Writings of the Month for October 1996

My Farm

by Malcolm F.

Mrs. Lake's 1st Grade Class

Objective: To make a book telling facts about a farm to go along with our thematic unit on farms.

On the farm vegetables grow. Fruit grows.

Pigs live in a barn. Dogs live in the barn. Pigs give pork. Dogs herd the animals.

I like cats best. They have claws. They chase mice.

Farmers work in barns. They feed the animals.

Cows live in a barn. They make milk.

Hens live in barns. They lay eggs.

Sheep live on a farm. They are raised for their wool and meat.

Passed Away

by Karen C.

Miss Graffen's 3rd Grade Class

Objective:Write a personal narrative.

A long time ago I had a sister named Angela. I was not born when she was alive. My family just told me about Angela.

They said she was a great girl. I never got a chance to see her. They also said that she looked a little like me. We have a picture of her at home.

My mom and dad were right, she did look like me a little. But then something happened . . . she got very sick and so my parents took her to the hospital and the doctor could not do anything to help so before I was born she passed away and so I am sad.

She was 5 years old when she died. Good-bye sister. I miss you a lot.

If I Were President . . .

by Emily W.

Mrs. Moy's 4th Grade Class

Objective: Write an essay telling about what you would do if you were elected president.

If I were president, I would build shelters and provide food for the homeless. I would give money to schools, so the kids can have a better education. I would raise taxes, only when really needed. I would pick a vice president that is responsible, someone who cares, and someone who really knows what he or she is doing. I would be a president that you can trust, not someone who everybody is afraid of, like Saddam Houssein. I would try to plan my schedule ahead of time, so I wouldn't be too busy. I would make my speeches loud and clear. I would respect other people's rights. I would always be punctual for speeches and celebrations. I wouldn't pollute the water. I would try to pass a law banning guns to be made in the U.S. I would try my best at everything I do. I wouldn't pick favorite people. I would be fair, I would be respectful, I would be responsible, I would cooperate, I would be punctual, and I would be the best president I can be.

Autumn Walk

by Colleen M.

Ms. Sparks' 5th Grade Class

Objective: Write a creative story describing an autumn walk and what is found on this walk.

Early last Saturday morning, I decided to go on a stroll in my neighborhood to look at the autumn leaves. As I turned the corner at the end of my street, I suddenly saw a big pile of leaves. I ran towards it and jumped in. Then I realized that something smushy and wet was all around me. I jumped out of the pile. My clothes were all orange and wet. I looked in the pile of leaves. There was a little box on top of a smushed pumpkin. I took the box and ran home.

I barged through the door and ran to my room. I opened the box, inside was a little elf. He handed a small box to me. It immediately grew bigger. I opened that. Inside was a note. It said:

Do not open this box!
You will have an evil curse.
If you don't open it, in 3 days you will have very
GOOD LUCK.
(after 3 days, open the box.)

I reached in the big box. I pulled out a little carved and painted wooden box. I heard a little voice say, "Remember." I placed the beautiful box on my dresser.

The next morning I put the box in my bookbag. When I got to school I carefully placed it in the back of my desk. Finally, when it was recess time, I grabbed the box and jogged outside. My best friend came up behind me and grabbed away the box. I tried to stop her but it was too late. She held open the box. Inside was a little lamp. I took it out and started to rub thinking a genie would come out. Instead I remembered all the bad things the little elf had said. Then I heard a familiar little voice. It said that it had already given me a warning. Both my friend and I felt zapped. We heard weird words. First we were frogs, then we were birds. Here we sit today as birds. We are still best friends. We love to fly all over the country. We get to go to any state for free. We've made new friends. They helped us learn to fly, make nests, and where to search for food. We are very strange birds. We can talk like a human. We don't dare to share our little secrets. We would love to go home back with our family but we both have cats!

Celeste

by Eva P.

Mrs. Banks' 6th Grade Class

Objective: To look at a photograph and develop a story around the subject.

Hello. My name is Celeste, and I live on Assateague Island near the Chesapeake Bay. Ever since I ran away from my cruel master, I have lived on this island with my friend, Peaches. Let me tell you my story:

"Celeste, you dumb beast, pull the cart, I say!" I can still hear my master's voice ringing inside my ears. It was a cold, dreary day in March. There was frost on the ground and I was told to pull a heavy load of logs for four miles. I didn't have my shaggy coat yet, so I was cold as well as tortured on this horrible day.

My master was a man who sold, bought and rented horses, but still had enough time to go to the local bar for a drink. He owned twelve horses, and abused them all. Every day we were whipped and tormented in painful ways. My friend, Peaches, who was in the stall next to mine had first brought up the subject of running away. I agreed to attempt to run away, for many times the thought had wandered in to my mind. It was a very smart plan, and we found the perfect chance to carry it out the next day.

Our groomer had taken us out of the stalls to wash us. "Peaches! Celeste! Come back girls!" called the groomer. Peaches and I didn't even turn around. We just kept running. We ran for three hours, then crossed the river that led to Assateague.

As soon as we had reached the island, we went to find shade under a palm tree. This reminded me of the Spanish ponies that once docked here more than one hundred years ago. Those ponies were my ancestors, and I had always wanted to live a carefree life like they had. Finally, I had fulfilled my dream!

After a few months of living on the island, Peaches and I had learned to live on our own. We grew shaggy coats, we were healthy, and we never felt the horrible sting of a whip again. Peaches and I feel the cool breezes every morning and the soft wind in the evening. We have finally found our freedom.

That is my story. It is tragic as well as cheerful. Peaches and I sometimes talk about the hard life we have lived, and feel truly sorry for the ten other ponies left behind. Peaches and I are sad to leave our good friends, but we are happier still that we have our liberty, regardless of the scars on our backs that show that we have paid the hard price for freedom.

Last updated on November 14, 1996
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