Concord International Elementary: Poetry and Song 2022
In the 2021-2022 school year, 2nd graders at Concord International Elementary School worked with Jack Straw teaching artist Vicky Edmonds to write original poems about their feelings, emotions, and what they’re like deep inside. Jack Straw musicians Tomo Nakayama and Abel Rocha wrote songs inspired by the students’ poems – Tomo working with Ms. Dillon’s class, and Abel working with Ms. Zambrano and Ms. Martinez’s classes. Abel and Tomo recorded their songs, and joined the classes virtually to teach them to the students.
Vicky Edmonds also worked with Concord 4th graders in Ms. Groszhans and Ms. Bargo’s classes. She helped them write poems on many topics, including family, personal feelings and emotions, and nature. Vocal coaches Sunam Ellis and Brenda Arellano helped each of them practice reading their work aloud.
Listen, look, and read on below for Tomo and Abel’s songs, and drawings and poems from the Concord 2nd and 4th grade students!
Some of the 2nd graders’ Earnest Apology, Appreciation, Hurt Feelings, and Deep Inside poems, along with drawings by the students:
Invisible Beauties… social emotional learning through poetry
© 2000 All Rights Reserved. Templates may not be used or shared without written permission from Vicky Edmonds. For more information on please call Vicky Edmonds: (206) 937-0700.
Concord Poetry and Song 2022 was produced with the generous support of the Washington State Arts Commission, Jubilation Foundation Fund, a fund of Tides Foundation, and individual donors. Special thanks to Seattle Public Schools International Education Administrator Thad Williams.
Click ‘Read More’ for the Concord 4th Graders’ poems.
Ms. Bargo’s Class:Armonni Deep inside Beorn If people were food, Brianna When you excluded me, Hikima If people were plants, Janiyah Dear Eyobe, Joseph When you hit me, Katelynn When you called me names Keionni If people were cupcakes, Khalida If people were weather, Kianna Deep inside Matthew When you yelled at me Ocean If people were parts of a car, Ragana Deep inside, Ragany Deep inside Shealyn Deep inside Vinny Dear Grandma, Yafyet When you were being rude to me Yahya Deep inside |
Ms. Groszhans’ Class:Ariana Dear Mateo Ali, Brandon My kindness is like a red boat Carlos Dear Sister, Daniella Deep inside, Daphne Deep inside, David C. Dear Duncan, David O. When you yelled at me, Duncan When you took something from me, Grace My truth. Illy You have damaged me now, Izzy My trustworthiness Jason Dear Ms. Carly, Jasmyne My dreams are like rainbows, Jesus Dear Mom, Kailey Dear Sister, Kris Deep inside, Lillian Deep inside, Malleka Dear Myself, Mia & Princessa Our friendship is like a sunset Nasreen My hope is like joy and water Raizo Deep inside, Sandy My creativity is like a painting palette Simey Dear Cousin, Sophia Deep inside Taya Dear Illy, Wren My wisdom is like green vines Ximena Deep inside I am like a tree |
Artists
Vicky Edmonds
Vicky Edmonds is a poet and a teacher who uses the written and spoken word to bring the deepest and most authentic parts of ourselves to the page into the…
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Tomo Nakayama
Born in Japan and raised in Seattle, Washington, Tomo Nakayama is an artist whose melodic, complex, and emotionally compelling music has been praised by NPR, New York Times, and The…
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Abel Rocha
Abel Rocha is a Mexico City-born folklorist, singer and multi-instrumentalist who performs music of Mexico, Venezuela, Peru, Chile and Argentina. He is a foundational member of groups including…
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Brenda Arellano
Brenda Arellano is a performer and devisor based in Oakland after almost a decade in Chicago. She was a company member with the Chicago Neo-Futurists and she recently performed…
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Sunam Ellis
Sunam Ellis is an actor, director, and teaching artist based out of Seattle. Her training began with her studies at the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, and after receiving her…
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