poetry-magazineSchool—12:15By Tina Boyer BrownImagine the lunchroom, crowded and wary— seating charts a welcome apprehension. Loose-leaf papers spiraled…LivingYouthTime & BrevityActivitiesSchool & LearningSchool
poetry-magazineA smile always healsBy Suma SubramaniamYou cannot pronounce my name. “Soor-ya.” Not “soar.” Surya—the sun god. Mom always tells me that a smile…Social CommentariesRace & EthnicityRelationshipsFriends & EnemiesActivitiesEating & DrinkingJoy & ContentmentCultureFriendsSchool + 3 more
My Doggy Ate My EssayBy Darren SardelliMy doggy ate my essay. He picked up all my mail. He cleaned my dirty closet and dusted with his tail…LivingYouthRelationshipsPetsActivitiesSchool & LearningHumorAnimalsSchool + 2 more
The Letter ABy Darren SardelliThe letter A is awesome! It simply is the best. Without an A, you could not get an A+ on a test. You…Arts & SciencesHumor & SatireTechniquesAlliterationAssonanceSchool
The Silliest Teacher in SchoolBy Darren SardelliOur teacher gave detention to the fountains in the hall. She handed extra homework to the artwork on…LivingYouthActivitiesSchool & LearningHumorSchool
Recess! Oh, Recess!By Darren SardelliRecess! Oh, Recess! We love you! You rule! You keep us away from the teachers in school. Your swings…LivingYouthActivitiesSchool & LearningHumorJoy & ContentmentSchoolSports and Outdoor Activities
More Dangerous AirBy Margarita EngleNewsmen call it the Cuban Missile Crisis. Teachers say it's the end of the world. At school, they instruct…Social CommentariesCities & Urban LifeRace & EthnicityWar & ConflictHistory & PoliticsLivingComing of AgeSchoolScience + 2 more
Turtle Came to See MeBy Margarita EngleThe first story I ever write is a bright crayon picture of a dancing tree, the branches tossed by island…Being OneselfSchool
Tula [“Books are door-shaped”]By Margarita EngleBooks are door-shaped portals carrying me across oceans and centuries, helping me feel less alone. …Social CommentariesGender & SexualityLivingParenthoodYouthRelationshipsHome LifeArts & SciencesReading & BooksDisappointmentArts & CultureBeing OneselfSchool + 6 more
Theme for English BBy Langston HughesThe instructor said, Go home and write a page tonight. And let that page come out of you— Then, it…Social CommentariesCities & Urban LifeRace & EthnicityLivingComing of AgeActivitiesSchool & LearningArts & SciencesPhilosophyStanza FormsCoupletMixedMetersFree VerseTechniquesPersonaBeing OneselfSchool + 11 more
TestsBy Sara Holbrook & Allan WolfHer Focusing on blanks, A, B, C, all of above. Your eyes lock on mine. Brain now a washing machine— …FriendsSchool
Ode to TeachersBy Pat MoraI remember the first day, how I looked down, hoping you wouldn't see me, and when I glanced up, I saw…LivingYouthActivitiesSchool & LearningSchool
Nature Knows Its MathBy Joan Bransfield GrahamDivide the year into seasons, four, subtract the snow then add some more green, a bud, a breeze, a whispering…GratitudeJoy & ContentmentFun & GamesSchoolSports and Outdoor Activities
Green-Thumb BoyBy Marilyn NelsonHybridization, cross-breeding, evolution: He takes to new theories like a puppy takes to ice cream. …Social CommentariesRace & EthnicityHistory & PoliticsActivitiesSchool & LearningArts & SciencesSciencesSchoolScience + 2 more
Budding ScholarsBy April Halprin WaylandWelcome, Flowers. Write your name on a name tag. Find a seat. Raise your leaf if you've taken a class…Joy & ContentmentSchool
When I Heard the Learn’d AstronomerBy Walt WhitmanWhen I heard the learn’d astronomer, When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me,… Related Audio NatureStars, Planets, HeavensLivingArts & SciencesSciencesDisappointmentSchoolScience
Watkins Laundry and ApothecaryBy Marilyn NelsonImagine a child at your door, offering to do your wash, clean your house, cook, to weed your kitchen…CultureSchool
My Doggy Ate My HomeworkBy Dave Crawley“My doggy ate my homework. He chewed it up,” I said. But when I offered my excuse My teacher shook her…ActivitiesSchool & LearningMetersCommon MeasureAnimalsBeing OneselfSchool
PerfectBy Kenn NesbittToday I managed something that I’ve never done before. I turned in this week’s spelling quiz and got…ActivitiesSchool & LearningMetersCommon MeasureSchool
December SubstituteBy Kenn NesbittOur substitute is strange because he looks a lot like Santa Claus. In fact, the moment he walked in …ActivitiesSchool & LearningChristmasStanza FormsCoupletHolidaysSchool