1. Appreciating Diversity Do Now: Your textbook states that model citizens of all ages need to be “tolerant of others.” Do you feel this is an accurate portrayal of a model citizen? Why or why not?

2. Where I’m from I am from Assassin’s Creed, from xBox, and video games. I am from the crisp New England autumn; it smelled like apple pie and sharpened pencils. I am from the ocean, the tides, whose waters come to shore without fail. I am from Spring cleaning and hard workers, from Joe and Doris, Claire and Cecil. I am from the fireworks on the 4 th of July and the sweet dreams from my father as he tucked me into bed each night. I am from “try your best” and “you’ll be fine.” I am from Wigilia and “Peace be with you.” I’m from Uncle Sam and Babcia, chicken pie and pierogi. From manhunt after dark, tears of laugher and chocolate milk dripping from the kitchen ceiling, and the “roasted” shrimp clandestinely prepared over the candles at dinner. Sorry ma. In the cabinets beneath the television, there were albums of family photos that were lovingly preserved to last for generations; a collection of smiles and memories frozen in time. I am from these moments – I am one wave of many that will gently tumble into the sand – changing the beach slightly but always returning home.

3. I Come From By: Mrs. Leimkuhler I come from fireworks on the 4 th of July. I come from sweet dreams from my father as he tucked me into bed each night. I come from tears of laugher and chocolate milk dripping from the kitchen ceiling. Sorry Ma. I come from the last house on the right of a dead-end street. I come from autumns of sharp pencils, homemade apple pie, and crisp, colorful leaves. I come from pierogi, lovingly prepared by Babcia on Christmas Eve. I come from “It’s cancer, but it’ll be fine.” I come from singing in the car, believing that it would be.

4. Unit Assignment: I Come from Poem Step #1: Read the sample poems. Think about the different writing strategies that the poets used. Step #2: Choose a format and fill in the poem starter. Think about modifying one of the formats to “make it yours”! Step #3: Write the rough draft of your poem under your “Do Now.” Think about how your word choice will impact your poem. Step #4: Write a neat copy of the poem for homework. Think about how formatting will impact your poem.