The P180 CHALLENGE!
"Poetry can and should be an important part of our daily lives. Poems can inspire and make us think about what it means to be a member of the human race. By just spending a few minutes reading a poem each day, new worlds can be revealed." --Billy Collins, former U.S. Poet Laureate, on Poetry 180's website
“It is difficult to get the news from poems, yet men die miserably every day for lack of what is found there.” -- poet, William Carlos Williams
“It is difficult to get the news from poems, yet men die miserably every day for lack of what is found there.” -- poet, William Carlos Williams
WHAT IT IS
"Poetry 180 is designed to make it easy for students to hear or read a poem on each of the 180 days of the school year. Billy Collins has selected the poems you will find there with high school students in mind. They are intended to be listened to. Listening to poetry can encourage all learners to become members of the circle of readers for whom poetry is a vital source of pleasure." --Billy Collins on Poetry 180
POET LAUREATES
Each U.S. Poet Laureate has brought a different emphasis to the position of poetry consultant. Maxine Kumin started a popular series of poetry workshops for women at the Library of Congress. Gwendolyn Brooks met with elementary school students to encourage them to write poetry. Joseph Brodsky initiated the idea of providing poetry in airports, supermarkets and hotel rooms. Rita Dove, considered the first activist poet laureate, brought together writers to explore the African diaspora through the eyes of its artists, championed children's poetry and jazz with poetry events and read at the White House during Bill Clinton's first state dinner. Robert Pinsky initiated the Favorite Poem Project, and Billy Collins designed Poetry 180.
Here's where you come in.
Here's where you come in.
THE POEMS!
Look through the poems -- 180 from which to choose -- before settling on the one you will read aloud.
POINTERS ON READING POETRY ALOUD
Watch these various videos to prepare for a public reading and to appreciate listening to poetry.
At Favorite Poem Project watch regular people talk about why something is a favorite poem of theirs, why they may have carried it around in their backpack for two years, why there are secret stashes of information and affirmation everywhere. William Carlos Williams wrote, “It is difficult to get the news from poems, yet men die miserably every day for lack of what is found there.”
Poetry Out Loud is a poetry recitation contest, held nationally every year. These students may be more dramatic than you will need to be, but it is a great way to appreciate poetry and public speaking.
And don't forget the perfectly reasonable and supportive techniques on How to Read a Poem Aloud offered on the P180 site itself.
At Favorite Poem Project watch regular people talk about why something is a favorite poem of theirs, why they may have carried it around in their backpack for two years, why there are secret stashes of information and affirmation everywhere. William Carlos Williams wrote, “It is difficult to get the news from poems, yet men die miserably every day for lack of what is found there.”
Poetry Out Loud is a poetry recitation contest, held nationally every year. These students may be more dramatic than you will need to be, but it is a great way to appreciate poetry and public speaking.
And don't forget the perfectly reasonable and supportive techniques on How to Read a Poem Aloud offered on the P180 site itself.