October 26,
2016
"I feel like I can
really make people FEEL the poem. Not from an academic or structural way but
from the heart.”
“DO IT! It will be a
valuable experience. In addition to gaining performance and memorization
skills, you will have three poems close to your
heart that you can draw upon at different points in your life. It's a wonderful
introduction to poetry that I think everyone
ought to try. It's not just for theater or English based students - math and
tech students will enjoy it as well.”
“I was very new to this program, as a freshman, but my English teacher was very
encouraging to myself and my fellow classmates, so I thought I's give it a try. I was
surprised and honored to be selected as the champion of my school competition, because I was up against many other
students, almost all of whom were my seniors. Winning was such a huge deal to me because it was so unexpected. I felt
that if I could have beat those odds, I could very well beat any others. I worked hard at memorizing my poems, and really
trying to make them personal and meaningful. I didn't end up advancing from my semifinal competition, but the
experience was definitely worthwhile. It was great to be able to meet other people my age who shared similar interests
with me and I would recommend participating in this program just for the sheer exposure it brought me.”
- Responses to the Student Evaluation NH Poetry Out
Loud, 2015- 2016
Don’t forget! Teacher orientations begin next week
We will be
hosting 2 teacher orientations for you to choose from. Attendance is STRONGLY encouraged for all schools and programs, even
if you have already participated in previous years. A certificate for 2 CEUs
will be given at the end of the orientation. All teachers in your school who
will be participating are encouraged to attend.
Register for the
orientation here. If you are unable to make
the orientation, please send me an email so we can set up a time to discuss the
program over the phone.
·
NH Institute of
Art, Manchester
Thursday,
November 3, 4-6 PM
·
Museum of the White
Mountains, Plymouth
Monday,
November 7, 4-6 PM
Tips on Using POL to Contribute to a Positive
School Climate (PDF)
- ·
Celebrate Diverse TalentsPoetry Out Loud offers your school
another opportunity for an annual competitive and supportive showcase of skills
in addition to athletics. Classroom and school-wide champions can share their
recitations at school assemblies and events.
- Involve as Many Classes as PossibleHaving multiple classrooms and grade
levels participate and compete generates excitement among students. It also
gives an opportunity for teachers to collaborate and share approaches to
teaching.
- Encourage and Support ELL Classes to
ParticipatePoetry is an excellent tool for
teaching in-depth contextual understanding of English vocabulary and practice
of public speaking skills. When ELL students participate in POL it enriches the
entire school culture by providing meaningful curricular-based integration and
opportunity for the success of all students.
- Invite a Local Poet or Teaching ArtistThere are many teaching tools and
resources available though the POL website but having a local poet share their
passion with students can elevate students’ own excitement and create real
world connections. Invite a poet to do a reading, lead an in-class exercise, or
open with a reading at your school competition. Ask a theater educator in your
school to lead exercises on public speaking.
- Get Fired Up for Your
School CompetitionCelebrate your students’ achievements,
hard work, and courage by making your school competition as exciting as a final
athletic event. Possibilities include: reserve the auditorium, ask theater
educators to help with lighting, alert the local press, make a program with
student bios, create opportunities for school finalists to recite within the
community, invite the public, invite high-profile community members as judges, announce
the competition on the daily school PA broadcast, put the competition on the
outdoor school marquee, invite band members to perform before and after the event,
and more. Be creative!
Additional Resources for Teaching
·
Sign up for a Peer Mentor
Our Advisory Committee has
graciously offered to serve as mentors to school POL coordinators. If you would
like to be paired with an experienced mentor, send me an email and we can connect
you.
·
Read Suggestions from Students
Students answered questions
on how their school competitions could have been improved, what they most
enjoyed learning about, why they participated in the program and more. Use
these answers from program participants to inform your school participation.
·
Read about the program and look over the teacher
resources including:
October 23, 2016: Registration Deadline- October 2016 - February 2017: New
Hampshire Poetry Out Loud School curriculum and competitions
- November 3 & 7 Teacher Orientations
- January 7, 2017: POL Student Poetry Clinic
- February 2017: Judges Orientation
- February 3, 2017: Deadline to hold
School Competitions
- February - March 2017: Regional Semi-Finals Competitions
- March 10, 2017: NH State Finals Championship, NH State House,
Concord
- March 13, 2017: Snow Date for NH State Finals Championship, NH
State House, Concord
- April 24-26, 2017: Poetry Out Loud National Championship in
Washington, DC
