Ethical ELA’s monthly Open Write is a community celebration of poetry—an invitation to write, read, and reflect together. You’re welcome to write a poem a day this Friday through Monday or to come and go as you need. Reading and leaving a brief note—a line you loved, an image that stayed, a feeling a poem stirred—is also a meaningful way to participate. This is a generous, low-pressure space. We’re glad you’re here.
Our Host
Anna J. Small Roseboro is a veteran educator, author, editor, and instructional coach whose nearly five decades in education span middle school, high school, college, and teacher mentoring. A National Board-Certified Teacher and National Writing Project Fellow, she co-authored the recent Routledge book Assessing Students with Poetry Writing Across Content Areas: Humanizing Formative Assessment for Grades 6–12. Through her “Tips for Teachers” and “Innovative Leadership” videos and podcasts, Anna shares practical approaches to purposeful planning, formative assessment, teacher growth, and school leadership. Her work encourages educators to honor students’ voices and humanize assessment across
Inspiration
Soon, families will see the first grades of the school year. But what part of a learner’s story cannot fit inside one letter, number, or percentage?
Write a poem from the point of view of a grade being posted. Let the grade speak directly to a parent or caregiver and explain what it cannot show.
Ground the poem in truth.
- One specific moment of struggle
- One sign of effort or change
- One strength the grade cannot measure
- One hope or question for what comes next
The poem may rhyme, but it does not have to. Aim for 12-20 lines.
Process
30 Minute Plan
3 minutes: Recall and list observed moments
10 minutes Draft the poem
5 minutes: Replace general statements with precise images or actions.
2 minutes: Add a title and read it aloud
Perhaps today’s writing will prove to be a sigh of relief as you release and leave some of your worries on the page. Opening line could be “You see me, but you cannot see…”
Anna’s Poem
Help. No Need to Yelp
Yes, Solia got a B this time;
Not because she could not rhyme.
But because too many times her fine work was late
She got started but was slow through the gate.
From what I’ve seen, you can help.
No need about this grade to yelp.
Solia is getting the content, but must learn the skill
And with your help she will
Be turning her assignments in on time
So she can earn full credit and ring her chime.
Your Turn
Now, scroll to the comment section below to write your own poem. (This is a public space, so you may choose to use only your first name or initials depending on your privacy preferences.) Not ready? That’s okay. Read the poems already posted for more inspiration. Ponder your own throughout the day. Return later. And, if the prompt does not work for you, that is fine. All writing is welcome. Just write something. Oh, and a note about drafting: Since we are writing in short bursts, we all understand (and even welcome) the typos and partial poems that remind us we are human and that writing is always becoming. If you’d like to invite other teachers to write with us, tell them to subscribe. Also, please be sure to respond to at least three writers.