“Where I’m From” – an Intimate Look at the 2019-2020 DLTL Cohort in Schaumburg

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 Schaumburg DLTL Cohort:

 

Where I’m From – Schaumburg DLTL Cohort, Summer 2019

I am from a barren land

          And scorching sun

From mofongo, parranda, bomba

          And coqui, coqui are a voice.

I am from chocolate abuelita con bolillos

          And hearing the “paletero bells” right after Sunday mass.

From large extended family parties

          And cousins as siblings

Soy del olor a café Prieto a las 5 am

          Y del canto del coqui a la hora de dormir.

From where the beaches are beautiful,

          And sunlight fills us with energy.

I am from birthday parties, piñatas

          And pozole

From M + M Mcflurries

          And matzah ball soup

Yo soy de donde las alas de la mariposa monarca vuelan a tu alrededor

          And the windy city airs that blow you away.

I am from the island of eternal summers

          And now the land of snow, snow and more snow!

I am from Nacho el yardero

          And Chabela la limpia casas.

From Cuidad de México, Neza

          And la casa de mi abuelita

I am from my great grandmother’s name

          And my grandma’s niña.

From soft grass between my toes

          And the fft-fft of the sprinkler.

I am from summer days with my dad

          And evenings with my mom.

I am from dirt, construction zones

          And 2x4s.

From motor oil in the asphault

          And graffiti spray cans.

I am from roller skating at the Rainbow Roller Rink while my mother watched,

          And the DJ played the song “Africa” by Toto

Soy de cruzar el Puente

          Y Beall Elementary School

I am from double dutch

          And Red Light, Green Light

I am from jelly shoes

          And barefoot baths in the sink

From moving trucks

          And permanent boxes in the garage

I am from basketball

          And Michael Jordan

Yo soy de libertad al aire, baños en la Lluvia

          Y corridas en el monte

From the land of fire

          And where being naughty is my attire

From menudo on Sunday mornings

          And scaring my brother till the chancla came flying towards me.

I am from buying tamariondo candy from my neightbor

          And riding my bike by the cornfields

Soy de criarme con muchos animals

          Y darle Cristiana sepulture hasta los más pequeñitos.

 

The newest Schaumburg DLTL Cohort completed their 3 intensive courses in June, 2019, and is currently enjoying a well-deserved summer break!

“Where I’m From” – an Intimate Look at the 2019-2020 DLTL Cohort in Chicago

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.