Grade 8 Students Brought Poetry to Life at This Year’s Festival

"Poetry is meant to be heard and felt, and sharing it aloud takes courage."

These words, spoken by a grade 8 student during the opening remarks, set the tone for this year's Poetry Festival.

In the weeks leading up to the event, students immersed themselves in poetry by annotating a packet of poems and studying the authors' craft. They noted techniques like alliteration, repetition, and rhythm, and considered how those choices shape meaning.

Each student then selected a poem that resonated with them and conducted a deep study of the poet's literary choices. They rehearsed, refined their pacing and expression, and supported one another with feedback—experimenting with tone, volume, pacing, and meaningful pauses to reflect the author's intention and bring key ideas forward.
 

When they performed for an audience of classmates, parents, faculty, and staff, it was clear they had done more than memorize. Through confident delivery, expressive voice, and purposeful body language, students brought their poems to life and conveyed a deep understanding of their selected text.

The skills developed in this unit will support the students’ upcoming middle school call-to-action speeches. In this grade 8 capstone project, students will analyze evidence and consider how their public speaking techniques shape their impact on an audience. By using rhetorical appeals such as ethos, logos, and pathos, they will deliver messages designed to inform, persuade, and inspire action.