NEW JERSEY
WRITERS PROJECT
NJPOL RESIDENCIES & WORKSHOPS * ONLINE APPLICATIONTEACHER WORKSHOPS (OCTOBER ONLY - NEW THIS YEAR!)
PROGRAM OVERVIEW * PROGRAM STRUCTURETIMEFRAMES & DEADLINES * ELIGIBILITY * FAQ
NJ POETRY OUT LOUD
Artists-in-the-Schools Program and Residency Grants '08-'09NJ Poetry Out Loud (NJPOL) Artists-in-the Schools Program, a partnership between Playwrights Theatre (PTNJ) and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA), places seasoned teaching artists experienced in Poetry Out Loud in the classroom to enhance the school's experience with POL. The hands-on, process- based arts workshops and residencies make a significant impact on the way students comprehend and relate to poetry and they provide teachers with a valuable professional development opportunity. Students and teachers have praised the program's innovative structure and how it has impacted students' academic achievement in Language Arts, improved public speaking and presentation skills while increasing self confidence and building community in the classroom.
When initiating NJ's POL program, The NJ State Council on the Arts understood that this was an opportunity to utilize the talent and expertise of NJ professional artist community and engage NJ High Schools with powerful experiences with poetry. A partnership with Playwrights Theatre was formed and in 2006 a unique poetry and performance residency program was piloted and served over 500 students in seven high schools across the State with hands-on, process-based arts residencies. Since its inception twenty-four residencies have been implemented across the State and the NEA sited NJPOL as a national model.
NJPOL FULL RESIDENCY
Serves up to three classrooms and approximately 75 students.Schools receive nine days with Poetry Out Loud teaching artists to develop a stronger foundation in poetry and learn the elements of getting a poem "up on its feet". The full residency includes a planning meeting, three days with a poet, three days with a performance artist, teaching artists' participation as adjudicators in the classroom contest and school-wide contest, and two hours consultation with artists (over the course of the residency) regarding program details.
Prior to the start of the residency schools have a Planning Meeting with the teaching artists, the school administration and the participating teachers to confirm roles and responsibilities, scheduling, and residencydetails to ensure a smooth and productive program.
With the Poet: For three sessions students are led through a series of reading and writing exercises and grow to understand the importance of figurative language, connotation, imagery, rhythm and symbolism in interpreting poems. Poetic elements of characterization, point of view, plot, setting and theme will also be discussed and explored.
With the Performance Artist: Following the poet's visits, students work with an experienced performance poet and/or actor to build confidence as they learn new methods of expressing themselves and their chosen poem(s). Students practice projection, rhythm, and diction while discovering the power of their individual voice and the value of sharing ideas, feelings and language with a community.
Both artists return to the school for two sessions to participate as judges for the Classroom Competitions and the School Wide Competition. Program Cost: $5500 (A limited number of partial & full grants are available)
NJPOL ABBREVIATED RESIDENCY
Serves two classrooms and approximately 50 students.Schools receive six days with Poetry Out Loud teaching artists to develop a stronger foundation in poetry and learn the elements of getting a poem "up on its feet". The full residency includes a planning meeting, two days with a poet, two days with a performance artist, and both teaching artists' participation as adjudicators in the school-wide contest. Program Cost: $2600 (A limited number of partial and full grants are available)
NJPOL GUEST ARTIST VISIT
A poet and/or performance artist experienced with Poetry Out Loud will work with up to 3 classes on a specific aspect of the POL program and can include: selecting a poem, interpreting poetry, projection & enunciation, incorporating emotion into performance, etc. Cost: $500 per day (not including artist transportation)
NJPOL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
An artist experienced with Poetry Out Loud consults with administrator and teachers on conducting a successful Poetry Out Loud Program. Areas of review can include: Structuring the program, running the classroom and school contests, incorporating effective poetry/performance lessons, troubleshooting and problem-solving, etc. Cost: $500 per day (4 hours) - (not including artist transportation if applicable)
TO APPLY:Please register your school for NJ Poetry Out Loud @ www.jerseyarts.com & click on the POL logo for all program guidelines, information and registration form.
Then:
Visit www.ptnj.org/NJWP/PoetryOutLoud.htm or for more information contact Alysia Souder, Director of Program Development, Playwrights Theatre at 973.514.1787 ext.15
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 builds on this momentum by inviting the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word and, and theatre into the English class (as well as Drama, Forensics, and other appropriate classes). The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation have partnered with State Arts Agencies , the New Jersey State Council on the Arts among them, 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.
The first NJ Poetry Out Loud was launched by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA) in 2005-2006 as a pilot program in 7 high schools representing different regions of NJ. NJSCA partnered with Playwrights Theatre of NJ/New Jersey Writers Project, which brings writing residencies to over 150 schools statewide annually. The pilot integrated an artist residency into the POL program. The 7 school finalists went on to compete in the state final at NJN studios in Trenton. Our 2006 state winner, Teika Chapman, Trenton Central High School, went on to proudly represent our state at the National finals in Washington, DC.
