Poetry can serve as a form of therapy, self-expression, and a means to explore personal and cultural identity. In this episode of Extra Credit, Brooke and Ari visit the Poetry Out Loud state competition in Lansing, Michigan; Lansing Poet Laureate Masaki Takahashi shares how his non-profit, The Poetry Room, aims to create space for writers of color; Flint Public Art Project and Flint Mural Poems combine visual art and poetry to spark important conversations and inspire positive change; Brooke shares her experience meeting Nandi Comer, Michigan’s history-making Poet Laureate; Leah checks in from Chassell, MI with a poem inspired by nature; and Brooke and Paige learn about Ypsilanti’s Youth Poet Laureate program with award-winning poet, Ciatta Tucker.

Learn more about the people and organizations featured in this episode:

Related Lessons

  • من المفيد وجود شيء ملموس لبدء محادثة مع طفلك. عندما يقوم الأطفال بإنشاء هياكل باستخدام الكتل أو الأدوات المنزلية الشائعة ، فإن فرصة إجراء محادثة مع طفلك حول التفكير الذي دخل في تصميم وإنشاء الهيكل يأتي بشكل طبيعي. Having something tangible is useful to start a conversation with your child. When children construct structures using blocks or common household tools, the opportunity to have a conversation with your child about the thinking that went into designing and creating the structure comes naturally.

  • قد تؤدي التجارب المبكرة في كتابة الكلمات أحيانًا إلى أخطاء إملائية أو حتى أشياء ليست أحرفًا على الإطلاق. تعرف على كيف أن هذا أمر طبيعي وجزء من عملية التعلم. Early experiments in writing words can sometimes lead to misspellings or even things that aren't letters at all. Learn about how this is normal and part of the learning process.

  • تمثل كتابة كلمات جديدة على أغنيات مألوفة طريقة مرحة للعب بالكلمات وتطوير مهارات لغوية في الأطفال. يشكل كل من الإيقاع وطبقة الصوت أهمية عند تحدث الأطفال أيضًا. Writing new words to familiar songs is a playful way to engage with words and develop language skills in children. Both rhythm and voice layering are also important when children speak.