I Hope the New Year....

Recently, I asked my students to write an entry in their Warm-Up Journal in place of the usual poem response. The entry was to be about the new year and their hopes for it. Instead of asking for the usual paragraph of ideas, I thought I'd try something a little different.

On the board I wrote, "I hope the new year is/isn't..." and then asked them to help me list the 5 different types of figurative language we've been studying. Simile, metaphor, personification, idiom, hyperbole. They were to write use one or more in their response. I wasn't sure what to expect, especially after seeing some of their faces when they heard what I wanted them to do. I told them I wasn't giving them an example, for fear that it would distract them from an original thought.

The responses were quite varied and thoughtful. I'll include a sampling here. I was glad I asked for these, because it became clear that many of my students have more on their minds than I might have once guessed.

"I hope the new year is like a piece of cake so that we can get through it easy and fast."

"I hope the new year isn't going to be dangerous like a raging bull on a deadly live wire."

"I hope the new year isn't a bad dream."

"I hope the new year is like a roller coaster with ups and downs, but always thrilling and exciting."

"I hope the new year isn't the Great Depression."

"I hope the new year is like a yellow bird, graceful and peaceful."

"I hope the new year isn't like when taxes are due."

"I hope the new year is like a newly paved highway, once bumpy, but now smooth."

"I hope the new year is like a door of opportunity that brings luck and awareness."

What is your hope for the new year?