Second graders at Bailey’s Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences were immersed in the reading and writing of poetry. As a culmination of their exploration into this genre, they experienced the setting of a poetry café.

A classroom was transformed into a darkly lit, with black tablecloths, surrounded by student created and shared poems on the café’s walls. Students were served hot chocolate and treats as their fellow poets moved to the center stage to read his/her poem. Students snapped their fingers to congratulate their effort and poems.

Poets were proud to have their poems heard in a special setting. For some, being in front of an audience was a great achievement. It was their first time, and they were scared, but their classmates were patient and encouraging. All-in-all this is a school experience that they will not forget.