Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest

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Poetry Out Loud National Recitation Contest
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• Poetry Out Loud is a national arts education
  program that encourages the study of great poetry
  by offering educational materials and a dynamic
  recitation competition to high schools across the
  country.

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• Why was Poetry Out Loud created?
• To introduce students to great classic and
  contemporary poetry
• To address the decreasing rate of literary
  reading among young people
• To encourage students to explore their literary
  heritage
• To help students develop life skills such as
  poise and public speaking

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• What are the educational benefits for students?
• Increased literary knowledge
• Improved public speaking skills
• What are the benefits for schools?
• Positive visibility
• Enhanced school spirit

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• Poetry Out Loud has been covered in more than 350
  articles and TV news segments reaching nearly 50
  million people nationwide since the program began
  in 2005

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• Whats the appeal for high school students?
• Scholarship prizes
• Participation builds confidence
• Students enjoy competition
• Students learn from one another

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• Poetry Out Loud appeals to many students

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• Pyramid structure

National Finals State Finals School
Contests Classroom Contests
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• State Contest Prizes

• Each state champion receives 200 and a free trip
  to National Finals in Washington, DC
• Each state runner-up receives 100
• Schools of state champion and runner-up receive
  stipends of 500 and 200 respectively for the
  purchase of poetry books

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• National Finals Prizes

• 20,000 for the Poetry Out Loud National Champion
• 10,000 and 5,000 for the second- and
  third-place finalists
• 1,000 each for the other nine top finalists
• 500 stipends for schools of top 12 finalists to
  purchase poetry books

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• What do teachers get?
• NCTE standards-based teachers guide
• Website with resources for teachers and students
• Online and print anthology with 400 poems
• Audio CD with sample readings
• Promotional materials

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• Poetry Out Loud Curriculum
• Satisfies most NCTE English Language Arts
  Standards
• Supplementary lesson plans with creative writing
  exercises
• Is designed to take place over 2-3 weeks
• Integrates easily with existing syllabi
• Can take place anytime between fall and early
  winter
• Will not require full class periods

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• Website tools for teachers
• Online poetry anthology
• Online teachers guide
• Tips on hosting a school contest

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• Website tools for students
• Find a poet search tool
• Find a poem search tool
• Recitation practice checklist
• Daily featured poet section with biographies
  and poems

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• Audio CD
• Free audio CD on performing poetry (also
  available online)
• Readings by well-known actors and writers
  including James Earl Jones, Rita Dove, and
  Anthony Hopkins

Jones recites on CD
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• Timeline

Natl Final April 27-29
State contests (held by March 17)
Classroom and school-level contests
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• State Arts Agencies role
• Define scope of state program
• Recruit schools to participate in official state
  contest
• Coordinate state program and state final event
• Partner with local arts organizations to
  administer program as needed

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• Teacher testimonials
• The lessons and competitions connected with
  Poetry Out Loud have fostered an interest in
  poetry that I have not witnessed before in my 16
  years of teaching.
• While I could insist that my students recite
  poetry without the contest, being a part of it
  and realizing that they're participating in
  something that is beyond the classroom has been a
  tremendous motivation for them. My students are
  generally thought of, and see themselves, as
  academic outcasts. Being a part of Poetry Out
  Loud has countered that perception.

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• Student testimonials
• I gained confidence in myself. If I can do
  something like that, I can excel in other things,
  too.
• When you have to recite a poem, you make it your
  own.
• Im not your typical athlete anymore. I now
  recite poetry.
• Sometimes the biggest accomplishment is
  conquering
• your fear.

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• Get involved!
• Visit www.poetryoutloud.org
• Contact the State Arts Agency representative
  listed on the website
• Schools that are not selected to take part in the
  official state contest can host unofficial
  contests using Poetry Out Loud online
  resources

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