It’s just not right, and you will never win.

We should care for what’s on the inside,
We should help even when it’s hard to hide.
Loving one another is what we should do.
We can all help each other get through.
When we all love and care,
There is so much more that we can share!

Tom Robinson was a great man.
He was very brave now I’ll always be a fan!
Atticus helped when no one else would,
He would help the world if only he could.
Tom died for something he didn’t do.
Now his family has to start brand new.
If only everyone were like Atticus,
Then we would love and not be racist.

Revolviong World By: Aeron Nelson

Revolving World


The world revolves like a bullet
Like the bullet from a fatal gun
Spinning rapidly toward the ever moving target
Sometimes you hit and feel successful
Sometimes you miss and feel like a failure
You hit the target
Oryou don’t
It’s a 50-50 chance
You wound
Or
You kill
You get what you want or nothing
At all
You only have one shot
You take it
Or
You leave it
It is for you to decide
But if not taken
The chance may not come again
The world revolves around like a bullet
It twists
It turns
It goes the way you want
Or

it doesn’t

M'Cayla Christensen, TKM Poem

Why?
He comes out when needed,
he makes you feel safe.
He cares for you,
and no one knows why.

Many people lie about his life,
But no one knows what he’s really like,
scout finds out the truth,
Now she knows why.

He is always waiting,
Waiting to help.
He won’t show his face,
And no one knows why.

They try to talk to him,
But people laugh and stair,
Jem knows his true colors,
Now he knows why.

He just sits there in his house,
All alone in the dark,
He thinks over his life,
now many know why.

They finally see him,
Now they know why.
He leaves, they never see him,
He never looks back.

Izak Godoy TKM Poem

Glimmer

Sitting there with a single light

Being watched from the sky

Waiting, Watching, Protecting

Cars pull up as he stands

Madness, anger, and fear are in the air

Will they fight or flee

Happiness and Confusion

No one they know

Then out of the darkness

Just a glimmer of light

A glimmer of hope

And glimmer of love

Someone they know

They walk up to the person

And what did they see

Hope, Love, and Light

In all the darkness

Something that only a child can spot

The other people start to see

The light and happiness is back

Finally they all leave

Being thanked from above

And watch from above

They were ready for any thing to happen

But in the end the light of a child saved them all

Alexandria Bullett TKM Poem

TKM Poem

Boo Radley
Who is he?
Is he a savior?
Or a monster?
Boo Radley

Tom Robinson
Did he really commit that crime?
Or d id the Ewells decide to frame an innocent black man?
Tom Robinson

Scout Finch
Did she learn anything about the world she lived in?
Did it change her point of view?
Will she ever recover?
Scout Finch

Jem Finch
What are his feelings now?
Are they scared?
Or hurt?
If things turned out different, would he feel that way still?
Jem Finch

Who’s side are you going for?
Will it be Boo’s? Or Tom’s?
Who do you feel sorrier for?
Scout or Jem?

Levi Jorgensen, TKM Poem

Segregation

Segregation is a bad thing
I just don’t understand
Why do they want to
Keep people and or
Certain groups apart
This is not good

All in all we are all
The same despise
Discrimination is trying
To not let whites and colors
Interact at all

Were lucky because
Now days were all friends
We don’t care what color
Someone is we look past skin
Color we dig deep into the
Their heart and find
Out who someone
Really is

We are all friends for the
Most part we all
Hangout with each other
Use the same things and
Go to the same place

We
Should not let segregation
And discrimination ruin
Us and out friend ships
It is very bad nor should
We let it happen anymore

Sam Furner, TKM Poem

Segregation and Discrimination

Segregation and Discrimination are some of the big topics in this book.

Scout
Scout is an innocent little girl that knows nothing about these topics. She lives life to the fullest and never looks back.

Jem
Jem now knows that this world is not so innocent and peaceful that he once know, when you are a child the world is the way you want in to be.
He now is growing up and becoming a man.

Atticus
Atticus lives is life with all the integrity a man can have no matter what the consciences are. His best quality as a person is his integrity.

Boo Radley
Boo knows the danger of this world and that is why he stays in his home.

The Ewells
The Ewells are selfish horrible people, the are the type of people that make the world it is now.

Tom
Tom is a innocent man who did nothing to the Ewells but help their family survive and he was wrongly accused of a crime he did not commit.


Segregation and Discrimination
Segregation and Discrimination is why Tom Robinson was killed, because horrible people don’t like things that are different.

Phillip Phelps tkm poem

Segregation

Segregation is like being
locked in a room,

Segregation is like being one color
mixed with ten of another color,

Segregation is like being
made fun of,

Segregation is like Tom Robinson,

Tom Robinson is like a mockingbird,

Boo Radley is like a monster
when no one see’s him,

Tom was accused of rape but was innocent,

Boo was really white and nice,

Tom was nice and helpful,

Atticus is a Lawyer
but reminded me of Tom Sawyer.

