What is your heritage?

I feel that the easiest way to incorporate all heritage differences in a classroom would be to write poetry. The "I am from" poem would be the perfect way to kick of an entire unit on The House on Mango Street. My cultural heritage is from a tree with many many roots. To follow it may get quite confusing. A poem on the other hand, would be easy to follow.

Giving every student the opportunity to tell their story from their own perspective will open up the classroom to be a safe and comfortable environment for the students to continue learning in, while at the same time allowing all students to learn from each other.

I am from gray skys and cold mornings,
without breakfast and very little lunch.
I am from gravel roads with shady trees,
a mile walk to a favorite place.

I am from playing in the woods and getting lost,
alone and with everyone all at the same time.
I am from one older brother who I always fought with,
yet was my best friend because I had no others.

I am from...

This can easily be done with any age level in a classroom. Once every student has their poem the teacher can then make one classroom poem by taking lines from each poem.