Barnstable Student Poetry Displayed On Signs Throughout Town

BARNSTABLE, MA — Town officials are celebrating the poetry skills of 90 Grade 6 students by displaying their work throughout town.

Earlier in the school year, students at the Barnstable Intermediate School explored their identities through poetic language, figurative language and imagery. Now their pieces were laminated on signs and displayed at several village libraries throughout town.

School officials said the idea for the project was inspired by the poem "Where I'm From," by Goerge Ella Lyon.

Visitors are encouraged to visit all the sites and read the poems written by the students. Signs are located outdoors at several village libraries including Centerville, Cotuit, Hyannis and Whelden Memorial and at the Hyannis Village Green, along the Walkway-to-the-Sea from the top of Main Street through to the Harbor Overlook.

"Through this effort students gained an understanding of the importance of community collaborations and connections to expand audiences well beyond classroom walls," said Lynne Poyant, the town's communications director.

Teacher Mike Andrews, along with Grade 6 teachers Alicia Roth, Caitlin Wojokowski and Jenn Fredo, developed the project as part of a curriculum to encourage their students to get to know each other, and understand that diverse identities and selves are what make a strong and compassionate community. Sixth graders were asked to explore the concepts of identity and self; determine what elements — geographic, historical, and emotional — determine who they are as individuals and part of their community. They were asked how writing helps them explore their identities and to better understand themselves as individuals and how together they become one community.

Materials for this project were purchased through grant money awarded to Barnstable Intermediate School through Mass IDEAS, a funding initiative through the Next Generation Learning Challenges. The school was awarded a grant of $375,000 to bolster student voice and choice through authentic experiences with showcases and ownership of their own learning.