The Word is a transformative literary arts program for New Haven young people. The Word partners experienced teaching poets, award-winning spoken-word artists, and emcees with creative students, teachers, and administrators across the city to equip youth to become stronger poets and culture creators.
SCHOOL PROGRAMS
3 WAYS TO BRING THE WORD TO YOUR SCHOOL
Arts education is an essential tool for educational reform in New Haven. We believe that increasing students' access to the arts through The Word will dramatically improve their educational outcomes, as consistently borne out by research, and that training teachers on integrating arts into the curriculum will extend these gains to students who may not even be directly involved with the program.
AFTER SCHOOL RESIDENCES
Teaching Artists help a group of self-selected student poets and rappers hone their writing and performance skills in after-school workshops, which may culminate in in-school poetry slams and/or participation in the Citywide Jam and Anthology. Unlimited sessions, usually one afternoon per week.
INTRO TO THE WORD POP UP EVENTS
Teaching Artists lead a one-time introduction to spoken word during or after school, focusing on igniting student passion for poetry through a performance, writing prompt, conversation, and information about ways to get involved.
POP-UP EVENTS
IN-SCHOOOL RESIDENCES
Teaching Artists teach an existing class of students to critique, write and perform poetry, spoken word, or hip-hop. Teaching Artists collaborate with the classroom teacher to connect student writing to existing curriculum, to prepare students for the Citywide Jam and Anthology, and to help teachers adapt the Teaching Artists’ lessons for their own use. 10 sessions: 2-3 sessions per week for 3-5 weeks.
"Ja-Sun and Dyme spent six wonderful Wednesdays in my Short Fiction & Poetry class at Common Ground High School. The result? A powerful gift of voice and agency for my mostly introverted group, who felt willing and eager to share- and show- their words, their vulnerabilities, and their joys. Ja-Sun and Dyme were present with their insistence that every single voice does matter. "
