September 2017, Issue 24

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I S S U E 2 4 | S E P T EM B ER 2 017

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The Best of Kids’ Standard 2016-2017

Motivate. Activate. Celebrate.

F E AT U R E

FROM THE EDITOR

Index: Contents Feature..................................................2 Editorial Calendar...............................3 Opinion/Argument.................4, 24, 25 Summer Contest- Elementary Division ...............................................5 Summer Contest- Middle School Division................................................7 Summer Contest- Middle School Division................................................9 Poems..................................................10 Fiction.................................................11 Informational Writing .....................16 Non-Fiction........................................18 Educators............................................26 Reflection............................................27 Graduates / College Tour................29 Parent’s Corner..................................31 Volunteer opportunity is available for students and adults.

Contact us info@kidsstandard.com Let us know if your school wants to partner with us.

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Disclaimer: All editorial and advertising material submitted to Kids Standard becomes the property of Kids Standard to be reproduced as seen fit. It will not be returned unless by prior arrangement. Submitted material includes advertising artwork and editorial content (including but not limited to: articles and images, art work and creative writing). All the designs remain the copyright of Kids Standard. Kids Standard welcomes comments and suggestions, as well as information about errors that call for corrections. Kids Standard is committed to presenting information fairly and accurately.

Feedback: info@kidsstandard.org

Dear Readers and Writers,

W

elcome to another Kids’ Standard year of exploring, thinking, growing, and learning!

At Kids’ Standard, we believe that learning can and should be fun and that learners should always be active participants in their learning process.

We strive to empower children to take ownership of their learning and to provide them with a platform to be creative, innovative, and effective in delivering their unique message through writing.

Writing for a magazine might be intimidating, however. How can one write a good piece? What goes into it? More importantly, why someone would want to read it?

To provide a good perspective on this, we dedicate the September 2017 issue to showcasing the work that received Kids’ Standard’s ‘Best in Its Own Genre’ writing standard award for the year of 2016-2017.

Arina Bokas

Kids’ Standard Editor & Author of Building Powerful Learning Environments: From Schools to Communities

Enjoy!

Connect chlldren’s learning environments in one powerful learning eco-system!

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E D I TO R I A L C A L E N DA R

2017 -2018 Editorial Calendar October 2017

Full S.T.E.A.M Ahead

belong? What is your responsibility to this place and its people? What do you do to help it and others in it flourish?

December 2017

Around The World: Lands, Cultures, Traditions

Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics – what role do they play in our world? How do they help human beings progress? How do they affect you, your everyday living and learning?

Research scientific inventions and lives of famous artists and scientists. Write about your own creativity, experiments, and explorations. Make predictions about future developments and innovations. Be creative - dare to dream!

November 2017 Where I Belong‌

What does it mean to belong somewhere? Every person has a place that makes him or her feel whole. It could be a place where we live, such as our home, or a place that makes us feel special like no other. It can be a park, town, state, or country that is part of our heritage and upbringing. Or it can be our entire planet. What about this place makes you feel special? How does it make you who you are? Why is it important for people to know where they SEPTEMBER 2017

process of personal growth. Reflect on what you believe to be the most important growth factor that people need to remember to incorporate in their lives.

February 2018

Artificial Intelligence

We live in a big world, but how much do we really know about it? Why is it important to know and understand our planet and all of the variations that exist on it? How does knowledge of geography and other cultures help us understand ourselves and others?

Research oceans, lands, animals, people, and cultures. Offer your perspective on the connections that exist in our world.

Share your travel experiences to other countries and lessons you learned while being abroad. Write about explorers, geographers, and politicians and their impact on the world.

January 2018

Growth Factor What are the factors that allow each person grow into the best version of him/herself? What do we need to do to develop our minds, nurture our hearts, and achieve the best life for ourselves?

Describe experiences that pushed you to become a better person and discover something important about yourself or others. Research and offer perspectives of psychologists and educators on the

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the theory and development of computer systems that are able to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages. Some of the most exciting fields are robotics, automotive (self-driving cars), and medical (fast and accurate diagnostics). What benefits and drawbacks does it have? Will this reduce the human work or make human work different? What will humans do once all jobs are gone to AI? What kind of rights AI/robots should have in our Constitution? What new technological development would you like to see?

Tell stories about our live in the future.

Share your point of view of what artificial intelligence means to humankind.

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O P I N I O N /A R G U M E N T

GLOBAL WARMING, A WORLD PROBLEM By: Samantha Nidiffer, 5th grade, Bailey Lake Elementary, Clarkston

O

ne of the world’s biggest problems is global warming. Here is how Global warming is affecting not only the planet and animals but also us, human beings. One thing that is causing global warming is carbon.

We breath in oxygen and breath out carbon dioxide. The human population is rising, putting more carbon into the air. Carbon is a form of matter, or atoms.

Something else that global warming is affecting is landforms. One of the biggest land forms is the great barrier reef.

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is

the world’s largest coral reef. The reef is getting bleached by all the carbon in the air. When the carbon hits the water, it becomes carbonic acid. Because there is more carbon in the air, there is more carbonic acid in the water. The bleaching is affecting up to 95 % of the Great Barrier Reef. Recently, people learned that 35% of coral in the middle and northern ( upper) parts has already been killed.

According to new research from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS ), the Great Barrier Reef has lost half of its coral cover in the last 27 years.

If global warming continues, we will not have the great barrier reef. Another

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thing global warming is harming is animals. One animal is the polar bear. The big bears are losing their habitat because of global warming. Global warming is also affecting their food. They have to wait through all the warm months to eat.

They have lost about 15% of their average weight. These big bears are going extinct fast.

If we don’t act fast to save these things now, there will be nothing to save in the future.

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S U M M E R C O N T E S T- E L E M E N TA R Y D I V I S I O N

Winner By: Kyle Kirklin, 4th Grade, Carpenter Elementary, Lake Orion,

K

ids' Standard Magazine helps me learn about other people's lives and makes me think about how I can use that information to make my life better. One example is the exchange student from Vietnam. If I ever become an exchange student, I have learned how I can make the best of the situation. The boy from Vietnam was able to make friends in a place that was different from where he was from.

This magazine also helps me learn how to make myself a better person and teaches me how to have courage and try new things. For example, in the issue

Winner By: Paul Lemieux, 5th Grade, Springfield Plains Elementary,

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Clarkston

ids’ Standard helps me grow when I read its monthly issues and write. It helps me not fall behind in writing and reading in the next school year. It makes me grow as a learner. And learning from kids of my age is incredible!

Kids’ Standard helps me because I like to read it. When I read it, I read about experiences that other kids had.

I read the summer contest winners’ pieces of writing, but not just that. I learn all kinds of stuff about learning and what is happening in the community. Kids’ Standard makes me a good reader. Without Kids Standard, I would not be as good of a reader.

