Dream Keepers Blog

So far, the only contest entries we've had are from our in-person group. But, they've written some might spooky entries for the six-word scary story contest. Here they are. Enjoy! I died while drinking zombie wine. —Elly  Full moon brings scary grim reaper. —Terrance Dark alley. Frightened boy sees face. —Armon Mall open tonight; buffet for zombies! —Zaivonn I creep at night, wake flesh. —Trone Me alone. Dark desert. Large dinosaur. —Anthony Beautiful zombies. Looks really do kill. —Elisha  Everyone dies when the devil strikes. —Elly 

Dream Keepers is Back! Dream Keepers has been on hiatus for the past six weeks. In that time, I've been doing a lot of reading and thinking about what I want Dream Keepers to look like this year and in our future. I've become enchanted by the Young Writer's Project in Vermont and New Hampshire. Founder Geoff Gevalt started the project in his free time while working as a managing editor for T he Burlington Free Press . In the beginning and still today, students from all over the two states write and submit in response to scheduled writing prompts. The submissions are then judged and the best are submitted to local newspapers for publication.  For a long time, I have wanted my work with Dream Keepers to connect with the work teachers are doing in the classroom, students are doing online, and writers-in-residence are doing in schools. To that end, we're going to try adding writing contests this year. WInners will be published at the Dream Keepers blog.  I'll ...

This summer many children are becoming Dream Keepers at the Urban Roots Children's Defense Fund Freedom Schools (r) Program.  I've been teaching every Tuesday afternoon. We've made personal metaphors, written Haiku poems about gardens and animals, and tried our hand at writing about our neighborhood. Two weeks ago, the students read an inspiring story about Tasana Hardy titled, Teen's Award-Winning Poem Helps Rewrite Her Life.  Hardy's poem, Where I'm From , was chosen for a class film project that has since won awards. The poem and the awards have changed the direction of Hardy's life. I invited the students to write their own, Where I'm From poems. Here are a few of them. When you're done reading, write your own! Where I'm From by Luis Where I'm from ...      Moms keep house      Dads tow cars. Where I'm from     Sisters work in stores     Cats vomit and sneeze     and I play on the compu...

Tonight we met some new Dream Keepers.  How fun! They are students at the Young Leaders Academy. They wrote I AM poems and Urban Haiku poems. One of our founding members was also present, working on a scholarship application. Sitting in a bright, big room in the library, looking out the window to take in the leaves—it was a perfect afternoon. Enjoy! I Am by Daquan May, age 10 I am tall, caramel, handsome, skinny. I am smart, goofy, playful, me. I am a gymnast. I play basketball. I jump around. I read books. I am a son, brother, worker, player. I am 10-years-old.  I am Daquan. Money by Daquan May In my pocket I have a lot of green. Money is not the most important. part of me. I Am by Davonn May, age 13 I am tall, handsome, smart, funny. I am dark chocolate. I am fast. I play basketball, football, baseball, and swim. I am Davonn May. I am a son, a brother, a cousin, an uncle. I study. I do my work. I love school. I have good grades. I go to church. I read the Bible. I am a son of God. I ...