Zachary James Kastelic TKM Poem

Poem

Innocence stolen

No more

Evil in the world

Segregation

Growing into Adulthood

world they know

changing

not everyone is good

some people

Completely evil

confusion

mysterious

light, darkness

evil, good

opposites

opposites

No innocence

violence

peace

hate

love

innocence stolen

no more

Elizabeth Mugleston, TKM Poem

Racism
Hate, persecution, discrimination, judging, ignorance
Hating people for there look
Looking at people then judging them and they have no control
Putting you before another in a look
One glance and you hate them
Not giving a chance
Why do we do this?
I don’t understand
Am I missing the point?
Are people that blind?
Didn’t they see that they were wrong, way off?
I guess they were that ignorant
It seems obvious to me
I see it
The wrong they were doing
I guess that was how they were back then
Still it was wrong
And still is
Yet people still think it was okay
All this confuses me
Why they did it and thought they were in the right
“All men were created equal”
That is what they wrote
That is what I thought
To them it meant nothing?
All white men were created equal that is how they acted
Until you thought it was wrong
Then you were not equal?
How dose that work?

Mackenzie Gray, tkm poem

OUTSIDERS

All alone they stand in the corner,
Separate.
Their skin color was different
Causing them pain,
Stares and glares.
No one seams to care…
Really unfair.
But the others live how they want
And treat the others like crap.
Outsiders bite their tongues.
Knowing what will happen if they snap.
So strong,
They walk on.
Thinking of their families
They don’t dare to talk out of line.
Afraid of leaving them,
To deal with all this by themselves.
The mocking
The treats and punches.
So the outsiders with the different skin,
Do nothing.
Bravely they ignore all crude comments,
The outsiders respect,
Those not so kind.

Joao Cordiero Neto

Faith
I see what I want to see
I her what I want to hear
I am whatever you say I am
But is that all ways the truth
Should I see what I don’t want to see
Should I here what I don’t want to hear
Should I know the truth
What will happen when I know
Will hear the same things
Will I see the same things
Torn between two thing
Is true or what I think is true
How will I know
Will I just know or will I ask
The truth is so complicated
I don’t all ways
should i
Al I really need is faith
Then I will some how work
I will see what I want then
I will hear what I want then

Aubrey Andersen TKM poem

Deceased Smiles Tell A Thousand Stories
Aubrey Andersen


He once smiled like he had the
World in the palm of his hands.
He led a tranquil, somber life,
Yet he still had pride & glory which
Kept him going, going, going.

Miraculously his life quickly turned,
His world suddenly crashed,
Everything had burned.
He wasn’t the same,
He’s no longer sane.

Convicted & tried, he left labeled
Guilty, guilty, guilty.
News immediately came,
Black men can’t live up to white men.
They are most assuredly not equal.

Almost everyone could
Undoubtedly agree.
He tried to run,
His family was his only concern,
He cannot live up to a white man.

He now holds a deceased smile,
It tells a thousand stories.
Just one look and you’re caught
By the pain & haze.
You can’t help but tell your own
Legend of the life poorly lived.

Lauren Groves, TKM Poem

Racism Poem

What is with the world and discrimination?
People are being judged all across the nation.
What’s the difference between black and white?
We are all the same people with equal rights.
Being judged for the color of skin,
Even though we are the same from toe to chin.

The world used to be full of hate.
Now we treat each other the same for common fate.
Singling someone out because of the color of skin,
It’s just not right, and you will never win.

We should care for what’s on the inside,
We should help even when it’s hard to hide.
Loving one another is what we should do.
We can all help each other get through.
When we all love and care,
There is so much more that we can share!

Tom Robinson was a great man.
He was very brave now I’ll always be a fan!
Atticus helped when no one else would,
He would help the world if only he could.
Tom died for something he didn’t do.
Now his family has to start brand new.
If only everyone were like Atticus,
Then we would love and not be racist.

Brenden Munck TKM Poem

Curious Boo

Curious Boo is not mean
He is kind
Like a soft little bunny
He’s a kind being.

Boo will always be there
No matter where
You will be
He is caring

Boo was there
For Jem and Scout
He was even
There for Atticus

Boo was there
At the fire
When Jem and Scout
Were even jumped.

Hernan Ponce TKM poem

“WE”



I’m being segregated because the color of my skin. That is wrong; and I understand that we are all human beings and every human has some ignorance within themselves.
But it’s very wrong to judge people just because of for the way they are….or for the color or even for the religion they are.
We are all human beings, we have all started from the same seen in the heart of Africa as many scientists say, and we have grown into several different branches. Some have leaves and others don’t….they are all different but in the inside they are all the same and have the same blood.

Keegan Summers TKM Poem

Maycomb City

Maycomb city is a quiet place

Where everyone knows each others face

The young are innocent the old are not

About how Tom Robbinson got caught

Atticus will try and save Toms life

His words will cut just like a knife

The blacks think he will win with faithfulness

But its kinda a lost cause because of racistness

The town hates Tom because hes black

They really need to look at the facts

Tom is innocent and Atticus can prove that

Because he is sly just like a cat

Tom is accused of rapeing Mayella

But really Tom is quite a good Fella

Tom wouldn't dare rape this poor girl

Because he knew he would die for sure

When the courd day came everyone was silent

Atticus deffended Tom with great valiant

He told the truth and he knew he was right

Everyone knows he should have won the fight

The jury was racist and found him guilty

People that think thats okay are dirty, rotten, and filthy

The morale of this story is to stay clean and true

If we can do this we can be an Atticus too

Easton Francis TKM poem

TKM Poem.