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“Growing Through Failure,” there was an article written by the twelfth grader who did not how to drive and kept saying she could not, but finally she tried and could drive. She also had courage to give up a sport she played most of her life. From reading Kids' Standard Magazine, I learned to always be myself, even if I am not like everybody else, and to make the best of every situation, even if I am not going to like it. I am going to a new school next year, and Kids' Standard taught me how to make the best of that situation by trying to make new friends.

Reading lots of articles inspired me.

Kids' Standard also helps me learn about differences and why everybody should be treated with kindness. An example of this is a story called 'Good Lesson,' written by a fifth grader.

It talks about how some people were

One time my teacher brought a Kids’ Standard magazine to our classroom.

We got to look at it and read it, and I thought that it was cool. She also said that Annie, my sister, was in the September 2016 issue. This was really cool to see!

Kids’ Standard helps me improve my writing because I do the summer writing contests to be in the magazine, and that is a perfect way to get in it. In the summer, Kids’ Standard helps me sharpen the saw. Instead of playing video games, you can write for a good reason! When I write my piece for the summer contests, I think to myself that I am growing as a writer.

My learning never stops in the summer because this writing contest pushes me to learn.

making fun of one girl until someone stood up for her and told them to stop.

It took just one person to stop this. This teaches me treating people kindly.

I also learned about people’s passions, like in the article, ‘Anime’, and it inspired me to draw and write because I like to write. Writing and drawing makes me happy. It makes me happy because when I am writing, it takes me out of the world and all my problems and writing lets my imagination come to life. It also helps me express my feelings.

Here’s a quick summary of everything I learned from Kids' Standard.

Everybody is different, and that’s a good thing. I also learned that everybody should be treated the same and about people’s passions. I will use everything from Kids' Standard to put it into my life to help me learn. I hope everybody is able to read Kids' Standard because it has helped me a lot over the time I have been reading it. Thank you, Kids' Standard!

Learning from other kids’ learning is incredible; that is what I think helps me grow the most. Working together is a big thing about growing as a learner. You learn something new every day, but with Kids’ Standard you learn much more from others.

Reading other kids’ writing is cool; that inspires me to try and get my writing in Kids’ Standard as well.

You can learn more by reading other kids’ writing.People can submit writing of all kinds, such as poems, informational articles, and fiction. But more than just writing, they can submit drawings. Kids’ Standard encourages all kids to get into the magazine.Kids’ Standard helps not just me alone; it helps people in Clarkston and in other places near it! Keep helping kids grow, Kids’ Standard!

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S U M M E R C O N T E S T- E L E M E N TA R Y D I V I S I O N

Runner Up By: Chelsea Howe, 5th Grade, Auburn Elementary,

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Rochester Hills

ids’ Standard helps me grow because it makes me a very confident writer. I practice my writing skills and also learn some new ones.

As a confident writer, I can have a way better future.

When I go to my Kids’ Standard club meeting every Wednesday, I learn how to use my skills in a better way and I learn many more of them. That makes me improve my writing. For example, if I did not do Kids’ Standard, I would have learned new skills only once a day, but with Kids’ Standard, I learn more than just skills introduced by my teacher.

One day, my teacher, Mrs. Little, taught us about similes, which is comparing

two things using “like” or “as.” A few hours later, in my Kids’ Standard club, Mrs.Bugaj said that there were similes and metaphors. I raised my hand.

“Yes, Chelsea,” Mrs Bugaj called.

“What is a simile?”

“It is comparing words using ‘like’ or ‘as.’’ l practiced something new because I went to Kids’ Standard. That’s how we can improve our writing skills.

One reason I went to Kids’ Standard is to become a confident writer. If you had a low grade in writing and you went to Kids’ Standard, I bet you would become a more confident writer. So let’s say, Gabby goes to Kids’ Standard and Lucas does not. One month later, there is a writing test. Gabby gets an A. Lucas asks her how she became such a good writer. Gabby says, “I go to Kids’ Standard, and that helps me a lot with writing. You should really try it, Lucas.”

Kids’ Standard helps kids like Gabby

become confident writers.

If you do Kids’ Standard, you can have a better future. It might be easier to become an author or just a skilled communicator. Bella, in 3rd grade, decides she should go Kids’ Standard to be a better writer. So every Wednesday she goes to Kids’ Standard. She is improving on her writing. Nine years later, she is asked by a college admission officer, “Why do you want me to let you come to this college to learn writing?”

She can answer, “ Because I’m already a published writer. I know that it takes to write well.”

Kids’ Standard helped me grow because I learned new skills and got better at the ones I knew. I have also become a much more confident writer since I started Kids’ Standard club and I know I have a better future. Thank you so much, Kids’ Standard, and I’m excited about being in Kids’ Standard this year, too. I can’t wait to see what I’ll learn and write!

Summer Contest- Middle School Division: Winner By: Reece Moodt, 7th grade, Oakview Middle School, Lake Orion

K

ids’ Standard magazine makes it possible for one kid to pick up a magazine and be inspired to write. Being published allows you to share your thoughts and emotions with your friends and family, sometimes showing a side of you they didn’t know.

Kids’ Standard helps me grow by showing me different perspectives, inspiring me to write, and helping me develop my own ideas and opinions to share with others.

Kids’ Standard helps me grow by

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showing me different perspectives.

Reading the magazine makes me realize that not everyone thinks the same way I do. It helps me see different factors and sides of a story that I have never thought about before. It presents a variety of different views in a unique way, through other kids’ writing. Seeing different writing styles and techniques helps me grow my ideas and expand my thinking even more. This magazine always shows me both sides of a story, so I can decide what I believe to be true.

Kids’ Standard helps me grow by

inspiring me to write. Not only do I read Kids’ Standard, but I have also written for the ‘Learning to Think - Thinking to Learn’ issue. Being accepted by the magazine has inspired me to write about my thoughts and emotions just for fun. It has also helped me write better in school. Getting my writing published made me feel like I should share it with other people more.

I love to write and want to write more often in the future, because Kids’ Standard has given me the opportunity to widely share my writing with others.

Kids’ Standard helps me grow by giving me food for thought to develop

www.KidsStandard.org

S U M M E R C O N T E S T- M I D D L E S C H O O L D I V I S I O N my own ideas and opinions. Sometimes information given in the articles in the magazine helped me pull different ideas together so that I could write about my own point of view. Many of my friends have written for the magazine, and I learned things about them from their writing that I wouldn’t have learned by just talking to them. Their stories have made me explore my own thoughts on similar topics. Through Kids’ Standard, kids can learn something

new from another kid just by reading one single article. This helps our generation rely on our peers rather adults and parents to answer all of our questions.

In conclusion, Kids’ Standard helps me grow by showing me different perspectives, inspiring me to write, and helping me grow my opinions and thoughts while sharing them with others. I encourage all kids to write because each one of us could be thinking something

Runner Up By: Anita Govindswamy, 6th grade, Avondale Middle School,

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Rochester Hills

ids’ Standard is a program that helps many kids write. But does it only teach writing? Or does this program have other benefits, too? Kids’ Standard helps me boost my confidence and grow personality wise; it also prepares me for real-life decision making. These are only a few reasons why Kids’ Standard helps me grow!

