Personal Narratives
Check out students' first published story about their own personal experiences. We focused on writing about small moments, writing in a step-by-step way, zooming in on the most important parts, and including true and exact details from the "movie in your mind".
September-November 2012
September-November 2012
Radley
By Owen
The sun started setting as the truck pulled around the corner. The gleaming hunk of steel parked itself between two Ford F-150s.
The diver hopped out and walked to the back of the truck and took out a gleaming key from his pocket. He shoved it in the slot and pulled up. The door made a clanking sound as it hit the top.
It was time to get our dog. We walked inside the open hatch at the back of the truck. We looked around. There were dogs every were! We walked around looking at all the different breeds. There were hundreds of Beagles and a thousand Yorkshire Terriers but none of them were the perfect one.
Then we saw the perfect match for me, a giant Great Pyrenees, a giant, fluffy Great Pyrenees, a giant, fluffy, cute Great Pyrenees! yupp this was the perfect dog. He ran over to where I was standing. “Can we keep him mom”? “Oh why not”? she said.
We walked over to the person who was feeding the dogs “How may I help you”? he said. “Can we have that dog”? Asked my dad “sure” said the man. He walked over to the large crate were the dog was he bent above the lock and opened the crate. Then he gave us a free leash and collar “enjoy your dog” he said.
The diver hopped out and walked to the back of the truck and took out a gleaming key from his pocket. He shoved it in the slot and pulled up. The door made a clanking sound as it hit the top.
It was time to get our dog. We walked inside the open hatch at the back of the truck. We looked around. There were dogs every were! We walked around looking at all the different breeds. There were hundreds of Beagles and a thousand Yorkshire Terriers but none of them were the perfect one.
Then we saw the perfect match for me, a giant Great Pyrenees, a giant, fluffy Great Pyrenees, a giant, fluffy, cute Great Pyrenees! yupp this was the perfect dog. He ran over to where I was standing. “Can we keep him mom”? “Oh why not”? she said.
We walked over to the person who was feeding the dogs “How may I help you”? he said. “Can we have that dog”? Asked my dad “sure” said the man. He walked over to the large crate were the dog was he bent above the lock and opened the crate. Then he gave us a free leash and collar “enjoy your dog” he said.
The Crab
By Michael
Screech! As I skid to the side of the sandy road and hop of my bike I see an old sign that I’ve been looking for. It reads, “Beach.” I charge through a patch of reeds and come out to a small beautiful beach. The beach was about the size of a large back yard. It had sharp rocks sticking out of the sand that formed tide pools.
The fluffy white sand sprays behind me as I run toward the water. The water was so clear you could see shells glimmering under the water. Crunch! Suddenly I step on something hard and alive. “Ahhh!” I scream when I look down and see what I stepped on. Looking right at me is a crab the size of my head!
The crab was dark dark red, almost velvet. It had one huge claw and one small one. It was so bumpy and prickly it had scratched up my foot. I don’t think anyone will want to step on that huge thing like I did, I thought to myself. So I picked up the crab and found the largest tide pool and put it in the pool. As I watched the crab scuttle away I thought to myself maybe today isn’t the best day to go swimming. Who knows what I’ll step on next.
The fluffy white sand sprays behind me as I run toward the water. The water was so clear you could see shells glimmering under the water. Crunch! Suddenly I step on something hard and alive. “Ahhh!” I scream when I look down and see what I stepped on. Looking right at me is a crab the size of my head!
The crab was dark dark red, almost velvet. It had one huge claw and one small one. It was so bumpy and prickly it had scratched up my foot. I don’t think anyone will want to step on that huge thing like I did, I thought to myself. So I picked up the crab and found the largest tide pool and put it in the pool. As I watched the crab scuttle away I thought to myself maybe today isn’t the best day to go swimming. Who knows what I’ll step on next.
The Starship
By Bianca
The starship, I thought nervously, hope I don’t throw up. I wish that I hadn’t eaten so much kettle corn. The Starship is a massive ride that spins around really fast, and you stick onto the walls because gravity doesn’t let you off.
Next I hand the man standing at the gate my ticket. He has some sort of monkey hat on and was bobbing his head to the beat of the rock music blasting inside of The Starship. The rock music was really not helping me get over the fear of throwing up; I was blocking my ears because it was so loud.
My sister Isabella, my two friends Sophia, and one of the Sophia’s dads and I all go on together. The older Sophia was gripping her ears as much as if you were gripping handlebars on a bike. The other Sophia got off of the ride. I didn’t blame her; I wanted to do the same. All I could do was watch The Starships strobe lights flash on and off.
It was dark, as dark as a dungeon that has never seen the light of day. I watched kids of all ages charge on with excitement. It took about ten minutes for all of the kids to get on. Now my nerves were high. I wanted to get off, run home, and hide under my bed.
Finally the doors close, and there was no turning back. The ride starts to spin. Some boys standing on the other side start to climb up the black mysterious walls, but the man controlling the ride in the middle tells him to stop. Then I realized that the poor guy has to do that all day.
The ride gets faster and faster, until gravity shows up. My mouth stretches out like a rubber band, and my stomach gets a weird feeling. Then, “CLANK”, the walls shoot up like bullets. It felt like the whole ride was twisting and turning like a tire. I was in the air while sticking to a wall! Everybody was screaming. I tried to turn my head to see what was happening, but it hurt to try.
Soon the spinning gets faint and gravity leaves. The walls go down with a big boom and the doors open. I walk down to my dad and he asks, “How was it?”
My reply was, “Awesome”. Then we went off to look for another ride.
