Want to share your poetry with New Orleans through the magic of pizza???
The Pizza Poetry Project celebrates National Poetry Month and the power of New Orleans youth voices by publishing poems on pizza boxes on Pizza Poetry Day – this year, on April 29th. The best poems from grade bands 1-3, 4-8, and 9-12th will be selected as Pizza Poet Laureates*. Students will receive a certificate and be celebrated at our Pizza Poetry Party!
To have your poem featured on a pizza box you must:
1. Be between the ages of 6 and 18.
2. Email your poem to pizzapoetry@826neworleans.org by 5pm March 31st. We accept poems typed in the body of the email, or attached as Word or Google docs. No PDFs please.
3. Include your Name, Age, and School. Please also include your poem’s title if there is one. Any poems without a title will be printed with “Untitled.”
4. Attach the consent to print form signed by you, or your parent if you are under 18 years old.
Questions? Email pizzapoetry@826neworleans.org
*Only students who attend Orleans Parish Public Schools are eligible to be selected as Poet Laureates.
Make Plain Paper Beautiful is the 2021 Pizza Poetry Anthology. This year released online, it features sweet, funny, and thought-provoking poems written by young people from all over New Orleans. The gorgeous cover was created by MILAGROS.
“If I were a black bee, I’d buzz around town. I’d soar like a bird above the whole world I’d drop on someone and stick in my stinger and fall to the ground.”
In an if poem, the writer imagines what they might do if they were something, or someone, else.
How do you write an If poem?
An “If” poem can take many structures. They can consist of several stanzas of the writer imagining he/she is multiple things, or the writer can imagine he/she is one thing, and expand upon it over several lines. One structure of an “If” poem could look like:
Line 1 – “If I were a _____________________” Line 2 – “I’d ______________” (action) Line 3 – “I’d ______________” (action) Line 4 – “and ______________.”
We are now accepting submissions for the 5th Annual Pizza Poetry Project. If you are not able to bring us to your classroom for a free workshop, consider having your students try to write an If poem and submit it for consideration!
Last year Chloe wrote a staff favorite: an acrostic poem about pizza (and zebras). Acrostic poems are popular poetry forms taught in schools, because the structure is easy to grasp.
So…how do you write an acrostic poem?
An acrostic poem is a type of poetry where the first, last or other letters in a line spell out a particular word or phrase. The most common and simple form of an acrostic poem is where the first letters of each line spell out the word or phrase.
To challenge older students, try having them create an acrostic poem where the last letters in the line spell out a word or phrase.
Makes my brain poP
Love to read them sO
Funny and awesomE
Poems are the besT
Makes my heart roaR
They make me happY
We are now accepting submissions for the 5th Annual Pizza Poetry Project. If you are not able to bring us to your classroom for a free workshop, consider having your students try to write an acrostic poem and submit it for consideration!
Armani showed us that couplets are not just meant for the Elizabethan era, and can be differentiated to fit most age groups and abilities. Couplets are two lines of poetry that make up a stanza. These two lines can be part of a longer poem, or can stand alone as a very short poem. Couplets usually rhyme, but do not have to.
How do you write a couplet poem?
There are multiple ways to approach writing a poem of couplets. You can try first thinking of a subject, like shoes.
Next, brainstorm a list of words associated with the subject:
feet run cool tough
Then, think of words that rhyme with the associated words:
feet – sweet run – fun cool – school tough – rough
Lastly, write sentences using the rhyming words:
Shoes are needed for my feet. Wearing them is really sweet.
And there’s a couplet!
We are now accepting submissions for the 5th Annual Pizza Poetry Project. If you are not able to bring us to your classroom for a free workshop, consider having your students try to write a couplet and submit it for consideration!
“I hope the voices of my students read loud and clear to everyone, just like they do to me.”
We caught up with Courageous, Eccentric, Diverse partner teacher Amy Dickerson to discuss the book’s process, some surprising moments, and what she hopes readers take away from her students’ book.
1. How did the concept for this project come about?
During the controversy surrounding the removal of the statues last spring, I wondered what my students would think if they had a say in the process. Generally, I think people don’t give enough credit to kids, and I thought it would be an amazing opportunity to express their views of what they thought was important to New Orleans and to them.
Ms. Amy and published writer Boris at the Courageous, Eccentric, Diverse publishing party and reading.
2. How did you introduce this project to your students? What were their initial ideas for new monuments/thoughts on the project?
