PORT TOWNSEND — While Grant Street Elementary School students are taught strict grammatical rules, a poetry break makes them better writers, said the teacher who edited the school’s most recent compilation of student verse.
“This is a way for the kids to express themselves,” said Peter Braden, who teaches first and second grades.
“Some of the kids write something heavy and deep, and others will write something funny, but whatever they write reflects their personality,” he added.
The school has published its fifth annual spiral-bound poetry book in which most of its 360 students are each represented by a poem.
Distribution of Sunlight Drips Slowly, a 156-page spiral-bound volume, began this week.
Each student gets a volume, as do supporting organizations and Blue Heron Middle School, giving the students’ future teachers an idea about each one’s writing ability.
A lot of the poems are written by hand and are published as they were written, although “we made sure that all of the words were spelled correctly,” Braden said.
Spelling aside, the students are unrestricted by the rules of capitalization and punctuation.
“It’s not that hard to write poems,” said Rhapsody Thetford, 8.
“It’s not like writing a story where you have to use periods a bunch.”
Braden said 392 books were created, financed by donations and advertising.
Braden, who has edited all five editions, said students want to make connections with other writers and perhaps write something like William Carlos Williams or Shakespeare.
“It’s easy for me to write a poem,” said River Stewart, 8.
“I think of an idea and just brainstorm. Whatever idea that is best, I just go with it.”
Added Denver Milne, also 8: “When I start writing a poem, I can’t stop because it makes me want more and because it feels so fun.”
Nate Winegar, 7, said it helps to prepare for the poetry experience.
“Before you write a poem, you should get some ideas from a real book,” he said.
The students are proud of their accomplishment.
“When I look at this book and hold it, I really feel it’s a good book,” said Sabina Funaro, 7.
“I feel at home.”
All of the books printed so far have been distributed by the school, but copies can be purchased for $15.98 from SOS Printing, 2319 Washington St.
To order a book, phone 360-385-4194.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.