DON'T GIVE UP: Writing of Fourth and Fifth Grade Youth from a New Orleans Charter School

The Cajun Potato Dance is a two-step held together by a potato. A couple joins hands and then seeks to hold up a potato between their foreheads while dancing. The phrase that accompanies this dance, "Lache pas la potate", literally means "Don't let the potato drop." But in Cajun slang, the words intone "Don't give up."

During our writing workshop we had fourth and fifth graders share moments they had to not give up. These were shared with fourth graders in the Wilmington Area Elementary School and pen pals developed between two classrooms where students continued to encourage each other, "Don't give up." Below are a few excerpts from their writing:

RIDING MY BIKE: By Troyale

It was really hard to learn to ride a bike. I tried to learn how to ride a bike a long time ago. It was a small pink and white bike with training wheels. It said ‘Glamour Doll’ and it had my name on it.
I almost got it. I was falling. I also got a new bike that’s bigger. I was riding but then I fell. I am almost there. My mom is a great supporter. Now I have both training wheels off. Oh no!
I got it. I am riding! I can’t believe it. No training wheels. I’m so scared but I am doing it. “Yes,” I said to myself. I am proud.

MULTIPLICATION: By Le'Jon


In second grade, I was learning my multiplication facts. I didn’t really catch on too fast. It was very hard for me to remember them. The easiest ones for me to remember were the ones and two families. The hardest ones to remember were the seven and eight families.

I improved with help from my teacher and parents. My teacher helped me by giving me flash cards to study. I asked my mommy and my daddy to drill me every day. Every day my teacher gave us a multiplication drill. I got better and better.

I am in fifth grade now and they don’t intimidate me anymore. I can do them in less than three minutes. My teacher uses drills all the time. I can do it easily. Multiplication will never scare me again.

THE LEAP TEST: By Tariona

I worked hard to get to fifth grade. I was studying hard to pass the LEAP test because if I did not pass my mom would be mad at me. I would not be able to go to the skating rink, the movies, the blue bayou, or Six Flags. I passed and I am happy.

My teacher gave me LEAP samples to practice with. It was hard at first, but now I get it. I get it because my mom told me to study day and night. I was almost up until 1:00 a.m., but then my mom got up and told me to go to sleep.

At first I failed it. Then I studied harder to pass the test, so I achieved my goal. It was hard to get to the fifth grade, but I kept trying and now I am there. I think I did a great job!