School Residencies

CPC’s Poets in Residence bring fun and engaging creative writing lessons for elementary and high school students to your classroom, poetry club, or after-school program.

Through Chicago Poetry Center’s residencies, Poets in Residence engage students with weekly in-school or after-school programming. We work with K-12 students in schools across Chicagoland.

During each residency session, students read and discuss a poem, then write and share an original poem. With the help of our experienced teaching artists, students complete the program with a portfolio of original poetry, published poems on CPC’s website, and opportunities to share their work.

Chicago Poetry Center Residencies include:

a fun, creative space to center student voice and support arts integration
a dedicated Poet in Residence (teaching artist) providing English Language Arts and Social-Emotional Learning-focused sessions
culturally responsive, Common Core-aligned lessons
materials for individual student poetry portfolios
weekly publication on CPC’s student poetry page
program evaluation through teaching observations, student assessment, and teacher surveys
culminating events or projects (performance, classroom chapbook, etc)
student performances at a citywide student showcase

I’m BlackDavion D.

I’m Black and I’m proud say
it loud I’m Brown as tree Brown
as coffee beans Brown as a Bear
I’m Black as night cold winter sky
Black can’t be defeated my Black so fast
it might beat a cheetah Black so strong
it can’t be broken Black so cool it must
be golden Black so great they made
a population out of it my Black is
great my Black is gold my Black
is one great goal

Read Student Poetry

Ready to bring the Chicago Poetry Center to your school?
Email programs@poetrycenter.org to learn more.

Testimonials

“We have a morning message that previews our day, which a student reads aloud. When they would read that we were having a poetry session, a sibilant chorus of ‘yes’ would move around the room.”
Ms. Murray, 6th grade teacher at Perez Elementary

“My students absolutely loved deciphering the meanings of various poems and learning all about how to turn on the creative and unique parts of their brains to develop their own pieces. My students had minimal previous exposure to poetry in our ELA curriculum, so having the CPC work in tandem with our curriculum really made all the difference for my students.”
Ms. Brist, 2nd grade teacher at Swift Elementary

“The enthusiasm among students when [our Poet in Residence] enters the classroom is palpable. Through his guidance, I’ve witnessed remarkable advancements in both writing skills and self-assurance among my students. Even those struggling at a basic level have flourished under his mentorship, a testament to his inclusive and empowering approach.”
Ms. Makris, 4th grade teacher at Skinner West Elementary

By the Numbers

100% of teachers report increased student
⤴︎ confidence in reading and writing
⤴︎ ability to express ideas through writing
⤴︎ capacity to identify the feelings and perspectives of others

• CPS Arts Partner since 1997
• Designated a Highly Qualified Arts Partner in 2020
• CPS Vendor 36501