AN AFTER-SCHOOL OR POETRY CLUB RESIDENCY FOR YOUR SCHOOL INCLUDES:
- Twenty hours of session time– virtual, in-person, or in combination
- Trained Poet In Residence: experience in CPS + contemporary poet in the Chicago literary scene
- Up to 8 CPDUs for the participating classroom teacher: free as part of the program
- A poetry portfolio for every student
- Online publication of student work for every student in the program
- Performance opportunities at cultural venues across Chicago, in our schools, and online
- A strong and flexible curriculum— built to adjust to the needs of each classroom
- Evaluation and observation to evaluate program success and ensure quality
- An outlet for creativity and self-expression
- Can include building a poetry team, open mics at the school, and field trips
PROGRAMS RUN VIRTUALLY AND IN-PERSON AS NEEDED
In 2020-21, we are prepared to run our programs virtually, in-person, or in combination, as needed.
In April of 2020, CPC transitioned 26 CPS classroom residencies to virtual and poets continued to meet with their students remotely for the remainder of their residencies. A virtual student showcase was created at the end of the year. We’re currently running regular virtual assemblies (including three performance poets and interactive elements for students), and an-all virtual, social-justice themed summer residency.
RESERVE PROGRAMS FOR YOUR SCHOOL
Ready to learn more? Reach out at programs@poetrycenter.org
MEET OUR POETS IN RESIDENCE
Our teaching artists are active Chicago poets, internationally touring performers, and published authors active in the Chicago literary scene. They are also skilled educators trained in our program methodology. Click on their headshots below to read their bios, or find our full list of teaching artists here.
POETRY AFFIRMS VOICES
We believe that poetry provides a unique outlet for self-expression, and we’ve tailored our program to be just as unique: our flexible curriculum and roster of Poet Teaching Artists means we can build the perfect residency for your classrooms. Our program is engaging, dynamic, and fun for students. We support and celebrate every student in the room– exactly where they are at. Student and teacher testimonials show proof of our success.
POETRY CELEBRATES STUDENTS
Each week the Poet in Residence will engage students through performance, video, and written poetry, students will shake off the school day with theater and movement exercises, and write original poems.
Our online publication platform built for your school, showcases student work. There are multiple opportunities for student performance, including in school, at cultural venues across Chicago, and virtually.
RESIDENCIES ARE TAILORED TO YOUR COMMUNITY
Our residency can function as a poetry club and/or poetry team– we can meet at lunch or after school, or whenever is appropriate for your school community.
We’ve supported our students from the first days of launching a Louder Than a Bomb (LTAB) team all the way to the finals.
Our teaching artists are active Chicago poets and trained educators, able to take our curriculum, your needs, and their passion, and translate them into a customized plan for your residency.
Your dedicated Poet in Resident (teaching artist) will meet with you before the residency begins to learn about your community’s interests, and build a tailored syllabus and mutually agreed upon schedule for the year.
EQUITY AND SUPPORT
Arts education is a human right. Our program utilizes Ingenuity’s Creative Schools scores and our program data to ensure we continue to support schools across the district in need of creative literacy programming. Though active fundraising we’re able to keep our costs to schools exceptionally low, while providing high quality services in the form of teacher professional development, curriculum, in-class programming, portfolios, publication, and performance, throughout the school year.