Next I hand the man standing at the gate my ticket. He has some sort of monkey hat on and was bobbing his head to the beat of the rock music blasting inside of The Starship. The rock music was really not helping me get over the fear of throwing up; I was blocking my ears because it was so loud.
My sister Isabella, my two friends Sophia, and one of the Sophia’s dads and I all go on together. The older Sophia was gripping her ears as much as if you were gripping handlebars on a bike. The other Sophia got off of the ride. I didn’t blame her; I wanted to do the same. All I could do was watch The Starships strobe lights flash on and off.
It was dark, as dark as a dungeon that has never seen the light of day. I watched kids of all ages charge on with excitement. It took about ten minutes for all of the kids to get on. Now my nerves were high. I wanted to get off, run home, and hide under my bed.
Finally the doors close, and there was no turning back. The ride starts to spin. Some boys standing on the other side start to climb up the black mysterious walls, but the man controlling the ride in the middle tells him to stop. Then I realized that the poor guy has to do that all day.
The ride gets faster and faster, until gravity shows up. My mouth stretches out like a rubber band, and my stomach gets a weird feeling. Then, “CLANK”, the walls shoot up like bullets. It felt like the whole ride was twisting and turning like a tire. I was in the air while sticking to a wall! Everybody was screaming. I tried to turn my head to see what was happening, but it hurt to try.
Soon the spinning gets faint and gravity leaves. The walls go down with a big boom and the doors open. I walk down to my dad and he asks, “How was it?”
My reply was, “Awesome”. Then we went off to look for another ride.
Beetle Rock
By Marisa
As I stepped into the cold, salty water I could feel the sand tickle my feet. I started to swim huffing and puffing trying to catch my breath, my best friend Kathryn moaned, “Are we there yet?”. “Not yet” I answered. As we got deeper, I couldn’t feel the sand anymore. I could see these massive rocks that looked like bulldozers right under my feet. Then I glanced up, we were finally at Beetle Rock!
I got a good grip on the pointy rock, I pulled myself up. It was very tricky. You had to be kind of flexible to be able to climb it. Beetle Rock is an enormous rock that is probably almost the size of a house.
When I approached the tip of the rock, Kathryn said “let’s jump off!”
“Umm… ok” I replied. “On the count of three,” I said with a sigh. I felt like I was going to die. “One, two, three!” we yelled. I jumped off I felt like I was flying. I could feel my feet touch the tip of the water and then to the bottom.
I plopped my head out of the water, I looked up. Kathryn was already jumping off for the second time! After jumping off 20 to 30 times we swam back to the fluffy sand and walked back to Kathryn’s house. “This was the best day ever!” I yelled. “Can we do that again tomorrow?” Kathryn asked me excitedly. “Sure!” I answered. I couldn’t wait until tomorrow. That was a day I’ll never forget.
I got a good grip on the pointy rock, I pulled myself up. It was very tricky. You had to be kind of flexible to be able to climb it. Beetle Rock is an enormous rock that is probably almost the size of a house.
When I approached the tip of the rock, Kathryn said “let’s jump off!”
“Umm… ok” I replied. “On the count of three,” I said with a sigh. I felt like I was going to die. “One, two, three!” we yelled. I jumped off I felt like I was flying. I could feel my feet touch the tip of the water and then to the bottom.
I plopped my head out of the water, I looked up. Kathryn was already jumping off for the second time! After jumping off 20 to 30 times we swam back to the fluffy sand and walked back to Kathryn’s house. “This was the best day ever!” I yelled. “Can we do that again tomorrow?” Kathryn asked me excitedly. “Sure!” I answered. I couldn’t wait until tomorrow. That was a day I’ll never forget.
Go Go Six Flags
By Samuel
Snort snort as My sister was snoring away I could feel the excitement rushing through my veins. I had the sparkle in my eyes like the light of the sun. Suddenly we reach Springfield home of Six Flags. My life flashed through my eyes. I didn’t want to wait any longer. My family saw a sign that says[Go Go Six Flags].Then I we were close as much as Einstein knew what E=MC2 meant .
My heart was racing. Beating a million times per second .I could see the goliath coaster from here. We headed for the parking lot. It was HUGE. It was the size of 19 football fields, I thought to myself.AN hour later we got to the park. My sister was going insane! She wanted to go on every ride even though she wasn’t tall enough.
I saw the ride called the TWISTER. I asked my mom and dad if I could go on they both said yes, but I knew that my mom was really scared. I was started to have regrets my heart was popping like popcorn in a popcorn machine I was sweating like a pig. Clank, clank here comes the hatch there was no turning back. The ride began to rise.
Swoosh it made me go down hard bam! Before I knew it I was upside down then up then down. The ride was over. Then we continued to explore.
My heart was racing. Beating a million times per second .I could see the goliath coaster from here. We headed for the parking lot. It was HUGE. It was the size of 19 football fields, I thought to myself.AN hour later we got to the park. My sister was going insane! She wanted to go on every ride even though she wasn’t tall enough.
I saw the ride called the TWISTER. I asked my mom and dad if I could go on they both said yes, but I knew that my mom was really scared. I was started to have regrets my heart was popping like popcorn in a popcorn machine I was sweating like a pig. Clank, clank here comes the hatch there was no turning back. The ride began to rise.
Swoosh it made me go down hard bam! Before I knew it I was upside down then up then down. The ride was over. Then we continued to explore.
Blowing Up the Mini Pool
By Drexel
“Are we almost done?” I asked panting heavily as I pushed down hard on the pump; I was trying to push as much air as possible into the small pool.
“Almost,” my friend Allie said as she held the tube connecting the pump to the pool.
