Where does the Sidewalk End? - 6th Grade Poetry

This spring, sixth graders created poetry portfolios and artifacts to represent their poems. They explored different forms of poetry and included a variety of forms in their portfolios. 

Seasons was the theme of one student's poetry portfolio. Each of her poems focused on a different season or aspect of the changing weather. She created an artifact that demonstrated the changing of seasons. She explained that the panels can be easily changed just as the season change each year. 

Another student created a double sided poster. Both sides represent an aspect of life, which was the theme of her poetry portfolio. She explained that the universe represents the large mysteries of life, while the anthill represents the small, everyday parts of life.

Shel Silverstein's poems are favorites of some sixth graders. We read a few of his poems as we studied how literary devices like symbolism and imagery enhance writing. Here is one poem we studied in class. We searched for symbolism that leads to a deeper meaning and understanding of the poem. What do you think the ending sidewalk represents? 

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

There is a place where the sidewalk ends

And before the street begins,

And there the grass grows soft and white,

And there the sun burns crimson bright,

And there the moon-bird rests from his flight

To cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black

And the dark street winds and bends.

Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow

We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,

And watch where the chalk-white arrows go

To the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,

And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,

For the children, they mark, and the children, they know

The place where the sidewalk ends.