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2008 Forest Appreciation Week
Writing Contest Winners
Each year for the anniversary of Arbor Day, kids can take part in the fourth-grade statewide Forest Appreciation Week Writing Contest. The theme this year is: "My Favorite Forest Animal." Here are the 2008 winners.
First Place:
"My Favorite Forest Animal" by Micaela Jobke
Second Place:
"Wild Black Bear" by Josie Bacon
Third Place:
"My Favorite Forest Animal" by Skyler Richard Fisher
Read the nine 2008 Forest Appreciation Week Writing Contest Honorable Mention essays
First Place
My Favorite Forest Animal
by Micaela Jobke
St. Martin Lutheran Grade School, Clintonville
My fur can be white, gray or black,
and we do not travel in a pack.
We do not hibernate when it’s chilly,
sit and watch us, you’ll think we’re silly.
We can climb a tree in the blink of an eye,
do not try to catch me I’m really quite shy.
My tail is bushy and my hands are so cute,
we often snack on nuts and fruit.
We make a nest in the hole of a tree,
it’s great to be so wild and free.
We can’t come in your house to be your pet,
we look like a drowned rat when we’re wet.
We come in many colors and sizes,
don’t be shocked if we show you some surprises.
We like to come out during the day,
we gather our food, run and play.
We gather and store out food in the fall,
watch us walk on electric wires up tall.
You can’t really tell if I’m a boy or girl,
my favorite forest animal is the squirrel.
Teacher: Ms. Teresa Buelow
Second Place
Wild Black Bear
by Josie Bacon
MHLT School, Minocqua
If I were a bear,
a black bear I’d be.
I’d wander around the forest
tall trees surrounding me.
I’d comb the woods
searching for grub.
I’d find some berries
for me and my cub.
Then I’d find
a nice place to rest.
And snuggle down
like a bird in a nest.
I’m not a bear,
I’m just a child,
But if I were,
That would be wild.
Teachers: Sam Gildseth and Judy DiMattina
Third Place
My Favorite Forest Animal
By Skyler Richard Fisher
Hillsboro Elementary School
Whooo is my favorite animal? Look 80 feet above, and you may see it there. Its favorite home is the inside of old dead trees.
It hunts from dusk to dawn, swooping down and the mouse is gone, squeezing its prey with long sharp talons. If the prey is small enough, it is eaten in one gulp, bones and all. The sharp beak works like a knife to tear the meat apart.
Its eyes are very big; they are his most powerful weapons. They bring in light to see at night.
Keep alert in February and March for this creature because it makes all kinds of noises to impress a mate. Listen for a hoot that sounds like someone’s saying. “Who-cooks-for-you, who-cooks-for-you-all?” It also makes a cat-like scream or a barking sound.
Its feathers have large horizontal bars on the tail and around the neck and large vertical streaking bars on the body. That is how it got its name!
Do you know my forest animal? It’s the barred owl, and it happens to be my favorite forest animal.
Teacher: Jenny Shore
Congratulations to Micaela, Josie and Skyler on being this year's Forest Appreciation Week writing contest winners!
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