To start, this program boosts my confidence and inspires me to dig deeper. Writing something wonderful and having it published in the Kids’ Standard magazine is an amazing thrill!

When I read other people’s writing, it inspires me to write something of my own.

And then, when the writing is published, there is a celebration at home.

This is something to look forward to, and Kids’ Standard is the only avenue I know that can make this dream come true.

Kids’ Standard has inspired me to write more pieces. I am writing a few books right now. Or ten books right now. Or too many books to count right now. Kids’ Standard taught me to write stories that unravel the events to the reader. It also gave pride to my parents. To see my family look at me with eyes glowing like diamonds is a wave of pleasure. To hear the scream of laughter as they read my articles is a blissful

SEPTEMBER 2017

that the rest of us never thought before. You never know what might happen or what impact your writing might have on other kids. Some of your friends and family might even see a side of you they have never noticed.

Kids’ Standard has challenged my ideas, made me want to grow on an idea, and helped me think deeper than ever before.

Kids’ Standard has helped me grow not only as a writer and thinker, but as a person too.

feeling. It’s a wave of happiness that I can surf on to boost my confidence.

Additionally, Kids’ Standard has helped me grow personality-wise. When I read other people’s optimistic articles, I feel happy. It is joyful to read kind and encouraging thoughts. When I read tearful articles in this magazine, it motivates me to do something about injustice in the world. I love heartfelt stories, optimistic stories, funny stories, and more. Kids’ Standard doesn’t just show me how to write these stories; it shows me how to express my feelings within the article.

I feel proud that the whole world sees my writing in a magazine. Seeing the pleasure and happiness on my family’s faces motivates me to do more. Kids’ Standard really does help me embrace my writing, my emotions, and my imagination.

Lastly, Kids’ Standard has helped me make decisions. This program has unlocked a whole new world for me. I have never even considered writing as a hobby until I was in this program. I would like to dig deeper with writing, and make decisions about what is true, important, or relevant Kids’ Standard inspires me to do it. When contests (such as this one) come around the corner, I also have to figure out which topic I would like to write about. So when it comes to choosing a college, a job, or a house, I will have experience with decision making, all thanks to this program.

In conclusion, through Kids’ Standard, I have learned more than just about writing. Kids’ Standard’s lessons are also about boosting writers’ confidence, helping everyone grow personality wise, and sharpening critical thinking skills.

This is how Kids’ Standard helps me grow!

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S U M M E R C O N T E S T- M I D D L E S C H O O L D I V I S I O N

Runner Up By: Lucienne Lemieux, 7th grade, Sashabaw Middle School, Clarkston

L

earning has been an essential skill for all life forms since the beginning of time. If we didn’t learn, we wouldn’t have had things that we have today - phones, computers, and even microwaves.

All of these utensils have been created through learning. Learning is defined by Google as “the acquisition of knowledge or skills through experience, study, or by being taught.”

Kids’ Standard demonstrates all three of these.

Kids’ Standard’s mission, as stated on their website, is to “empower children to become independent learners, critical thinkers and confident writers, by giving them abundant opportunities to showcase and improve their unheeded skills.”

Kids’ Standard helps children learn by having a magazine where kids publish works of writing about topics or things that they are interested in. Kids’ Standard gives children of all ages a chance to boost their learning. Articles written by other children can help children understand more about topics they have never

understood before.

Kids’ Standard shares experience.

We all have experience of some sort. You know to eat food every day when you get up, or else you will be hungry until lunch. Without this experience, we would keep making the same mistakes over and over again.

In addition, Kids’ Standard promotes studying. Kids that haven’t studied, get bad grades on the test.

That is both experience and study.

It is through experience that you may know this, or through studying.

You could have researched “grades in school” to find out that. Or you could have just known that because at one point you got bad grades because you didn’t study.

But had you asked your parents about that, it would be considered ‘being taught.’ The difference between studying and being taught is that studying is gaining information by yourself - actually going on the computer and looking up the information you need. Then, being taught is gaining information from someone else.

I personally cycle through many magazines to read, but Kids’ Standard is just one of those that stuck. I like to read stories that other kids write because it helps me understand just how much the topics of writing vary.

Kids’ Standard is also beneficial to

adults. Teachers love it because Kids’ Standard helps kids enjoy writing instead of loathing it. What better way to get kids to enjoy writing than having them write about topics that interest them? Parents also enjoy Kids’ Standard. Parents love to see their children’s work. My dad even said, “The articles by the local school children are a great way for them to express themselves, and it’s interesting to see just how talented these young people are and what they are thinking about.”

Kids’ Standard hopes that children are able to have their voices heard through their writing and to express their opinion at early ages. Kids’ Standard wants children to be able to demonstrate their leadership skills, that will help them later on, and promotes the wellbeing of children in our community.

Kids’ Standard wants children to be able to generate creativity and to think by themselves. Each month, Kids’ Standard offers different topics.

When kids see other kids of their age write, they feel inspired to create things of their own. For example, without Kids’ Standard, our community would not have anything for children to publish their works and no one would see their writing but a teacher. With Kids’ Standard, kids are encouraged to write and have their works published for real audience. And just like that, they create their own stories and feel capable of doing things.

TO SIGN UP FOR PEN PAL GO TO:

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S U M M E R C O N T E S T- M I D D L E S C H O O L D I V I S I O N

Runner Up By: Annelise Lemieux, 7th grade, Sashabaw Middle School, Clarkston

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here is an African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child.”

This could not be more true. Every day children encounter many different people that teach them and guide them through life. Kids need to interact and hear different opinions to develop their own. Learning with and from others is very, very, important. It is how we grow as a community, a family, and as our individual selves. Many people can get their ideas published in newspapers or magazines, but not children. No one wants to publish the work of a child. That is why there are organizations like Kids’ Standard.

Kids’ Standard helps kids grow by publishing their work. This is a great way to develop interests in both reading and writing, enhancing the child’s knowledge, and thus causing them to grow. Also, the publication of kids’ writing can boost self-esteem, which causes their emotional values to grow. Kids’ Standard also publishes children’s drawings. This can let the community appreciate the visual arts as well as the literary arts. Who knows?

Maybe you will see a nice picture and be inspired to write a story about it!

Kids’ Standard helps kids’ minds grow by allowing them easy access to other children’s work. Many kids are falling victims to video games, and reading can seem so dull in contrast to the colorful images and exciting audio. “We have a community of active learners who encourages kids to read and research; to inspire them to write articles, stories, poems and to unveil their drawing and designing skills.” (www.kidsstandard.org) Kids’ Standard publishes a variety of topics that are guaranteed to interest some learners, for after all, it interested a young author enough to write about it!

Those two reasons are great, but Kids’

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Standard also helps children grow through the whole process of getting their work published: the practice of writing, reading, and rereading to correct mistakes, and the willingness to accept that their work is not always going to be published in the newspaper. And of course, how could one forget about the excitement of knowing that even if their piece did not make it into the tangible print, it will still be published online for all to enjoy? “This is an arena for kids who wish to expand their creativity and share their ideas with other children.” (www.kidsstandard.org) Kids’ Standard focuses on various education-related topics; social studies, creativity (projects), science and math, movie and book reviews, health, music and art, who you admire. The diverse range of topics insure that a love for writing and reading can be found even in something as unassuming as a magazine.