Scout.

Scout is innocence.
She dose not know the world yet.
She dose not think like most other people.
She is just being exposed to the real world.

Jem.

Jem is growing.
He knows how the world is.
Jem is finally growing up.
He is becoming a man.

Atticus.

Atticus is calm.
He is old and learned.
His kids are the world to him.
He is a real gentleman.

Boo.

Boo is like a secret.
He is real.
He is not.
He keeps himself a secret.

Mr.Ewell.

Mr.Ewell is bad.
He mooches off the town.
He is a drunk.
He is a horrible person.

Atticus Poem By Eric Sharp

Atticus Poem

Atticus was a man known by many things

He was known as a lawyer

Who although was persecuted

Stood up for what he believed in

Even his family was tormented

By the others of different views

People who didn’t see things in his view

Who didn’t see it the way he did

But he kept his family strong

And united for a cause that they were brutally outnumbered with

He was and amazing father

That might not have known the best way

To be a single parent but still strived to overcome all of their obstacles.

And to raise his children into something better than he could even imagine.
He raised them to be

The most amazing people as possible

Who could maybe improve the world in any way possible

This amazing man is Atticus Finch

A man who was a lawyer

A man who was a father

And also a man who was a believer.

Rachel Nelson T.K.M peom

Scout growing up!

Little scout, big world
Once so innocent
Saw the real deal
Now so natural
He was so weird
She was so blunt
Now he doesn't want to grunt

He helped her out
She was kind of scared
Now that’s the real deal
He always hid out
She wanted to find out
She was so young
He’s seen it all

She was told when you saw him he’d go BOO!
So she said YAHOO!
There was a ham
It was so bland

Also the famous Mr. Ewell
Who WAS a fool
Now he is gone
They all said hooray
‘Cause he was NOT part of the fray!

Nicholas Rush!

TKM POEM
To Kill A Mockingbird was a awesome book, just take a look inside you will find that it is a great book, which should make you love this book. I shook when when the book got good, it talks about about prejudice and hate, and how the town discriminates against the blacks which is wrong, so im writin this song. Tom decided to help a white lady, which is nice but he had to pay a price, which is prison for life, he shot in the brain 17 times that inhumane. 17 times did the crime but they wont have to pay because since theyre white it makes it alright. The man was innocent but in a racist society he was guilty, now that’s filthy. It shows our society and how bad it was, a man was convicted under the wrong system now that ain’t fair, but it wasn’t rare it happened a lot and for that he got shot. That’s it its over its done Tom was a good one, because his skin color he wasn’t as “good” as the others, and that led to his death with his last breath he was still in a racist town, and to that we all frown.

Jessica Swenson

Boo Radley

Arthur Radley, also know as Boo.
Relatively withdrawn, timid and peculiar.
Boo is a scary story out of sight and out of mind.
He is bleached white from the rays of the moon.
He is a hero that is buried behind the image of “Superman”.
He is a monster, an outsider…a freak say some.
This is a lie. The wounding, piercing words that the community of Maycomb has to say about this scrawny, limp boy who just wants to have a good friendship with someone.
Anyone even if it’s a tiny, warm hearted girl who really should be a role model to everyone.
If you think about it you may have had a Boo moment.
Think, have you ever felt like a stranger, a fluke, or just out of place?
Now was there someone, anyone that took you by the hand, and was your friend?
That is the kind of relationship that Scout and Boo have.
But she is more curious than cares about Boo as a person, But her curiosity did not kill the cat, it mad it become friends the mouse.
Tom Robinson. Black individual, accused of rape.
And was shot 17 times. Tom was just like Boo if you think about it.
They were both harmless mockingbirds, living in a hunter’s pit.
Disapproval hung over them like the sun does on the last day of summer, taking its sweet time. Although Boo is still alive, the sprit of Tom is all over in the book. So next time you find yourself being bitter and cruel to someone you don’t even know, please…take a breath and think about what Boo or Tom would do.

Orhan Agovic

To Kill a Mockingbird is a good book
I first didn’t like it, by the look
It talks about prejudice and hate
And how the town would discriminate
It aint cool

There was a black guy
He was put in jail
Because one day he decided to help a white lady
She was being shady
Jumped on him and started getting sexual
He was charged with rape

Later while trying to escape
Got shot 17 times
I aint even lyin
Could have just put 3 shots in him
But because he was African-American
They kept shooting… and shooting
Til’ there was nothing left of him.

Now the town starts to realize
Start to realize what they have done
The racism and hate
That they have for came
But now it’s too late
Because he is gone… and wont be back.

