Led by Dr. Allison Slade, the two newest DLTL cohorts collaborated on a culturally responsive writing activity in their DLTL 443 class – Academic Language Development Across Content Areas. Using mentor text poem “Where I’m From” each class wrote one poem that expressed their identities and culture. Presented here is the poem written by our Chicago DLTL Cohort:

Where I’m From – DLTL Chicago Cohort 2019-2020

I am from mama y papa

From el campo

From “no se dice que se dice Mande”

And taza de canela y pan dulce

I am from Guanjuato where I long to go every summer to hug and laugh

            With my family

From “If you are going to do something do it well”

            And “If you are going to be a tree, be the best tree on the block”

I am from the smell of CPS elementary cafeterias

            And the nostalgia of them

From salsa music blasting in the living room

            And novelas blaring on the kitchen TV

I am from salty breeze, fried fish

            And coconut rice

I am from the frustrated dreams of my father

            And the stubbornness of my mother

From my mother’s womb

            And my father’s heart

I am from English speaking at home

            And Español con tías, tíos y abuelitos

From laughter and dancing in the kitchen

            And a strong matriarch to hold us up

I am from whispers in the morning

            And Yelling long distance phone calls

From parents’ roots

            And walks on the beach

I am from heating my dad’s diesel truck make it home

            And tejandas, banda, familia y tequila

From hip-hop

            And freestyling on the porch

I am from salsa y aguacate

            And inspirando en el balcón

I am from the land of the lakes

            And meet me at the green thing.

From Los Bukis and Metallica

            And a one bedroom apartment para 4.

I am from a hard-working couple

            And who loves her children to infinity and beyond

I am from up and at ‘em

            And tired eyes

From busy streets

            And reading books

I am from humble beginnings

            And big dreams

The Chicago cohort is currently in their 3rd course of the program – Biliteracy Program Design and Development– and will be completing their intensive Summer coursework at the end of this week.