Resources & Links
- Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest
Program Overview:
Recitation and performance are major new trends in poetry. There has been a recent resurgence of poetry as an oral art form, as seen in the slam poetry movement and the immense popularity of hip-hop music.
Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest builds on this momentum by inviting the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word, and theater into the English class (as well as Drama, Forensics, and other appropriated classes). The National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation have partnered with State Arts Agencies (i.e. the Virginia Commission for the Arts) to support the expansion of Poetry Out Loud, which encourages the nation’s youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance. This exciting program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.
Program History:
After successful pilot programs in Washington, DC, and Chicago, the second phase of Poetry Out Loud was launched in high schools across America in the spring of 2006 with tens of thousands of students participating. Ohio high school student Jackson Hille won the inaugural National Finals on May 16, 2006. In Virginia, the program took place in 10 high schools in the Richmond metro area including Richmond City, Hanover, Henrico, and Chesterfield Counties. For information about the 2006 competition in Virginia, click here.
In 2007, the program was open to schools throughout Virginia. 18 schools participated. Alanna Rivera from Washington-Lee High School in Arlington won the Virginia State Competition. She proceeded to the National Competition in Washington, DC, where she received the third place prize and a $5,000 scholarship. To read more about the 2007 National Final, click here.
How To Participate In 2008 in Virginia:
For the 2008 Poetry Out Loud Competition, the Virginia Commission for the Arts is working with
SPARC, School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community to manage the competition.
Any teacher in a public, private and independent high school in Virginia can register their class for the contest. To register, click here. Once your registration form is processed, we will send you all the materials for the contest (see below Program Materials & Schedule).
For questions, contact Laine Satterfield at (804) 788-6460 or Lsatterfield@sparconline.org
Contest Structure:
Poetry Out Loud uses a pyramid structure that begins at the classroom level. Winners advance to a school-wide competition, then to a regional and/or state competition, and ultimately to the National Finals.
Classroom Time & Schedule
The curriculum for Poetry Out Loud has been designed intentionally to fit into a teacher's busy schedule without much disruption. The program takes place over the span of two to three weeks, according to each teacher's interest and schedule, and it will not require full class periods during that time. To accommodate schools' testing demands and vacation calendars, Poetry Out Loud can be implemented at the school level any time during the fall and through February, with slight variations by state.
NCTE Standards:
Poetry Out Loud satisfies most of the NCTE English Language Arts Standards (detailed information follows). In addition to memorizing and performing great poems, students will have the opportunity to discuss poetry and—if the teacher wishes to use the optional lesson plans on the website—to write poetry of their own.
Program Materials & Schedule:
Poetry Out Loud curriculum materials include print and online poetry anthologies, a teachers guide to help instructors teach recitation and performance, an audio CD featuring distinguished actors and writers, promotional and media guides, and a comprehensive website, www.poetryoutloud.org . Curriculum materials are available for download on the Poetry Out Loud website.
Poetry Out Loud materials will be sent to participating high schools in time for implementation this fall, and participating schools will run the program through early winter.
Virginia State Competition:
The school winners will proceed to the state final which will be held at the Library of Virginia in Richmond on Thursday, March 6th, 20078.
National Competition:
The National Finals will be held in Washington, DC, at the end of April 2008
Contest Awards:
Each winner at the state level will receive $200 and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington to compete for the national championship. The state winner's school will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. A runner-up in each state will receive $100, with $200 for his or her school library. Additionally, a total of $50,000 in scholarships and school stipends will be awarded to the winners at the National Finals.
For comprehensive information about the program, click here: http://www.poetryoutloud.org