DALLAS – There is an energy of excitement as students head to the front of Thomas Browne's creative writing and poetry class at Thomas Edison Learning Center.
Students waits patiently as classmates, one by one, take position in front of a microphone to present their latest poem.
This is no ordinary class. Browne teaches a unique spoken word poetry course at Edison. It's the first of its kind offered at the campus.
Creativity is key, especially for the eighth grade students studying the art of spoken word poetry.
"Spoken word poetry gives students who aren't normally given a chance to express themselves during the school day — in a creative way — an opportunity to get some of the things that are on their minds out on paper and out loud," Browne said.
The poetry class was born out of the DaVerse Poetry Club. That after-school club is sponsored by the non-profit Big Thought. The organization partners with Dallas ISD to provide students with resources and a creative writing curriculum. Workers say the poetry club gives students an opportunity to explore their voices through emotional literacy.
"I could actually say what I'm feeling without hiding it," said eighth grader Ali'yah Sanders.
Students in Browne's class say the daily poetry lessons are giving them tools to better connect through their words and feelings. Teachers say they are noticing the children's language arts and writing skills improve.
"This writing is helping me write, because I wasn't a very strong writer," Deja White said. "It's helping me write better in my other classes."
Student poets, like Jatayvra Foster, believe spoken word poetry is allowing her to become more social. The teen says she is a shy person.
"I don't really talk to anyone most of the time," Foster said. "Performing my poetry is fun!"
The students are also improving their public speaking and performance skills. In addition to sharing their original poetry in class, they also perform at public venues with DaVerse Lounge.
Big Thought is now in its eleventh year operating poetry clubs in local schools. The non-profit is currently partnering with 13 Dallas ISD campuses, in addition to several charter schools.
"My ultimate goal is that they become better writers," Browne said of his students. "I like to say that it's kind of a writing program in disguise. I want them to become better writers."
