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SUMMER READING 2010

News Archive

2008-02-15

Middle Schoolers Share Poems at “Literary Cafe”

When he saw my homework paper, Dad was positively sore.
“An ‘F’ in math,” he bellowed, with a loud, resounding roar.
He was madder than a hornet, he was in a purple rage
As he paced around the kitchen like a tiger in a cage.


Classmates around the table smiled as seventh-grader Robert Naggar delivered his original poem, “Homework Paper,” one of scores shared by Maimonides School seventh and eighth graders in the special environment of a literary cafe on the morning of Friday, Feb. 15.

The students, augmenting their wardrobes with neckties, scarves and sophisticated harts, gathered around tables in Saval Auditorium and nibbled on snacks as they shared each other’s favorite poetry, much of it original. They were joined by several teachers throughout the morning.

Middle School English teacher Marc Kates originated the experience. The special environment culminated a unit in which each student chose a theme, found five poems related to it, then composed five additional poems, he said. The themes ranged far and wide--from historical events to animals to people. Each student arranged his or her anthology in decorated booklets.

Seventh-grader Mikhael Smits paused between poems to comment that “normally, it’s all work, but this is an opportunity to show our creative side. Everyone has a chance to show what they can do.”

Ken Weinstein, Middle and Upper School general studies principal, added, “It’s a great atmosphere from which to ease into the school vacation week.”

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