Hands on Stanzas 2001-2002 Anthology of Poetry

The original poems in this book were written by Chicagoland students under the guidance of trained Chicago poets and their classroom teachers through The Poetry Center’s Hands on Stanzas poets-in residence-program. Through Hands on Stanzas , The Poetry Center acts on the knowledge that teaching students to read and write poetry improves literacy, builds academic confidence and prepares students to successfully navigate through a world that demands creative communication. Hands on Stanzas is made possible by Target Stores, Louis R. Lurie Foundation, The Northern Trust Company, The Novy Family Foundation, The Chicago Sun-Times, Polk Bros. Foundation, and The Young Leaders Fund. The process of reading and writing poetry leads students to an appreciation for precise language, and therefore for precise thinking. Simultaneously, they are expanding their vision of the world and their place in it. I can’t think of any other educational program that so effectively touches and develops their minds and hearts. Leonard J. Dominguez, Chief of Policy, Chicago Public Schools