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Hands on Stanzas Blogs:
Read student poems, updates on residencies and more.
Would you like information about placing a poet-in-residence in your school or are you a poet? E-mail Hands on Stanzas Program Director Cassie Sparkman at csparkman@poetrycenter.org
2008 Gwendolyn Brooks
Hands On Stanzas Award
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Because of their exemplary service as Hands on Stanzas poets-in-residence during the 2007-2008 academic year, The Poetry Center is pleased to award the following authors with the 2007-2008 Gwendolyn Brooks Hands on Stanzas Award:
Margaret Chapman :
Poet-in-Residence at Burroughs Elementary; Inter-American Magnet School; Pulaski Fine Arts Academy; Taft Academic Center and Gerorge Washington Elementary.
Rachel Javellana :
Poet-in-Residence at Richard Henry Lee Elementary and James Shields Elementary.
The award was sponsored by the Chicago Literary Club, a not for profit organization, founded in 1874, that is dedicated to all things literary.
Elevated Verse
The Poetry Center of Chicago’s ELevated Verse arrived at platforms across Chicago on Monday, September 10, 2007. The project, now in its second year, placed the poetry of Chicago public schoolchildren on Chicago Transit Authority posters located in CTA stations all over the city. The project is entirely sponsored by The JP Morgan Chase Foundation.
ELevated Verse uses poetry created by students enrolled in Hands on Stanzas, The Poetry Center’s literacy-through-poetry program. The project is part of the Poetry Center’s Public Art Initiative, which attempts to stimulate the public’s interest in and knowledge of poetry by placing it in highly visible, much-trafficked areas. The posters were on display From September 10 to October 7.
“I believe there is a need for a more public poetry, “said Poetry Center Executive Director, Francesco Levato. “One that engages an audience who might not otherwise read it and one that gives voice to those who might not otherwise be heard. By placing the poetry of Chicago schoolchildren in the familiar settings of everyday life ELevated Verse does that and so much more.”
The project’s posters, created by designer Emily Calvo, feature a representation of a CTA track behind a featured poem. Said Calvo about her design, “I really like the idea of train track as metaphor for ladder, especially in this context.” PDF files of the posters are available on request. Call 312.899.1229 for details.
"The poetry-in-the-schools program reinforces the literacy skills we teach in the classroom while providing our students with an amazing opportunity to express themselves and learn more about poetry," said Arne Duncan, Chicago Public Schools CEO. "We are very proud of our young poets and the example they have set for other CPS students."
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Before Hands on Stanzas, I thought poetry was only for rich people and fancy people. Now I think poetry is for all kinds of people. Writing poetry makes me feel like I’m part of a very important family and a rich family…. Reading poetry makes me feel like a queen reading a new law. The best part of poetry is when I’m reading to my class, I feel like I’m reading to the whole world. –Esther C.
Support and inspiration for poets and budding writers is provided through Hands on Stanzas, a poets-in-residence program that improves literacy, brings art to inner-city youth, and empowers students through the reading, writing, discussion and presentation of poetry.
Hands on Stanzas places Chicago poets in public school classrooms for 20 weeks. The program is particularly valuable at schools where the pressure to raise test scores results in more time devoted to preparation for standardized testing, and less time for arts and culture. The writing and reading of poetry encourages students to explore how words can convey their own thoughts, visions and emotions. As students take ownership of language, vocabularies grow, imaginations spark, books are read, and for some, educational stumbling blocks are conquered.
The Hands on Stanzas 2007-2008 Anthology of Poetry is now available.
The Poetry Center acts on the knowledge that teaching students to read and write poetry improves literacy and prepares students to successfully navigate through a world that demands creative communication.
This school year, The Poetry Center is providing 39 poet residencies, regularly engaging almost 3,100 students.
The Hands on Stanzas 2007-2008 Anthology of Poetry is now avaliable for $10 a copy. Purchase from The Poetry Center by calling 312-899-1229.
Student Testimonials
Writing poetry is like a personal interview with your brain.
Greg
Writing poetry makes me feel like I can see myself, like I can see my reflection, but not in a mirror, in the world. I write and I know I can be reflected.
Oscar S.
Because of poetry, I know how to gather my ideas and put them in order, like an organizer.
Nicole S.
Writing poetry makes me feel free.
Buenda D.
Teacher & Administrator Testimonials
Hands on Stanzas has provided a creative instructional environment in which students thrive. Having a poet-in-residence reinforces Gladstone School’s literary arts curriculum and provides opportunities for all students to succeed, including those who struggle in more conventional classes. A permanent reminder of Gladstone School’s creative achievement is its Galería de Poesía – student poetry painted in colorful frames decorating one of our bright stairwells. I am a firm believer in the effectiveness of this rogue literacy program – the evidence is in improved test scores and stronger student academic confidence.
-Gary M. Moriello, Principal, William E. Gladstone Elementary School
Hands on Stanzas supports our school's own reading and writing programs. It fosters creativity in our children.
Brenda Browder, Principal, Joseph Kellman Corporate Community School
As a sixth grade teacher I’m continually challenged to find new ways for my students to express themselves. Hands on Stanzas has provided my class with a terrific opportunity to do just that. The structure sixth-graders need is present yet there aren’t as many ‘rules’ to follow. Hands on Stanzas has improved my students writing, but more importantly it’s helped open their minds to less conventional thinking. They’ve been given a chance to look past what is initially presented to them and search for another, sometimes deeper, meaning. They are learning to do this with other people’s writing, as well as their own.
Gina Feudo, Teacher, Louis J. Agassiz School
Additional Quotes:
Reading the students' fine and expressive poems is very satisfying. It is so important that so many of our students have the opportunity to experience the challenge and rewards of creative writing. The poets-in-residence program gives our students a reason to want to write. Thank you for everything you are doing on behalf of our students.
Arne Duncan, Chief Executive Officer, Chicago Public Schools
Your organization plays an important role in the arts, especially in arts education with under-resourced schools and neighborhoods. The National Endowment for the Arts is proud to have been able to award a grant toward those programs this year.
Dana Gioia, Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts
The book entitled Hands on Stanzas 2001-2002 Anthology of Poetry...and excellent literacy work are very much appreciated.
Mayor Richard M. Daley
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