Green Country Kids Become Poets

Broadening horizons and brightening futures, that's the vision of the Arts Enriching Kids Project. For months some Tulsa fourth graders have been working on original poems. And The News On 6â€™s

Monday, April 30th 2007, 5:40 pm

By: News On 6

Broadening horizons and brightening futures, that's the vision of the Arts Enriching Kids Project. For months some Tulsa fourth graders have been working on original poems. And The News On 6â€™s Rick Wells reports Monday was the day to have their poems read aloud.

Fourth graders from Celia, Clinton, Jackson and Key Elementary schools gathered for a picnic lunch on the lawn at the Harwelden Mansion, but lunch was just the first course. For several months the kids have been crafting original poems about themselves, things they like and donâ€™t like, and on Monday they shared their work.

"I hate cleaning my room, taking out the trash," read one student.

"Oh rain, oh rain how I love you, you bring joy to my eye when you cry, you make beautiful rainbows in the sky," read another students poem.

"This is a celebration of 140 young 9 and 10-year-old poets today," said Linda Beale, Director of the Arts Enriching Kids Project.

Turning what's in their heads and in their hearts into words and expressions on paper, and then standing up and reading it in front of classmates was a first time experience for most the young poets. But creating the poems and reading them aloud can help build their self confidence and pride.

For more information on the Arts Enriching Kids Project e-mail Linda Beale at ArtsEnrich@att.net.

Watch the video: 4th Grade Poets