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World-champion Poets Duke It Out in Eighth Grade Poetry Wars

Today was the final contest in the annual eighth grade language arts event known as Poetry Wars. Each student finds a poem to champion; once three weekly champions have been crowned, the three then compete for the class championship. This year's selection includes poems by Maya Angelou, Thomas Lux, Charles Simic, (15-year-old) Royce Mann, James Tate, and William Wordsworth. 
 
The middle school language arts curriculum seeks to develop students’ ability to think critically and to understand the themes in literature, and, says teacher David Jefferies, “Poetry Wars gives them a direct and stimulating way to develop that skill. I love the way the students own the poems they present. Where else can William Wordsworth go up against Maya Angelou? Whichever poem is voted the class champion, poetry is the real winner."

And the winners? "Watermelon" by Charles Simic and "Rise Up" by Royce Mann.

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