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

  • "تمثل المكتبة مكانًا مهمًا لممارسي القراءة والكتابة في المراحل التعليمية المبكرة. يساعد ترك الأطفال يستكشفون اهتماماتهم في الكتب على تنشئة عقول تواقة للمعرفة. "The library represents an important place for reading and writing practice in the early educational stages. Allowing children to explore their interests in books helps nurture knowledge-hungry minds.

  • في عالم ملئ بالتكنولوجيا يأتي كل شيء فيه بسرعة كبيرة، لماذا لا نستغل لفرصة لإبطاء الأمور؟ من إحدى طرق ذلك قضاء الوقت في تأليف الخطابات وكتابتها وإرسالها بالبريد إلى الأصدقاء والعائلة. In a technology-filled world where everything comes quickly, why not take the opportunity to slow things down? One way to do that is spending time composing, writing, and sending letters by mail to friends and family.

  • Learn how the the Shadowland Ballroom in St. Joseph, Michigan served the community with music and dancing. Then learn how the ballroom still lives on at Silver Beach County Park today.