Their official website is at https://poetryoutloud.org/
-Over the next month, you will choose 1 poem (middle schoolers) or 2 poems (high schoolers) and memorize, as well as rehearse your recitation of, those poems.
-We will have a school competition by mid-January. You will be judged on your recitation of your poem(s). There will be a middle schooler winner and a high school winner, with prizes for both. The high school winner will go on to the county competition. You will need to have a guardian sign this photo release form.
-The high school winner will be recorded by the Sacramento County Office of Education team, reciting both their poems, for the county competition (done online; see the 2021 competition here). The winner will advance to the state level (check the rules here for those stages of the competition).
-state and national winners are awarded prizes:
National Level: a $20,000 award for the National Champion, $10,000 for 2nd place, $5,000 for 3rd place, and $1,000 for 4th-9th places. The representing schools/organizations of each of the top nine finalists receive $500 for the purchase of poetry materials.
State Level: Each winner at the state level will receive $200. The state winner’s school/organization will receive $500 for poetry materials. One runner-up in each state will receive $100; their school/organization will receive $200 for the purchase of poetry materials.
-go to https://www.poetryoutloud.org/ and choose a poem (or 2) to memorize and recite
-have a caregiver sign this photo release form.
-feeling a little nervous? Get tips!
-what will judges judge you on, and how you can prepare (see pages 13-16 of this document)
-individual and group time to talk about the poems you have chosen/are considering, and to look at recitation tips
-turn the photo release form in to Mrs. Kelly by 12/17 to officially enter the school competition.