Kids’ Standard publishes so many different topics that encourage kids to tap into their own personal creativity. To tap into their imagination. To tap into their interests.

To tap into their skills and watch them blossom.

Kids’ Standard started as a newspaper in New York. It moved to Michigan, where it has gained the respect of our community. Kids’ Standard is especially beautiful because kids as young as kindergarten age and through 12th grade can participate.

Kids’ Standard also has a team of high schoolers, who can help the younger authors through the entire writing process.

A few years ago, I tried to submit a recipe on how to make enchiladas. Though my submission did not make it into the magazine, the team of well-trained high school helpers really assisted me throughout the writing process! They are especially helpful for grammar and spelling, which many kids can struggle with. Kid’s Standard can help in so many ways that are fundamental to the growth and education of children that it’s a mystery that not every kid submits writing pieces and drawings for the magazine! We should be very grateful to have it in our town.

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POEMS Scratches on the Couch

My father’s old black truck rolled up the steep sloping driveway.

By: Caitlyn Pittman,

Glancing through the front window I watched him sit quiet,

8th grade, Junior High School, Clarkston

My mom wasn’t sitting on the couch my sister wasn’t playing with the cat on the rug

Ripple Effect

and my dad was nowhere to be seenNeither was the big black dog.

By: Lindsay Stone, 5th grade, Pine Tree Elementary, Lake Orion

.

Littering takes your breath away The earth supplies us with everything we need and we waste it We can help Don’t throw trash on the ground Reuse-reduce-recycle

Clyde was his name, White chest, brown paws, And a belly that held everything from whole pizzas to drywall.

He didn’t mind hyper little girls

looking ahead, a hand still on the wheel, waiting in the still silence.

He pulled out the key and opened his car door, the all too familiar red collar in his hand.

I don’t remember what it felt like to realize why the quiet was so loud, or how the garage door filled the house with the first noise I had heard in what I swore was hours.

definitely not old yellow cats.

Sitting on the couch tracing the scratches in the leather with my finger as my father spoke-

He was a pillow and a jungle gym,

He had a good long life.”

or macho boxers,

That’s the only thing you need to do

the under-the-table-garbagedisposal at dinner.

You can do it

But he had disappeared.

“He’s in a better place.

All I could think about was that there would be no new scratches from those big black claws.

Then others will Just like a raindrop Making a ripple in the ocean This can cause something beautiful Start the ripple

I Am a Citizen of...

By: Violet Bergman, 5th grade, Pine Knob Elementary, Clarkston I am a citizen of the World

The world shall smile

I am a citizen of beautiful creatures and life

And I will smile too

I am a citizen of a community full of compassionate, loving and caring people I am a citizen of kind hearts in kind people I am a citizen of warm-hearted family and friends I am a citizen of caring parents and grandparents I am a citizen of fierce yet fair competition in everything I am a citizen of long and kind friendships with others I am a citizen of one united world I am a citizen of Clarkston Athletics I am a citizen of a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence I am a citizen of wonderful teachers I am a citizen of coding computers I am a citizen of nature and friendly animals I am a citizen of God and church I am a citizen of this World

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FICTION

The Diary of Caroline E. Feebler, April 15, 1912 By: Nicole Schroeder, 5th grade, Deerfield Elementary, Rochester Hills

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he waves of the North Atlantic Ocean swayed back and forth like the rocking horse in maid Martha’s nursery. I gripped onto the railing and gazed at the snowy icebergs as the Titanic sailed past. I tightened the shawl around my shoulders. The wind blew my curly brown hair against the night sky.

“Thump, click, thump, click,” sang a steady patter of high heels creeping up behind me.

“Caroline,” said a soft voice, “what in heaven’s name is my 11-year old girl doing up so late?”

I turned around and saw my Ma standing there in her evening gown, which was flowing in the wind. Her slick black hair was tied into a bun; from her ears hung gorgeous diamond earrings. She must have just arrived from her latenight banquet with Pa and their friends.

“I couldn’t summon myself to sleep,” I said as Ma stepped up next to me and looked into my bright blue eyes.

“Why is that?” she asked.

“Well, I was considering what maid Martha said today: a ship is unsinkable before it sinks,” I gulped and looked down at the lacy rim of my white nightgown. “What if the Titanic sinks?”

Ma looked at me and then at the icecold waves ahead of the huge steam ship, as if thinking of a strategic way to win a chess game.

“Well, I do agree with maid Martha, but try not to think too hard about those things, okay?” She looked at me, “Those troubles are for God’s shoulders; he will take care of his plan. Remember, think positive thoughts.”

I looked up at her and smiled.

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“You’re right!” I exclaimed.

Then we prayed. Prayed that if it was God’s will, that the steam ship wouldn’t sink, and if it did, that we would be safe.

“Now, let’s go tuck you into bed,” Ma offered. And we headed back to room 316, where my bed was waiting soundly for me to curl up and dream under its well sewed comforter.

To our surprise, people of all ages were running towards us; some of them I had seen during supper time.

“What is happening?” Ma tried to ask them, but they all were too busy running. Then, one man came running towards us. He was wearing a suit, tie, cloak, and a 1912 army badge.

“Pa!” I screamed, as he knelt and gave me a big hug.

“Thank God, you’re okay!” he gasped and looked at us both.

“James,” Ma demanded, “do tell me what all this commotion is about. I was just about to take Caroline to bed…”

“Laura, you have to take Caroline to the safety boats… as quickly as you possibly can…the Titanic is in trouble.”

Pa was spitting out warnings so fast I couldn’t keep track of them all.

“Come on Caroline,” said Ma, “let’s go…”

“What about Pa?” I questioned, tears swelling up in my eyes.

“Just …come, I will explain it to you later.”

“PA, PLEASE!!! WHERE ARE YOU GOING?!?!?” I screamed as my Ma thrust us into a safety boat. We were plopped into the water with 63 other people in the boat with us, each looking equally confused.

Then I saw it. The Titanic had split

in two! The side I had been relaxing on was nearly completely covered by water.

Some people were jumping into the icecold water; others hung on the railing for dear life. The musicians were playing sad songs, for they were men and could only board a boat if all women and children had already boarded.

Then I saw Pa jump off. I could tell, as soon as he hit the water, he was iciclecold. He lashed through the water, trying to reach us.

“Pa!” I yelped, a smile growing on my face. He would be all right, I just knew it!

But then I remembered how cold it was in the water, and how we already had the maximum of 64 people on the boat, and how he could suffer immensely from pneumonia…

“Think positive,” my mom whispered under her breath as if reading my mind, “think positive.”