Taylor Nickels , TKM Poem

Poem
Jem’s heart used to be full of joy,
until he learns about Maycombs people.
He’s broke his arm twice,
the second time was not good.
He tried to help scout,
but he broke his arm instead.
Atticus and Heck fought,
but Heck had to win.
Boo finally made an appearance,
but jem could not see.
Jem would not wake up,
till the morning or night.
But when he wakes,
scout will be in his face.
Hopefully he’s smart,
for scout is there for him.
But if he’s not,
than it could be bad.
Atticus will be there for him,
for the rest of his life.
Jem will forget about this,
because it will pass.
The end!!!

Collin Mellor

Collin Mellor
Per.1
12/15/08
T.K.M. poem
Scout is a very curios little girl. She is always interested in things no matter what the cause may be. She is a very bright girl with a slight curiosity that is always there. A really, dirty, dark, disgusting creep would want to kill a mocking bird like her. The creep that would like to kill her you know as bob Ewell. He is the disgrace that helped another mocking bird to his death. Scout always likes to go with her brother to a lot of different places. She has a type of romance or a sort of desire for Jem’s friend Dill. Dill has the same desires for scout. If scout is a mocking bird who are some of the other mocking birds our there? Boo, Jem, and Tom are some of the other excellent examples of mocking birds out there. Tom was just a lively man that has a family and tons of people that love him. He was put in jail because some people we know who made up a story that he raped somebody and it wasn’t even true. He ended up getting killed because some guards at the prison shot him because he tried to escape. They shot him 17 times and he fell to his death. That is what I call a true mocking bird. Boo Radley is another inspiring mocking bird. He hadn’t even been outside his house for years. People criticize and make fun of him and they even think he is scary. When Jem and Scout where getting beat up by Bob Ewell Boo came out and he saved Jem and he carried him back to the house. Jem is another example of a mocking bird. He is growing and starting to find out what the real world is all about. He is just a kid and he does things that really deceive me some of the things he does I never even would of thought he would of done them. He always watches after scout all of the time and he always wants the best for her, He tried to protect scout the best he could the night that they got attacked. The time they tried to catch a quick peek at Boo Radley he let everyone else go through first and then he went through last. I hope that I would do the same for other people and I hope that I can be like Jem and other mocking birds. The mocking birds are all good and Scout an the other mocking birds are really good people. If Everybody in our world was like Scout the world would be a really good place and we would be really safe.

Melvin Stribling

A choice is what state of mind your in.
Choose is something you let in your life.
You have a choice to do better.
We choose to do better.
If we don’t then we will be in a pit if sadness.
The universe is a powerful thing.
You choose to like your universe.
You have a choice to make your universe fit you and your life style.
So if you don’t you will be in a mind of rage, darkness, and doubt
Choices and choose go hand in hand.
You choose your choices and your choices are the things that you choose.

Brooke Sessions TKM Poem

Imagine

Imagine living in a storybook
There would be a prince, princess, and a castle
Don’t forget the bad guy who always gets defeated in the end
And……of course a Happy Ending

Now look at reality
Instead of letting your thoughts conqueror
You let your actions invade your thoughts
Drugs, Killing, Hate and Actions
Are shaping our world making
Imagination invisible to ourselves
These kinds of things are making
Peace fades in our picture of the world

What about your imagination
What do you want?
A family, a job, money
A Happy Ending
No more wasteful wars, world peace
And an undying world
A clear picture of the future
Charity, Love, and Peace
These things need to be discovered
Worldwide to help unit us
We all need to work together

sean howard

tkm
THUS BEGUN a grand adventure. OUR greatest challenge yet. Some parts will be exciting and fun. But the
LONGEST and most difficult part is yet to come. The adventure is
JOURNEY called life. If you lose your map along the way, ill be there. Well face it
TOGETHER
IT felt so sweet upon my face. The balmy, tropical breeze
WAS rolling of thee shore. I had emerged from my dark and frigid winter
Hibernation. At last
SUMMERTIME arrived and I greeted it with an overwhelming celebration of the
New reason in the soft, amber sunset



Do
YOU know why there is
STILL so much prejudice and
HATE in the world? There’s to much, and its saddens ME how we let is go on
ITS as though the sox are
NOT able to even score the runs in
TIME to win games, or do so often. Some
WORRY that they will never win
YET they always come to close
To start the chase, to hunt, to make a
KILL ready, aim, fire the shots hits a deer it falls it lies it dies a
MOCKINGBIRD mourns the death
ITS
Not hard to see that
TIME is precious and
TO waste all of your time with
WORRY and fear accomplishes nothing
YET to spend your time in happiness accomplishes everything

