Poet Laureate Ted Kooser in Syracuse
"Community Life in Poetry"
a year of poetry, a day of celebration, a constant community voice

Poetry Partnerships

Poetry Partnership Abstracts

These partnerships were made possible with funds from the New York State Council on the Arts and the CNY Community Foundation.

On June 15, students from CNY schools showcased the work they did with poets-in-residence at the Syracuse Center for the Arts, 728 E. Genesee St., Syracuse.

School Partner: Kingsford Park Elementary School, Oswego, Oswego Co.
Teaching Artist: Farah Marklevits
Project title: The Memoirist at Kingsford
Abstract: Sixth grade students will recall and reflect upon memories of their elementary years to become “memoirists” through the genre of poetry. Students will read Eve Bunting’s The Memory String to prepare for examining their own memories and communicating to others their experience and feelings in this major transition year of their education. The poetry developed with the teaching artist will figure into the events of the annual 6th grade graduation ceremonies, the K.P.S. Spotlight Night, when students will perform their work, and it will be published for the evening. Students will also read their poems as part of the schoolwide morning announcements from May through the end of the year. The partnership team includes three 6th grade teachers, the teaching poet, a special consultant, and a reading teacher. This school will also collaborate with Fitzhugh Park Elementary School in the same project. The project will involve three classes of 6th grade students, 70 total. Two students and one teacher will attend the meeting with Mr. Kooser.


School Partner: Fitzhugh Park Elementary School, Oswego, Oswego Co.
Teaching Artist: Farah Marklevits
Project title The Memoirist at Fitzhugh
Abstract: Sixth grade students will recall and reflect upon memories of their elementary years to become “memoirists” through the genre of poetry. Students will read Eve Bunting’s The Memory String to prepare for examining their own memories and communicating to others their experience and feelings in this major transition year of their education. The poetry developed with the teaching artist will figure into the events of the annual 6th grade graduation ceremonies, when students will perform their work and it will be published for the evening. Students will also read their poems as part of the schoolwide morning announcements from May through the end of the year. Partnership team includes three 6th grade teachers, the teaching poet, an art teacher, and a reading teacher. This school will also collaborate with Kingsford Park Elementary School in the same project. The project will involve three classes of 6th grade students, 75 total. Two students and one teacher will attend the meeting. Read poems from this project.


School Partner: Jamesville Dewitt Middle School, Jamesville, Onondaga Co.
Teaching Artist: Omanii Abdullah
Project title: Speaking & Listening to the World through Poetry
Abstract: Students will develop a sense of poetry as a “living art” that allows them to connect with their feelings, voice, and identity rather than seeing poetry as a “dead art.” The project will also address cultural awareness and diversity through discussion and creative writing. Additionally, the poet-in-residence will provide professional development opportunities for faculty and promote the newly established literary journal. Partnership team includes the vice principal, ELA department leader, AIS department leaders, four 8th grade ELA teachers, and the teaching poet. The project will involve five classes of 8th grade students, 100 total. Four teachers and eight students will attend the meeting with Mr. Kooser. Read poems from this project.


School Partner: East Middle School, Auburn, Cayuga Co.
Teaching Artist: Deb Hutchison
Project title: A Eulogy for Dead Words
Abstract: Sixth, 7th, and 8th grade students will work with the teaching poet to identify the list of “dead words” such as “nice,” “good,” “fun,” etc., and “lay them to rest” in favor of stronger vocabulary and descriptive language. The students, including AIS students, will created a dramatic presentation of a “funeral” for the dead words, and a series of poems to eulogize the overused words will be created. All participants will be encouraged to dress and respond appropriately for the occasion. Partnership team includes three AIS ELA teachers, the teaching poet, and the music/theater teacher. The project will involve three classes of 6th, 7th and 8th grade students, 45 total. Four teachers and 15 students will attend the meeting with Mr. Kooser.
Read poems and view pictures from this project.


School Partner: Indian River High School, Indian River, Jefferson Co.
Teaching Artist: Marj Hahne
Project title: Poetry in Motion
Abstract: Students will work with the poet to create original works that will then be combined with movement and acting for performance. Students from the Stage Craft and Design classes will create backdrops for the performance, which the students will then tour to the primary buildings in the district, where they will help the primary students write poems of their own for performance as well. Partnership team includes the Theater teachers and the teaching poet. The project will involve four classes of 9th through 12th grade students, 57 total. Eleven students and one teacher will attend the meeting with Mr. Kooser. Read more about this partnership.


School Partner: Shea Middle School, Syracuse, Onondaga Co.
Teaching Artist: Elizabeth Twiddy
Project title: Science and Poetry
Abstract: The science department chair will work with ELA teachers and the poet to reflect on elements of the science core curriculum through poetic expression. The poet has degrees in chemistry and biochemistry in addition an MFA in Creative Writing to support the project. Figurative language and scientific terms will blend in the creation of poetry for the project. Partnership team includes the ELA teachers, the teaching poet, and science teacher. The project will tie into the Laureate Team for the school. Two students and one teacher will attend the meeting with Mr. Kooser. Read poems and view pictures from this project.


School Partner: Huntington School, Syracuse, Onondaga Co.
Teaching Artist: Marj Hahne
Project title: Poetry and Process
Abstract: The teaching poet will support the poetry unit that the 6th grade ELA teachers present to students, resulting in a literary journal of student work. Core subject connections for thematic approaches will be a center thread of this partnership, as well as awareness of language and vocabulary, along with critical thinking and self-identification. Students will be encouraged to focus on the process orientation of quality writing, the choices that revision provides in effective communication. The project will tie into the Laureate Team for the school. Six students and three teachers will attend the meeting with Mr. Kooser.


School Partner: Carnegie Renaissance Academy, Syracuse, Onondaga Co.
Teaching Artist: Jackie Warren Moore
Project title: Ongoing Poetry Project
Abstract: Carnegie Renaissance Academy was formerly the Violence Is Not the Answer (VINTA) program for students expelled from their home schools for violent behavior and weapons use in the school. The goal of this SCSD program is to engage students in learning experiences that encourage them to change behaviors and complete their high school education. Most of the students are cycled back into their home schools after attending Carnegie. Jackie Warren Moore is the poet-in-residence with a daily poetry class in the school. This grant will fund the continued work that the teaching artist provides through needed materials and supplies, equipment to record students as they work on presentation skills, a library of culturally relevant contemporary poetry, journals and writing material for students, and workshops with two visiting poets. Two students and one teacher will attend the meeting with Mr. Kooser.

Read about the poets in the partnerships.