Think positive I repeated to myself over and over, trying as hard as I could to do so, think positive. So, I thought about him swimming over to our boat and giving me a big frosty hug. I thought about our whole family being safe in our home when we got there. I thought about Pa being healthy when he boarded the safety boat. And I trusted God with all my might.

“You can do it Pa!” I cheered, clapping my hands. Ma looked at me and smiled.

I smiled back. She joined in. “You can do it!”

Sure enough, he made it, and when he did, he gave me and Ma a big frosty hug.

Our prayers had been answered. We were safe. And I learned to be grateful for what you have when you have it.

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FICTION

ARE YOU A JEW? By: Melanie Horvath, 5th grade, Pine Knob Elementary, Clarkston

N

azi soldiers line the wide uneven streets of Copenhagen.

My small Star of David doesn’t show under my cupped hand. “This is the only way home,” I remind my 13year-old self. My thick black curly hair is forced into a loosely drawn braid.

My brown eyes are tinged with fear.

Tall black boots click on the cobblestone pavement. Taunts echo through my head.

The teenage Nazi kicks me in the dirt of the alley way. The sun now hardly shows between the narrow buildings. I gaze around. Trash of old newspapers is the only thing to see in the half empty trash bins. I look up and see the shiny metallic gun pointed right at me. Tears are swelling my eyes.

My heart lurches as the soldier sneers loudly, “Are you a jew?”

The question pounds in my head. The first words I can think of spring out cautiously.

“I’m different,” I agree, nodding my head slowly.

The gun clicks as he growls, “Jew or not? Answer now!” I gulp and try to see the sun up above in the old building. “ Isn’t everyone different in some way?” I

Once Upon A Bakery By: Lilyan Owen, 3rd grade, Orion Oaks Elementary, Lake Orion

O

nce upon a bakery …..

Yes, I said bakery, not once upon a time anyway....

One day a 20 year-old girl named Emma was walking down a street in Rochester. Now, Emma was no ordinary girl; she was not the kind of girl who wanted to be a model or a singer like Taylor Swift. She had a dream ever since she was 5 years old that she wanted to be a baker. Emma had always watched her mother cook, so ever since the first day she set her eyes on cooking, her heart was set on it.

The only problem was: she had never baked.

As Emma was walking down the street, she saw a Help Wanted sign on the door of a bakery, immediately went in, asked for the job, and got it!

“Please make some banana bread,” the chef told Emma.

“Yes, chef!” Emma said.

The chef handed her a recipe book.

“Follow the recipe, “ he said.

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say, tears springing out like a wound up wind-up toy.

Before he can say another thing, I blurt, “Like the way you have a scar underneath your bottom lip!”

Immediately, his hand shoots up to the tiny scar that is marking his difference.

He looks angered. Trying to be as calm as I can, I add, “It’s fine. Different is normal.

So what if you have a scar? That’s normal! So what if I am a jew? That’s normal!” I finish by opening my hand and revealing my star. There is an ackward moment, filled with silence. I can tell he feels uncomfortable, but there is something else deep inside. I see the boy’s eyes started watering, as he is fighting this unknown to me internal battle.

Then he looks straight at me. I freeze preparing for the worst. “Different is normal,” he finally says before turning around and walking away.

“Got it!”

Emma got to work. It seemed to be too much math to measure everything. So she put random amount of stuff in a bowl, mixed it, and put it in the oven for 30 minutes. Then she waited.

“Ring-Ring!” the timer went.

“THE BREAD IS DONE!” Emma hollered The door opened as the chef entered.

“You said you were done? “ the chef asked.

“Yep,” Emma said blushing.

“Please take this to a waitress. The customer is waiting.”

Emma took the bread to a waitress and peeked from around the corner: she wanted to know if the customer liked it. So did the chef.

“Gross!” A woman in a red jacket looked very upset.

“Gross!” a little boy cried spitting out the bread.

Emma’s heart sank.

“Did you follow the recipe like I told you to, Emma?!” the chef asked.

“No,” Emma said quietly . “This is the last time I didn’t use math in baking.”

And from that day on, Emma always followed the recipe because she knew how much math was needed for baking.

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FICTION

IN-BETWEEN By: Evelyn Urbanowski, 7th grade, Scripps Middle School, Lake Orion

I

lay sinking into the quicksand that was my mattress, my rhythmic breath slowly sucking away the oxygen from under the blanket dome above me. I would stay there forever. The musical pattern of my breath would keep me sane.

Never mind. I could not stay there forever; I was running out of oxygen.

I gasped and ripped up the sheet from over my head, demolishing my singsong breathing patterns. What a shame.

“Lydia?” My mother pounded on the door. “Lydia! Open. The. Door!”

“Can’t, mom.”

“What on earth is keeping you?” “I’m busy contemplating life.” “Lydia, stop. Pizza’s here. Get...”

“Aaaaaand I’m up!” I trudged over to the door, opening it with a sharp click! to find my mother standing on the other side, arms akimbo. With a sigh, I pushed past her before she could make any more remarks. The only thing motivating me to actually move my legs was the fact that there was pizza downstairs and I could smell it all the way from the stairs.

My mouth watered.

all color from my face. Mylie, a former friend of mine, had left a comment on social media about me.

“She should stop trying. When she tries, she messes everything up!” it read.

Uneasily, I typed in my password and opened up my account. And, alas, there it was; a photo of my leaked text messages with Allen. In those messages, I had told him my true feelings for him, and Allen posted it online.

“She’s so desperate, it makes me want to barf!”

“Hopeless romantic” “She’s pathetic, Allen would never like her!”

I read through all fifteen of those dreaded comments. The lump in my throat swelled as hot tears ran like rivers down my cheeks. I was hopeless.

Nobody was going to let me forget it.

Shutting off my phone, I whimpered as I tossed it carelessly off the side of my bed. It was as if Niagra Falls was now rushing on my face, and it slowly drifted me closer and closer to peaceful sleep.

“I wish I could erase the past,”I whimpered. *** The air around me felt suspiciously dense as I stretched out my now featherlight arms. I couldn’t shake away the feeling that something was different, but my brain was clouded with sleep and couldn’t solve this mystery just yet.

I glanced to the plastic blue alarm clock perched atop my adorable antique nightstand to find it flashing random numbers, letters, and irrational shapes and patterns. Now this odd sight woke my brain up. It was as if I woke up in a parallel universe.

Flicking off my bed sheets, I delicately attempted to touch the ground with my big toe. But I could still only feel the air around me. I shifted all of my weight

*** And there I lay again, sinking slowly into my mattress; this time in the dark of night. The blank ceiling began to depict images in my mind, slowly carrying my thoughts further and further away from my worries. But they never disappeared.

A singsong chime sounded by my ear. I recognized it as my phone notifications, and this realization sent a chill down my spine- it was such a chore to deal with bullies. Why do people find any moment they can to make fun of other people?

Reluctantly, I picked up my phone and was faced with a message that drained SEPTEMBER 2017

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FICTION into my feet as I attempted to stand up, but I was suddenly blown up into the air like a feather over an air vent! My body flailed as I was pushed higher and higher, until I finally smacked into my seemingly infinitely high ceiling. Thump!

