Although some people hold that poetry is inherently impractical (in fact, they argue that all art is basically impractical and from this uselessness emerges its value), others think of poetry as socially useful in a number of ways.
The national poet laureate is Natasha Treathaway and at the link below you will find a video of a news story about her work/project in Chicago.
Please watch the video and then be ready to discuss it tomorrow.
In advance of that please make a short comment here at the blog.
Do you think this kind of project is a good idea? Will it help solve any problem? Could you see yourself as a student in this project?
Keep your language grammatically sound, clean, and legal. Present as the intelligent person you are.
I think this is a great project. It teaches the kids poetry and helps them develop good habits. Best of all it keeps them from doing illegal things and getting in trouble with the law. This project provides the kids with inspiration to do better and so far has gotten a few people to use poetry as their way out. This could solve the problem of having all the gangs. If their are more kids doing poetry than less will be out on the streets. If i was a kid in the intercity I definitely be in this program. I really believe this project could solve a great deal of problems for the intercity.
ReplyDeleteI think this project is a great idea. It gets kids interested in poetry and helps them become better citizens. This project could allow some kids to get farther in life than they normally would due to poetry. This project also teaches kids to know better than to get involved with crime. All in all, I think this is a wonderful project that could have a huge impact on the lives, careers, and choices of the kids.
ReplyDeleteI think that this project is a great idea for the community and in the school. This is very good for the kids because it prevents them from doing harmful and illegal things within their poverty stricken community. This can also give them a sense of accomplishment and self pride from writing these things. I think that I could see myself doing this kind of program to occupy myself it I lived in that area, I don't know if I would like it though.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a good idea because it helps gives the students in detroit something to do in their free time. Detroit is not a good city and if they teach the kids how to write poems maybe they will try and do that instead of hanging out in the streets. It might solve some problems because it might help the kids get jobs later on in life. I don't think i would be a student in this project though because I do not like to write very much
ReplyDeleteI think that this program is a great idea. It gives kids a choice whether to make the most out of the project or turn out like their cousin who was sent to prison. In places like detroit a program like this would make children want to know more about poetry and want to write their own poems. This will make them more successful in everything they do because it makes them smarter. This kind of program would give kids more choices as to what they want to do with their lives. This program would solve many problems in a community like Detroit because it would provide an activity that kids will enjoy doing and they can forget about all the bad that they live in. I would participate in this type of program because it would make me appreciate poetry more and make me more intelligent.
ReplyDeleteI think it is a great idea to introduce the kids to poetry to widen their views about it. It lets them understand that poetry isn't just a bunch of words thrown together, but that those words mean something. Learning poetry helps them learn to read in between the lines and find connotations in them. With poetry the kids of Detroit can escape from reality back home and enjoy themselves. I would participate in such a program to broaden my knowledge more and so i can learn more about poetry and learn what a poem really means.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great program that will help kids to be involved in writing and express themselves through writing and poetry. In Detroit many people are going through hard times and this program will help the children of this area learn and someday become successful. This program lets children get involved in writing and leads them away from crime and towards an educated lifestyle. I think this project will help many children become successful and intelligent. This program will enlighten students about the fun and wonder in writing and maybe lead them into a career of writing. I could see myself learning about poetry and being fascinated by it. It would help me express myself through words and enjoy myself while doing something productive.
ReplyDeleteI think this program will have a really positive affect on these poverty societies. Many of these children live hard lives, and they know that not every day is going to be a happy one. A lot of people from these areas see that their only chance in success is sports or crime. With the assistance of this program, they have a new option. Children can see how they can succeed through their writing and see a new part of themselves. It motivates children to learn and grow on a better path.
ReplyDeleteI think that this project is a good idea because it gets kids interested in positive things rather than the negative things in Detroit. The kids are becoming interested in school and it gives them something to express themselves with. Instead of doing drugs they are interested in there poetry which well take them places in their life. I could see myself as a student in this project because this would give me a opportunity in something that would help me in life. Also the opportunity to learn and understand poetry would be very helpful.
ReplyDeleteThis program is great! I think that to incorporate poetry into a inner-city middle school is great. Especially in Detroit which has the highest murder rate of any other city in the United States. This program has showed its affects with poets like the one at the end who had pride in Detroit and wanted to give back. This giving giving back will help future students and help the city as a whole. It also gives the students the power of knowledge, which is more powerful than anything on the streets.
ReplyDeleteI think that this project is a great idea for these kids because it expands their minds about writing and poetry while giving them more confidence in what they are writing than they had before. I believe that this project will help problems in this area by giving these students a way to get their minds off the violence, crime and poverty in the area and put their thoughts into writing and reading different poetry which will expand their knowledge of poetry and writing. Whenever someone can replace a bad habit or situation with a good one the results are usually more positive. I could see myself in a program like this because I think that it would help me become more knowledgeable not just about poetry but also in my writing skills.
