Poetry can serve as a form of therapy, self-expression, and a means to explore personal and cultural identity. In this episode of Extra Credit, Brooke and Ari visit the Poetry Out Loud state competition in Lansing, Michigan; Lansing Poet Laureate Masaki Takahashi shares how his non-profit, The Poetry Room, aims to create space for writers of color; Flint Public Art Project and Flint Mural Poems combine visual art and poetry to spark important conversations and inspire positive change; Brooke shares her experience meeting Nandi Comer, Michigan’s history-making Poet Laureate; Leah checks in from Chassell, MI with a poem inspired by nature; and Brooke and Paige learn about Ypsilanti’s Youth Poet Laureate program with award-winning poet, Ciatta Tucker.

Learn more about the people and organizations featured in this episode:

Related Lessons

  • Learn about how you can use the words in the world all around us to help teach early learners about words and letters, while also teaching them about the world.

  • "Aprenda cómo puede usar las palabras en el mundo alrededor para ayudar a enseñar a los de aprendizaje temprano sobre palabras y letras, mientras también se les enseña sobre el mundo. Learn about how you can use the words in the world all around us to help teach early learners about words and letters, while also teaching them about the world.

  • Arabic Language - Learn about how you can use the words in the world all around us to help teach early learners about words and letters, while also teaching them about the world. تعرف على كيفية استخدام الكلمات الموجودة في العالم من حولنا للمساعدة في تعليم المتعلمين الأوائل حول الكلمات والحروف ، مع تعليمهم أيضًا عن العالم.