The little oxygen that was left in my lungs forced itself out, and I began to pant and wheeze. “Am I...”I croaked.

“Am I a ghost? Did I die?”

“Of course not, silly!”

I whipped my head to the side, searching frantically for the source of the sound.

The only thing that I accomplished was hitting my noggin against the ceiling.

“Don’t hurt yourself, now,” the same melodic voice sung. “Where...where are you?

Show yourself!”

“Down here, silly!”

I glanced downwards and, alas, floating there was a beautiful young girl.

Her shining caramel hair reached all the way down to her hips, and it flowed all around her as if she were a mermaid.

Her icy blue eyes were framed by thick black glasses, which sat gigantically on her small complexion, dotted with freckles. The short lavender dress she bore complimented her form and matched the small bow on the side of her hair. I could not take my eyes off her.

“Hello,” she smiled sweetly, extended her dainty hand out to me. I took it, and she pulled me down gently so that we could talk at eye level. “My name is Julia.

Welcome to the In-Between.”

“The what now?”

“The In-Between,” she replied with the patience of a saint. “We are a small group of spirits who help out people like you. So to answer your previous question, I am dead.

However, you are not. When people die, some few younger spirits are chosen to come to the In-Between, and we assist the living.” She took my hands in hers.

“I am here to help you. I understand that you have been bullied and want to change the past. ls that not true?”

I nodded. “Yes. I mean, no. I mean...

Wait, I’m confused now,” I hummed in consideration, and then simply answered, “Yes, that is true.”

“I can lend you that power. Follow me.” We drifted in silence over to a golden floating doorway. “This is the door to the past. Would you like to enter?”

I nodded.

“Step inside.”

I followed her instruction. I walked through the doorway and found myself in a room similar to that of an elevator.

Julia followed.

“It is simple to use. But keep in mind that even though you will be a figure in the past, how long you are gone transfers to real time. Would you still like to continue?”

I gawked. “My parents will be worried sick!” “They already are,” she offered.

“When you are stuck so much on the past regretting things that have already

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happened, you miss everything in front of you. You don’t get to move forward in life. Just like what is happening now.

Would you still like to continue?”

I thought about it for a moment. What was I doing for so long? Do I need to change my past or should I learn from it and move on?

She nodded as if replying to my thoughts. “The past has already happened. You cannot change it, but you can honor it. Past experiences will make you a better person. You have made the right choice, to move on. Will you carry this forward in life?” I nodded slowly, tears fogging my vision.

“Never let bullies and negativity ruin your now. It is never your fault that you are being bullied; that is somebody else’s poor choice. Do you understand?”

“I do.” I whispered. “I understand.”

Julia smiled. “My work here is done.”

She held open the magical door and I stepped out. As if she were just mere air, she began to slowly become transparent, disappearing into nothing. “Good luck, Lydia. There will always be someone who’s there for you!”

I smiled. “Thank you, Julia. Thank you.” She smiled back, waved her hand over my head, and my world slowly enveloped back into dreamland. Peace welcomed me with open arms as I slept through the rest of the dark night, back into my own bed, my own reality. My new, guilt-free, beautiful reality.

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FICTION

By: Elise Shoytush, 7th grade, Sashabaw Middle School, Clarkston

M

ichelle turned the corner and saw a sign “Food Drive on Friday” above a table with parent volunteers. She trotted up to the table, grabbed one of the information packets, and began to walk away.

“All of the food raised in this drive goes to students in this school. We would appreciate if you could donate. Just one small box helps us tremendously,” one of the volunteers offered.

Michelle nodded in agreement, her thinking focused on what she had just heard. People in my school don’t have enough to eat? How could it be even possible?

After school, at home, she spotted her mom rummaging through the pantry.

There were three boxes of Mac’n’Cheese and two cans of soup on the counter.

“Why are those there, Mom?” Michelle asked.

“Oh those? Those just boxes and cans of food that we didn’t like; I’m putting them out in the garbage tonight.”

Michelle stood there for a minute thinking.

“Do you think that I could take them to school? We’re having a food drive and those could really help.”

Her mom chuckled, “You sure are very thoughtful tonight. Usually you aren’t interested in that type of stuff. But if you want to, I’m not going to hold you back.”

“Thanks, Mom!” Later that night, after packing up the food for the food drive, Michelle looked over the packet again and noticed a small paragraph at the bottom of the paper.

It was talking about the importance of volunteers at the distribution of the food to the students. Below was a place for a signature. She squinted and read the

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fine print under the line: “Sign to… to... to volunteer and help distribute the food collected in the drive.”

Next morning, Michelle returned to school with her own and Mom’s signatures in her backpack. She marched right up to the volunteer desk and firmly put the form onto the table.

“I thought about what you said yesterday and decided it was the right thing to do - to help others in the community,” she trailed off. “I’m volunteering to distribute the food on Friday.”

The parent’s face lit up. “Wonderful!

We really needed some extra hands thank you!”

The bell rang Friday afternoon, and school was over for the weekend. Watching kids catch their buses, Michelle headed down to the school cafeteria. There were signs up at the different volunteer stations. An assistant came up and led her over to her assigned spot.

“All you have to do here is to separate the food into different categories. Like types of food go into one box, another

set can go into another one, and so one.

Thank you for volunteering and have fun!”

A half of an hour later, Michelle had filled 14 boxes to the brim and was working on the next, when she heard a whistle and the announcement that it was time to go home. Did she really help someone?

She wondered.

Later that year, Michelle overheard her teacher talking to a student about the fact that his grades were improving dramatically.

“Are you doing anything differently?

Because whatever it is, keep it up; at this rate you’ll have all A’s and B’s by the end of this semester!” She exclaimed.

“I am able to have breakfast in the morning now; it really helps me concentrate. They had a food drive or something like that, and we got a lot of food from it.

That’s really it.”

Michelle felt a river of emotions flooding her heart. What she did was very small, but it was so very important to this boy and his family. She smiled just to herself - she had really made a difference.

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I N F O R M AT I O N A L W R I T I N G

LEARNING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

By: Anna Voto, Brooke Hansen, Emma Drumm, Mark Bokas, 5th grade, Bailey Lake Elementary, Clarkston

“Even the smallest act of kindness for another person is like a drop of water. It will make ripples throughout the whole pond.”

-Bryan Matteo.

W

e hear a lot about making a ripple. But what does it really mean to start a real change?

How can we learn to do this?

Our school, Bailey Lake Elementary, is doing a project called ASL (Academic Service Learning.) This is a project that helps us learn while serving others. In

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our school, ASL is focused on gathering supplies for our partner school, Freeman Elementary in Flint, MI, where students can’t afford to buy things that they need.

In Flint, the water is bad, and it’s making children’s lives harder. Our school is trying to help them to meet their needs. Our goal during this project is to learn, make a difference for ourselves and for others, and to make a ripple that will affect the world. We hope that someday everyone will help make the world a better place.

