Welcome to Poetry Out Loud!
There has been a 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 that momentum by inviting the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word, and theater into the English classroom.
Watch this short video to find out what students are saying about Poetry Out Loud.
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Get your questions answered here and then take a look at the resources we've provided to help make Poetry Out Loud a part of your classroom every year.
Resources
Contact Information
Oregon State Poetry Out Loud Coordinators
Deb Vaughn, Arts Education Coordinator Sarah Dougher, Poetry Out Loud Coordinator
503-986-0085 OregonPOL@gmail.com
Deborah.vaughn@state.or.us
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Poetry Out Loud?
- How does it work?
- What do I get?
- What do my students get?
- How much does it cost?
- When is it?
- Who may participate?
- What do I have to do?
What is Poetry Out Loud?
Poetry Out Loud encourages the nation's youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance. This exciting program helps high school students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.
How does it work?
Poetry Out Loud starts in the classroom, with participating teachers integrating poetry recitation into their classes and holding cassroom competitions. Register your school to participate. Classroom winners advance to a school-wide contest, then to a regional and/or state contest, and ultimately to the National Finals.
What do I get?
“I loved listening to the state contest, but it was even more gratifying to hear some of my previously shy students speak beautiful words with confidence.” Participating Teacher
"Brynn enjoyed the poetry experience on a whole new level. She can better analyze poems and reach a deeper understanding far beyond her previous capabilities. Because she is an aspiring writer, this additional ability to have insight and thoughtfulness to the poetry and prose that she reads is a forever gift. It will serve her well throughout her life. Long live POL!" parent of Oregon State Champion
Poetry Out Loud gives you the opportunity to engage your students in the study of great poetry, as well as an innovative way to help them practice their public speaking skills.
When you register your school to participate you will be asked to provide the name of each participating teacher at your school. Each school need only fill out one registration form. Each participating teacher will receive a POL teacher packet including an audio CD and a Learning Recitation DVD for use in the classroom.
Teachers can download an Oregon Teacher Guide, developed specifically to help meet Oregon educational benchmarks in reading, literature, public speaking, and the arts.
What do my students get?
“If one did not appreciate the power poetry can hold before listening to these performances, one would definitely reconsider his feelings toward poetry after that night!” – Summer, senior
“I can recognize not only how to speak in front of the public but also how to express my emotions with my poems.” – Hien, junior exchange student
Students gain a deep understanding and appreciation of great poetry through participation in Poetry Out Loud.
Each state champion receives $200 and an all expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete in the National Finals. The state champion’s school library receives $500 for the purchase of poetry books. The state runner-up receives $100 and the school receives $200 to buy poetry books.
The national champion receives a $20,000 scholarship. The second-place winner receives a $10,000 scholarship; the third-place winner receives $5,000; and the fourth-to twelfth-place winners each receive $1,000. The schools of the top twelve finalists each receive $500 for the purchase of poetry books.
How much does it cost?
Participation in Poetry Out Loud is free. Lesson plans and supplemental classroom resources are provided at no cost to all participating teachers. Participants in the state contest may receive a travel stipend to help subsidize the cost of travel.
When is it?
- December 1, 2011: deadline for schools to register for participation
- February 24, 2012: deadline to register individual school winners for regional contests
- Regional contests:
Monday, March 5, 2012: Southern Oregon Regional Contest (Ashland)
Saturday, March 10, 2012: Mid-Willamette Valley/Central Oregon Regional Contest (Corvallis)
Sunday, March 11, 2012: Northern/Eastern Oregon Regional Contest (Portland)
- March 14, 2012: deadline to register regional winners for state contest
- March 31, 2012: Oregon State Poetry Out Loud Contest in Salem
- May 13-15, 2012: National Finals in Washington DC
Who may participate?
Poetry Out Loud is designed for high school students (grades 9-12) at both public and private schools. Accommodations for participation by home school students will be made on a case by case basis. Please contact Oregon Poetry Out Loud with questions.
Under federal law, participation in state competitions and the National
Finals is restricted to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. 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.
What do I have to do?
Register your school to participate by December 1, 2012. Teacher materials will be mailed to all participating teachers at your school.
Hold classroom competitions. If more than two classes are participating in Poetry Out Loud, determine which students will compete in the school contest by evaluating performances using the Oregon Scoring Rubric.
Hold your school competition and determine a school winner before February 4. This will involve selecting a panel of three to five judges and securing a space for your event.
Register your school champion for the regional contest.
It’s that easy!
Photo: Andie Petkus