10 September 2011 Dear Parent(s) and Guardian(s):

Our class has been cordially invited to attend We are the Unbreakable, a spoken word performance being held at Florida State University on 1 October 1 2011 at 7pm in the Moore Auditorium. This event has been organized by Peace Jam Southeast, an organization that works to inspire local youth through mentorship programs. Admission is free, but donations are welcome and all concession proceeds will help to provide students in financial need with scholarships to attend Peace Jam Southeasts annual conference. This event serves as the first component of a culminating activity in our poetry unit, and the event provides an opportunity to witness performance poetry from nationally recognized artists. The second component of this project will be for students to read an original poem in front of their peers, and attending this event may serve to both ease their fears, as well as inspire their own work. Spoken word poetry provides a blend of literature and performance, and can truly be a transformative experience. It offers students a chance to focus on the tougher questions faced during adolescence, and an opportunity to learn how to express themselves both with clarity and conviction. It facilitates growth, in the English classroom and beyond, by engaging students in an interpretive process, using intellect and emotion to comprehend the content of poetry. We Are the Unbreakable will serve as a contemporary connection to a genre that can seem daunting to many students, demonstrating that the thematic elements--from Robert Frost to Matthew Madonia-- are consistent throughout time. My hope is that by attending this event, students will understand their capacity to seize poetry from its ivory tower, and make it their own living art form. As with any open forum where spontaneity and creativity abound, there remains a level of unpredictability to be expected. Performances may include adult themes and/or language (grief, abortion, sexual orientation, domestic violence, etc.) and I ask that students treat the venue with maturity and respect. With such emotionally potent themes, spoken word runs the risk of eliciting unanticipated responses within audience members. It is not uncommon for students to remain deeply affected by poem long after the performance has ended. While this allows for thought provoking discussion, students should be aware of these potential outcomes prior to attendance. We Are the Unbreakable will surely be a dynamic and memorable experience, and although I encourage all students to attend, this event is not mandatory. If your student cannot attend for any reason, an alternative assignment to fulfill the requirement of component one will be arranged. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Danielle Wright 11th Grade English Piper High School Dw11r@my.fsu.edu