Poetry Café at St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School

At St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School, Ms. Symonds created an engaging and meaningful poetry unit that inspired creativity, self-expression, and student voice among her Grade 3/4 students. Through the exploration of various poetic forms such as acrostic poems, limericks, cinquain, and diamante poems, students deepened their understanding of the Language curriculum while developing confidence as writers and speakers. The unit also encouraged students to research and celebrate their own cultural identities, allowing them to make authentic connections between their lived experiences and their poetry.

To celebrate the students’ learning, Ms. Symonds transformed the classroom into a welcoming Poetry Café where students proudly shared their poems in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment. The experience fostered confidence, courage, and community while ensuring every student felt valued and heard. Ms. Symonds’ innovative and culturally responsive approach beautifully combined curriculum expectations with student empowerment and created a memorable learning experience that students will carry with them for years to come.