KT Lowe

KT Lowe

Rhyme with Reason: The Summer Poetry Teachers Institute – KT Lowe shares her experience

Rhyme with Reason: The Summer Poetry Teachers Institute – KT Lowe shares her experience

, Programs
This past July, I was fortunate to attend the Summer Poetry Teachers Institute.  Sponsored by the Poetry Foundation, which furthers the understanding and appreciation of poetry, the institute was at their headquarters in Chicago, IL.  The application was competitive, with only 100 teachers and librarians from across the US, from kindergarten to college, selected to take part in the program.  Throughout five days, we explored poetry resources, nationally and internationally recognized poets, and classroom ideas, in order to create a curriculum designed to benefit students in the community. (Children’s section of the Poetry Foundation library) Because of my work with slam poetry as part of National Poetry Month, my section was focused on middle school students.  In addition to education … Continued
Fake news fatigue? Never fear!

Fake news fatigue? Never fear!

, , Library Resources, Website
Since fake news came to wider prominence in 2016, many of us are increasingly skeptical of news accuracy and news quality.  While it makes sense to scrutinize various news sources, most Americans find mainstream media biased.   Only about 32% of Americans trust mainstream news, and this figure dropped eight percentage points from the previous year’s study (2015-2016.)  Unfortunately, some of that mistrust is earned.  Still, even in the era of faster news cycles, instantaneous information and “alternative” press, there are a few solutions. One is to become an advocate for truth, or as oceanographer and director of LUMCON Craig McClain puts it, a “Nerd of Trust.”  According to McClain, while up to 82% of scientists use Facebook regularly, very few … Continued
What month is it? You decide!

What month is it? You decide!

, outreach
June is popular for lots of reasons – sun, summer vacation, art fairs, festivals and did I mention sun?  Yet June is also a popular month for assigning various themes and causes.  The IU East Campus Library is happy to help you celebrate any month you please! Pride Month:  The landmark Stonewall Riots, which took place at the Stonewall Inn in New York City from June 28, 1969 to July 1, 1969, are widely recognized as the catalyst of the LGBTQ liberation movement.  In recognition of this momentous event, the last Sunday of June was informally recognized as Pride Day in many large urban communities.  In 1995, LGBT Pride Month was officially declared by the General Assembly of the National … Continued
CCS Poetry Slam 2018

CCS Poetry Slam 2018

, outreach, Programs
April is National Poetry Month so IU East hosted a poetry slam featuring the creative work of 34 students in grades 5-8 at Community Christian School in Richmond. IU East library staff KT Lowe led three workshops in April, culminating with the students’ poetry performances at the IU East Campus Library. The poems ranged in subject from dance and running to video games and comic strips. Lowe, who is a published poet, with work published in Wayne Literary Review, Red Fez and other journals, first had students experience some poems written by a variety of authors both famous and unfamiliar, from preteen slam poets to established…. basketball players. After reading and talking about the poems, then students would cover basic … Continued
It’s National Poetry Month? Nonsense!

It’s National Poetry Month? Nonsense!

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’Twas brillig, and the slithy toves      Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves,      And the mome raths outgrabe. “Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll   While many of us associate poetry with big words, flowery images and rhyme, there has always been a nonsense streak as well. The above poem, possibly Lewis Carroll’s most famous poem, is one of the best known examples of nonsense poetry. Yet nonsense poems, and Carroll’s in particular, often carry significant political undertones. For example, in Carroll’s “The Hunting of the Snark”, he tackles vivisection and the role of anthrocentrist activities in scientific pursuit. Jabberwocky itself may be a commentary on the notion of “meaning” – that is, according to … Continued