The Voice of Washington Elementary - 2004

"The voices of our children speak to us in many ways. Thiscollection of poetry was created by the students ofWashington school for their enjoyment, as a learningexperience and for your pleasure. Many of our students andstaff were reluctant to become involved in this project.However, as the process evolved, both the students and staffbecame more and more enthusiastic about what washappening in the classrooms. Students started cranking outa variety of material that showed both insight and a creativethinking side that many had not displayed in the past. Staffbecame more excited to see the enjoyment the students hadin producing, as well as sharing their writing.This has been an outstanding project for our whole schoolcommunity and we recommend it to others as a positiveteaching aid for writing and self discovery. One teachersaid," I didn't think my class (students) would be able toparticipate in this project, but they proved me wrong. Thishas been a great experience for us. My students reallysurprised me! I will incorporate this poetry unit in my classnext year."We hope you will enjoy reading and pondering the thoughtsof our children."~~~PRINCIPAL DUSANEK~~~WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL"For we children, the most beautiful thoughts are alreadypoetic. We are magical, fresh, exciting and wise enough toknow that we can change the whole world by just beingourselves. Our feelings are special. We are tender and wecarry our own colors, each different with different shades.The poems that follow are written by children and selectedby children as winners of an ongoing poetry competition.These poems are intended to introduce the wonders ofpoetry to the new generation."~~~ANYA AND AMAN CHARLES ~~~CHILDREN'S POETRY EDITORS, 1ST WORLD LIBRARY.