Exploring America's Courtyard

Exploring
AMERICA'S
COURTYARD

Student Work at Murray Language Academy, Chicago

First written reflections from students tried to identify the 5 most important people or things in their life right now. Most responses included: Family, God, Friends, Money, Education

In reflecting on major concerns or fears in their life many students included: Death, Health, Family health and safety, violence in general, school work, how they look, where they will go to High School and College.

As students created their portrait masks they did some writing about the masks... one student, Christopher, wrote "This mask was made to show my musical side. I sing with the Chicago Children's Choir. The choir is going to be singing in Brazil in the summer of 2000 at a music festival. I like to sing."

Another 13 year old student, Chardai, writes " My mask is about me. I love money and colors. When I grow up I'd like to be a professional dancer. I've been taking dance lessons since I was 8 and also studied French. My favorite food is tacos. I could eat tacos all day. I like to listen to Rhythm and Blues and Rap music. (Dru Hill and Mase) "
Aaron writes, "My mask stands for animals and all the life on the earth that work together. The name of my mask is 'Bird of the Earth'. I have been an Eagle Scout since the age of 10. I loved animals all my life. I have a Siberian Husky named "Lightening" because he is big and fast. I trained him myself. I have been swimming since I was 5 years old. I always wanted to be a veterinarian."
Several students said "my mask shows the many faces of me."

Artists	Students	Teachers	Home	About	Português
by cac

Student Work at Murray Language Academy, Chicago

Chicago by Marie

Chicago by Dominique and Cassandra

Chicago by Stephanie

Chicago by Andre and Dominic

My students also helped compose and answer a "survey" they thought would interest students from Brazil... Do you have brothers or sisters or are you an only child? (Most of our students have brothers or sisters) Do you live in a house, apartment or condo? (Most at our school live in a house) Do you have your own room or share a bedroom? (Most students at Murray have their own room) Do you have a pet? (About 50/50) Favorite male singers? DMX, Juvenile, Jay-Z, Court Franklin, Ginuwine Favorite female singers? Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Destiny's child, Eve from Rough Riders, Whitney Houston, Shania Twain, Mariah Carey, Brandy Favorite candy? Sour straws, starburst, Twix, Snickers, Kit Kat, M&Ms Favorite Foods ? Pizza, cheeseburgers, hamburgers, tacos, hot dogs, french fries, chicken, bar-b-que, steak, Italian beef, shrimp, waffles, pasta. Favorite clothes to wear... Fubu, Tommy, Eddie Bauer, Polo, Nike, Addidas, Gap, Old Navy, Maurice Malone, Mecca, Pelle Pelle, Jordan, Dada, DKNY, Ralph Lauren
Here are some of Chicago poems we wrote to show you our city and our 7th and 8th grade thoughts. Please send us poems about your city. (Send them to Arnold Aprill and we'll post them on this site.) Chicago by Marie Chicago is big and pretty and alive. Chicago is the taste of cheesecake and pasta. Money and food smells like Chicago. Clubs make me feel like Chicago. Chicago is the sound of Rap and R & B. Chicago is Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Cars. Marshall Fields is Chicago. Tiffany's is also Chicago. Chicago is Alive! Chicago by Dominique and Cassandra Chicago is beautiful and "raw" and "da bomb". Chicago is the taste of Italian beef. Pizza and roast beef smell like Chicago. Weather makes me feel like Chicago. Chicago is the sound of Metra and the L-train. Chicago is "cold", people cussin on the C.T.A. and house music. Navy Pier is Chicago. The DuSable Museum is also Chicago. Chicago is exciting!	Chicago by Stephanie Chicago is filthy and dirty and cold. Chicago is the taste of ribs. Garbage and food smell like Chicago. Sadness makes me feel like Chicago. chicago is the sound of car hornes and car alarms. Chicago is Sammy Sosa, Michael Jordan and The Taste of Chicago. Water Tower Place is Chicago. The Sears Tower is also Chicago. Chicago is okay. Chicago by Andre and Dominic Chicago is home and tall buildings and wonderful. Chicago is the taste of ribs. Hot dogs and pizza smell like Chicago. Football makes me feel like Chicago. Chicago is the sound of trains and cars. Chicago is M.J., Jesse Jackson Sr. and Sammy Sosa. Water Tower Place is Chicago. The Sears Tower is also Chicago. Chicago is high class!
Working on self-portrait masks:	First written reflections from students tried to identify the 5 most important people or things in their life right now. Most responses included: Family, God, Friends, Money, Education
In reflecting on major concerns or fears in their life many students included: Death, Health, Family health and safety, violence in general, school work, how they look, where they will go to High School and College.
	As students created their portrait masks they did some writing about the masks... one student, Christopher, wrote "This mask was made to show my musical side. I sing with the Chicago Children's Choir. The choir is going to be singing in Brazil in the summer of 2000 at a music festival. I like to sing."
Another 13 year old student, Chardai, writes " My mask is about me. I love money and colors. When I grow up I'd like to be a professional dancer. I've been taking dance lessons since I was 8 and also studied French. My favorite food is tacos. I could eat tacos all day. I like to listen to Rhythm and Blues and Rap music. (Dru Hill and Mase) " Aaron writes, "My mask stands for animals and all the life on the earth that work together. The name of my mask is 'Bird of the Earth'. I have been an Eagle Scout since the age of 10. I loved animals all my life. I have a Siberian Husky named "Lightening" because he is big and fast. I trained him myself. I have been swimming since I was 5 years old. I always wanted to be a veterinarian." Several students said "my mask shows the many faces of me."