“I think this should be enough air,” I said taking another tired breath. “Just a little bit more,” Allie said as she shot me a glance that said she wasn’t giving up and that I should stop asking and just continued to push the air into the pool. “Ok,” I said. Sadly I would have to give up the fact that we would stop now and take a break or possibly.
Once we had finished blowing up the pool, I ran over to the hose and turned it on. As I held the house in my hand water shot out of it like the water had been imprisoned and was braking free. As the water continued to pour out of the hose rapidity Allie tossed several pool toys into the pool, and I searched for some chairs. I soon found the shed, I scanned the room until I found two dusty old lounge chairs and I began to drag the chairs out the door way, but Allie must have seen I was having trouble because as I stared to drag the chair out on to the grass she came she ran over to help me. “Thanks!” I said finally able to get the chair over to the pool. “You’re welcome,” Allie said running over to turn the hose off.
As I began to arrange the chairs next to the pool so we could sit and dip our feet in, but suddenly I felt something like a hand come from behind me and quickly before I could move a mussel push me into the cold blue water, I felt like I would turn into an ice cube right there but I didn’t care I was going to get this mysterious hand back. I climbed out of the cold clear water soaking wet. Then I waited until Allie (the owner of this mysterious hand that had just pushed me into the water) wasn’t looking then I slowly when up behind her and quickly push her forward into the cool water. This time after she got up she didn’t wait until I wasn’t looking, as soon as she got of the water she just got up and pushed me in. She must have been freezing but she didn’t show it, but that when the fun had just began.
“Almost,” my friend Allie said as she held the tube connecting the pump to the pool.
“I think this should be enough air,” I said taking another tired breath. “Just a little bit more,” Allie said as she shot me a glance that said she wasn’t giving up and that I should stop asking and just continued to push the air into the pool. “Ok,” I said. Sadly I would have to give up the fact that we would stop now and take a break or possibly.
Once we had finished blowing up the pool, I ran over to the hose and turned it on. As I held the house in my hand water shot out of it like the water had been imprisoned and was braking free. As the water continued to pour out of the hose rapidity Allie tossed several pool toys into the pool, and I searched for some chairs. I soon found the shed, I scanned the room until I found two dusty old lounge chairs and I began to drag the chairs out the door way, but Allie must have seen I was having trouble because as I stared to drag the chair out on to the grass she came she ran over to help me. “Thanks!” I said finally able to get the chair over to the pool. “You’re welcome,” Allie said running over to turn the hose off.
As I began to arrange the chairs next to the pool so we could sit and dip our feet in, but suddenly I felt something like a hand come from behind me and quickly before I could move a mussel push me into the cold blue water, I felt like I would turn into an ice cube right there but I didn’t care I was going to get this mysterious hand back. I climbed out of the cold clear water soaking wet. Then I waited until Allie (the owner of this mysterious hand that had just pushed me into the water) wasn’t looking then I slowly when up behind her and quickly push her forward into the cool water. This time after she got up she didn’t wait until I wasn’t looking, as soon as she got of the water she just got up and pushed me in. She must have been freezing but she didn’t show it, but that when the fun had just began.
Swimming in Bermuda with my Dad
By Austin
Another wave was coming and I was scared so I swam back as quickly as I could but the wave was coming to fast so I had to jump behind my dad .Then the wave came knocking him down including me too. We were not too far out so we hit the sand.
I was hurt my ankle had been kind of twisted and I couldn’t breathe there was nothing I could do. Two seconds later my dad got up and grabbed me my ankle was kind of twisted but not fully.
I asked my mom if we could go back to the ship she said ok. So we grabbed everything and left.
As we were going up that hill we saw a van it was supposed to take you up the hill me and my family said we don’t need it. As we were walking up the hill I just fell. My mom said are you are right and I said I think my ankle has been twisted I say.
My family jokes by saying we should of took that van up the hill so I jump on my brothers back and we walked to the bus stop the bus arrives and we leave.
I was hurt my ankle had been kind of twisted and I couldn’t breathe there was nothing I could do. Two seconds later my dad got up and grabbed me my ankle was kind of twisted but not fully.
I asked my mom if we could go back to the ship she said ok. So we grabbed everything and left.
As we were going up that hill we saw a van it was supposed to take you up the hill me and my family said we don’t need it. As we were walking up the hill I just fell. My mom said are you are right and I said I think my ankle has been twisted I say.
My family jokes by saying we should of took that van up the hill so I jump on my brothers back and we walked to the bus stop the bus arrives and we leave.
Poking the Nest of the Hornets
By Maggie
Screeching at the top of my lungs (a little bit), I fled desperately towards the small chicken house structure while my cousins, Grace and Marilyn, jogged towards the front door of Grace’s house. Even though the direction I was going in was completely random, I sprinted there anyway – just so I wouldn’t get hurt at all. There was no guarantee I was safe, but I probably was. I skidded to a stop in the pretty green grass, hoping that scream wasn’t because someone was in pain.
I warily glanced in the direction of the basketball hoop housing the hornet’s nest. The coast was clear. Do I dare to poke the nest? I wondered nervously, biting my lip. I took a deep breath in an effort to calm myself. Was I ready? There was no way to find out… except to try.
I cautiously walked to the driveway to join Grace and Marilyn. They happened to be brandishing big, dried up flower stems that resembled pale, skinny, split-at-the-end sticks. They looked strange that way. Two girls waving around thin, off-white sticks to try to knock a hornet nest down from a basketball hoop- that’s not an everyday sight. They looked downright weird.
