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.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Where Do You Want To Go?

Using Nikki Giovanni's poem, "Knoxville, Tennessee", classes at Kozminski had great conversations about places we wanted to travel through and see and what we've experienced. Students discussed going to domestic cities like Las Vegas, Madison, WI and cities down south, while others longed for France, Barcelona, and other places internationally. Most students focused on travelling in the Summer or Spring times. Students were encouraged to write the sights, sounds, and experiences down and reflect poetically.
I love travelling and I loved reading these responses...please enjoy!

Untitled
Kyle R.

One day I would like to visit Miami.
In my eyes, Miami is the place to be.
I’m hearing that Miami is so super hot.
Seeing Miami women gives me the fever.
All I want is to run up and down Miami’s beach.
I wonder about Miami.

Memphis, Tennessee
Michelle G.

I always like spending my Summer vacations in
Memphis.

It’s fun.

I mostly like to go so I can spend time
With my family.
And eat fried chicken,
Mashed potatoes,
Collard greens,
Sweet water cornbread
And some Sweet tea.

I mostly like to go swimming
Because you can got on water slides
And get dunked by fine brothers.

I love Memphis, Tennesee.

Untitled
Leah C.

I always like the deep blazing sun
With the glowing water in Jamaica.

Jamaica is the place where you party all night.

Dancing, singing, hoola hooling around the floor.

Smiling, playing in the wavy water.
Water so clear you may drink.

Mississippi
Jacari G.

I love the Summer.
I ate fresh corn on the cob.
And cabbage.
And ice cream.
And juice or pop.
And barbeque chicken wings.
I listen to Pop and Gospel music.
I saw flying trees.
I heard them whooshing.
I didn’t even want to go to sleep.
Mississippi.

Trip To Wisconsin
Shantial P.

I always like Summer best.
You can eat Mexican corn.
And my cousin..
She makes the best Shrimp fried rice
And we made homemade ice cream.
We listened to Hip Hop music.
We went to the park
And we rolled down a huge hill.
That was the best trip yet.

France
Tynaz S.

I always liked Spring best!
If you like Spring, then go to France.
They have luxurous foods
And cute nice clothes
And shoes that are to die for.
And the food is so good.
They have the best salad.
I just love to go to France!
Wait til you see it’s soo great.

Seattle, WA
Chrishon B.
I like the Summer in Seattle
because it was not as cold or hot
like here or Arizona.
It was nice and cool.
I had some fresh fish.
I went swimming.
I drove to Portland, Oregon
just to go to Niketown
then I went for a walk on the lake.

Down South
Jasmine M.
It's fun.
I ate fried chicken.
The road.
The horses.
When we was riding down there
I saw cows and train tracks.
We were riding.

Frisco, Texas
Yazmine F.
In Texas it is so hot.
It reach 109 degrees.
My cousin's were with me.
My Dad took all of us
swimming.
We watched a movie
and played with my Dog.
We made cupcakes and home made pizza.

Mississippi
Monica M.
I always go there every year.
I saw
cows,
horses,
chickens,
pigs and goats.
We ate
chicken,
corn,
pizza,
apples,
oranges,
banana,
and everything.
My whole family road our horses.
My Mom horse name is Angel.
My Sister horse name is Kayla.
My Brother horse name is Ray Mestoria.
My horse name is Angelia.

Chicago
Sarai W.

When I was
Riding to the
Chicago store
Me and my Mom
Was picking out stuff.

Untitled
Terell H.

I like Summer best
Because I can go with to the h.w.
I like Winter best because I can drink
Hot coco.
I like Spring best because
I can go to the Park.

I Love Summer
Stephanie E.

I love Summer best
Because I get a lot of eggs.
And I go to Indiana.

Then I eat lots of ice cream.
Because it is so good.
I love it.
It is so good to me.

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