ASL makes a ripple in our own lives by changing how we see the world; it is helping us appreciate what we have and understand others. As Ella, a third grade student, shares, “It makes us feel happy to help others because some kids don’t have the same experiences as we do in school.” Bella, another third grade student, adds, “Some kids aren’t able to have the same chances to learn and do the things that other kids are able to do.”

Helping others makes us realize that what we do matters. We feel proud that we help the kids at Freeman Elementary because we don’t just talk about it - we get things accomplished.

Our ASL project is going to help the students at Freeman Elementary. We are going to donate hygiene supplies, such

as shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, and body wash, and raise money for uniforms. Here is how Kyla, a fourth grade student, thinks our donations are going to make a change, “It will help them stay clean, help keep them happy, and help them feel like a stranger cares about them a lot.” We agree with Kyla; we are hoping that our help will show these children that they do matter.

We are also hoping, even dreaming, that seeing our act of kindness towards them, when Freeman school’s children are ready, they will help someone else, and our giving chain will keep adding links. Allison, a third grade student, wants them to get hygiene supplies and to make the world a better place.

Kendall, who is also in the third grade, thinks that our donations will “make them feel thankful and happy with more things that they can use.” We agree with Kendall and Allison. When someone feels thankful, he or she will spread the message, because that is what our ASL project is really about - changing the world.

What we learn through this project is that it is important to make a ripple and help others. If you want to make a difference in the world, then help out someone else. You might think that you are just helping one person, but you are also inspiring others. Every person can make a ripple. Anyone can make a difference.

And that person can be you! One small change can have an enormous effect.

From the Editor: Anna Voto, Brooke Hansen, Emma Drumm, and Mark Bokas are members of Bailey Lake Elementary ASL Writing Committee.

Photo Credit: Mark Bokas

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World’s Technology By: Anita Govindswamy, 5th grade, Deerfield Elementary, Rochester Hills

T

here are many pieces of today’s technology. However, have you ever wondered from where they came? The automobile and television both have a rich history beyond what they are today. Instead of seeing them as just cars and screens, I see these items as products of humankind’s work that have developed over the years.

Automobiles

Automobiles have improved the way people are transported over the years. In 1769-1770 carriages were used to transport people. The people who made the carriages had to make sure that the structure of the carriages was strong, lightweight, and flexible. The running gear was mainly made of springy wood such as hickory, oak, and ash. Wheels were made of hickory and iron. Around the 1800’s, companies developed steam carriages in England.

Scientists’ dreams were coming true, and in 1890, it is time for an electric car!

Built by William Morrison, they became a huge success. However, a French company had other ideas. They decided to make the first gasoline-powered car

SEPTEMBER 2017

with an actual engine. In 1891, this company’s dream came true. Soon, this was overtaken by the first gasoline-powered car that was successfully sold in the United States.

Oil deposits found in eastern Texas in 1901 helped the automobile industry tremendously as oil became cheaper and easily available. In 1908, assembly lines were introduced by Henry Ford, which also created a path for cars to be built without being too expensive. Ford Motor Company used the assembly line to manufacture the first Model T. After World War II, in 1947, cars became wider and stronger and more like the elegant design we have today. In 1960, front seats in the vehicles got seat belts. Over time, safety standards were developed, and cars became safer than they used to be. In 1997, the world’s first hybrid electric car was available for sale. Today, we have elegant cars that can be powered by various sources such as gasoline engines as well as electric motors. The future can make a change!

Television

So now we need a break from traveling. Where are we again? Canada?

Nope, we have traveled to a place you have never heard of. It is called New York, where your beloved television (T.V.) was invented. Secretary Herbert Hoover had a dream inspired by the telephone: Instead of voices from another end, Hoover wanted to develop a visual experience.

Two screens were used in this experiment: a small screen and a large one. On the larger screen, parts of the face were seen. This made the face almost a black shadow. Some if its basic structure was similar to a telephone. For instance, instruments sensitive to light were installed (television) versus instruments sensitive to sound (telephone).

Movement of people was sensed and the sound of voices were transferred to a screen. When the television eventually worked, it seemed like a miracle to the people.

Scientists went further in their thinking. They tested large screens and small screens and concluded that the smaller screens had better response. Then finally the T.V. was perfected to the limits of technology in those days. The voice was clear, the movement was smooth, the visual response was beautiful, and the lighting was amazing. They made an electric current flow to a receiver which turns the currents into pictures. The pictures are then scanned and produced on a screen. Over fifteen pictures were sent for only one scene. Thank goodness, this technology was developed, which then evolved over time to give us entertainment like “Xfinity” and “Netflix” today!

It is important that we treasure technology we use. Long ago, there were no such things as a television or cars.

Imagine only watching your favorite movies at a theatre and going on dirt roads to get to your favorite place. We should never take things for granted.

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RIDING WITH MY HEART Giavanna Montgomery, 4th Grade, Independence Elementary, Clarkston

H

orseback riding is one of my passions. It makes me spark! It makes me feel happy! I could spend a whole day horseback riding, and I would barely know how much time has passed! Once I went horseback riding for three hours, and I didn’t notice that it had been so long.

I like EVERYTHING about horses and riding! I like getting my horse ready, warming up my horse, and giving my horse a bath after a long day of riding.

Supplies are a very important part of horseback riding because it makes a big impact on my riding. If we didn't have any supplies, we would always have to ride bareback and hold the neck of the horse. Even giving a horse a bath would be challenging.

My cousin Caitlen always inspires me.

She owns two horses named Abby and Peaches, and she trains a horse named Gus. The first time I got on a horse was 18

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when I was three years old. Caitlen was on the horse with me, and it was the best experience I ever had! That’s when I decided that I wanted to do horseback riding just like her. She’s been there for me ever since that first time. She taught me how to ride and that nothing is impossible.

Of course, horseback riding can be

dangerous at times. One day I was brave enough to ride Peaches, who is not a kid-friendly horse because every time someone rides her, she will burst into a canter, or a fast run. Caitlen and I were out in a field when Peaches got excited and started to run. Suddenly, I fell off Peaches as she kept on running dragging me! To make things worse, my wrist got tied up with the reins. When I finally got my wrist untied, I was crying, but I got up and tried again.

Horseback riding makes me feel happy! Every time I’m about to get on a horse, I feel like I’m going to win a prize, even though I’m probably not. I just like having the feeling that I am going to do something that makes me feel so alive! It makes me feel like I’m going to EXPLODE! Even though I don’t go horseback riding very often, I enjoy it while I can. Horseback riding also makes me feel courageous and brave, even though I might have butterflies in my stomach. It has taught me to never be afraid to fail and to always try again.

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People That

Change You

By: Susanna Metz, 8th grade, Junior High School, Clarkston

A

s we grow, we spend our time around friends. Some of them are positive examples; they never forget a birthday, and they are always there. Others, are not so much.

They take you to the wrong places and don’t have a care. Having friends in your life is like being at a train station: some tell you to go this way and some direct you to another. It is important to find good friends because they support you through everything, almost as much as your parents. They also change you for the better.