They jabbed the lump of a nest in quick succession, one after another. The hornets came just after the last jab… Grace uttered,”Eeeeeeeeek!” and it was enough to send us all on a mad dash to the plant litter/yard waste pile for flower stems (I didn’t completely need self-protection though). When I picked up the stick, I knew I was armed and dangerous to hornets, their nests, and bugs in general. I was getting “chicken skin,” otherwise known as goose bumps, but 51% of me wanted to do this- even though the other 49% of me wouldn’t cooperate.
I tiptoed through the grass to poke the nest. My heart seemed to be too loud when it pounded. Thump- thump. Thump-thump. I was ready to do this! My excitement/nervousness reached a climax as I extended my arm…
“Eeeek!”There was a whoosh of wind, and I was gone- off to get another stick. (I was also fleeing from the hornets.)
I warily glanced in the direction of the basketball hoop housing the hornet’s nest. The coast was clear. Do I dare to poke the nest? I wondered nervously, biting my lip. I took a deep breath in an effort to calm myself. Was I ready? There was no way to find out… except to try.
I cautiously walked to the driveway to join Grace and Marilyn. They happened to be brandishing big, dried up flower stems that resembled pale, skinny, split-at-the-end sticks. They looked strange that way. Two girls waving around thin, off-white sticks to try to knock a hornet nest down from a basketball hoop- that’s not an everyday sight. They looked downright weird.
They jabbed the lump of a nest in quick succession, one after another. The hornets came just after the last jab… Grace uttered,”Eeeeeeeeek!” and it was enough to send us all on a mad dash to the plant litter/yard waste pile for flower stems (I didn’t completely need self-protection though). When I picked up the stick, I knew I was armed and dangerous to hornets, their nests, and bugs in general. I was getting “chicken skin,” otherwise known as goose bumps, but 51% of me wanted to do this- even though the other 49% of me wouldn’t cooperate.
I tiptoed through the grass to poke the nest. My heart seemed to be too loud when it pounded. Thump- thump. Thump-thump. I was ready to do this! My excitement/nervousness reached a climax as I extended my arm…
“Eeeek!”There was a whoosh of wind, and I was gone- off to get another stick. (I was also fleeing from the hornets.)
The Aquaduck
By Medha
I walked on the cold wet steps. My mother and I had gotten to the last part of the stairs. We could see there was a really long line to the Aquaduck. The Aquaduck is a waterslide. People got into their tubes, I watched them screaming and shouting from how scary the Aquaduck was. My heart was pumping fast.
The people before us were sitting in their tubes. The lifeguard called us into a tube, he was pretty smart. He pushed into the water. “Enjoy!” He called. I wasn’t so sure if I could enjoy the ride. I could see there was a loop that went out into the blue sea. I thought I was going fall. Luckily, we didn’t. Now we were going straight. I tried to wave to my dad, but he didn’t see me.
From my view, I could see a humungous TV screen. I wondered how people had managed to build it and make it stay up there. The TV was playing football. Suddenly, the slide made a turn, now I couldn’t see anything. The only thing I could see were these colorful bright lights. It looked like a disco ball. I was sort of dancing. There were many splashes in this part of the Aquaduck. My mother was laughing.
As we came out of the tunnel, I could see things now. I saw my dad again. I waved, this time he saw me and waved back. Now the Aquaduck was coming to an end. We got out of the water.
“Did you like it?” I asked my mother.
“I don’t know,” my mother replied.
I walked down the steps. I could see my dad in the distance. As I walked toward him, he handed me a white towel. I wrapped it around my body. I decided to sit in one of the blue chairs which were near one of the pools. I was shivering, my teeth were chattering. I thought about how terrifying and exciting the Aquaduck had been, but again it wasn’t so bad.
The people before us were sitting in their tubes. The lifeguard called us into a tube, he was pretty smart. He pushed into the water. “Enjoy!” He called. I wasn’t so sure if I could enjoy the ride. I could see there was a loop that went out into the blue sea. I thought I was going fall. Luckily, we didn’t. Now we were going straight. I tried to wave to my dad, but he didn’t see me.
From my view, I could see a humungous TV screen. I wondered how people had managed to build it and make it stay up there. The TV was playing football. Suddenly, the slide made a turn, now I couldn’t see anything. The only thing I could see were these colorful bright lights. It looked like a disco ball. I was sort of dancing. There were many splashes in this part of the Aquaduck. My mother was laughing.
As we came out of the tunnel, I could see things now. I saw my dad again. I waved, this time he saw me and waved back. Now the Aquaduck was coming to an end. We got out of the water.
“Did you like it?” I asked my mother.
“I don’t know,” my mother replied.
I walked down the steps. I could see my dad in the distance. As I walked toward him, he handed me a white towel. I wrapped it around my body. I decided to sit in one of the blue chairs which were near one of the pools. I was shivering, my teeth were chattering. I thought about how terrifying and exciting the Aquaduck had been, but again it wasn’t so bad.
Corkscrew
By Damon
We opened the tiny little plastic yellow door…and we sat in the cart. “I’m not very sure about this,” my brother cried “Well I’m sort of sure,” I replied, the door had locked shut. The ride was starting up and we were inching our way up the golden yellow track we were getting closer to the top I could tell. My brother Dante was breathing very heavy “Calm down!” I yelled “We are not going to die!” Suddenly the cart came to a halt, we were at the top we gripped our chests as hard as possible. The cart leaned forward and we began our decent “WERE GOING DOWN!!!” my brother screeched. I wanted to speak but I couldn’t gather the breath to.
We hit our first loop with great impact it felt like my neck was broken. Then we hit our second loop and I broke my back. We hit the third loop and broke my legs. Then I figured out the ride was pretty much over. We stepped out of the cart and we vowed never to ride the Corkscrew again. “Want to go on again,” I said.
