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Poetry Workshops

This poetry workshop was a very popular event.  Let us know if your class or group would like to try a similar activity in the CWOC.
Poet-tree Workshops a success and the Kilmer Fireplace restoration begins
Update by: Deb Robinson, Como Woodland Advisory Committee volunteer
Download full article 

In the Fall of 2010, the weather was picture perfect for the Como Woodland tours leading up to the Poet‐tree Workshops. Taking the students outdoors to learn about local history and natural history through poetry helped the kids contextualize and retain the information that was provided. And, of course, the kids enjoyed the fresh air and exercise as well.

During their walk to the Como Woodland Outdoor Classroom site, the students were in high spirits ‐ excited to be outside. The walking tours were designed to acquaint the 139 fifth and sixth grade students with Como Woodland, Kilmer Memorial Fireplace, and the many benefits of trees.
Featured Poems
Photos by: Sharon Shinomiya and Matt Schmitt
Poems by: Poet-tree Workshop students

“A Walk in Como Park”
By Anthony, 5th grader
Chelsea Heights Elementary

The pathway is dark, forbidden
The light is shining through
the old fireplace, stones worn and
broken,
Once housed fires, in days that are
gone, lost in time.

Leaves, bright, colorful
yellow, green, purple, red
Fluttering in the cool autumn breeze
Birds singing, trees swaying
in the cool, crisp air.

Animals, scampering, playing
Running through the trees
Playing on the ground.

Flowers, sights and smells,
Perfume in the wind,
Cool, peppermint wind.

Fall.

“Como Woodlands”
Group Poem by Kelly Dudeck’s 
6th grade class, Como Park Elementary

I shivered under the trees that Friday
As I looked at the flowers—I didn’t know
What kind—pink, yellow, purple.
As the leaves changed from green
To orange and yellow, as the wind,
Like the coolish moon traveling
Around the world, touched my skin.
As I felt my blood rushing, the river raced,
my heart pumped in and out, and leaves crunched
as I stepped on them.

There used to be a waterfall before
Time stopped for it, and the well dried up.
There used to be a fireplace. Deer once grazed
On pine cones and black berries.
A bridge led to this path, and the cascade.

The 1930s are gone, with the eagles
And the years. The invasive 
Thistles have driven out the native plants.
I looked at all the sad trees, that Friday, 
The ground overflowing with leaves
That will fertilize new growth, as though
It is the future of the world.



Read all of the poems from this poetry workshop:
- Chelsea Heights
- Como, K. Dudeck's class
- Como, M. Binns' class
- Como, R. Kour's class
- Group Poems, both schools



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