ReplyDeleteI feel that this project is outstanding and will continue to largely impact the lives of the kids affected. These students are in some of the roughest sections of the city, and this program does a lot for them. Not only are the kids gaining a knowledge and love of poetry, but more importantly they are gaining self-confidence. This newfound self-confidence will allow these students to accomplish more that they ever dreamed of, and will sculpt them to model rounded citizens. I could see myself as a student in this program if I lived in the "slums" which these kids come from. I would greatly enjoy the opportunity to discover poetry.
ReplyDeleteThis program is a great thing for the kids in the harsh areas of Detroit. The program allows them a way to get their mind off the daily occurrences in their life and have fun. It also allows them to gain an understanding of poetry and what it can do to get your mind off life and let your mind roam free. The kids are also able to gain friends through the program allowing them people to talk to other than them self about their problems and gain social skills. It also allows them to realize that their is more they can do in the world than what they think they can do.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this program is doing amazing work. By teaching these kids at a very impressionable age how to properly express emotion they are less likely to become delinquents and criminals later in life. The program is also instilling a love of writing that will open doors for the kids down the road. They are able to share in a safe space and don't have to worry about being embarrassed.
ReplyDeleteI think this program is a good idea because it gives the kids confidence. Many of the kids at that school probably get put down regularly, so this gives them a way to escape.
ReplyDeleteWhen living in areas of Detroit where crime and poverty are tangible, all children need some sort of escape, or as the principle put it: "a safe haven." With the Insideout program, kids are able to turn to poetry for this escape, as opposed to some sort of substance abuse or other addiction. In fact, the inside out program seems to be able to get the children of Detroit "addicted" to poetry, where they can express their ideas and beliefs freely. Not only does the program provide a way out of a harsh reality for these kids, but also increases a much needed confidence and self-esteem. One thing that really stood out to me was the fact that athletes are involved in the program as well. This seems to portray that the program has taken root to all, and hopefully there are very few critics. I would hope that the Insideout program will remain strong in the school shown, and will also take root across the city and maybe one day, the country.
ReplyDeleteThis program is a great idea. Poetry is a good way to express your thoughts and make you a better writer. Many kids in Detroit often have a lot of free time, and writing poetry would give them something good to do. It solves the problem of kids who aren't very educated staying on the streets causing trouble. Troubled teens can use poetry as a way to get things off of their mind and become better writers. I couldn't see myself becoming a part of this program because I'm bad at poetry.
ReplyDeleteI think that this program is a great way to improve Detroit's future. It is a great way for kids to express their feelings and become more intelligent. Writing programs such as this one can lead to a smarter community. This could create job opportunities for a struggling city. Not only this, but the program also gives children skills to show the skills they have, to be courageous, and never back down from a challenge. These are some vital characteristics of a leader. Vince Lombardi once said "Leaders are born, not made." Programs such as this "make" leaders. If there is a way for Detroit to get back up on its feet, the young people must become smarter and more motivated. This program provides both for these kids. They may not realize it, but they will one day rule the city- maybe more than that. This program will do great things for the city, the kids in it, and all affected by them and their actions.
ReplyDeleteI think this program is an amazing idea. It helps these children truly express themselves. This program will help them boost self confidence by writing poetry. It also helps them stay out of trouble in the future. In a couple years I think this great program could spread nation wide to all cities and help children everywhere.
ReplyDeleteThis is an amazing project. What I find most important about it, is how it will keep the students engaged in their writing. In a city like Detroit, there are many bad influences. Like the principal said, that is school is a haven. If students are focusing on their writing, then it will distract them or give the a reason to stay out bad things. This project is also teaching them to become better writers which will help them in the long run.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do think this kind of project is a good idea. I think it will help the people in this part of Detroit by giving them confidence in their ability to write. Hopefully this will lead to these kids being more educated and less likely to continue to live in poverty as adults. What I think is special about this project is that it helps the kids develop the desire to write poetry. Eddie Stewart, one of the three kids that was interviewed, said that writing poetry gave him the ability to express emotions. I think this kind of program would be good for me because it would challenge me to put my personal feelings into words.
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ReplyDeleteHaving a project allow underprivileged kids to explore the possibility of writing is an excellent idea. This is beneficial to both the individuals and the community. It instills a sense of accomplishment that enables children to explore different horizons. This type of program enriches self-confidence in people, especially kids. Knowing that they can effectively write poetry will encourage them to consider different hobbies, jobs even. This exceptional program boosts morale in a city with financial troubles leading to a brighter future with a larger talent pool. Considering a future is something these bright kids will most certainly do.
ReplyDeleteThe project is a great idea because it allows the children of Detroit to escape from everything else in their lives and focus on the fun particular type of writing, poetry. It is also a great idea because the children could write a poem in whatever mood they are in, which is why poetry is a good way to express your emotions. Poetry can make the children critically think which can help them to become smarter, which can result in the children trying harder and making better grades in school.
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