I Am

I ask my students to tell me about themselves and to create a sensory autobiography. I write “I am _____” on the board and ask them to fill in the blank and to use the “I am ____” over and over as many times as they need to do so and until they feel that they have a complete description of themselves. They are warned that each of them will have to share their piece with the class. This format is usually less intimidating and even the most introverted manage to write a few lines. I usually write along with them and share my “I Am” poem with them. I explain to them that sometimes we need to be reminded of who we are every so often.

The activity generates great discussions that range in topics from personal aspirations to the realization of self and consciousness. I find that my students begin to see themselves in each other during this exercise. They start to realize that they are so much more alike that they are different. They realize that they may share common dreams and sometimes the same kinds of fears and questions about the future. My “I Am” essay or poem changes as I grow older. Sometimes, it reveals my passions and fervent beliefs. Sometimes it illustrates my sense of humor. I have even printed out two versions of my “I Am” composition for them to compare and contrast. I put myself out there. I believe that it helps us to connect to each other.

I want to try this activity with my family one day to see what we find out about each other. Often, we believe that we know each other because we are supposed to know our own family, but do we really. I will write about the outcomes at a later date. For now I want to share the “I Am” that I wrote for my students. Try this and you will be surprised.

I am an island of emerald green.
I am a tender breeze of kisses.
I am the love that was born at first sight.
I am because they were.