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

  • La biblioteca es un lugar importante para los niños que están aprendiendo a leer y a escribir. Dejar que exploren sus propios intereses en los libros los ayuda a fomentar una mente curiosa. The library is an important place for children who are learning to read and write. Allowing them to explore their own interests in books helps nurture a curious mind.

  • The library is an important place for children who are learning to read and write. Allowing them to explore their own interests in books helps nurture a curious mind.

  • In a world full of technology and where everything comes quickly, why not take the opportunity to slow down? Spending time composing, writing, and sending letters to friends and family is a way to do so.