We hit our first loop with great impact it felt like my neck was broken. Then we hit our second loop and I broke my back. We hit the third loop and broke my legs. Then I figured out the ride was pretty much over. We stepped out of the cart and we vowed never to ride the Corkscrew again. “Want to go on again,” I said.
Going to the Tide
By Ava
I see the faint outlines of people as I start to walk out onto the beach. I see the sand glowing beneath my feet. “I hear voices, “Alex said as she appeared at my shoulder.
I lit the lantern ,the dim light shows my father’s face walking farther ,and farther out. Alex and I exchanged looks then we ran .We finally caught up with him, as we were gasping for breath. Then Alex and I saw a women running towards us. Alex tapped me and said “be cool. “Whatever Alex." "Wait ,wait," the woman yelled!
“Would you like to light a paper balloon?” Sure we’d love to light a paper balloon,” dad said.so when we met up with the other people we were laughing so hard .it was so hilarious the teenagers were blowing the balloons trying to see if they would be able to blow the balloons away. We left because its hard to leave people like that. When we left we didn’t have to walk far because the water was under our feet.
We dove into the water waiting for something to happen. Then Alex let out a yelp of pain. “A crab pinched me!” I thought it was a giant thing of seaweed. Alex started to walk away. She was so frustrated. When I caught up with her she told me to leave her alone. So I walked back to the water and saw Alex run and dive into the water. We started to look for sandollars but we had no luck. We started to look for anything that caught our eye. We saw these jumping fish and called my dad so he could see. He thought it was so cool.
He said it was getting late so we had to leave. After stumbling over multiple rocks we got back to the condo it was time for bed.
I lit the lantern ,the dim light shows my father’s face walking farther ,and farther out. Alex and I exchanged looks then we ran .We finally caught up with him, as we were gasping for breath. Then Alex and I saw a women running towards us. Alex tapped me and said “be cool. “Whatever Alex." "Wait ,wait," the woman yelled!
“Would you like to light a paper balloon?” Sure we’d love to light a paper balloon,” dad said.so when we met up with the other people we were laughing so hard .it was so hilarious the teenagers were blowing the balloons trying to see if they would be able to blow the balloons away. We left because its hard to leave people like that. When we left we didn’t have to walk far because the water was under our feet.
We dove into the water waiting for something to happen. Then Alex let out a yelp of pain. “A crab pinched me!” I thought it was a giant thing of seaweed. Alex started to walk away. She was so frustrated. When I caught up with her she told me to leave her alone. So I walked back to the water and saw Alex run and dive into the water. We started to look for sandollars but we had no luck. We started to look for anything that caught our eye. We saw these jumping fish and called my dad so he could see. He thought it was so cool.
He said it was getting late so we had to leave. After stumbling over multiple rocks we got back to the condo it was time for bed.
My Car Ride
By Gabe A.
It was a cold and rainy day and the wind was blowing worse than ever. “if the weather keeps up this will be the worst vacation ever,” I say. “Be more cheerful Gabe,” my sister says “Fine, but its true!” I say. I heave the last piece of are supplies into the car. And we all get into the car dad says, “buckle your seat belt, ““In, in, in, in,” we all say. And we drive away
“Mom I’m bored” I say “How about you look out the window” mom says “Mom, dad, ruby,” I shout but they have already gone back to their game. I star out the window…
Then I see 4 weird looking birds. One of them of them was small and blue with black spots. The others were big, black with a red tail. I liked the small one. Then the other big ones started attacking the little one with their big black claws. But the small one is too fast for the others. He flies so high I can’t see him. Then the others fly up to get him…
One of the large ones falls out of the sky and smashes the trees. Leaves fly all over the place and the tinny sparrows fly away cheeping like little chicks. Then the small one and the other 2 large birds. “That was cool,” I say still watching the birds.
“Mom I’m bored” I say “How about you look out the window” mom says “Mom, dad, ruby,” I shout but they have already gone back to their game. I star out the window…
Then I see 4 weird looking birds. One of them of them was small and blue with black spots. The others were big, black with a red tail. I liked the small one. Then the other big ones started attacking the little one with their big black claws. But the small one is too fast for the others. He flies so high I can’t see him. Then the others fly up to get him…
One of the large ones falls out of the sky and smashes the trees. Leaves fly all over the place and the tinny sparrows fly away cheeping like little chicks. Then the small one and the other 2 large birds. “That was cool,” I say still watching the birds.
My First Dog
By Stephanie
It was a sunny summer Saturday. My mom was trying to get my brother out of bed because it was 10:00 a.m. and my mom and I had to get my new puppy at 12:00. My puppy is two years old and I hope he is very cute I thought. After that, we got in our car.
My mom drove us to a field. It took us 30 min to get to the field. We waited another 30 min then a huge truck came to a slow stop. The driver came out and opened the back. “I can’t wait ‘’ I said. My mom said “me too”.
The driver brought out the dogs. I saw my dog I said “he is the cutest dog in the world’’. We got in the car and drove home. When my brother said “OMG this is the cutest in the world”! We named him Wes.
My mom drove us to a field. It took us 30 min to get to the field. We waited another 30 min then a huge truck came to a slow stop. The driver came out and opened the back. “I can’t wait ‘’ I said. My mom said “me too”.
The driver brought out the dogs. I saw my dog I said “he is the cutest dog in the world’’. We got in the car and drove home. When my brother said “OMG this is the cutest in the world”! We named him Wes.
