About Hands on Stanzas

Hands on Stanzas, the educational outreach program of the Poetry Center of Chicago places professional, teaching Poets in residence at Chicago Public Schools across the city. Poets teach the reading, discussion, and writing of poetry to 3 classes over the course of 20 classroom visits, typically from October through April. Students improve their reading, writing, and public speaking skills, and participating teachers report improved motivation and academic confidence. You can contact Cassie Sparkman, Director of the Hands on Stanzas program, by phone: 312.629.1665 or by email: csparkman(at)poetrycenter.org for more information.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

We Real Cool

The 8th graders read "We Real Cool" by Gwendolyn Brooks and then wrote poems about cliques or groups at their school.

We real cool

Melissa S.

We just stand
never say a word
give you chance
break little hearts
NEVER cool, NEVER noticed
in shadows, unnoticed, unseen

Alyssa C.

Their eyes drooping
down to their knees
Hair all messed up
just woke up!
walking
with a wobble

Stephanie Y.

They act tough to
be strong.
They are soft to
get what they want.
They may talk the talk to
be able to walk the walk.
They lie to get to the top to
avoid being shot down, literally.

Brittany C.

Have you seen them,
the baggy shorts and long
shirts? Jumping up and down; doing
lay ups and 3 points; grabbing the
ball and rebounding it back up?
This is the group.
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