All posts in Joy Young

Last Day Poetry Surprises

This past Tuesday was Twain 4th graders last day of poetry for 2024. I’m so proud of all they accomplished in 10 weeks. We’ve had 10 weeks of not just writing poetry, but bonding […]

Becoming Magical with Poetry

This past Monday the O-School’s Group C students dabbled in magic, potions, and spells. A poem is similar to a spell, each poem is unique, using powerful words and images. I asked students to […]

Wishes For the Holidays

This past Monday the O-School’s Group D elementary students, thought about wishes. The holidays season can feel magical. Wishes can be dreams for things that you truly want: a pet kitten, toys, money, or […]

Join us in celebrating 20 years of Poetry Out Loud in 2025!

The Chicago Poetry Center is pleased to serve in its 8th year as the Chicagoland Regional Host Organization for the national Poetry Out Loud Teen Competition. Poetry Out Loud is a collaborative project in partnership with […]

Rewrite to make your poem stronger

I can’t believe this past Tuesday was 4th graders 9th poetry week of our 10-week residency! Lucky week 9, was all about rewriting and editing. Together read and discussed the poem “Dear Poet,” by […]

Celebrating the little things

For their 3rd week of poetry this past Monday, students from Group D of the O-School discussed what it means to celebrate. Celebrations are not just for holidays or birthdays, but can involve showing […]

Moving and grooving with sounds

For their 3rd week of poetry, the Group C students at the O-School discovered how sounds are part of daily life. Every activity we perform whether it’s brushing our teeth, taking a walk, or […]

If I Were in Charge of the World

What does it mean to be in charge of something? What are things you wish you were in charge of? These are the questions Twain 4th graders pondered over for our 8th week of […]

Thoughts run free

On Monday the Group C students returned back to the O-School after Thanksgiving break. Holiday times can be relaxing, spending time with family and loved ones, but also can sometimes feel overwhelming. This week […]

Poem for Your Plate

The Group D Students returned back to the O-School on Monday, from Thanksgiving break refreshed and full of leftovers. For our second week of poetry, we discussed our favorite comfort foods that we love […]

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I’M FROM THE CITY LIGHTS / STREAMING OUT IN THE NIGHT / AND HUGE SKYSCRAPERS / TOWERING OVER THE LAKE – MELISSA E., 7TH GRADE POET