Grady students take it line by line, lines of poetry, that is

In a first of its kind, Grady Elementary students enjoyed a Poetry Slam, with several students from each grade level sharing original work in the “This is Our Voice: A Celebration Through Poetry” event.

Supported by their peers, one by one students came up as individuals, or in groups, and shared their work, and were rewarded with cheers from their classmates.

“We have several brave and creative individuals ready to share their best work with us,” sixth-grade teacher and event organizer Penelope Ferreras told the crowd who had gathered in the gym.

“They’ve grown as writers,” she said. “Poetry can be intimidating, but poetry doesn’t have to be scary.”

Poetry, she explained, allows for freedom to “write what you want.”

Students chose a variety of topics to incorporate into their work, from the seasons, to places, to the environment.

“Poetry is a way to open up for me,” said sixth grader Raelyn T., who together with her friends Lily L. and Kiaya recited their anti-bullying message called “That’s Unfair.”

“It felt good because that came from the heart,” Raelyn said.

Third grader Veronica P. was happy to share her work once a friend suggested she write something. Mia wrote a poem about a day she spent in the city. 

Veronica admitted that she was not sure she could do it, get up in front of her school and speak. But after she was done, she declared that if she could do it, anyone could too.

“The idea to host a Poetry Slam came from a desire to give students a platform to express themselves in a creative and authentic way. Poetry is such a powerful tool for reflection, identity, and voice, and I wanted to create a space where students could not only write but also be heard. The slam format felt like the perfect way to celebrate their words and build community,” Ms. Ferreras said.

The goal was to keep the event open to everyone. Students were allowed to submit their work ahead of time for feedback, if they wanted to. Several sixth grade students also spent time with her during their recess to practice.

“Giving students the chance to perform their poetry adds a whole new layer of meaning. Writing is personal, but performance builds confidence, presence, and connection,” the teacher said.

“This event gave them a chance to see that poetry can be fun, personal, emotional, and most importantly, theirs. It reframed poetry in a positive light and helped them feel more confident engaging with it,” Ms. Ferreras continued.