William Harrison

They wanted “Boo” Radley to come out
Dill came and they try to get him to come out
Things were in a knothole of a tree
His way of communicating with the world
His uncle knew
It filled it with cement
They imagine him as a monster
Scout thinks he is more
Dill, Jem, and Scout want to be friends with “Boo”
Tom was accused of rape
There is no way out
People can’t face the truth
A white man told a lie a black told the truth
To set him free
Guilty… guilty… guilty… guilty were the words
Atticus tried, tried, and tried again
To set him free
There is no chance at all
Because tom is black
His wife is broken
She has to get a job there is no father for her children
Shot seventeen times he could not be saved
He was a cripple and a mockingbird
Yet he was convicted
Halloween pageant with scout as a ham
She is too late on the stage
Jem and she head home
She hears a “crunch” her costume breaks
They are saved by “Boo”
He tried to murder children before he died

irving chavez

My poem is like no other because like most poets , they write about the sky or how life is. I am not one of those people I don’t have much of a way with words. But I will try to make a poem but not on life or the sky but on the book “how to kill a mockingbird” and what I thought and my connections some of the characters. In my mind I think that some of the stuff like how it was not right what they did to Tom Robinson, but I also feel good on how boo came out from his home to help Jem and scout. In this book I feel like I can connect to many of the people in the book but one in special that I can connect with is Jem because like me with we both have grown to were we both know many things that might even surprise us. Like without knowing I will answer something that I don’t remember where I learned it. But maybe its just life but that’s how it is. But this is my poem that is not like any other you will ever read.

Danyell Miller TKM POEM

Scout

Scout is like a curios cat

she wants to know everything

'bout the world she lives in

from the sun to its light

from the moon to its night

she tries her hardest to do whats rite

when scout has a questions she

needs to find out

by being polite without a holler

or shout

she listens to Atticus that's

something that's good

she tries to follow all his words

like she should

sometimes Scout wants to do

something different

but she knows Atticus wants

her to be persistent

so shell stand up for

what she thinks is right

she wont let anyone diss

on her family without a fight

she doesn't like dresses

she hates cleaning up messes

Scout is about six years old

and that is how her stories told.

Darian Sinclair, TKM poem

Must we grow up?

Boo hides under a light
Not to be seen
Not to be heard…

Scout and Jem are so thrilled
Summer, Summer is finally here
All that they can think about is dill
Waiting, waiting

Scout and Jem are so excited
Can you feel them?
Dill arrives with no warning
They come to find he has ran away

Dill is lonely but feels nothing
Scout knows nothing
She thinks she is in love
She is only 8

Dill knows about love
They are true to love?
Or just friends
Who have strong feelings for each other?

Jem is getting older
With nothing but a holder
Scout fights to stay young
Can you stay young forever?

Cortney Rasmussen, TKM Poem

Anything<3

When I choose to think of anything
I always think of you
I always think of anything
and that is all I do
when people say do anything
and tell me where to go
I let their words fly right past
to carry on the show

When anything is all you see
and all you see is death
the cold runs down you like a breeze
you take another breath
when anything comes back again
and you always feel depressed
jealousy comes back to you
and your words are all a mess

But then again if anything
I’m always there for you
and if you said you loved me
I would say I love you to
If anything is all I wrote
I’d write just how I feel
It’d be about the words you say and
and my breaths you always take

Your words to me
they mean the world as if anything I would know
and if anything was your hugs
I’d want anything everyday
I write this because of anything
you’re the one I want
and I’d choose you over anything
because you’re the one
I love

joselyn ibanez

Racism is what help kill tom Robinson

He tried to escape prison

And he started to run

He got shot down not once but seventeen times

Tom’s was clearly innocent

But being black back then was a crime

Atticus was a very good man

He try to defend tom Robinson

With an attitude of ‘’we can”

This was a great message he was trying to send

But through tom’s deathRacism won in this end

Sami Scheidell

The odd man


The world is full of anger,
the world is full of hate.
can you blame him for staying inside?
for not wanting to face it all?

even in his little town horrible things are happening.
an honest man is judged by the color of his skin.
why would he want to see that?
in this little town he once might have loved.

Every talks about him because he wont show his face.
in all of white mans equals he is still the odd man.
he has pale white skin and red eyes is what they say.
people don't trust what they cant see and they cant see him.

some days i don't want to come out.
i want to stay inside where its safe.
he doesn't want to see the evil.
he would rather deny its presence completely.

whenever he comes out some one is in need.
when scout was cold he gave her a warm blanket.
when Jem was hurt he carried him to safety
he helps and gives gifts but still people talk

boo isn't forced inside his own house,
his brother doesn't lock him in.
he stays in on his own accord.
he stays in because he wants to.

Rebecca Jones, TKM Poem

A Childs Life

She was once worried about her studies
and how she was scolded for reading.
With no knowledge of the real world,
she kept on with her life.

She was trying to figure him out
while he was right by her side.
He gets discovered.
He informs them they had better stop.

Things get more difficult.
They were excluding her.
She felt so lonely; she didn’t understand.
She took refuge under her grown friends.

She is no longer interested in him.
She has other things on her mind.
He has been trialed.
He has the heavy burden of the case.

She has seen how he has been treated.
and many other immoral things.
No longer was she innocent
for she has witnessed the terror of the world.

He is dead for trying to fulfill his dream.
He is dead for trying to kill.
They had barely escaped his dark piercing blade.
she now knows the honest truths of life

Kelsey Welcher

Mysteriousness

He’s Mysterious in a creepy way.
Always hidden in the darkness,
Who knows what he’s really up to?
Wondering if he’s rude or kind
Questions left unanswered about him.
Mysterious, and creepy
Describes Boo Radley!

