Grade 7
Informational, Narrative, PersuasiveWritingAfrican-Americans die every day, and not of natural causes. We know about Emmett Till, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Renisha McBride, and many more. Those were hate crimes. What I’m talking about is something incomprehensible – little black boys and black men killing each other. The black community had an uproar about those murders, but did they realize that the biggest problem is that black boys and men are killing each other? Don’t get me wrong, hate crimes are horrid, but killing each other in retaliation is just as bad.
Thirty-nine percent of men in gangs are black. Some believe I don’t need an education, that I can just join a gang. But why would I wanna make bankrolls with the chance of getting shot in the head? Why murder someone to make money with the chance of people wanting to avenge that death? We ask all these questions but do absolutely nothing. We are scared and hide behind message boards on Facebook to talk about the problem. Facebook is not – and will never be – the real world.
We get labeled as ghetto, hood, and poor by other people. But we don’t just accept it, we live it. Too many wear it as a badge of honor or a joke. Middle-income children go to school joking about poverty, never having faced it or having to fight for their lives. They joke that the hood is cool, when in reality it’s not. But instead of doing something they make a meme out of it and post it on social media. Of all the memes I have seen, nobody has actually said anything important.
I feel that black and brown lives actually do matter when we are protesting cops killing little black boys and men… but not when we kill each other. We undermine killing each other when we instead focus on cops. Both are important and need to be dealt with. We need to stop killing each other and unite. We have to change ourselves and come together. We need to start with the man in the mirror. We must change our ways before we try to change others.
But I don’t think this is limited to African-Americans. This is a world epidemic happening in many more communities, in cities sadly full of violence, in Detroit, Chicago, New York, and more places. People need to stop turning their heads when violence happens. America as a whole focuses on the wrong things, absorbed in the lives of celebrities and sports, but when it comes to big issues, we focus on the miniscule things.
Tyshawn Lee was murdered, but what made the most headlines was what his mother did with the settlement money. I’m not at all saying that I think what she did was okay, but the point is, when important things happen we focus on the things of little-to-no importance.
My generation may be the world’s only chance, but our flaw is political correctness to the effect that you can’t say anything and are too scared to stand up and make change. So heads up everybody: the world, but mostly the “land of the free and the home of the brave,” is on a roller coaster, and it’s going downhill.
by Christian, 826michigan
In this resolution inspired by the "Include Someone" lesson and Cartoon Network storyboard, we learn that sometimes the easiest way to make someone feel included is by lending a hand.
by Jamie, 826 Valencia
A metaphorical poem about frustrations, from homework to homelessness.
by Luis, 826LA
A rap song dedicated to the Marvel comic writer Stan Lee and his inspired creations like the Hulk, Deadpool, Iron Man, and The Fantastic Four.
by Duanté, 826 Valencia
A personal narrative about race and identity.
by Renee, 826NYC
A poem about a place where ideas can grow.
by Sahir M., Grade 7
This poem uses metaphors to describe who the speaker really is.
by Jason, 826michigan
Making bottle flipping look like child's play, this piece outlines rules for the new, competitive Fantasy Sport "Pencils".
by Wayne Gillyard, 826 Valencia
This poem shares the writer's love of all things yellow.
by 826NYC students
This collaborative poem explores the many sides and senses of laughter.
by Issa Caothien, 826NYC
In this resolution inspired by the "Include Someone" lesson and Cartoon Network storyboard, we learn that if you work together, you're golden!
by Marco, 826LA
A screenplay about a plane crash and an epic journey to Mexico, with a twist!
by Jose Martin Gomez, 826 Valencia
This poem celebrates a special person in the writer's life.
by Mateo, 826CHI
An informative entry on the meaning and usage of a student-inspired word: doomungous.
by Elsy, 826LA
Song lyrics about memories of cake and pizza, friendship, and giving 1,000 opinions.
by Ibrahim, Grade 7, 826 MSP
In this letter from the Essential Words lesson, 7th grader Ibrahim thanks Nurses for the heart and soul they put into caring for their patients and fighting disease.
by Claire Leiva, Grade 6, 826michigan
A poem about the writer's favorite animal--corgis!
by Jin, 826LA
This student says thank you to her Mom, her hero, for a life full love and beef noodles!
by Sam, 826CHI
In this poem, a student pits mathematics against the unknown.
