All posts in Joy Young

When to Write

When is the right time to do something? How do you know it’s the right time? These are the questions Twain 6th graders thought about for their first poetry session on Monday. Together we […]

Poetry Out Loud 2024 Illinois State Winner!!!

Spring definitely made an appearance in Springfield last Monday on March 11th. The sun was shining, the weather was warm and breezy, the ideal day for the Poetry Out Loud 2024 Illinois State Competition. […]

If I Could Turn Back Time …

Hamline 6th graders traveled back in time for their third week of poetry. We explored how to use our five senses (touch, taste, smell, sound, and sight) to recall memories. I showed students photos […]

Painting Self-Portraits

For our 2nd week of poetry, Hamline 6th graders explored the concept of self-portraits. Students looked at the artwork of famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, who was known for creating unique self-portraits of herself. […]

Wonderland Thoughts

It was great meeting Hamline Elementary 6th graders last Wednesday. A few students had some experience writing poetry with their teachers. They already knew various poetry terms and styles such as rhyme, simile, and […]

Poetry Out Loud 2024 Chicagoland Regional Winners!

The Chicago Poetry Center is now in its 7th year as Chicagoland Regional Host Organization for the national youth poetry competition, Poetry Out Loud. Poetry Out Loud is a collaborative project of the Illinois […]

Get Ready For Poetry Out Loud 2024 Chicagoland Regionals Competition

The Chicago Poetry Center is pleased to serve in its 7th year as the Chicagoland Regional Host Organization for the national Poetry Out Loud Teen Competition. Poetry Out Loud is a collaborative project in […]

4th graders create a community of poets!

This week Twain 4th graders celebrated not only the New Year but also the final day of our poetry residency. Our theme for our last week was about community. I asked students, “What is […]

4th graders Explore Art in Chicago

As we get closer to the end of our residency, I wanted to have a fun lesson for 4th graders. Since, they love to draw, for their 9th week, we learned about Ekphrastic poetry. […]

6th graders do a Mic Check

For our 5th and final week of our mini residency, 6th graders read and discussed ideas about Open Mics. Open mics are events open to the public, safe, welcoming places to share your creativity, […]

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I’M FROM THE CITY LIGHTS / STREAMING OUT IN THE NIGHT / AND HUGE SKYSCRAPERS / TOWERING OVER THE LAKE – MELISSA E., 7TH GRADE POET