How To Be Perfect

Today the students read excerpts from the poem, "How To Be Perfect" by Ron Padgett.  We were inspired by his list of do's and don'ts and decided to try out our own versions.  This lead to a creation of their own, "How To Be Perfect" list poems in his style.  Students took risks using hyperbole and humor to bring power to their words.

See Padgett's poem below:

Excerpts from "How to be Perfect"

by Ron Padgett

Get some sleep.

Eat an orange every morning.

Be friendly. It will help make you happy.

Hope for everything. Expect nothing.

Take care of things close to home first. Straighten up your room
before you save the world. Then save the world.
Be nice to people before they have a chance to behave badly.

Don't stay angry about anything for more than a week, but don't
forget what made you angry. Hold your anger out at arm's length
and look at it, as if it were a glass ball. Then add it to your glass
ball collection.

Wear comfortable shoes.

Do not spend too much time with large groups of people.

Plan your day so you never have to rush.

Show your appreciation to people who do things for you, even if
you have paid them, even if they do favors you don't want.

After dinner, wash the dishes.

Calm down.

Don't expect your children to love you, so they can, if they want
to.

Don't be too self-critical or too self-congratulatory.

Don't think that progress exists. It doesn't.

Imagine what you would like to see happen, and then don't do
anything to make it impossible.

Forgive your country every once in a while. If that is not
possible, go to another one.

If you feel tired, rest.

Don't be depressed about growing older. It will make you feel
even older. Which is depressing.

Do one thing at a time.

If you burn your finger, put ice on it immediately. If you bang
your finger with a hammer, hold your hand in the air for 20
minutes. you will be surprised by the curative powers of ice and
gravity.

Do not inhale smoke.

Take a deep breath.

Do not smart off to a policeman.

Be good.

Be honest with yourself, diplomatic with others.

Do not go crazy a lot. It's a waste of time.

Drink plenty of water. When asked what you would like to
drink, say, "Water, please."

Take out the trash.

Love life.

Here are some student examples:

How to be Perfect
by Bennett


Make sure that your doll has a comfy bed.
Stand up for yourself, but don't mean.
Make sure that you don't spend too much time on electronics.
Eat healthy,
not ice cream every day.
Play with your doll every day.
Go explore nature.
Learn at school.
Be confident.
Don't say you can't.
Don't smoke.
Do your homework.
Be strong.
Don't hit.

How to be Perfect
by Chloe

Go to the library every Wednesday.
Love your parents.
Wear your purple shirt every Monday.
Keep your water bottle with you all the time.
Always love your English teacher.
Be good.
Always watch the news.
Practice your violin every day.
Be kind to everybody.


How to be Perfect
by Thalia

Go to bed an hour late.

Come to breakfast extremely slowly so your mom will be mad.

Be good.

Wear cool clothes.

Dream weird.

Straighten your room (not!).

If your toe starts burning, blow on it.  If the fire goes away and your toe is black, call the police immediately and tell them that there is something burning in the house.

Wash your hands ten times a day.

Rush. 

How to be Perfect
by Alexis

 First go to bed reading a story.

Then wake up with a good spirit.

Eat a healthy breakfast.

Get ready for school so that you don't have to rush.

Go to school and think about the good stuff (not the bad).

Be nice to everyone.

Come home and give your parents a hug.

Eat a yummy dinner.

Eat dessert.

How to be Perfect
by Rex

Wear shoes.

Wear clothes.

Go to the bathroom.

Don't out smart a construction man.

Draw.

Eat dog food.

Go to school.

Do chores.

Take out the trash.

Annoy your sister.

Pick up the dog's poop.


How to be Perfect
by Liam M.

Run around like a mad man.

Eat food.

Do not smart off to your mom.

Don't jump in a fire.

When you get mad, run in circles.

Do not grab your dad's rifle.

If you are hyper, go outside.

Be good.

Don't waste time.

Drink water.

Ask for help before you shoot your bow.

Go to the bathroom.

Do not cut down trees.

Do not break windows.

Jump out windows.

If you eat hand sanitizer, call poison control.

Do not throw dynamite outside.

If you play the song, "Dynamite" make sure you  don't go crazy or else you'll explode.

Do not jump out of an airplane.

If you laugh too hard and faint, that's bad.

How to be Perfect
by Ruby

Listen to your teacher.

Do your homework.

Raise your hand.

Always wear a seatbelt.

Help friends and people.

Buy presents for people on holidays.

Think positive.

Love the life you live.

Don't live the life you love.

Occasionally play outside.

Read a lot.

Have pets and love them.

Get sleep.

Exercise, be active, play sports.

Play an instrument.

Love yourself.

Make new friends.

When you're dirty, take a shower.

Be balanced.

Clean your room/house.

Don't learn things the hard way.

Always share.

Wear cool clothes.

Don't bring dead animals into the house.

Learn new languages.

Brush your hair.

Be amazing, wonderful and charming.

How to be Perfect
by Henry

Sleep.

Wake up.

Eat cereal.

Go to school.

Come home.

Do not fire nerf bullets at the cat.

Play until dinner.

Eat.

Play until bedtime.

Get read to by your dad.

Go to bed.

Sleep.

Wake up.

Do not use the cap gun in the morning.

