Description
Since 1985 Julia Thacker's Poet-in-Residence programs have fired the imaginations and strengthened the language skills of students in grades K-8 throughout Eastern Massachusetts. The programs are based on a series of lively in-class writing workshops that introduce the fundamentals of poetry. Julia encourages students to use sensory detail as they compose their own poems and stories inspired by a teasure box of fun words, unusual objects, and dream-like paintings. Composing and sharing their creative work lets these young writers express emotions, validate their feelings, and build confidence and self esteem. The residency culminates in an evening of selected students reading to the school community, as well as a souvenir poetry anthology. Julia's residencies are tailored to enhance the school's existing language arts curriculum and to improve students' writing ability and reading comprehension. The programs may range in length from 3 to 20 days.