Category Archives: Spanish

13

Apr. ’12

Going to Cuba

David Avent charms the crowd with his poem, "Going to Cuba."

David reads his poem "Going to Cuba" at Discovery Green. Photo by Yvonne Feece.

I will leave Houston on

a very good note.

I will go to Cuba,

walk in the 90 degree heat.

I will go to Cuba,

dance in the streets for fun.

I will go to Cuba,

make beans out of scratch.

I will go to Cuba,

swim in the warm, brown water.

I will go to Cuba,

learn how to speak español.

I will go to Cuba,

eat plantains for breakfast.

I will go to Cuba.

It will be gorgeous at night.

by David, 3rd grade

Click the link (above) to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by A’Viyon Robinson, a 4th grader from Parker Elementary.
apad

This poem is featured as part of the 2012 A Poem A Day campaign, a National Poetry Month celebration by Writers in the Schools (WITS) that features a different poem by a WITS student every day during April. Click here to learn more.

Posted by . Categories: national poetry month, place, poem a day, poetry, Spanish, student, travel, writer, writers in the schools, writing. Tags: , , , . Leave a comment

07

Jul. ’11

Immigrant Children Tap Into Creativity

Child 1

Studies have shown that creativity is higher on average for first and second-generation immigrants and for bilinguals than for others.  Experts think that these groups share the ability to adapt and to be flexible.

WITS has designed numerous projects to tap into the creativity of first and second-generation immigrants and bilinguals, including the very popular Song of Houston Project with the Houston Grand Opera.  During 2010-11 school year, WITS worked with children of immigrants at Kaleidoscope Middle School where the youth made films based on Sandra Cisneros stories.  At Collins Elementary School, Catholic Charities sponsored a WITS project with children of immigrants that took place after school and was designed to improve literacy and language skills through creative writing.   As part of that project, Travelers Insurance did a book drive, and each participating child received a dozen books.

See the film made by Kaleidoscope 7th graders here.

Read about our project with Catholic Charities in the article, “The Joy of Self Expression”, published by the Midtown Paper here.

If you work with first or second-generation immigrants in Houston and you would like to nurture creativity, give WITS a call at 713-523-3877.

by Marcia Chamberlain, Writers in the Schools

Posted by . Categories: creativity, education, Spanish, writers in the schools. Tags: , , , , , . Leave a comment

27

Apr. ’11

Querida hermanita (Dear Little Sister)

Querida hermanita,
tu cabello es tan brillante
como las estrellas.
Tus manos son tan suaves
como las plumas de los pájaros.
Tus ojos son tan claros
como el agua del mar,
y tus labios son tan rojos
como las rosas.
Tus orejas tienen aretes
que parecen como joyas amarillas,
muy brillantes.
Tu sonrisa es tan blanca
como una perla,
y tu ropa parece como un arcoíris.
Tú eres tan valiente
como el fuego,
y corres tan rápido
como el chita.
Tú eres tan buena
que yo te daría todo mi amor,
como tú me lo diste a mí,
y te daría todas las perlas
que encuentre en el fondo del mar.
~
Dear little sister,
Your hair is very shiny
like the stars.
Your hands are so soft
like the feathers of the birds.
Your eyes are so clear
like the water in the sea,
and your lips are so red
like the roses.
Your ears have earrings that look like
yellow jewels,
very shiny.
Your smile is so white
like a pearl,
and your clothes look like a rainbow.
You are so brave
like the fire,
and you run so fast
like the cheetah.
You are so nice that
I would give you all my love,
like the way you gave it to me,
and I would give you all the pearls
that I could find in the bottom of the sea.

by Camila, 2nd grade
[photo by Just Megan via flickr]

This poem (originally posted on 8/10/2010) is featured as part of the 2011 A Poem A Day campaign, a National Poetry Month celebration by WITS that features a different poem by a WITS student every day during April. Click on the logo to learn more.

Posted by . Categories: national poetry month, poem a day, poetry, Spanish, student, writers in the schools. Tags: , , , . 1 Comment

12

Apr. ’11

El Mar Inclinando en los Ojos de Mi Mamá (The Ocean Leaning into My Mother’s Eyes)

El mar inclinando en los ojos de mi mamá
Los ojos de mi mamá son azul como el agua.
Las olas son como la felicidad de ella.
La corriente es como su enojo.
Las rocas son la soledad.