He lurks in the shadows
Trying and succeeding at not making a sound.
Town pays no attention, to his mysterious ways.
Mysteriousness is a question to be answered.
Has not been seen for a long time
Wondering if he still exists.

Amazing time to come out
Saving little children… who need his help!
For Boo isn’t creepy or as mysterious.
He saved the lives of two children
And is now looked up to and should be happy.
Never will know who Boo really is or how he really feels
Maybe he will go back to his mysterious ways.

Boo can see everything
Wonder why he chooses to stay hidden?
Maybe he’s scared of the world, but who am I to blame him?
Once again questions left unanswered…
And mysteriousness is to blame.

Emily Bracken

Innocence is Bliss
An innocent little child
So brave, young and free
Walking down the summer street
Curious about the world around

Time passes as the little girl starts to grow
Her innocence and childhood starts to fade away
The scars of the past and worries of her future begin to sadly show
Growing up gets tougher we all well know

Summers of fun and playing
Keep her withering spirits high
The once innocent girl discovers evil
The warm gets colder

Life passes by

It’s hard to grow up in this day and age
When people are shooting the sweet mockingbirds
Trials that break her force her to learn
That life is constantly changing
The evil of the world starts to win the fierce battle
But in the end the mockingbirds win
For their hearts of gold shine through the dark

In this cold, cruel and selfish world
The mockingbirds’ voices are never heard
They are called cowards and treated poorly
The little girl wonders if this is how life is supposed to be

Time passes slowly, miracles happen

The child discovers the worth of a mockingbird

For a sweet mockingbird should never be killed

For all they do is bring sweet music to our ears

Daniel Archuleta TKM Poem

Insanity
You can get trapped not only by a gate
But by insanity, she’ll make you her precious mate.
An eruption from a mind is more than from a mountain
Because death is an end, insanity’s a blood fountain
It just keeps spewing ‘til it finally breaks
Then finally the longest torture leaves your life at stake
Insanity, even after victory, still wants more
Finding collapsers to make an encore
Taking one more mind, she will not stop
Silver gates crash down and you won’t see a top
One by one insanity attacks more
Cramming bodies through heavens door
She aches in heads and flows through veins
Since poison isn’t there she must replace
You can try to run but will not succeed
Because as you jump she’ll pull your feet
Past the ground and behind bars
Knowing that freedom is oh so far
Running only feeds her fuel
She’ll laugh as you run and look like a fool
The thing we breathe is not of air,
But the blood of her victims, our earth is her lair

Shanee's MLK Essay Contest Entry

Here is an example of an exceptional essay! Inspiring. Well done!

A long time ago there was a man who had a dream of making this world a better place. Now to this day, that dream has encouraged a lot of people to make peace.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a great person! Man, he tried making the world right. He wanted people to accept each other for who they are, not what their color of skin was. It took quite awhile for him to give encouragement and make peace and fewer worries for people. He wanted to stop racism! He wanted to set slaves free! He had a dream. He said, “I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of the former slave owners will be able to sit together at the table lf brotherhood”. Martin Luther King wanted people to love, not to hate. He was a peaceful person and wanted others to have love within themselves and within each other. “I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality…I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word”. This is what he wanted –to make a change.

I personally think he has made a change by loving and caring for others, and really made a point to other people. Now, to this day, we have a president who reminds a lot of people of Martin Luther King Jr. Barack Obama also has the encouragement to make peace on this earth and stop the sad, uncaring wars between Iraq and America. He also believes in giving a lot of people their rights.

From what I’ve learned so far about Obama, is that of course for one, that he is president and he is also a black male- that is America’s president! It gives me a great feeling that there was once a black male trying to make a right and stand for his people and make peace; and yet, Martin Luther King Jr. had less rights.

He had faith. “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase”. That’s what Martin Luther King Jr. once said to his brothers and sisters. He gave a lot of others to have faith in everything.

Now we have a president to represent Martin Luther King, but yet our president has rights to speak and make a difference in the world and between others. I think that’s the only thing that is different between them but they think and feel the same.

I think our new president will officially make a change in this world and make it a happier place for all of us. I also have a good feeling that there will be less worries for a lot of Americans.
People will have peace and no worries! So lets all have faith in our new president like he does for us. -Shanee Holbrook

MLK Writing Contest

Here is the link with a ton of information and great insights!

DUE IN CLASS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14th

We will be writing and working on this essay this week.

You Are Dreamers

Period 6...Great Dreams! Read them often.


I have a dream that we will be friends and we will not hate anyone.


I have a dream that everyone will be able to live the life they choose without being labeled as the “black sheep”.


I have a dream that I will grow in the sunlight instead of hid in the bitter darkness.


I have a dream that drama will leave the whole world alone.

I have a dream that the talents of two will come together and make a beautiful song.

I have a dream that I won’t get judged for something I’m not.

I have a dream that my art will be known throughout the world.

