12.01.2008

student's writing

As promised, here is what I put together of my students' writings (I will blog about Thanksgiving at another time.)

If you feel like "kids these days" just don't understand, or that they have lost a love for words to video games and t.v. shows, then you need to read this! :) The Friday before Thanksgiving for my student's writer's notebook's invitation (they write for 10 minutes everyday in these), I simply asked them to record why they write. I read them a chapter from Natalie Goldberg's "Writing Down the Bones," & then I turned on the classical music for 10 minutes and in the lamp light (Oh yes, I really set the mood, don't I?) they wrote these words that moved me to tears.
Just when I had almost lost hope in them and in their ability to really feel writing, they gave me true inspiration and art.
I looked through all 120 notebooks and could have typed up 20 pages...but I pulled out the ones that refreshed something in me, or that broke something in me, or that made me want to pick up my pen and write.
So here you have it, why Mrs. Irwin's 8th grade Language Arts classes write:
I write.....

- Because it takes me anywhere I want to go.

- Because it influences me every time I write a piece.

- Because it makes me feel good about myself.

- Because if I didn’t, the monster would unleash itself.

- Because it is the only thing that keeps me contained.

- Because I am heartbroken, and need to mend my shattered heart.

- Because my heart is overfilled with emptiness, and I am in hopes of filling it with emotion.

- Because I don’t have the guts to say things in person.

- Because I am shallow; like a creek without water.

- Because they are my stories, my imagination coming out on paper.

- To see a new world.

- Because I’m full of mistakes.

- So I can start a new page.

- Because I’m only 13.

- To answer my questions.

- Because my teachers say I talk too much.

- Because I have ADHD.

- Because it is a never ending story.

- To see myself grow.

- It’s the only thing I know I’m good at.

- Because somebody will eventually read it and feel the same way.

- Because it’s a part of me: just like singing, and dancing, and my family.

- Because I can hit words instead of people.

- Because it takes the edge off of some pretty embarrassing things.

- Because I can’t say it out loud.

- Because everyone passed by too quickly.

- Because I can create a world and rule it with an iron fist.

- Because I am ignored.

- To start a riot.

- Because I don’t know how to stick up for myself.

- Because telling people things to their face is not what I do.

- Because my feelings get hurt easily and I don’t show it.

- Because I can’t handle the truth.

- Because I can’t take this anymore.

- Because nobody is perfect.

- Because I made another mistake.

- Because if you’re really writing you have the feeling you could go on forever and you just stop thinking about it and you just let the thoughts flow freely.

- Because I need to keep myself from going crazy.

- Because I need to get over my anger.

- Because it makes time go by quicker.

- Because it’s not the end of the world, it’s a new beginning.

- Because I have a story to tell everyone.

- Because it calms me down.

- Because I let go during writing.

- Because I don’t have to stop.

- Because there is no limit.

- Because nothing goes wrong while writing.

- Because it never holds you back.

- Because it’s a way of life.

- Because it always agrees with you.

- Because it never talks back.

- To keep my brain active.

- To persuade.

- To change the world.

- To impress people.

- Because the world is messed up.

- Because nobody listens.

- Because that’s a piece of Springdale, Arkansas—home—that I don’t want to let go.

- Because I’m afraid of being judged.

- Because it’s my peace of mind.

- Because it makes up for hesitations and regret.

- Because it lets me be where I want to be, to see who I want to see, to say what I want to say, and not have to think twice about it.

- Because I want to compare my handwriting from another day.

- Because I love the feel of the imprinted paper after I’m done.

- Because I love to tell how much I miss you.

- Because it helps me cry.

- Because it’s my freedom.

- Because no one cares anymore.

- Because I’m heartbroken into shattered pieces.

- For the same reason a baby cries; for the same reason water freezes; for the reason a volcano erupts. I write because it’s natural.

- Even though there is never enough time to let your mind drip out onto the paper.

- Because the paper is the only one who cares to listen, and will not be hurt by what I say.

- Because the paper will listen without indifference.

- So I won’t yell at my mom.

- So I don’t put burdens on others.

- So that when the stress of the world is so great, and I am so alone, I don’t break.

- So the good times, feelings, and relationships have a safe haven, where I can keep them fresh forever.

- So there will be less of me and more of everyone else.

- To save myself, the world, and the ones I love.

- Because it is like breathing on the paper

- When I’m cold, tired, alone, worried, laughing, and rejoicing.

- Because I want to remember how I felt, where I was, how far I’ve come.

- Because I can actually get a whole story out.

- Because then I can make a story end the way I want to.

- Because it’s the only time I’m not interrupted.

- Because writing can be edited, unlike speaking.

- Because I’m too shy to say it out loud.

- Because I secretly want someone to hear my thoughts.

- Because I feel too small, too plain in the world.

- Because it’s the only way I know to touch someone’s life.

- Because I know my memory is never as good as visiting my memories in ink.

- Because I have an opinion; a voice that is suddenly heard over the crowd.

- Because of rainbows.

- Because there is a thing in my head called pain.

- Because my family is a distant memory I can’t seem to want anymore.

- Because I’m emotionally unprotected.

- Because I want my mother to have a better life.

- Because I fell through the cracks and was buried in cement.

- Because no one looks twice.

- Because I can’t seem to get the smell of paper out of my nose.

- Because I think pencils can remove my pain.

- To feel writing outside of schoolwork.

- To become a bestseller.

- Because things left unresolved can never be mended.

- Because I don’t want to leave my something broken because I may get no other chance to fix it.

- Because some people can’t, so I’ll write for them.

- Because I don’t want a chance to pass me up.

- So I can leave this trace of pencil markings on paper to be held and read for all eternity.

- To be the cause of someone’s laughing; someone’s tears.

- Because it is the over-popular blue jeans that never go out of style.

- To be the red rose in a field of gray.

- Because there are lies that are believed.

- Because there are too many hours in my midnight.

- Because I miss my grandmother.

- Because I am different.

- Because I am the girl who tripped over a bag and broke my arm.

- So that my mom will have a reason to get up in the morning.

- To feel, smell, see, hear, and touch.

- Because I have many things to say and no one has a long enough attention span.

- Because I open my mouth too much, and it’s my apology.

-Because I like to start with little ideas and turn them into big ones.

- Because people call me names and I don’t care.

- To start a revolution.

- Because I am like those priests that turn atheists into worshippers.

- Because I have the right.

- Because I tell my friends I don’t like to write, that there is nothing to write, but inside that is all I feel like doing.

-Because I’m a ship in a bottle with no escape.

- Because my parents don’t listen.

- Because I’m the youngest in my family.

- Because I was forced to grow up and I’m looking for a way back.

- Because it’s like putting a pressure release valve on my mind.

- Because I have a sponge-bob band-aid on my shoes.

-Because Wal-Mart isn’t open.

- Because I want to find love.

- Because every novel starts with a rough draft.

- Because it’s like being in a place where everyone understands you, and those types of places are hard to find.

2 comments:

*carrie* said...

Very cool, Kelsey. I've always liked 8th graders! =) Thanks for sharing.

Had to smile at the Springdale reference--that's where my mom's best friend lives, and I've been there many times!

Lyricality said...

I'm not sure how to write that it brought me to tears as well(without sounding like a pansie), reading their unguarded hearts for you. That shows trust. I'm so happy they have given you some :)