(Translation)

My mother’s eyes are blue like the water.
The waves are her joy.
The current is her anger.
And the rocks are her solitude.

by Liliana, 2nd grade
Photo by BN catchesthelight via Flickr

 

This poem is featured as part of the 2011 A Poem A Day campaign, a National Poetry Month celebration by WITS that features a different poem by a WITS student every day during April. Click on the logo to the left to learn more.

Posted by . Categories: mother, national poetry month, nature, poem a day, poetry, Spanish, writers in the schools. Leave a comment

14

Jan. ’11

Son las oche de la noche ~ Eight in the evening

At the Edge of the Forest

Son las ocho de la noche

El sol estaba cayendo.
Sólo se veía parte de su redondez.
Las hojas flotando sobre el río.
Las nubes en el cielo volando como el aire.
Los árboles más altos que yo.
Las plantas en el suelo tocando mis pies.
Estoy caminando entre los árboles que huelen como tierra,
las hojas que huelen como menta.
El agua del río que se puede tocar, brillante como el sol.
La briza transparente, volando por todas partes,
hace música, como si fuera un pájaro cantando una canción.
Estoy entre los árboles con muchas ramas juntas.
El sol estaba cayendo.
Todo completo y maravilloso.
Son las ocho de la noche.

~

Eight in the Evening

The sun was falling down.
One can only see part of its roundness.
Leaves are floating on the river.
The clouds on the sky, flying like the air.
The trees, taller than I am.
The plants on the ground are touching my feet.
I’m walking among the trees that smell like soil,
and the leaves that smell like mint.
One can touch the river water, shining like the sun.
The transparent breeze, flies everywhere,
and makes music, like a bird singing a song.
I am among trees with lots of branches together.
The sun is falling down.
Everything is complete and wonderful.
It is eight in the evening.

By Josseline, 2nd grade

Photo by Cristian V. via Flickr

Posted by . Categories: nature, poetry, Spanish. Tags: , , . Leave a comment

07

Jan. ’11

Lo Que Quiero Ser ~ What I Want to Be

Yo quiero ser una gotita de tu lluvia.
Yo quiero ser un frijol pequeñito en tu plato.
Yo quiero ser un número chiquitito en tu cuaderno.
Yo quiero ser un ratoncito en tu mano.
Yo quiero ser un botón de tu camisa.
Yo quiero ser el color negro de tu pelo.
Yo quiero ser un pedacito de tu pan dulce.
Yo quiero ser un perrito pequeño y que me cuides.
Yo quiero ser un foco para iluminarte.
Yo quiero ser un papelito pequeño en tus
manos que diga, “te quiero mucho.”

 

I want to be a raindrop in your rain.
I want to be a small bean on your plate.
I want to be a small number in your notebook.
I want to be a tiny mouse in your hands.
I want to be a button of your shirt.
I want to be the black of your hair.
I want to be a slice of your Christmas pudding.
I want to be a little dog and that you take care of.
I want to be a light to shine on you.
I want to be a tiny paper in your hands
that says, “I love you so much.”

By Miguel,  1ST GRADE

Photo by Roujo via Flickr

Posted by . Categories: Holidays, poetry, Spanish, writers in the schools. Leave a comment

13

Sep. ’10

Mi Caja del Bien y del Mal – My Box of Good and Evil

Por favor dime dónde está la risa.
Dime dónde está la alegría.
Dime dónde está la dulzura.
Dime dónde está el poder.
Dime dónde está la fuerza.
Dime dónde está la protección.
Dime dónde está mi familia.
Dime dónde está la abundancia.
Dime dónde está la felicidad.
Dime dónde está la gente.
Dime dónde está la grandeza.

~

My Box of Good and Evil Box (Translation)

Please tell me where is the laughter.
Tell me where is happiness.
Tell me where is sweetness.
Tell me where is power.
Tell me where is strength.
Tell me where is protection.
Tell me where is my family.
Tell me where is abundance.
Tell me where are the people.
Tell me where is greatness.

By Alondra, 2nd grade

Photo by Visualist Images via Flickr

Posted by . Categories: imagination, inspiration, poetry, self-portrait, Spanish, writers in the schools. Tags: , , . Leave a comment

23

Jun. ’10

René Saldaña, Jr. will read Sunday, June 27th


Straight from the Inprint press release:

Cool Brains! Inprint Readings for Young People celebrates summer reading with a presentation by bilingual children’s writer René Saldaña, Jr., on Sunday, June 27, 3 p.m. (doors open at 2:30) at Talento Bilingue de Houston, 333 S. Jensen Drive. Admission is free and open to the public. Saldaña will read from and talk about his work, followed by an onstage interview with mystery book aficionado David Thompson of Murder By The Book. Audience members will have a chance to visit with the author afterwards at the book sale and signing.

