Kindergarten through second grade students at Whittier Elementary School are learning more than the alphabet, they are writing poetry.

On May first, students held an Poetry Celebration assembly to read their poetry, written with the help of their teachers and writing coach Marci Von Deck.

The Writers Workshop at Whittier is a pilot program in the Seattle School District and is part of a new curriculum developed at Columbia University. Donations of pens, notebooks, and other school supplies were donated by the Ballard Rotary Club to get the program started.

"They are writing from the heart, things important to them. We are giving them a chance to explore different ways to see things," said Von Deck.

Students in teacher Amy DeBoie's class keep a notebook with ideas they might put words to.

During a poetry slam held in individual classrooms, students gathered in small groups, reading to each other.

"They are reading out loud and bringing poetry to life," said Von Deck.

The children have written about friends, family, school bullies, hot dogs, lizards and other topics young minds come up with.

"We give them a good start. They don't feel any idea is too silly to write about. It's totally student driven. We teach them style, but it's totally their ideas," said DeBoie.

Ashley McKee made a poem about her favorite teacher, DeBoie.

"My teacher is my friend. My teacher is kind."

"I like writing because sometimes you can make it up or make something real. My mom and dad read to me. It's pretty easy for me," said McKee.

Some kids have written up to 20 poems.

A student named Meghan wrote a poem she calls "Fire Alarm."

"I think a fire alarm is a

Hundred fire trucks

Scaring us away

Out of the building

And onto the playfield

Wondering

Is it really

Or is it just a test."

"I love it, the kids love it. This is their writing and their celebration," said Cothron McMillian, Whittier Elementary principal.

DuBoie said Whittier is only one of a handful of schools using this curriculum and it has transformed her students lives academically and emotionally.

"Their poetry is truly beautiful," said DuBoie.