A Crab in Manomet
By Jared
My brother my mom and I went to the beach. It was very rocky from the hurricane yesterday me, my brother Justin, and his friend Joe came down with us. While were trying to find crabs in the rocks near by my mom. My mom is sitting and looking at her magazines. We keep picking up rocks and keep finding these little crabs, but then we get this humongous. It was the size of my head. We brought the rock over with the crab on top we said mom can we bring it home and cook it, she said yes so we did. We found a plastic bag and put water inside then we put the crab in the bag. We were walking home the crab kept picking at the bag like it was trying to escape jail.
When we got home my mom took the crab out of the bag, before she put it I the oven we rubbed its noise so the crab would go to sleep. My dad saw the crab “HOLLY CRAP “he said that’s huge. Then my dad my brother and I watched the football game it was, Patriots VS New York JETS. Patriots won with a field goal 32 to 28. Then my mom said it’s ready for dinner so we went to the dinner table. I got a piece of the crab it tasted like heaven in my mouth it was delicious.
After we were done with dinner. I went in my bed watch my favorite show SpongeBob squrepants . It was about 10:30. I shut of my TV put my head on the soft pillow and went to bed, AND HADE THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE.
When we got home my mom took the crab out of the bag, before she put it I the oven we rubbed its noise so the crab would go to sleep. My dad saw the crab “HOLLY CRAP “he said that’s huge. Then my dad my brother and I watched the football game it was, Patriots VS New York JETS. Patriots won with a field goal 32 to 28. Then my mom said it’s ready for dinner so we went to the dinner table. I got a piece of the crab it tasted like heaven in my mouth it was delicious.
After we were done with dinner. I went in my bed watch my favorite show SpongeBob squrepants . It was about 10:30. I shut of my TV put my head on the soft pillow and went to bed, AND HADE THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE.
Movie Store
By Paige
“Would you like to apply for a job?” asked Amanda. “Yes please” I said as excitement streamed through me. Please fill out this form so we can see if you’re fit for the job” Amanda said in her deep man voice.
Once I was done writing random stuff on the blank piece of paper she ripped it out of my hand took a three second look and yelled “You’re fired Camoren” to one of her employs. She stuck her head out of one of the broken squares from the French doors and said “You got the job”. As she opened the door it was like a portal to the dump. She got three boxes, put one on the ground and told me to sit on it and stacked the other two on top of each other. Plopped a computer on the boxes and said “You will help check out the movies (with a wink and a smile).
Once I was done writing random stuff on the blank piece of paper she ripped it out of my hand took a three second look and yelled “You’re fired Camoren” to one of her employs. She stuck her head out of one of the broken squares from the French doors and said “You got the job”. As she opened the door it was like a portal to the dump. She got three boxes, put one on the ground and told me to sit on it and stacked the other two on top of each other. Plopped a computer on the boxes and said “You will help check out the movies (with a wink and a smile).
Going to Albany
By Deen
When I went to Albany at my cousin’s house it took us four hours to get there from Medford on my way I played on my android and my ds I XL until the battery ran out on both of them so I went to sleep.
When I woke up we were there my dad was bringing out are suit cases. They have two cats Pumpkin and Cornelius is different colors then pumpkin. Pumpkin is orange with black strips my cousin is a senior he is six one and his sister is a nurse there mom and dad owns three Dunkin donuts we can hop over the counter and get whatever we want it is great then we went to their house me and my cousin played madden 13 it is fun lions my favorite team my favorite players are suh and Calvin Johnson Jr. suh is awesome at defense Calvin is awesome at wide receiver in my opinion I think there unstop bull. Me and my cousin went to subway and got foot longs.
I got turkey lettuce and olives with mayo it taste great. After we went to the gym and played basketball and work out after we went to sleep. The next day we got up ate breakfast we had chocolate chip pancakes then watched ESPN and did a work out called insanity it was fun but hard at the end we drank three to keep cool then we all went the mall and played laser tag then went to the food court and ate master wok then it was time to go home we got all are stuff and left it took us two hours to get there when we got to Medford we went straight home my cats sassy and buddy were so happy in con conclusion going to Albany is so awesomely richest it was the best vacation and can’t wait to go again to see my cousins in Albany .
When I woke up we were there my dad was bringing out are suit cases. They have two cats Pumpkin and Cornelius is different colors then pumpkin. Pumpkin is orange with black strips my cousin is a senior he is six one and his sister is a nurse there mom and dad owns three Dunkin donuts we can hop over the counter and get whatever we want it is great then we went to their house me and my cousin played madden 13 it is fun lions my favorite team my favorite players are suh and Calvin Johnson Jr. suh is awesome at defense Calvin is awesome at wide receiver in my opinion I think there unstop bull. Me and my cousin went to subway and got foot longs.
I got turkey lettuce and olives with mayo it taste great. After we went to the gym and played basketball and work out after we went to sleep. The next day we got up ate breakfast we had chocolate chip pancakes then watched ESPN and did a work out called insanity it was fun but hard at the end we drank three to keep cool then we all went the mall and played laser tag then went to the food court and ate master wok then it was time to go home we got all are stuff and left it took us two hours to get there when we got to Medford we went straight home my cats sassy and buddy were so happy in con conclusion going to Albany is so awesomely richest it was the best vacation and can’t wait to go again to see my cousins in Albany .