For more information, click here, or call 713-521-2026.

René Saldaña, Jr., grew up in Nuevo Peñitas in the Rio Grande Valley. His semi-autobiographical first novel for young readers, The Jumping Tree, was described by The New York Times Book Review as a “warm coming-of-age novel.” His second book, The Whole Sky Full of Stars, is, according to a starred Booklist review, “about the perils of friendship and the burdens of parental expectations.” Saldaña is also the author of Finding Our Way: Stories, which explores the many ways teens can feel lost. School Library Journal says, “With a deft touch, the author creates a clear, concise picture of time and place (along the Texas border or Georgia) with characters who sound and think like today’s teens . . . These powerfully written, provocative selections have universal appeal.”

Saldaña will read from his newest book, The Case of the Pen Gone Missing: A Mickey Rangel Mystery / El caso de la pluma perdida. A longtime fan of Encyclopedia Brown, the Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew detective stories, in this book Saldaña develops his own spin on detective stories through the character of Mickey Rangel, a web-licensed kid detective protagonist. Kirkus Reviews writes of the book: “it will engage intermediate readers in both languages, English and Spanish, and offers multiple possibilities for school projects, group discussions and read-aloud sessions.” The Case of the Pen Gone Missing is the first in this bilingual series.

Posted by . Categories: books, education, fiction, Houston, Spanish, story, student, writers in the schools. Tags: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

18

Jun. ’10

My Father is Like a Tulip

Mi papá es como un tulipán

Mi papá es un hombre cariñoso.
Tiene mucha amistad con mi mamá
Y le tiene mucho amor y amistad a todos.
El nos quiere mucho.
El es como un tulipán
que nos da mucho cariño,
que nos da mucho amor
y mucha amistad.
El quiere mucho a mi mamá.
A veces le ayuda a lavar los trastes.
Mi papá es como un tulipán que tiene mucha amistad.

~

My Father is Like a Tulip

My father is a loving man.
He shows much kindness to my mother.
And he shows much kindness and love to all.
He loves us very much.
He is like a tulip
that shows us all kindness,
that shows us all love
and friendship.
He loves my mother very much.
Sometimes, he helps her wash the dishes.
My father is like a tulip, full of kindness.

By Paulina, 3rd grade

[Photo by Denis Collette via Flickr]

Posted by . Categories: father, nature, poetry, Spanish, writers in the schools. Tags: , , , . 1 Comment

14

Jun. ’10

WITS Appears on Fox 26′s Hola Houston

WITS Executive Director Robin Reagler recently appeared on Fox 26′s community affairs program Hola Houston to discuss the transformative power of reading and writing beginning with the early years of childhood. During the segment, she also explains how parents can get the WITS program in Houston schools. View her interview with Host Josè Griñan.

Posted by . Categories: education, Houston, parenting, Spanish, story, student, teaching, video, writers in the schools, writing. Tags: , , , , . Leave a comment

03

Jun. ’10

Metáforas familiares ~ Family Metaphors


[Photo by Chaval via Flickr]
Mi papá Juan es el rey de la casa.
Mi hermano Brandon es un buho en la noche, nunca se quiere dormir.
Mi hermano Emanuel es una abeja, le encantan los dulces.
Mi papá Juan es un gallo porque se levanta temprano.
Mi prima es una gallina, siempre se asusta y llora.
Mi tío es una hormiga, trabaja todo el tiempo.
Mi hermano es una tortuga cuando se baña.
Mi primo Orlando es un ogro cuando se enoja.

My father Juan is the king of the house.
My brother Brandon is an owl at night, he never wants to sleep.
My brother Emanuel is a bee, he loves sweets.
My father is a rooster because he always wakes up early
My cousin is a chicken, she is always afraid and cries.
My uncle is an ant, he works all the time.
My brother is a turtle when he bathes.
My cousin Orlando is an ogre when he gets mad.

