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Poem,

Your Dream Is

After reading a beautiful poem by Jason Reynolds, students write their own dream poems.

By Jason Reynolds
From the March 2020 Issue
Featured Skill: Poetry,
Common Core Standards
  • Anchor Standards
    R.10, W.3
  • Grade 6
    RL.6.10, W.6.3
  • Grade 7
    RL.7.10, W.7.3
  • Grade 8
    RL.8.10, W.8.3
TEKS Standards
  • Grades 6, 7, 8
    3a, 4a, 5a, 5b, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5h, 5i, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6g, 6h, 7a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 11a

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Want to hear this poem read aloud? Click here!

Want to hear this poem read aloud? Click here!

Your Dream Is

Rob Kim/Getty Images

Jason Reynolds started writing poetry when he was 9 and never stopped. Today, he is a best-selling, award-winning writer and poet.

Your dream is the mole

behind your ear,

that chip in your

front tooth,

your freckles.


It’s the thing that makes

you special,

but not the thing that makes

you great.


The courage in trying,

the passion in living,

and the acknowledgement

and appreciation of

the beauty happening around

you does that.

Excerpted from For Every One, copyright 2018 by Jason Reynolds. Originally performed at the Kennedy Center for the unveiling of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and later as a tribute to Walter Dean Myers. Published by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, 2018. Used by permission of Pippin Properties, Inc. on behalf of the author.

Writing Prompt

Write a poem called “My Dream Is.” Include details about yourself and what makes you great. 

This poem was originally published in the March 2020 issue.

Audio ()
Activities (3)
Skills Activities
Answer Key (1)
Audio ()
Activities (3) Download All Quizzes and Activities
Skills Activities
Answer Key (1)
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan

Close Reading, Critical Thinking, Skill Building

1. READING THE POEM

As a class, read the poem aloud a few times or listen to the poem read aloud.

2. ANALYZING THE POEM

As a whole class or in small groups, answer the questions in the Analyzing Poetry Activity.

3. WRITING  

Invite students to write their own poems or essays using our Guided Writing Activity.

Text-to-Speech