Don't keep dead dynamite.

Draw.

Play.

Go to bed.

Do not push the air conditioner on your car.

Do not outsmart a cop.

How to be Perfect
by Bennett

Make sure that your doll has a comfy bed.
Stand up for yourself, but don't be mean.
Make sure that you do not spend all your time on electronics.
Eat healthy (not ice cream everyday).
Play with your doll every day.
Go explore nature.
Learn at school.
Be confident.
Don't say you can't.
Don't smoke.
Do your homework.
Be strong.
Don't hit.
Do gymnastics.
Love Justin Bieber.

How to be Perfect
by Camille

Don't think too hard.
Don't copy other people.
Pay attention.
Don't fart or burp too much.
Keep your bad emotions in.
Don't eat too much junk food.
Take showers once a week.
Read and write.
Say nice things.
Don't be naughty.
Do homework.
Don't waste your energy.

How to be Perfect
by Shaeli

Eat healthy.
Eat lots of carrots.
dn't get mad at your cousin.
Make sure you include everybody.
Do better at math.
Do not loose your stuff at school.
Keep your hands to yourself.
Don't drink...
just when you do math.

How to be Perfect
by Gabriella

Read every single night.
Be good.
Love life.
Take your dog on a walk.
Do your math.
Read your spelling list.
Listen to Lynn and Gillian.
Feed your dog.
Love your evil sisters and brothers.

How to be Perfect
by Liam

Eat good things every day.
Don't get sick.
Don't fight with your brother.
Use trees wisely.
Don't hate everything.
Don't love everything.
Ski fast, but not too fast.
Don't jump into lava.
Don't eat stuff if you don't know what it is.

How to be Perfect
by Karma

Eat kale chips everyday.
Have fun at school.
Don't yell at your teachers.
Don't go past a red light.
Go to the park.
Go swimming.
Don't expect your dog to bark at visitors.
Run a marathon every month.
Love your pets and family.
Don't go into your mom's freezer.
Mow the land everyday.
Don't get run over by a bus.
Don't eat candy everyday.

How to be Perfect
by Max

Eat cereal with milk.
Carpool.
Do math in your math book.
Study a lot.
Play on your Nintendo3DS.
Don't beat up your sister.
Don't cut down trees.
Try hard when skiing.  Rip up the back side.
Eat less.
Play Lightning.

 How to be Perfect
by Mia

Do the splits for five minutes.
Do not pull out teeth constantly.
Be nice and awesome.
Treat people the way you want to be treated.

How to be Perfect
by Evelyn

Try to do cartwheels everyday.
Don't hit your brother or sister.
Take a walk everyday.
Eat eggs and pancakes everyday.
Dress up.
Get a new dog.
Go to bed at nine.
Justin Bieber.
Justin Bieber.
Justin Bieber.
Justin Bieber.
Justin Bieber.





How to be Perfect
by Eden

Go to sleep at 8:00.
Wake up at 6:28 am.
Eat breakfast.
Kiss your mom.
Hug your dad.
Go to school.
Be nice to Gillian.
Give her a back and foot massage.
Do your spelling test.
Get one hundred percent if you can.
Go to recess.
Be silly.
Have fun with your teacher.
Dance.
Have fun with your friends.
Last but not least,
love the people around you.

How to be Perfect
by Ana

Wear your lucky underwear everyday.
Eat a piece of bacon each morning.
When all else fails, blame your sister.
Never expect your friends to play with you,
neither your dog.
Don't expect your teacher to share your work with another class.
Compliment your mom on her food,
even if you don't like it.
Wear fabulous clothes.
Don't smoke.
Be nice to each other.
That's how to be perfect.

How to be Perfect
by Grace

Eat a strong breakfast.
Sleep at least six hours every night.
Be positive and friendly.
Have a good spirit.  Hope.
Take a position of leadership when needed.
When feeling mad, sad or distressed,
take a walk in the peace of nature.  Feel the severe feeling
flow away.  Let your imagination wander.
Always let your heart expand,
whether possible or impossible.
Let your heart beat truly.
Keep peace.
when frantic or extra excited,
take a deep breath and plow ahead,
calm and free of any worry.
No one is horrible, nor perfect.
Feel courageous,
even when you are scared.

How to be Perfect
by Elsa

Say, "I love you."
Be honest.
Do your best.
If the wind blows, do a handstand.
If your teacher's name starts with a G, be silly.
If someone sings...

BE HAPPY!

If your teeth hurt, hammer them till they fall out.
Be silly.

How to be Perfect
by Cyrus

Be an early bird.
Read for at least 1,000,000 minutes.
Eat eggs every morning.
Be crazy whenever possible.
When you get a bee sting,
go to the hospital immediately.
Don't always think your friends will be nice to you.
If you feel tired, don't go to bed as quick as a lfash,
play three, twenty minute basketball games,
and then you won't be tired.
Go crazy as much as possible.
Do homework in the car.
That's how to be perfect!

How to Be Perfect

by Allie

Make sure to eat your treat in your lunch first.

Run away screaming from your best friend if he/she asks you to play with him/her.

Give your mom a kiss everyday.

Read a book every day.

Bacon is the answer to all your prayers.

Never touch your butt.

That's how to be perfect.