The Day I Got My Sugarplum
By Meaghan
As I stepped out of the car I felt the excitement run through my body, I couldn’t wait to get in the shelter. When my family and I were looking around for dogs we all split up, I went by myself. I walked straight to the dog section looking all around seeing all the dogs. I saw one black lab that was in a taller pen because he could jump over fences. Then as I kept walking I saw these two dogs that were so cute and they were desperate to get out of their pen. Then I came to this little dog I thought was so cute and I wanted it! So I ran so fast to find my family. I finally found my parents then I had to find my two brothers. I found them a few minutes later, they were looking at a German Shepard they really wanted the German Shepard but my parents said no to them.
When I showed my family the dog they said ‘’it was cute’’. My dad asked one of the ladies that worked there if we could take the dog out. The lady said yes. When she showed us this little pen room we had to wait for a few minutes because she had to get the dog. When she showed up with the dog he was super hyper to hyper, he kept on nipping at me and it hurt for a tiny dog. So then I turned him down I said to my family he keeps on nipping I don’t think I want him. They agreed.
Then my dad asked the lady if we could see another dog, she said yes again then we had to wait another few minutes. When she came back with this dog I instantly fell in love with him. At first he was shy, then he sniffed us for two minutes, then he grabbed a chew toy and sat right on me then I knew I wanted him. When I told my parents I really wanted him they agreed with me again so then my parents told the lady that we were getting him. The lady said ok. Then my parents had to go out and fill some forms, we had to wait in the pen with the dog.
My brothers and I were waiting for so long but we played with the dog and we talked. When my parents finally came out of the office place they had a ton of dog food, a leash, and a ton of other dog stuff.
For a second I wondered what we were going to name him, I asked my dad he said we should call him Kramer. I knew right then that he wanted to name our dog Kramer because of his favorite show Seinfeld.
When I walked out of the shelter I instantly knew I had a new member of my family.
When I showed my family the dog they said ‘’it was cute’’. My dad asked one of the ladies that worked there if we could take the dog out. The lady said yes. When she showed us this little pen room we had to wait for a few minutes because she had to get the dog. When she showed up with the dog he was super hyper to hyper, he kept on nipping at me and it hurt for a tiny dog. So then I turned him down I said to my family he keeps on nipping I don’t think I want him. They agreed.
Then my dad asked the lady if we could see another dog, she said yes again then we had to wait another few minutes. When she came back with this dog I instantly fell in love with him. At first he was shy, then he sniffed us for two minutes, then he grabbed a chew toy and sat right on me then I knew I wanted him. When I told my parents I really wanted him they agreed with me again so then my parents told the lady that we were getting him. The lady said ok. Then my parents had to go out and fill some forms, we had to wait in the pen with the dog.
My brothers and I were waiting for so long but we played with the dog and we talked. When my parents finally came out of the office place they had a ton of dog food, a leash, and a ton of other dog stuff.
For a second I wondered what we were going to name him, I asked my dad he said we should call him Kramer. I knew right then that he wanted to name our dog Kramer because of his favorite show Seinfeld.
When I walked out of the shelter I instantly knew I had a new member of my family.
Christmas Surprises
By Audrey
Brrr… It was a frosty cold Christmas morning. But ah! I was under my warm and cozy covers. I was lying in my bed under my polka dotted sheets and butterfly quilt waiting for the sun to rise. I couldn’t wait to see what I got but I thought it was too early. The clock next to my bed said 6:15 am so I decided to wait until 7 when my brothers would be up. I just lied there in my warm and cozy bed till 6:30. The sun wasn’t even up yet, and this was getting boring just lying there doing nothing. So… I decided to go downstairs and make Christmas cards for my family since I’ll see them all today.
I walked into the sunroom and turned on the light. I got out the crayons, colored pencil, and markers. I decided to make a Christmas tree, a bell, an ornament, or holly on each one. The Christmas tree was for Auntie Barbara, Josh, and Uncle Dave. The bell was going to be for Donny and Pat. I made the ornament for my mom and dad and Ethan and Andrew. Last but not least the holly was for Auntie Kathie and Uncle John. I colored and colored until…
Thump, thump. Here comes Andrew down the stairs. Oh No, get the art supplies away. I didn’t want Andrew to know because one of the cards was for him and I didn’t want him to spill the beans. I clean up everything and rush into the living room standing tall with a smile on my face.
“Are they up yet?” I ask Andrew.
“No,” he replies “They’ll be up in a few minutes.”
“Let’s go and play downstairs,” I suggest.
I yawned. Tired from getting up early. But then…
Bump, Bump, Thumpity Thump. Mom and Dad came trudging down the stairs, tired and unhappy.
“Ethan woke us up,” Mom says.
My brother, standing next to her, claps his hands gleefully, happy that he accomplished his task.
“But you’re here,” he says, happy that they’re up “so now we can open presents.”
A few hours later…
“Okay guys, into the car,” my dad yells. I climb into the car with my mom and brothers. The heat in the car isn’t on yet so the car is freezing. My dad starts the car. Frosty snowflakes on the window. It’s cold outside but I’m warm on the inside ready for more Christmas Surprises to come.
I walked into the sunroom and turned on the light. I got out the crayons, colored pencil, and markers. I decided to make a Christmas tree, a bell, an ornament, or holly on each one. The Christmas tree was for Auntie Barbara, Josh, and Uncle Dave. The bell was going to be for Donny and Pat. I made the ornament for my mom and dad and Ethan and Andrew. Last but not least the holly was for Auntie Kathie and Uncle John. I colored and colored until…
Thump, thump. Here comes Andrew down the stairs. Oh No, get the art supplies away. I didn’t want Andrew to know because one of the cards was for him and I didn’t want him to spill the beans. I clean up everything and rush into the living room standing tall with a smile on my face.
“Are they up yet?” I ask Andrew.
“No,” he replies “They’ll be up in a few minutes.”