I have a dream that we will live in unity, peace, and true freedom.

I have a dream that I can one day walk outside with no fear of assassination, persecution, or degradation.

I have a dream that cures will be discovered for all illnesses.

I have a dream that drugs won’t be a part of kids’ lives.

I have a dream that no man will pull me low enough to hate him.

I have a dream that my family will get closer together.

I have a dream all people will get along.

I have a dream that man will not judge others.

I have a dream that everyone will give peace a chance, that war will stop and everyone will be happy.

I have a dream to finish a story.

I have a dream that world will be peaceful.

I have a dream I can skate anywhere.

I have a dream that there will be no more starving kids and families.

You Are Dreamers

Period 5...I love your dreams. Don't forget them.

I have a dream that whoever gets elected will make a change.

I have a dream to make something of myself.

I have a dream that in the future I will be able to help the kids like me that have nothing and give them something.

I have a dream that one day I can get up in front of millions of people and project myself in a way that I can inspire them with my words.

I have a dream that everyone will have a smile on their face.

I have a dream that when it’s the end of life, I’d have lived a life worth living.

I have a dream that someday I will be something in the medical field. It would be amazing to be able to save a life.

I have a dream that I will push myself further, do my best, and work a lot harder.


I have a dream that I will no longer be weak, but strong; that I will surpass the limits of racial jurisdiction.

I have a dream to be a famous actress.

I have a dream that one day I can get a report card with straight A’s.

I have a dream that I will have many new friends and keep all of my old ones.

I have a dream that love will surround me like a blanket and I will be blessed to have its warmth surround me and comfort me in times of need.

I have a dream that all nations and all people will be one nation and one people.

I have a dream to be the best football player that ever was.

I have a dream to knock down the walls others have built for others hurting them.

I have a dream to please my parents.


I have a dream that I can stand as strong as a redwood tree in my beliefs and dreams.

I have a dream that I can get a scholarship and a good education.

I have a dream to graduate from high school and then move on to college and graduate.
I have a dream that I will do something productive for or to help my country.

I have a dream that when I close my eyes I can’t still see the pain of the world.

Punctuation Power

Ever think a comma or a period could change the whole meaning of a letter? The power of punctuation is real. Take a look here for other examples.

Letter 1:

Dear John,

I want a man who knows what love is all about.

You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who

are not like you admit to being useless and inferior.

You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you.

I have no feelings whatsoever when we’re apart.
I can be forever happy-will you let me be yours?

-Janie

Letter 2:

Dear John,

I want a man who knows what love is.

All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful,

people who are not like you. Admit to being

useless and inferior. You have ruined me.

For, other men, I yearn. For you, I have no

feelings whatsoever. When we’re apart,

I can be forever happy. Will you let me be?

Yours,
Janie

Meet Ruby

Ruby Bridges was the first African American girl to be segregated into public school. She represents the beginning of a new chapter in American history amidst the chaos, race riots, and turbulence in our history.

Check out her story HERE!
You may also download a free mp3 of Lori McKenna's song and poem about Ruby.

A Picture Says a Thousand Words

TKM Discussion Notes Ch. 4-5 (sample)

To Kill a Mockingbird

Discussion Notes

Black text=concrete detail/summary

Purple text=commentary/analysis

Ch. 4
Scout endures a curriculum that moves too slowly. She is frustrated.
After school Scout encounters tinfoil sticking out of a knothole in one of the Radley’s oak trees. She finds chewing gum (a rare treat).

I’m wondering what the tree is showing. Does it have any significance. Perhaps it represents something to do with Boo and his mystery since it is found in his yard.

Jem’s reaction is one of protector and nervous brother.

This shows the kind of brother or person Jem truly is. He may tease and leave Scout out a lot, but in his heart he has many good qualities.

It’s the last day of school…yahoo! Jem and Scout find two Indian head pennies in the same knot hole of the Radley tree.

It’s the tree again! Who is leaving these items? Is it a coincidence? It is in the Radley place, so one can infer that it is one of the Radleys! If it is Boo, is he truly a monster?

Summer means Dill is coming back to Macomb!
They are up to their usual antics and accidentally roll Scout into the Radley’s yard in a tire. This gives them the idea to play “Boo Radley”.
Atticus catches them and asks if their game has anything do do with the Radleys. Jem lies. Atticus goes back into the house.

Even though it is one line where Jem lies, this is a main point in the book because we are seeing that good and bad is not black and white. Jem is good, but why does he lie to Atticus? Perhaps he is just a child growing up and learning for himself.

Ch. 5
Jem and Dill grow closer and Scout feels left out.

This shows they are growing up. Getting older.

Because of this she starts spending more time with Maudie Atkinson

The kids seem to be in charge of themselves. This shows that times have indeed changed.

Maudie is a gardener and a baker and knows Atticus well. She tells Scout about Boo…how he had a tyrannical father and how must that feel like to be a victim of a harsh father…a “foot washing Baptist” who believed most people were going to hell.

Maudie seems to be a “voice of reason”. She brings a whole other perspective about Boo into the story. We definitely think about him in a different way. He is becoming more human to us. Who do we make out to be a monster in our world? Do we need another POV to change our thoughts?