In 2007 NJPOL expanded statewide and a total of 34 high schools representing 14 counties participated. Three regional contests conducted at NJ theatres sent 6 regional champions to the state finals at NJN Studios on March 22, 2007. Our 2007 state champion, Naja Selby. Arts High School, Newark, represented NJ proudly at the National Finals in Washington, DC and became one of only 12 national finalists. Naja won a $1,000 scholarship, $500 in poetry books for her school and two round trip tickets from Southwest Airlines.
In FY08 the Council continued to expand the program statewide. The program partners expanded to include Bergen County Division of Historic and Cultural Affairs and Rutgers Camden Center for the Arts. A total of 44 high schools representing 14 counties participated. New this year was the participation of a home school association. Three regional contests took place at Rutgers Camden Center for the Arts; Two River Theatre Company, and at Williams Center for the Arts. Two finalists from each Region then competed at the State Finals at NJN Studios, Trenton on March 27, 2008, which was webcast live and featured on NJN’s digital cable channel. Poetry Out Loud received additional support of $5,000 from the Karma Foundation and significant in-kind support from New Jersey Network.
Our 2008 State Champion, Allison Strong, Union Hill High School, Union City, represented our state proudly and was in the top five students of 52 competing in the National Finals in Washington, DC April 27 – 29. Allison won a $1,000 scholarship, $500 in poetry books for her school
The poetry recitations of the 6 2008 NJ state finalists can be viewed on-line at: http://www.njn.net/artsculture/poetryoutloud/
NEW JERSEY POETRY OUT LOUD 2008-09
PROGRAM STRUCTUREAll NJ public, charter, private and parochial high schools are invited to participate. All NJ Home School Associations are also invited to participate (please see section: Special Guidance for Home School Associations.) Participating students should be in grades 9-12 or the age/grade equivalent (in the instance of home school associations.) High school teachers are invited to sign up their school for the program and contest. The program is designed for teachers and schools to conduct the classroom and school level program on their own using the Poetry Out Loud website and program materials provided. All schools/home school associations will follow the same contest structure described in the Teacher’s Guide. Important supplemental information: Since NJPOL has an additional contest level, the regional competitions, please make special note of the number and types of poems for students to prepare at that level: For the classroom contest: students prepare at least one poem; for the school contest students must prepare two poems, for the regional and the state level contests, students must prepare
three poems: at least one poem must have been written before the 20th Century and at least one of the three poems must also be 25 lines or shorter.Beginning at the classroom level, winners from each class will advance to the school-wide competition. Each school will send a finalist to regional finals and then the regional finalists will advance to the state level competition. Ultimately, one student will advance to the National Finals in Washington, DC.
CONTEST TIME FRAME AND DEADLINES
Interested NJ public and private high schools are invited to go to the NJ Poetry Out Loud home page, www.jerseyarts.com, for the program guidelines, timeline and registration. Schools are asked to sign up by November 18, 2008. Once signed up, your school will receive the free program materials which include the Poetry Out Loud Teachers’ Guide, the anthology, CD and posters.
NJ Poetry Out Loud Residencies & Other Opportunities
A limited number NJPOL Residency program grants are available. These 8-day residencies bring experienced teaching artists (poets & performing artists) into schools to partner with teachers to expand upon the benefits of the POL experience. Please go to www.ptnj.org for more information and the on-line application form.
The application deadline for the Poetry Out Loud Residency Grant is October 15, 2008. Please remember to register your school for Poetry Out Loud before applying for a POL residency program grant.Poetry Out Loud will be implemented in schools in the fall of 2008 and early winter of 2009.
Three regional finals will be held across the state in February 2009. The NJ State Final will take place at New Jersey Network Studios in Trenton in March 2009. The state champion 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 state runner-up will receive $100, with $200 for his or her school library. The National Finals will take place April 26-28, 2009 in Washington, DC.
- Be a public, private or parochial high school in the State of New Jersey
- Have at least 2 classrooms ( example: two teachers may instruct 5 classes each and decide to have them all participate meaning 10 classrooms) in the school participating
- Complete and submit the participation form to the appropriate regional partner by October 30, 2008
- Ability to conduct the classroom and then school level contest by February 8, 2009.
- Ability to make arrangements (transportation, appropriate permission slips, etc) for the school winner to participate in the regional contest.
No student may be excluded from participation in this program on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, or national origin. Schools may determine eligibility for classroom- and school-level Poetry Out Loud programs pursuant to local and state law. Under federal law, participation in state competitions and the National Finals is restricted to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Foreign exchange students and other visitors are not eligible to compete for titles or official prizes at the state and national level, unless they are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
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 shipped to participating high schools once signed up ( please note, each school will receive one complete set of materials per participating classroom: two anthologies, two audio CD’s , 2 teacher guides, 2 Poetry Out Loud Posters. Extra anthologies will be provided as available or based on stated need.
