Classroom and School Competitions

Implementation

How much time will teachers need to spend implementing Poetry Out Loud in the classroom?
We suggest that teachers implement the program in the late fall and early winter. Each teacher might spend from one to three weeks on Poetry Out Loud, although the program will not require full class periods during this time.

 

What students are eligible to participate in Poetry Out Loud?

Schools may determine which students participate at the classroom and school-level Poetry Out Loud programs, pursuant to local and state law.  Under federal immigration and tax law, participation in state-level contests and the national finals is restricted to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.   As part of the routine collection of biographical information, you will need to confirm eligibility of your school champion and runner-up prior to their participation in the regional and state competitions.

 

Is there a creative writing element to Poetry Out Loud?

The central objective of the program is to familiarize students with the best of their literary heritage, while teaching them important public speaking skills. Poetry Out Loud is not intended to replace classroom activities like creative writing; in fact, the two naturally complement one another. For that reason, we are currently creating a number of optional writing exercises and lesson plans, which will be available to teachers on the website. Additionally, schools may plan to send writers into participating classrooms, both to coach students in performance techniques and to offer writing workshops.

 

What is the role of the Lead Teacher?

The Lead Teacher will:

• Work closely with the Principal to coordinate the contest (e.g., select judges for the school-wide competition, promote the event, organize the school-wide competition; organize student travel to regional and state competitions, etc.)

• Enlist fellow teachers to participate

• Distribute Poetry Out Loud materials to each participating classroom teacher

• Provide necessary information to, and serve as the school point person for, the State Coordinator at the New York State Alliance for Arts Education

 

Educational Resources

Will any materials be provided to support this program in my classroom?

Poetry Out Loud curriculum materials include print and online poetry anthologies, a teacher’s guide to help instructors teach recitation and performance, an audio CD featuring recitations by distinguished actors and writers, promotional and media guides, and a comprehensive website located at www.poetryoutloud.org. 
 

 

When will materials be available?

The Teacher Toolkit, which includes a Teacher’s Guide, audio CDs and the poetry anthology, will be sent to each participating teacher soon after registration. Please allow 2-3 weeks.
 

 

Can teachers request additions to the anthology?

Yes. The NEA and the Poetry Foundation plan to continually expand the selection of poems available on the website.  We will try to satisfy anthology requests whenever possible, but please remember that copyright permissions and other issues must be taken into consideration.   Poems in the public domain may be easier to include, and we cannot include poems in translation.  Please note that student-authored poems will not be included on the website and cannot be recited as part of the official competition.

 

Click here to view an updated online Anthology.
 

 

I would like to have a Professional Poet/ Teaching Artist work with my students, where do I begin?

There are many resources available to help you locate and fund a poetry residency in your school, including available grant money specifically for Arts In Education Projects (AIE).

 

 

 

Poem Selections

 

Can students choose poetry outside of the poems in the anthology?

Poetry Out Loud includes an online anthology of approximately 800 poems. The students may choose from that site, as well as from the shorter hardcopy version of approximately 100 poems that has been compiled for classroom use.  Students must choose poems from the print or online versions of the Poetry Out Loud anthology.

COMPLETE LIST of ELIGIBLE POEMS for 2011-12 (PDF)

List of INELIGIBLE POEMS for 2011-12 (POL National Site)  

Are there any other requirements for students’ selections?

Each student must select and memorize three poems for recitation. 

At the state and national finals, students must have three poems prepared. One must be 25 lines or shorter, and one must be written before the 20th century. The same poem may be used to meet both criteria, but that poem must be used in rounds one or two.

Once the School Winner form is submitted (deadline January 13, 2012) a student may NOT change their poem selection.

 

How do I notify the State Coordinator of my school winners’ poem selections?

Your school winner information must be submitted by January 13, 2012. Please visit the Poetry Out Loud 2011-12 webpage to submit everything online.

Competition

 

Is there a minimum and maximum amount of time that a participant can use to recite his or her poem?

A sonnet generally takes about a minute to recite, and we are trying to keep the maximum time per poem to around three minutes.

 

Can embellishment be used to deliver the poems; i.e. movement (gestures, walking), or will participants be expected to stand and deliver the poems in one place? Can participants add any kind of sound or musical instruments for effect?

The recitation of poetry, in this context, is a bit different than theatre acting. Poetry recitation is about the poem, not the performance. No props, costumes, or music may be used. Overacting, exaggerated movements, and odd voices and accents can be distracting.  However, depending on the poem, gestures and some movement may be appropriate.

 

How long will the contest events run?

A contest event should take less than two hours; any longer than that can be difficult for the audience. There will be detailed instructions and recommendations in the Teacher’s Guide on organizing the contests, depending on the number of participants.