“Let’s go and play downstairs,” I suggest.
I yawned. Tired from getting up early. But then…
Bump, Bump, Thumpity Thump. Mom and Dad came trudging down the stairs, tired and unhappy.
“Ethan woke us up,” Mom says.
My brother, standing next to her, claps his hands gleefully, happy that he accomplished his task.
“But you’re here,” he says, happy that they’re up “so now we can open presents.”
A few hours later…
“Okay guys, into the car,” my dad yells. I climb into the car with my mom and brothers. The heat in the car isn’t on yet so the car is freezing. My dad starts the car. Frosty snowflakes on the window. It’s cold outside but I’m warm on the inside ready for more Christmas Surprises to come.
Bizzaro
By Kevin
I sat down in BIZZARO, I got strapped in. the ride started moving very slowly.
I was up so high; I was three hundred feet up. The ride shot down like a bullet. I screamed on the top of my lounges ’and I almost peed my pants. I was absolutely terrified; I thought to myself I’m going to die! My mom was laughing; I asked her “what are you crazy!”
The ride went underground for a minute; I was still thinking to myself I’m going to die! The ride went as fast as a cheetah, I screamed even louder. I didn’t know what to do I started screaming even louder. I almost screamed my head off!
The ride came to a sudden stop I started freaking out I told my mom “I told you were going to die." The ride started moving very slowly I said “never mind." The ride ended I felt crappy I thought I was dead. My mom asked me “did you have fun." I said “what do you think."
I was traumatized; I couldn’t believe I went on that death roller coaster.
For the ones reading this if you go to six flags, DON’T GO ON BIZZARO!
I was up so high; I was three hundred feet up. The ride shot down like a bullet. I screamed on the top of my lounges ’and I almost peed my pants. I was absolutely terrified; I thought to myself I’m going to die! My mom was laughing; I asked her “what are you crazy!”
The ride went underground for a minute; I was still thinking to myself I’m going to die! The ride went as fast as a cheetah, I screamed even louder. I didn’t know what to do I started screaming even louder. I almost screamed my head off!
The ride came to a sudden stop I started freaking out I told my mom “I told you were going to die." The ride started moving very slowly I said “never mind." The ride ended I felt crappy I thought I was dead. My mom asked me “did you have fun." I said “what do you think."
I was traumatized; I couldn’t believe I went on that death roller coaster.
For the ones reading this if you go to six flags, DON’T GO ON BIZZARO!
One Crazy Night
By Sam
“Hello this is these kids are dead. In this episode we will see two kids named Sam and Tom get in trouble at 1:00 am with Toms parent. Let’s watch,” the narrator said.
“Tom, Tom! Wake up,” I said. Tom is my best friend. I was sleeping over at his house. It was 1:00 am and Tom would not wake up. “Come on Tom you can watch what you want on YouTube,” I yelled in a whisper way. After that he was awake.
We turned on the computer. It sounded like a machine gun going off and boy was it loud. It was also was slow as an old person walking across the street. It took 15 minutes to get to YouTube. I was saying “wow I think a 1980 computer is fast then this. I am going to get 5 cups of water. If it not on epic duel by then I might throw this computer out the window.”
“Ok,” Tom said. He was laughing just like me and I was laughing hard.
When I got back up the computer was off. I yelled, “Tom what did you do?”
“I don’t know it turned off on its own” Tom said. He looked like a mouse in a cat’s paw. At that point Tom’s parents woke up.
“Run,” I yelled. Tom’s parents hate not getting to sleep on till 10:00 am on weekends.”
“We are dead,” Tom said.
“Will Sam and Tom get caught? Will Sam go home at 3:00 am? Will they go on back on the computer? Find this out and more in a crazy night part 2,” The narrator said.
“Tom, Tom! Wake up,” I said. Tom is my best friend. I was sleeping over at his house. It was 1:00 am and Tom would not wake up. “Come on Tom you can watch what you want on YouTube,” I yelled in a whisper way. After that he was awake.
We turned on the computer. It sounded like a machine gun going off and boy was it loud. It was also was slow as an old person walking across the street. It took 15 minutes to get to YouTube. I was saying “wow I think a 1980 computer is fast then this. I am going to get 5 cups of water. If it not on epic duel by then I might throw this computer out the window.”
“Ok,” Tom said. He was laughing just like me and I was laughing hard.
When I got back up the computer was off. I yelled, “Tom what did you do?”
“I don’t know it turned off on its own” Tom said. He looked like a mouse in a cat’s paw. At that point Tom’s parents woke up.
“Run,” I yelled. Tom’s parents hate not getting to sleep on till 10:00 am on weekends.”
“We are dead,” Tom said.
“Will Sam and Tom get caught? Will Sam go home at 3:00 am? Will they go on back on the computer? Find this out and more in a crazy night part 2,” The narrator said.
How I Teach Writing
I follow Lucy Calkins' Writing Workshop model which is based on four principles:
Here are some links to learn more about how I teach writing:
Writing Workshop Wikipedia Overview -A very good overview! Thanks Wikipedia!
Writing Research Principles -Guidelines for a student-centered writing curriculum
- Students will write about their own lives, focusing on small, memorable moments we call "seed stories"
- Students will use a consistent writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing
- Students will work in authentic ways, practicing strategies presented in daily mini lessons, conferring with a partner and the teacher regularly, and building a set of strategies specific to his or her needs
- Students will learn to become independent, lifelong writers
Here are some links to learn more about how I teach writing:
Writing Workshop Wikipedia Overview -A very good overview! Thanks Wikipedia!
Writing Research Principles -Guidelines for a student-centered writing curriculum
