The school registration deadlineĀ for Arizona Poetry Out Loud is only a month away–October 30, 2015. We’re happy to see a lot of familiar names on the list of schools that have already registered (welcome back!), and excited by the number of new schools signing up for the first time. Still, we’re aiming to break participation records this year and we’ve got a ways to go yet.
We understand that teachers and school administrators who are still on the fence about whether to register or not may need a little more encouragement, so today we present five reasons that teachers love Poetry Out Loud:
Standards-based curriculum:Ā Poetry Out Loud satisfies most of the NCTE English Language Arts Standards. In addition to memorizing and performing great poems, students will have the opportunity to discuss poetry andāif the teacher wishes to use the supplemental lesson plans at poetryoutloud.orgāto write poetry of their own. Click here to learn more about how POL aligns with English Language Arts Standards.- Resources: Participating teachers receive free multimedia curriculum materials, including a poetry anthology, audio guide, teachersā guide, posters and a comprehensive website all aligned to national standards. The POL website alone features tips for teachers, lesson plans and detailedĀ guidesĀ forĀ managingĀ and promoting your school competition.
- Support: Beyond the online and print resources, teachers have access to support from our regional partners, Phonetic Spit and University of Arizona Poetry Center.Ā OurĀ regional partners are organizations with strong ties to their local literary and school communities, and are dedicated to creating opportunities for increased student and school involvement in the Poetry Out Loud program.
- Flexibility:Ā The curriculum for Poetry Out Loud has been designed to fit into a teacherās busy schedule. The program takes place over the span of 2 to 3 weeks, according to each teacherās interest and schedule, and it does not require full class periods. To accommodate schoolsā testing demands and vacation calendars, Poetry Out Loud can be implemented at the school-level any time during the fall and through early winter, with slight variations by state.
- Impact:Ā Through Poetry Out Loud, students can master public speaking skills, build self-confidence and learn about their literary heritage. But don’t just take our word for it. In 2014, our Southern Region partner, University of Arizona Poetry Center produced the video below featuring Arizona Poet LaureateĀ Alberto Ćlvaro RĆosĀ and others discussing the tremendous impact of the program.
Over the years, we’ve interviewed Poetry Out Loud participants about the impact of the program on their lives. You can read their reflections on Poetry Out Loud below:
A Poem That is No Longer a Stranger: Zaskia Villa Reflects on Poetry Out Loud
"Find a poem that speaks to you. Find a poem that tugs at your soul and makes it easy for you to envision yourself reciting its words to an audience. Spend time choosing a poem that suits you and your interests. Meet the words, know the words, carry them with you and speak them with the intention of making others feel them."
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Poetry Out Loud State Finals Judge Reflects on Her Years as a Participant
"I relish the way a pattern of certain consonants comes together or the sounds of assonance and alliteration. It's a really fun challenge to not only find those moments in the text, but also convey those moments in a way that your audience catches them or is moved by them in a way that isn't distracting."
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Arizona High School Student Competes at Poetry Out Loud National Finals
āFor me, there is just something magical about getting up in front of a crowd and reciting works of poetry,ā says 17 year-old Matthew Kaplan of Phoenix. āThis year I treated Poetry Out Loud less as a competition than I had in years past, and I have loved every moment.ā
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