Where I’m From By the Class of 2024 at Fred Rodgers Magnet Academy
Focusing on Nostalgia Reclamation while utilizing the theme: MY AURORA, Fred Rodgers Magnet Academy 8th grade students reflected on their past and ‘where they are from’, literally and figuratively. Students considered their childhood homes, family, neighborhoods, schools and community, and writers understood that there is power in their story. Poems included references to foods; locations, streets, and buildings in Aurora, memories, and traditions such as eating 12 grapes each new year. This narrative poetry format was inspired by George Ella Lyon’s poem Where I’m From for the purpose of healing after the pandemic.
Some personally identifiable information has been removed from the original poems. The 8th grade team of teachers who led this project include: Laura Krueger (Language Arts), Cynthia Martinez (Social Studies), Bethany Morton (Pre-AP Algebra), Lisa Peña (Former Science Teacher)