Low
lights, flameless candles, tables covered in blue and yellow
cloths, and teachers mingling about the cafeteria offering cookies,
bottled water and hot chocolate greeted students and their families
at Slammin’ Poetry Night at Jamestown Elementary School
in the Hazelwood School
District.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Although it was cold outside, the atmosphere in the cafeteria was warm, evoking a vibe of hip calmness. The room was filled with 300 guests, but it was fairly quiet, matching the mood of the program.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Slammin’ Poetry Night, a literacy event, featured students from kindergarten through fifth grade who recited original works of poetry in groups, in pairs or as solo poets. On the stage were two microphones for group recitations, and a single stool for individuals. Many students held copies of their work in their hands, just in case they needed to remember the words, while others followed along with their classroom teacher as a guide.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>After each recitation, the audience snapped their fingers in appreciation and agreement.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Annette Adamec and Ramona Williams, reading specialists, organized the event. They explained that poetry focuses on many aspects of communication arts goals for elementary students within the District curriculum. The goals include fluency, developing vocabulary, visualizing, questioning, interpreting and using text features in poetry and drama, and using the writing process independently, among many others.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The poetry slam gives parents the opportunity to see their student’s writing and performance skills, and it also encourages parent involvement.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Jamestown
teachers, in
collaboration with Springboard, the St. Louis region’s largest
provider of in-school arts and cultural integration and enrichment
programs, helped the students prepare for the slam by reiterating
the writing process and improving performance skills. Springboard
is affiliated with the national Young Audiences Arts for Learning
network.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Adamec and Williams said the response from parents was “very positive.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Parents commented that they were impressed with the poems the students created, as well as their performances,” they said.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“The parents also stated how excited their students were about participating in the poetry slam,” they continued.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Student feedback was positive, too. Many are looking forward to being a part of the program next year. Adamec and Williams noted an increase in student participation from the first poetry slam, held last year.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The specialists explained that events such as Slammin’ Poetry Night are important for parents and students because it promotes and builds a positive relationship between home, school and the community, and it gives students the chance to showcase what they are learning at school.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Family literacy nights are a reflection of district values of forming partnerships with parents and community members to ensure the success of each student, creating an inclusive learning climate that meets the needs of a diverse community, and maintaining a climate where staff, parents and community members model positive qualities and characteristics expected of each student.
