Sophomores Perform Original Slam Poems in the style of Acevedo's "The Poet X"

Sophomores in Mr. Murphy's American Literature class spent parts of November immersed in contemporary poetry through their reading of Elizabeth Acevedo’s acclaimed novel-in-verse The Poet X. Students explored themes of race, gender, religion, sexuality, family and creative expression through the story of Xiomara Batista, a teenager and emerging slam poet growing up in Harlem, as well as through supplemental articles, videos and music. The unit culminated with students writing and performing original poems to each other in a class slam poetry session.