A yearly tradition at Saint Bridget School is the Poem in Your Pocket Day. Students find a poem or write a poem and leave it in their pocket all day. Throughout the day, the Poetry Police can stop students and ask them to read their poems. Students really enjoyed sharing poems with friends, classmates, teachers, and the Poetry Police! The holiday began in 2002 in New York City. The Departments of Cultural Affairs and Education announced a day in April as Poem in Your Pocket Day. Individuals were encouraged to write their own poetry, perform a poem, or create their own art inspired by poetry. The goal is to remind people of their participation in the living art of poetry.
In addition to carrying a poem throughout the day, the middle school students have been participating in poetry writing. They were instructed to write a 20-line poem on a topic of their choice. The students wrote the poem with the expectation that they would be sharing their poems at a “Poetry Slam.” The concept of slam poetry originated in the 1980s in Chicago, Illinois, when a local poet felt that poetry readings and poetry in general had lost their true passion. He had an idea to bring poetry back by creating a weekly poetry event where anyone could participate. It can be daunting to read a personal poem in front of a large group of people. The sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students did an amazing job showing their capabilities at public speaking. Students shared poems on topics like brothers, family, being in nature, and hopes for the future. Writing and sharing poetry is a way for students to build literacy skills as well as resilience.
~ Donna Rousseau, Curriculum Coordinator