New this year!
NJPOL - TEACHER WORKSHOPS
October 8, 2008 9:00 - Noon (Central NJ Site TBA )
October 28, 2008 9:00 - Noon (South NJ - site TBA )
All are welcome and encouraged to attend one of these free sessions designed to provide in-depth information about NJPOL at the classroom, school, regional, state and national levels. Learn about and from POL teaching artists and get tips on how to engage students in poetry and performance. Information about POL residencies and how to have teaching artists visit your school to enhance the POL experience will also be featured. Earn Professional Development hours for attending from NJPOL program partner organization Playwrights Theatre of NJ!Please contact Robin Middleman POL State coordinator at robinm@arts.sos.state.nj.us to register and for more information.
NCTE STANDARDS:
Poetry Out Loud satisfies most of the NCTE English Language Arts Standards. 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.NJ CORE CURRICULUM CONTENT STANDARDS
Poetry Out Loud satisfies most of the NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards in Language Literacy and many in the Visual and Performing Arts: http://www.state.nj.us/njded/cccs/
State Poetry Out Loud Contact: Robin Middleman, Arts Education Coordinator, NJSCA. E-mail: robinm@ arts.sos.state.nj.us 609-984-6815
We are pleased to have two NJ arts organizations as Regional Program partners this year. Each partner, along with the NJSCA, will manage one of the three regions and conduct all arrangements for the regional contest. The state has been divided into three regions by counties. It is important to note which County and Region your school is in on the registration form and to submit the form to the regional contact as noted:
REGION 1: Rutgers-Camden Center for the Arts
Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem Counties
Contact: Noreen Scott-Garrity, Deputy Director for Outreach/Curator of Education & Community Arts
E-mail: ngarrity@camden.rutgers.edu
Phone: 856-225-6306
REGION 2: New Jersey State Council on the Arts
Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset and Union CountiesContact: Robin Middleman, Arts Education Coordinator & State Coordinator NJPOL
E-mail: robinm@arts.sos.state.nj.us
Phone: 609-984-6815
REGION 3: Bergen County Division of Cultural & Heritage Affairs
Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren CountiesContact: Carol Messer, Executive Director
Email: cmesser@co.bergen.nj.us
Phone: 201-336-7276
NJPOL PROGRAM PARTNER & RESIDENCY PROGRAM PARTNERPlaywrights Theatre of New Jersey
Contact: Alysia Souder, Director of Program Development
Email: asouder@ptnj.org
Phone: (973) 514-1787 x 15
What does it take to become involved in NJ Poetry Out Loud?
Teachers from NJ public or private high schools (grades 9-12) decide to offer this opportunity to at least two classes
The lead or contact teacher completes the registration form. Online Application
Teachers, using the Poetry Out Loud Teachers’ Guide and the hard copy and on-line anthology of poems, incorporate the program into their classrooms and school in any way they envision.
Although Poetry Out Loud is designed for teachers to conduct on their own, those teachers interested in bringing in a poet/teaching artist or performance/teaching artist for one or more days to collaborate in the classroom are encouraged to contact Playwrights Theatre of NJ (PTNJ)/New Jersey Writers Project : Alysia Souder, asouder@ptnj.org. PTNJ is a program partner in NJPOL.
What must result from whatever plan that you follow is one winner from your school who then participates in one of the 3 regional contests in February 2009.
What must students who enter this program do?
Students will choose from one to three poems to memorize and present depending upon the various contest levels as follows
For the classroom contest: students prepare at least one poem; for the school contest students prepare two poems, for the regional and the state level contests, students must prepare three poems: at least one poem must have been written before the 20th Century and at least one of the three poems must also be 25 lines or shorter.
Students select poems from the more than 400 poems that are available on the Poetry Out Loud website and in the print anthology.
Teachers can guide students and carefully review the guidelines and the evaluation criteria for the contest – which are the same through all levels of competition right up to the National final.
What happens with the school winner?
The school’s winner will move on to the regional final in February 2009 (dates and locations to be announced and posted on this webpage).
The regional finalists will then move on to the NJ Poetry Out Loud State final at New Jersey Network in Trenton in March 2009.
The state winner will receive $200 and an all-expense paid trip with a chaperone to Washington, DC to compete in the National Finals on April 26-28, 2009
The state winner’s school will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. The runner-up in each state will receive $100, with $200 for the school library
A total of $50,000 in scholarships and school stipends will be awarded at the National finals for the winners.
What are the benefits for the participating teachers?
Program and Teacher’s Guide
Poetry Out Loud Anthology
Poetry Out Loud Audio CD
POL helps meet both National and State Standards
All participating schools will be recognized on the New Jersey Poetry Out Loud homepage.
