Renaissance Poetry
*This course is intended for upper elementary students
Class Schedule
Tuesdays 9:00-9:50 am PST
January 6, January 13, January 20, January 27, February 3, February 10
Note: Classes are listed in PST, click below to convert time to your time zone.
Course Overview
A new year is the perfect time to look ahead, set new goals, and welcome the possibilities that lie ahead. The word Renaissance comes from the Latin roots re- meaning “again” and nasci meaning “to be born,” an apropos reminder that each year offers us a chance to begin anew.
In this class, students will choose a personal word that symbolizes renewal for themselves and together we will explore how language can spark transformation. We’ll then turn our attention to another period of rebirth, the Harlem Renaissance, a time when African American artists, poets, and thinkers reshaped culture through creativity. Inspired by the voices of that era, students will craft original poems centered on their chosen word to guide and empower them throughout 2026.
Student Outcomes:
- Understand the historical and cultural significance of the Harlem Renaissance
- Analyze how poetry can express identity, renewal, and empowerment
- Write and share an original poem inspired by a personal theme infused with figurative language
Student Experience
Researcher
Literary Analyst
Writer
Your Teachers: Sarah Merkt & Kathryn Bernhardt
Sarah Merkt has worked as a teacher and curriculum designer for over 12 years in gifted schools in both Asia and America. She holds her certification in Middle Childhood Education from Xavier University. Most recently, she worked for 4 years at The Nueva School in Hillsborough, CA. She is a passionate advocate for gifted students and their parents and strives to infuse best practices into her curriculum in the classroom. She currently serves as Program Manager and Learning Consultant at Cresconova.
Kathryn Bernhardt grew up in Novato, California and graduated from Chapman University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. She has spent the past four years teaching students from kindergarten through high school, though she feels especially at home working with young learners. Kathryn's love for storytelling fuels her passion for helping students discover their own voices. She strives to help students use their imaginations to stretch their knowledge, build new skills, and create work they can truly be proud of. In her free time, Kathryn loves to read, play board games, and travel the world. She is thrilled to share her joy for writing and learning with Cresconova students!