By Luis Flores, 3rd grade

Posted by . Categories: animal, father, poetry, Spanish, writers in the schools. Tags: . 1 Comment

19

Apr. ’10

Para el niño que no esta fuerte (To the Child Who is Not Strong)

mountain top by ninameyersPara el niño que no esta fuerte,
amigo, levántate del sillón,
y súbete a la montaña
más grande del mundo,
y yo te voy a esperar
arriba de la montaña.
Demuéstrale al mundo
que tienes más fuerza
que un huracán.
No digas que no sirves
para nada.
Si tu quieres,
te puedo dar mis manos fuertes.
Jamás, amigo,
dejes tus sueños en la basura.
~
To the child who is not strong,
my friend, get up from the couch,
and climb the highest mountain
in the world,
and I will wait for you
on top of the mountain.
Show the world
that you are much stronger
than a hurricane.
Do not say that you are not
worth anything.
If you want,
I can give you my strong hands.
Never, my friend,
throw your dreams away in the trash.

By Alejandro, 3rd grade
[photo by NinaMeyers via flickr]

Originally published on May 20, 2009.

apad2This poem is featured as part of the 2009 A Poem A Day campaign, a National Poetry Month celebration by WITS that features a different poem by a WITS student every day during April. Click on the logo to the left to learn more.

Posted by . Categories: inspiration, national poetry month, nature, poem a day, poetry, Spanish, student. Tags: , , . 1 Comment

13

Apr. ’10

Mi caja mágica (My Magic Box)

Would you like this bookmark? E-mail jwatson@witshouston.org for more information.

En mi caja mágica, yo quiero poner
la sonrisa de mi hermana chiquita,
el sabor de un chocolate o dulce rico,
y el recuerdo de la Navidad y el olor de las galletas dulces
que mi mamá hizo para mí.
En mi caja, quiero guardar el sonido
de los pajaritos que cantan.
Y quiero guardar el momento
cuando mi mamá ganó
un trofeo en su trabajo.

~
In my magic box, I put
my little sister’s smile,
the taste of chocolate,
the memory of Christmas
and the smell of the sweet cookies
that my mother made for me.
In my box, I put the sound
birds sing, and the time
when my mother won
a trophy at her job.

By Jessica, 3rd grade

apad2

This poem is featured as part of the 2010 A Poem A Day campaign, a National Poetry Month celebration by WITS that features a different poem by a WITS student every day during April. Click on the logo above to learn more.

Posted by . Categories: mother, national poetry month, poem a day, poetry, Spanish. Tags: , , , . Leave a comment

09

Mar. ’10

It reminds me…

It reminds me
of a person whose name is Gavi,
she is dancing,
she is flying,
and singing

pi pi pi.

She is putting on her dress
and her shoes,
ils sont beaux et brillants.

From under the stairs,
elle ressemble à une princesse,
comme une reine.
She is very beautiful.
She is walking toward the river
to touch it.

Dancing under the stars,
and the clouds,
elle ressemble à un tenir
le premier rôle,
avec elle chaussures, cirant.
She looks like an angel flying.

She is in a special place,
in the sky,
with someone very special.
She is with me because
elle m’aime.

by Erika, 4th grade

********

translated from the Spanish:

Me recuerda…

Me recuerda
a una persona que se llama Gavi,
ella está bailando,
está volando,
y cantando,

pi pi pi.

Se está poniendo su vestido
y sus zapatos,
bonitos y brillantes.

Debajo de las escaleras
se parese como una princesa,
como una reina,
está demasiada bonita.

Ella está caminando para el río
para poder tocarlo.
Bailando bajo las estrellas
y las nubes,
se ve como una estrella,
con sus zapatos brilllando.

Parece un ángel que anda volando.

Está en un lugar especial,
en el cielo,
con alguien muy especial.
Está conmigo porque
me quiere ami.

by Erika, 4th grade

inspired by the art of Max Ernst

Posted by . Categories: art, imagination, nature, poetry, Spanish, writers in the schools. 5 Comments

02

Mar. ’10

Me gusta la lluvia (I Like the Rain)

A mí me gusta la lluvia porque
Tira agua bien fresca y
Tira agua para tomar
Bañarte… y cae en el
Río para tomar cualquier
Tiempo cuando tengamos sed

I like the rain because
it tosses down fresh water and
water to drink
you can take a bath… and it falls
into the river to drink when we are thirsty.

By Jesus, 3rd grade
[photo by Aunti p via flickr]

Posted by . Categories: nature, poetry, Spanish, student. Tags: . 1 Comment