Fifth-, sixth-graders from Ann Arbor Open School celebrate new poetry book 'Millions of Miniscule Importances'
From left, Brendan Flannagan, 11, Kirby Winters, 11, Noah Resnicow, 11, and Sam Huizenga, 12, rest their feet on a coffee table as they browse through copies of "Millions of Miniscule Importances" during the book release party at the Neutral Zone on Wednesday night. Fifty-two fifth- and sixth-grade students collaborated on the book of poems with Scott Beal, the writer-in-residence at Ann Arbor Open School.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
The book is an anthology of poems written throughout the year by the Ann Arbor Open fifth- and sixth-grade students. Poet Scott Beal worked with a class of more than 50 students throughout the year from Ko Shih and Rick Hall's classes, leading weekly poetry and writing exercises. Wednesday's poetry reading and book launch event was a culmination of the project.
Beal's writer-in-residence project at Ann Arbor Open was sponsored by Dzanc Books, which published "Millions of Miniscule Importances." The book is $9 and is available by e-mailing info@dzancbooks.org.
Andrew Goedert reads his poem for an audience of fellow students and their families gathered for the book release party of "Millions of Miniscule Importances" at the Neutral Zone on Wednesday night.
Click below to watch a video of some of the authors reading their poems during the book release party at the Neutral Zone.
Comments
leftisright
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 10:33 p.m.
What a surprise! As typical, I heard nothing from my son about it. I was impressed by his poems as well as those of his co-conspirators. And Scott, even though you "hated" poetry, thanks for taking the time. This will undoubtedly be one of the highlights these kids will remember from their primary education.
Ruth Kraut
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 6:59 p.m.
Scott, Thanks so much for your hard work as a poet-in-residence. The kids benefited tremendously. The poems are wonderful. My older daughter said, "Where did he come up with such great prompts?" I hope that many other students get to benefit from your talent.
anti-thug
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 9:29 a.m.
a couple of the students wrote really good poem even for adults.
DBH
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 8:58 a.m.
I stand corrected on miniscule being an acceptable variant. A comment on its spelling within either or both articles would have been of at least some minor interest.
Scott Beal
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 8:33 a.m.
Actually, "miniscule" is a standard recognized variant spelling, and it is in fact the spelling used in the title of the book. http://www.barnsdle.demon.co.uk/spell/mini.html Thanks to Melanie Maxwell for putting together this footage. We had a wonderful night.
DBH
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 8:15 a.m.
Minuscule is misspelled a few times (including in the title of this article). It is not "miniscule."
Angela Smith
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 : 7:38 a.m.
Congratulations to this wonderful group of students!