www.traversepoetry.org

Late last year a guy called Matthew Robertson contacted me to promote the Human Rights Torch Relay through the slams at The Front. Just a few months ago he sent me a link to an interesting item from The New York Times, on one teacher’s use of poetry in a Philadelphia school. It’s quite short but still heartening:

We show 32 young urban voices how to ask probing questions about a text, a formula, or a problem in their communities. We use those questions to flavor each unit plan that we prepare. The end product works much like that call-and-response piece that shouts ‘Listen!’ and quiets all sidebar conversation. The audience owns the words too. The kids are more inspired to pay attention. The artist is more inspired to bring the noise.

Hope you all have a great end of year break.