She says Boo was a very polite child and that most of the rumors are false; that he wasn’t crazy as a child, but he probably is now.

This information just confirms that Boo is like everybody else.

Jem and Dill are planning on giving Boo a note inviting him out to get ice cream. They try to stick the note in a window of the Radley Place with a fishing pole, but Atticus catches them and says “stop tormenting that man”!

The Big Ideas/ Themes….the message

CHANGE - from monster to human. Boo’s character.
CHANGE – Dill and Jem are growing up
CHANGE- Scout is starting to see people in different ways…learning POV from Miss Maudie.
BOO’s CHARACTER – we feel him in the tree, and we feel him as Miss Maudie offers insight …a sympathetic perspective. You be the judge.
JUSTICE – Atticus is always standing up and saying not to play the Radley game….why?

PREVIEW: Look for these themes in Ch. 6-7

INNOCENCE
SUFFERING
SYMPATHY
GROWING UP/CHANGE

Scuppernogs..mmm

Accept v. Except

Accept means to acknowledge, allow, recognize, or approve; except means to exclude.

Except also means “with the exception of…”

a. I accepted his candidacy for the job.
b. I love all of the food on my plate except the peas.

TKM Survival Guide

Here is the link to To Kill a Mockingbird survival guide. It has great help for vocabulary and allusions.

Another Writing Contest

The last writing contest posted is actually over. But on that website I did find another one that looks kind of fun. It's for poems. The website is: http://www.youngvoicesfoundation.org/images/YVA_Speak_Their_Muse.doc
Have fun!
-Reagan

...And Don't Forget It

"It isn't where you come from, it's where you're going that counts." — Ella Fitzgerald

I Feel Like Lane Cake

Check out what other people have to say about TKM:

This one talks about the famous lane cake (ch. 5)

This one is someone's opinion on our characters.

This one is very interactive....but be careful where you snoop. We don't want the ending to be ruined!

Reagan Says 'Hi'.

Hello, fellow 9th graders! I am way excited for all of the writing contests you have posted, Ms. Lafortune. Thanks for all of your hard work, I think it's really neat. Well, I have to go, so have a nice night/day.
Sincerely,
Reagan

From the Principal's Desk

I am excited about being part of your conversations! As you know, writing is an important part of our school. I want all of you to become great writers. It doesn't matter what profession or career you choose, you will need to know how to write.Writing can and will open many doors in your future!Write, write, write....

OMG Another Writing Contest!

A call for all short stories! Check it out here!

Affect v. Effect

This commonly confused word set stumps a lot of people. Here are some ways to remember how to use it correctly.

All information and cartoons below taken from Grammar Girl.

Affect

Affect with an a means "to influence," as in, "The arrows affected Ardvark," or "The rain affected Amy's hairdo." Affect can also mean, roughly, "to act in a way that you don't feel," as in, "She affected an air of superiority."

Effect

Effect with an e has a lot of subtle meanings as a noun, but to me the meaning "a result" seems to be at the core of all the definitions. For example, you can say, "The effect was eye-popping," or "The sound effects were amazing," or "The rain had no effect on Amy's hairdo."

Click here for a more complete explanation.

Shout Out to "Mandy"

If you want some cool quotes, check out one of HJH's own...Mandy's blog.

Another Writing Contest!

DEADLINE COMING SOON.....SEPT. 30th!

This one is a great one. It is a local contest. Here is what KSL has to say about it, "Choose the local leader you'd like to "follow" for a day, and get writing! The winning essay will spend the day and attend an honorary luncheon with their chosen mentor, a $1,000 Savings Bond, essay printed in the newspaper and the overall winning essay gets $5,000 for their school! Deadline for entries is Tuesday, September 30th! See entry form brochure for more details.

Entry forms can be picked up at Macey's.

Writing Contest!

Here is a great opportunity and chance to let your voice be heard with an invitation for a national reading-writing contest. Readers (that means you!) will write a personal letter to an author explaining how the author changed your way of thinking in some way (about you, and or your world).

To find out more, read samples, and how to apply click here.

p.s. extra credit will be given for entering. :)

Rachel's Challenge

Yesterday our school had the opportunity to here about Rachel Scott and her challenge. Her influence and writing is inspiring! Read more about Rachel here. To read what our own Hillcrest students had to say, visit us here and click on our student blogs. These are our five goals and challenges. Here it is...written... so we will always remember.

1. Eliminate Prejudice -looking for the best in others

2. Dare to Dream - set goals - keep a journal

3. Choose your Influences - input determines output

4. Kind Words - Small acts of kindess= HUGE impact

5. Start a Chain Reaction- with family and friends

Let the Book Come to Life

Here is an artist who really knows the meaning of reading! Her artwork is orignal and communicates a wonderful idea in an artistic form. The irony is, she is representing words, text, and books without any writing involved. Take a look at Jennifer Khoshbin's work. Here are few samples below. Jennifer says it is addressing memory and imagination. Enjoy!