Latin School of Chicago

Middle School Poetry Day up front During an afternoon in mid-February the Wrigley Theatre was buzzing with the usual commotion of a middle school audience when eighth grader Miya Coleman took the stage to perform her untitled poem. ���They say we fight for our country. Protect. Defend. Fight. But I���d rather raise my fists for freedom instead of putting it in someone���s face,��� she began in a powerful voice, abruptly silencing the auditorium. Miya was one of nine contestants who ���We are especially shared their work in the slam poetry lucky here in Chicago, competition that comes at the end of the middle school���s biennial Poetry Day. While the birthplace of poem topics ranged from Miya���s intense commentary on society to slam poetry, to watch like getting dressed in the lighter subjects morning or one artists at the top of student���s relationship with her TV, all were a perfect tribute to a day dedicated to their game bring poetry appreciation. This was the third year that middle poetry to poignant, schoolers took an afternoon off from their hilarious, vibrant life.��� regular class time to write, read, hear and perform poetry with local and nationally ��� Lori Kloehn, middle school acclaimed poets. English teacher Through small workshops such as ���Chicago Poems,��� ���Telling Your Story��� and ���Where Ya At? Exploring the Poetics of Place,��� students had the opportunity to investigate in depth various forms and genres of the art. The sessions were led by some of Chicago���s best-known poets, including Kevin Coval, who has received national critical acclaim for his hip hop poetry; Mary Fons, a slam poet, writer, performance artist and Neo-Futurist; and Marvin Tate, a recipient of The Illinois Arts Council Fellowship Award. Latin also was very fortunate to be able to bring Joaquin Zihuatanejo to the school. Zihuatanejo has won numerous national and international slam poetry competitions and was chosen to represent the United States in the 2009 World Cup of Poetry Slam in Paris; he won, making him the No. 1 ranked slam poet in the world. Slam poet Miya Coleman ���15. 12 Latin Magazine ���We are especially lucky here in Chicago, the birthplace of slam poetry, to watch artists at the top of their game bring poetry to poignant, hilarious, vibrant life,��� says middle school English teacher Lori Kloehn, who first suggested Poetry Day in 2007 with the goal of giving students a taste for one of the most powerful forms of language. The professional poets generously shared their knowledge, tips and talents with the middle schoolers, who showed wonderful creativity, passion and courage when they took the stage at the end of the day. ���Each Poetry Day you can see the students get swept up in the magic,��� Kloehn says. ���The inspiration of the day continues to work on them in the months that follow and on through their Latin careers.���

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