We started the project with reflecting on our own identity and generating adjectives to describe ourselves. Students studied the artist Nick Cave, who creates wearable pieces of art called Soundsuits that express his identity and views on social justice. My class created their own Soundsuits to match their adjectives and send a message through their art about their identity. After that initial step, it was easy to introduce the removed monuments, what they stood for and meant to people on both sides of the argument for and against them, and students truly understood why they were removed. We then took the idea about identity one step further and began to think about the identity of New Orleans by asking, “How can we, as citizens of New Orleans, express the identity of our city through new monuments?” and generating ideas for cultural touchstones that would project the positive identity they wanted.
3. Where there any surprising moments during this project?
There are always surprising moments in the classroom, and this project was no exception. I was so thrilled to see how much my students cared about this project and how important they felt it was. Watching them take ownership of their particular subject, be excited to research, and find a new appreciation for something in their city, was incredibly cool as a teacher. The most surprising moment, though, was when they saw their book for the first time. I’ve never seen so much genuine excitement and pride in my years of teaching, and I’ve noticed that even now, months later, many of them carry their copy of the book around with them or keep it in their desk to read when they have a spare moment.
4. How did your students come up with the title?
Because students had already come up with adjectives to describe themselves, we took that idea and decided to brainstorm adjectives to match our monument ideas. They created a list of at least 25 adjectives total, and we then slowly brought it down to our favorites, as the students shared why they thought certain adjectives matched our book better than others.
5. What do you hope readers learn or take away from Courageous, Eccentric, Diverse?
I hope, first of all, that the voices of my students read loud and clear to everyone, just like they do to me. The removal of the Confederate monuments should have happened long ago, and I hope that the sincerity of the ideas in the book come through to readers, as well as an understanding of the kinds of things the kids in this city value.
Courageous, Eccentric, Diverse is available for purchase here.
In Big Class tradition, we celebrated National Poetry Month, youth voice, and the unifying power of pizza on April 21st, 2017.
Since 2014, the Pizza Poetry Project has celebrated National Poetry Month and the power of youth voice by publishing poems written by young New Orleanians ages 6-18. This year, Pizza Poetry Day was part of the first ever New Orleans Youth Poetry Festival (NOYPF). Big Class teamed with New Orleans Youth Open Mic (NOYOM) to host the inaugural event. NOYPF included readings and workshops for young poets.
Many of 2017’s pizza poems were written through Big Class’s Poets In Schools free workshops, where poets worked directly with students in classrooms. Some teachers led their own poetry lessons, and submitted poems online. In total, Big Class received over 550 entries from students across the city. A teen council selected 20 standout poems to become the 2017 Pizza Poet Laureates.
On Pizza Poetry Day, Big Class partnered with some of the best pizza joints in town to publish these amazing poems onto pizza boxes for delivery and pickup. Pizza eaters and poetry readers posted their poems on social media using #pizzapoetry17.
Huge thanks to our 2017 Pizza Partners: G’s Pizza, Garage Pizza, Mid City Pizza, Pizza Delicious, Reginelli’s, and Theo’s.
Pizza Poetry 2017 was a huge success! We received 600 poetry submissions from students around New Orleans, and selected 263 for publication. 2,000 copies of the wonderful poems were distributed to lucky pizza-eaters around New Orleans. We also raised over $5,000 in support of our free programs.
We partnered with New Orleans Youth Open Mic (NOYOM) for the first ever New Orleans Youth Poetry Festival. Over three days, young people from all over the city came together to write and appreciate poetry. Events included an open mic, youth poetry slam, and a day of poetry workshops. We are grateful to special guests Sunni Patterson, Pages Matam, Tarriona “Tank” Ball, and Kelly Harris-DeBerry.
Big Class Poetry interns Christiann Cannon, left, and Anyx Burd read over a poetry submission for the upcoming Pizza Poetry day in New Orleans. Big Class will publish poetry on pizza boxes this Friday. Advocate staff photo by LESLIE GAMBONI
BY SUSAN LARSON Special to The Advocate APR 19, 2017
If you order a pizza on Friday, there might be something special on the box.
Those stanzas and couplets have made a long journey from the creative mind of a young poet before being read by professional poets, educators and interns, attached to something delicious and delivered to your door.
It’s for a good cause: Pizza Poetry Day and the programs of Big Class, an innovative writing program dedicated to making the voices of New Orleans students ages 6-18 heard.
Pizza Poetry Day 2017 was a huge success! Congrats to this year’s Pizza Poet Laureates, who won custom-made posters from Litographs, gift cards to Domino’s, and will be featured in a special section in this year’s Pizza Poetry Anthology (to be released late summer 2017).
1st grade – 3rd grade
Help the Fight
She turned into a dragon and she was golden. I could see the jewels in her skin. I could hear the sound of her friends cheering for her like wind on water and encouraging her. I could feel her flat, thin, and long scales cool under my fingertips. I could feel the gold saddle and reins. I could smell the fresh air and all of the trees and bushes around them. I could hear the sounds of all the dragons walking around and the horses whining.