by Janelle Suazo, age 12, 826 Valencia
A school dare gone horribly wrong!
by Pia, 826NYC
A student reimagines food justice: Fruit Woman must convince Junk Food Man and Cheesecake Boy to eat their fruits and vegetables.
by Lesly, 826 Valencia
A sports poem about the losing blues.
by Inge S., Age 13, 826CHI
Part riddle, part observations, this poem leaves the reader with big things to think about.
by Leslie, 826NYC
In this imaginative narrative about food justice, Golden Girl and LoLo go up against the evil Chemical Bug so kids everywhere can eat healthy fruits and vegetables.
by Khloe Fewster, 826 Valencia
This poem uses repetition to give advice for when you're feeling unsure of yourself.
by Chelsea, 826NYC
An acrostic poem about the Black Lives Matter movement.
by Renee, 826NYC
A poem that explores all that a tree can stand for.
by John, 826NYC
A creative commentary on food justice in which Digestive Man defends local farms from Corn Boy and the Factory Farmers!
by Sela, 826 MSP
This poem holds big dreams for the speaker's future.
by Andres Santisteban-Perez, age 12, 826 Valencia
When playing video games night turned into a nightmare.
by Isabella Serrato, Grade 7, 826 Dallas Project
This poem uses sound devices to enhance the overall tone.
by Djeneba Soumaoro, 826michigan
A student’s manifesto!
by Amaya, 826michigan
A letter devoted to a favorite fruit that’s sweet and sour just like this student’s favorite candy: Sour Patch Kids!
by Satis, 826 Valencia
A student argues for the importance of transgender rights in response to current events.
by Charlotte, 826CHI
A poem about spring!
by Asa, 826CHI
This narrator embarks on a mysterious vacation in the sky!
by Renée, 826NYC
A persuasive letter detailing to the recipient the pointlessness of writing a persuasive letter. A helpful example for reluctant writers.
by Destiny, 826NYC
In this poem, a student contrasts conflicting perspectives on the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
by Alondra, 826CHI
An epic story of a princess who seeks acceptance among the stars.
by Calvin, 826michigan
A student professes love—to a jalapeño!
by V.G., 826LA
A poem that muses on the purpose of borders in question and answer format.
A writer's fake news article about a miracle drug that can cure anything.
A writer's fake news article about a miracle drug that can cure anything.
by Eva, 826 Valencia
A student celebrates the journey of discovering whom to love.
by Brigid, 826CHI
A poem about facing fear—and learning how to shine.
by Saeed, 826NYC
Food justice advocacy is reimagined by this student as an epic battle rages between Nutriman, Captain Nutritional, and Junkster in a school cafeteria!
by Fahima Dahir, 826 MSP
A poem about the strength and limitations of language and shared culture.
by Chelsea, 826NYC
A creative field guide to Daddy Longlegs.
by CA, Grade 7, 826CHI
A writer's honest view of who they are and their potential.
by Johnny Vasquez, 826 MSP
A family interview reveals a mother's painful past and shines a light on her persistence.
by Annapoorani L., Grade 7, Seattle WA
A student recounts their experience with a school shooting in a letter to the next U.S. President to reform gun control.
by Luis, 826LA
This student writes a letter to a hero with a sweet double kick: Jackie Chan!
by Uma Cantone, 826NYC
Ever wonder what would happen if the sky fell? This student uses metaphor to explore new beginnings.
by Evelyn Escamilla, 826 Valencia
This poem uses metaphors and similes to describe happiness.
by Curtis, 826michigan
A rhyming (inverse) ode to a very irritating noise.
by Alonso, 826 Boston
An insightful set of instructions for surviving a day as a 7th grader in the Boston Teachers Union School.
by Giovanna, 826NYC
An informative how-to on using a pen that can manipulate time and space.
by Angel, 826CHI
Several friends harness a new source of energy and develop superpowers—with a surprise ending! Both Spanish and English versions available.
by Sara Sofia Becerra L., Age 14, 826 Valencia
This poem shares the writer's love for music with the world.
by Harrison, 826michigan
A recursive poem that helps students explore the potential connections between math fractals and verse.
by Kevin, 826NYC
An informational briefing on a horrible incident in the year 5176 that changed the hoverboarding industry forever.
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