CES was buzzing on Friday, May 9, as family members arrived to the fourth-grade classrooms for the second annual poetry slam.
Each of the three classes created programs for their guests, outlining the events for the afternoon. The difference between this slam and a traditional one is that there is no competition – the students all take their turn reciting their poetry while everyone enjoys!
After a brief welcome by teachers Kaylin Bourke, Lisa Quick and Andrea Urmston in their respective classrooms, the students took to the stages. Their classrooms were transformed into hip little listening rooms where their families gathered to hear the original poetry they had written.
The poetry was varied – there was acrostic poems, where the first letter in each line spelled out a word when read vertically; there were shape poems and movement poems, color poems and haiku.
The subjects of the poems were diverse – from pets and siblings, to songs and celestial beings. “Done with the State Test” was celebrated. There were several that marked Earth Day and Mothers Day!
The students may have been a tad nervous at times but they presented their poetry with poise and pride.
Afterward, there were refreshments and lots of smiles! Family members were impressed with the quality of their work and so happy to be there to share it with them!
Great job to all!
“Poetry is language at its most distilled and most powerful.” Rita Dove