– Caroline Grade 2 Edward Hynes Charter School
Senses in the Galaxy
I can see the stars at night I can see the asteroids I see the planets As rockets go by Going to touch the sky I can smell the flames Of the rockets As they pass on by Each and every meal I smell Is from a planet called Riell I can hear the crunches As they eat their meals I can hear the churn As the french fries burn.
– Audrey Grade 2 Edward Hynes Charter School
Pizza
P pepperoni is so good I is perfect Z zelicious toppings Z zebras probably eat pizza A amazing flavors
—Chloe Grade 2 Akili Academy Of New Orleans
Why is the sun a star?
Why is the sun a star? Why does the moon change shapes? Where does light on the moon come from? Why do we have planets? Is the Milky Way made out of milk? Was Pluto a real dog? Who invented planets? Who made aliens?
– Angelle Grade 3 Sylvanie Williams College Prep
Candy Land
I hear the water. I smell the salt. I see the people swimming. I touch the island, and I taste the yucky ocean water. I’m so happy. I’m at the beach. I love the beach. I see the candy. It looks so good. It tastes so great. I love the chocolate lake. I hear gingerbread men laughing. I can touch the gummies. I smell the yummy sugar. I see the candy castle. The princess looks so very pretty. I hear the villains making an evil plan. They are talking about taking over Candy Land.
– Livia Grade 2 Edward Hynes Charter School
4th grade-6th grade
Why Do the Stars Shine So Bright?
Are my ancestors in the stars looking down on me? Do the stars reflect the sun? Is it because God’s love is shining down on me?
Why is the sun so bright? Is all my family’s love inside the sun? Do life’s lessons shine on inside the sun? Is life itself shining down on me?
Why is love so strong? Is love people’s way of telling you a secret? Is love people’s way of saying I love you? Is love my way of telling you something important?
—Teren 5th grade Audubon Charter School
Why Space?
Why do humans try to explore space? Why don’t aliens meet us face to face? Why space?
Are the aliens on Mars purple, blue, or green? Are there other planets with many rings? Why space?
Why are most planets big and round? Are there other planets with livable, solid ground? Why space?
Why is space starry and bright, but dark and deep? Why can we only see space when it’s time to sleep? Why space? Why life? Why are we here? So many questions, but the answers won’t appear.
—Wyeth 5th grade Audubon Charter School
Very Fat Pig
There was once a very fat pig His name was Dig the pig And one day there was a man With a frying pan. And that was the end Of Dig.
—Toby Grade 5 Homer A. Plessy Community School
Ode to YouTube
This site known as YouTube has completed my life If it was not around I don’t know what I would do And yeah, yeah, I know before 2005 it wasn’t around But when it’s silent it provides me sound. My favorite YouTuber is Jake Paul My YouTube channel subscriber count is very small Me and YouTube are both 11 years old I watch YouTube when I’m cold, It entertains me like no one else, And that’s my ode to YouTube.
—Tristan Grade 5 Homer A. Plessy Community School
Little Red Riding Hood in the Hood
Once upon a time… There lived a little girl named Red. And she was only 7 years old, and her mom was stupid because she let her into the woods by herself. All of a sudden, when she was in the woods, a wolf popped out. Except it wasn’t a wolf. It was, in fact, a gangster.
—Trinity Grade 4 Sylvanie Williams College Prep
7th-9th grade
Love
I Love the way she moves with her wavy sides.
I Love the way she moves side to side.
I Love the way she smiles. It reminds me of a shiny dime.
I Love the way she talks to me. It makes me feel good inside.
I Love the way she Laughs. It makes me smile time to time.
—Ryan Grade 8 ARISE Academy
You Will Not Be Disconnected
You will not be disconnected, You will not be able to sit, eat, and be on social media all day, sister. You will not be able to screenshot and send to your friend and say, “Girl, look at her.” You will not be able to get on FaceTime and talk all day, because the revolution will make us unfriend each other. We will not be disconnected from reality. We will not be disconnected from the world. We will not be disconnected. We will not be disconnected. We won’t be judged on the color of our skin and the stores we shop at. The revolution will not star the latest comedians or Jay-Z holding hands with Beyonce or Blue or playing GTA on the PS4. We will not be disconnected, we will not be disconnected from this possible lovely world.
—DiMyri and Ky’Liyah Grade 8 Samuel J. Green Charter School
Pizza Love
I wrote your name in the pizza box But couldn’t throw it away I missed us having pizza together All the way from night till day We used to fuss and fight But yet I still say I loved having pizza with you It was the only way we could play I wrote your name in the pizza box And couldn’t throw it away.
