
Our Program

We aim to teach middle and high school youth the fundamentals of reading, writing, and understanding poetry, with a focus on structure, elements, comprehension, and the art of song.
Elements of Poetry
We will explore the key components of poetry, such as rhyme, meter, imagery, and symbolism. Students will learn to identify and analyze these elements in various poems, gaining an understanding of how they contribute to the overall meaning and emotional impact of a poem. This basic foundation allows them to appreciate the nuances of poetic expression as they craft their own works.
Comprehension
Through poetry, students learn to develop critical thinking abilities that transfer to reading and understanding poetry. These skills help them understand text across the different curricula.
Structure
Focusing on structure in poetry, such as rhyme schemes and meter, as well as free verse; comparing the contrast of these two methods. We will show how both approaches complement each other while one focuses on following strict rules and the other allows the student to explore ideas and emotions more freely.
The Art in Song
Students will experiment with sound and rhythm in poems, exploring how the melody of words can influence meaning and mood, highlighting rhythm, sound patterns, and cadence, which enhances the expressive power of a poem.