Poetry Suitcases: For Poems that Move! – Granger Middle School

How does this grant promote the development of literacy for learners?Word play, close study of craft, and creating in community not only lead to strong literacy development, but inspire a lifelong love of words and creativity. Poetry cultivates these habits in ways that other forms of the printed and spoken word cannot. Repetition and rhyme can develop fluency and comprehension, but best of all, it nurtures curiosity and it's just plain FUN! This grant provides a variety of rich opportunities for young readers and writers to build language skills, hone vocabulary and word choice, and commune with other poets to share and celebrate poetry.

How does this grant provide professional development opportunities for educators (resources for programs and staff development)?Two of the requested materials include instructional resources for teachers, including ways to teach, scaffold, and structure poetry lessons, whether as a standalone unit or embedded throughout the year. We have also identified online professional development webinars provided by Janet Wong and Sylvia Vardell on how to best implement poetry instruction in the classroom. These, along with the instructional materials will serve as our professional development plan and book studies as a PLC (professional learning community).

How does this grant lay the foundation for creating life-long readers, writers, and learners?Reading poetry, studying craft, and partaking in and enjoying the performance aspects of poetry lay the foundation for so many future experiences that show children that the page or the stage can be a source of joy, well-being, and community. We know that positive experiences rooted in joy will last a lifetime, and what do kids (and all of us) need right now more than joy?

How does this grant provide opportunities that link literacy at home and school?We are so excited that the physical materials and objects listed in the materials request are for a take-home Poetry Suitcase! Families will be able to request a Poetry Suitcase filled with (sanitizable) objects to spark creativity at home! This sturdier suitcase will include a binder with Powerplay activities from Poetry Friday Power Books and a Flipgrid QR code for viewing and sharing poems. Families are encouraged but not required to record a reproducible or co-written poem using the included objects and add it to the Flipgrid board for other families to enjoy. We hope to see the digital board fill up with joyful poems as the suitcases travels from home to home.

Assessment PlanAs a PLC, we will create a pre- and post-survey that centers around the skills and attitudes we hope to see this project develop, including but not limited to: -Attitudes about reading and writing poetry -Knowledge of diverse poets -Knowledge of poetry elements -Attitudes about performing and speaking As a team, we will ask our students to complete these short surveys at the onset and conclusion of the project.

Itemized & Detailed Budget(Also uploaded/attached as Excel file) Book (Title/Author), Item Quantity Cost Each Subtotal Student texts Here We Go: A Poetry Friday Power Book by Vardell & Wong 7 $11.99 83.93 Neighborhood Odes by Gary Soto 7 7.99 55.93 Poetry 180 by Billy Collins 7 10.59 74.13 Instructional Texts The Poetry Friday Anthology for Middle School by Vardell and Wong 7 $29.99 209.93 Inside Out: Poems on Writing & Reading Poems with Insider Exercises by Marjorie Maddox 7 $15.99 111.93 Items/Materials Poetry Suitcase 7 $10 70 Take Home Suitcase 1 $66 66 Metaphor Dice 7 $20 140 Paint Chip Poetry 7 $15 105 Magnetic Poetry 7 $13 91 Shark Plush 1 $8.97 8.97 Chef’s Hat 1 $6.99 6.99 Kool-Aid Plush 1 $10.99 10.99 Tropical Flip Flop 1 $4.99 4.99 Mac and Cheese Plush 1 $11.99 11.99 Skeleton Keys 1 $10.99 10.99 Treasure Map 1 $9.99 9.99 Popcorn Plush 1 $9.49 9.49 TOTAL 1082.25