—Ha’Sohn Grade 8 ARISE Academy
Ode to My Love
You capture my heart with your glimmering eyes like A person catching a bouquet. Sometimes you’re a pain in the — Bum, but most of the time you’re like a kid having the time Of your life. You make me laugh, you make me smile, When I’m in trouble or down, you always go the extra mile. Your imperfections are what makes you you, Your nagging, your fussing, your screaming Like a referee calling a fail too. But no matter what, I Love You. No matter what you say or do.
—Maya Grade 8 ARISE Academy
Who I Am
I emerged out my cocoon early unable to fly Began a new life the apple of everyone’s eye I am fast like a cheetah intelligent like a lion gentle as a lamb and stubborn like a goat With faith tall as a mountain hope for people in the world a thirst for knowledge and the strength to endure Outside I may seem meek inside I know I’m strong Wherever I’m myself with confidence, I’ll know where I belong and who I am.
—Brianne Grade 7 Crocker College Prep
10th-12th Grade
Tired of Beauty
“Aurora my darling, we’re waiting” is what I hear after my awakening, putting on makeup and the most beautiful dress, but underneath all of this is a girl full of stress.
Maleficent has done me a favor and woken me up from my eternal sleep, but with all this hard work that’s the one thing I should have decided to keep.
My hand waves daily, and we have dinners every night. But while we are at the dinner table, it’s an irony that sleep is what I’m trying to fight.
Impatiently going to my room, back to my dreams, I know it may sound as weird as it seems, But I have to get prepared for another day that’s not so great With a prince that my mother likes but wants me to date.
She wants me to marry, love, and live happily ever after with him. But I have a rude awakening for the both of them. Sleeping Beauty is what they called me before But now that I think of it, they should’ve called me snore. Now back to sleep I’ll go. I hope they leave me asleep, because sleep’s the best thing I know.
—Myneisha 10th Grade New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School
Poem
Being crushed by the expectations of those around. I am who I am, following the guidelines of what I should be. Stuck in a never-ending loop of the same timeline. Is there chance for me to be free. Be who I am or be who I want to become. Follow my dreams and desires. But I can’t. A dream so far that it’s unachievable. Struggling to find myself, holding onto the things that keep me sane, holding onto a dream. A dream. A dream. A dream… All it ever was was just a dream. A dream that we hope, no wish, to have but the oppression of success weighs us down. The typical stereotypes of us make it seem that we live a good life. That we live just like whites… But you’re wrong. I know that this is sad but all I have to say is shout out to my friends that bring me up and support me in what I wish to achieve because we share the same dream that we know we can’t achieve.
—Teresa Grade 10 New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School
A Shout-Out from the Concerned
Here’s to the Caucasian folks that stopped and stared when I spoke. Is it my brown skin that startled you? Is it the kinkyness of my hair that has you staring? Here’s to the young black boys who shamed the way my body’s made. Do my short legs and thick thighs offend you? Does the way I wear my clothes and how my cleavage shows? Here’s to the people who have never heard a “black girl” speak with so much class. Is it because I used the words supercilious, incompetent, illiterate when I was asked my perspective on today’s society? Here’s to the people who saw the color of my skin, the way I dressed, and the way my hips sway when I walk. Here’s to the people who judged this book by its cover and didn’t know I had a nurse for a mother and a veterinarian for a brother. Ohhh, and shout out to the people who thought my father wasn’t in my life, little do they know the man who went in half to create me tucks his baby girl in every night.
—Jasmine Grade 10 New Orleans Charter Science and Mathematics High School
The Deep Part of the Ocean
I am from the deep part of the ocean, Where there’s sharks, fishes, and dolphins. I am from a place where if you go too deep, it darkens. I am from an environment that smells like gunpowder and marijuana. I am from a home where there’s graduates, and life takers, That will have your mind full of trauma. I am from a society where people love guidance, But there’s no one to guide them. I am from a place where there’s no love lost or no love found. I am from a state where blacks are called killers And whites are called life savers. I am from a country where people commit crimes for the love of money. I am from a place where we struggle for freedom.
—Kevon Age 17 Travis Hill School
The Deep Part of the Ocean
I am from the deep part of the ocean, Where there’s sharks, fishes, and dolphins. I am from a place where if you go too deep, it darkens. I am from an environment that smells like gunpowder and marijuana. I am from a home where there’s graduates, and life takers, That will have your mind full of trauma. I am from a society where people love guidance, But there’s no one to guide them. I am from a place where there’s no love lost or no love found. I am from a state where blacks are called killers And whites are called life savers. I am from a country where people commit crimes for the love of money. I am from a place where we struggle for freedom.