When I was in second grade, my two best friends, Gayle and Kaitlyn, and I decided to start a “business.” We were good at sewing, so we thought that we would sew things for people. We even had a little jingle: “Sew girls, sew, can you sew? *ding.*” The cringey tune still rings in my ears. We agreed on this at SEPTEMBER 2017

one recess, and immediately after school, as I hopped in my mom’s car, I told her all about it. She suggested that we create a website! How exciting - my own website! By the time it was eight o’clock, I was ready for the next day to come so I could share my bright idea with Gayle and Kaitlyn.

As soon as I hang up my backpack next morning, I ran to Gayle’s desk.

“We can make a website!!” I could hardly breathe. She almost exploded from excitement. We planned it all - the colors, the theme, the pictures - until we told Kaitlyn of the plan at recess.

“No!!!” She screamed. “It’s illegal for people under 18 to have a website! We’ll get arrested!”

My rebuttal was that my brother had a website, and he was only ten. We got into an instant argument.

“Okay, when you get arrested for having a website, I won’t visit you in jail, and, by the way, the *ding* at the end of the jingle is the stupidest thing I’ve ever

heard!” Kaitlyn declared in her closing statement and marched off.

Our hearts crumbled; they cracked right in half. After school, I went home and cried. I cried and cried and cried until my eyes were as dry as the desert.

That day, I decided I would never be like her. I would never do anything that would make people feel like something in their life had been taken away from them. Kaitlyn’s words showed me how harsh statements could hurt a person, and I immediately changed my behavior for the rest of my life.

We all have that one person who did something that really affected us in some way. Friends, family, acquaintances, strangers, and neighbors - these are people who touch our lives. Some may be involved and others not; some may be faded in the distance, while others are bright and shining in front of your face.

Either way, every person who appears in your life makes a ripple, and some people can change you as a person.

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FETCH AND SWIM By: Eva Green, 3rd grade, Alcott Elementary, Pontiac

“L

ook what my dogs can do!” I said to my friend.

I have two dogs, Mia and Tyson. Mia is 4 years old and Tyson is one year old. Both of them are Pitbulls.

My dogs can swim and fetch and do other awesome things.

Mia and Tyson protect each other and like to play with each other. In the summer, my dogs and I like to chase each other as we play outside. Sometimes we even swim in the pool together. When it is winter, we play in the snow. In the fall, we play in the leaves. My dogs would chase leaves and run and jump in them with me. When we go up north, we take our pontoon boat on the lake, and when

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I start to swim, the dogs chase me into the water. I always have so much fun when I am playing with my dogs!

My dogs are very hard to train. I have tried to train Tyson to bark when he gets a treat, but he won’t do it. When we got him from his last owner, he was scared to go outdoors. We tried to make Tyson more comfortable going outside, but he always runs and hides. When someone takes a picture of Tyson with the flash, his eyes will turn gold. This is what makes him unique.

Mia is a special dog because she protects people. If someone is trying to get into our house, she runs down the stairs and barks at them to warn us. This is very helpful and makes us feel safe. Mia is our guard dog. She is also very smart.

If she hears someone in the kitchen, she

will run to them. She is very well trained.

She is good at walking on a leash and she runs faster than any other dog I know.

My dogs are my element because they are my best friends. They are very special to me, and I couldn’t live without them. They sleep in the same room with me and my sisters, and sometimes, we even share the bed! They mean a lot to me and my family, and I think about them all the time. Sometimes, when I am playing with my dogs, I don’t even realize how much time has passed. I wish I could spend all day with them.

When I am an adult, my dream is to be a veterinarian. Growing up with my dogs has shown me how much I love animals and want to work with them. I cannot wait to have my own dogs some day and to work with animals every day!

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Unexpected Reasons

By: Ashleigh Strong, 8th grade, Clarkston Junior High School

S

ometimes people are faced with unexpected illnesses or diseases that just pop up out of the blue.

We often call them coincidences because they seem to happen without purpose and meaning. Some illnesses you can never leave behind - just the luck you have in your genes to be diagnosed with a terrible disease with no cure. But could it all be part of some plan, some purpose? When one person suffers from a disease, it might teach another person to value life more and not to take everything for granted. Everything happens for a reason, and this is my story.

It was the summer before my 5th grade when my Mom started to get sick every night. She would vomit over and over again in the toilet. I was always so horrified to watch her go through the process, that most times I wouldn’t. I would pick up one of my favorite books and shut my bedroom door, or I would turn on the T.V. just loud enough to drown out the sound. Although she never told me, I knew that she was always exhausted. I could see it in her eyes when she looked at me, or I could hear it in her voice SEPTEMBER 2017

when she talked to me.

She visited so many doctors that I couldn’t keep track anymore. And each doctor would say the same thing: “ I don’t know.” So each time she would be on her way to a new doctor, I would whisper a little prayer in my head; a plea to God to let this be the one. “Please, please, please, please, please, please, don’t let her fight this battle alone.” But no matter how many times I said please, she would always come home with a sorrowful look on her face that made my heart sink. And dad would always guide her up to their bedroom and shut the door. We always would want to see her, my brother and I, but Dad would say “tomorrow.”

This went on for about two months.

When we thought that it really couldn’t get any worse, it did. When I arrived home from school one day, my mom had a surprise trip to the urgent care.

So my grandparents had come to watch us. I knew it couldn’t possibly be good when I noticed the tears in my grandpa’s eyes. It was the first time that I had ever seen him cry. So we waited at home, patiently, for news that she was okay and alive. We were all sitting around the kitchen table. My grandpa’s and brother’s eyes were glued to their electronics;

my grandma was eyeing her silver watch nervously, and I was trying to read my book. Suddenly, my grandpa’s phone rang, and time seemed to freeze. She needed a blood transfusion! That was all we needed to hear to send my brother crying, my heart sinking, and my grandparent’s faces darkening with sorrow.

The next morning, I found myself awake from a dream-free sleep, and I had almost forgotten about last night’s events until I went to check my parents’ room and found that the bed was empty.

I could hear people moving about downstairs as I went down the steps.

“Is she okay?” My grandma jumped at the sound of my voice; she hadn’t noticed I was downstairs. I could feel my heart pumping in my chest, getting ready to burst. “She’s great Ashleigh!

They figured out what was wrong with her, finally! She has Celiac disease.” The feeling of sadness seemed to vanish as I smiled ear to ear. I knew exactly what that was. She was allergic to gluten.

Gluten was making her sick, and all of the doctors couldn’t figure that out!

About a month later, my mom was doing great. She was back to her old self and no longer was getting sick. She was a brand new person that I smiled at daily. She had made some changes in her diet, but she was healthy and that’s all that mattered. We had to start shopping at Whole Foods to aid her Celiac disease. To help her go through her food changes, we started to eat gluten free diet, too.

The meaning of my mom’s suffering became clear shortly, when my aunt Liz, my mom’s baby sister, and then my grandmother started showing the same symptoms. They, too, had Celiac disease. My mom figured out what was wrong with her just in time to help my aunt and my grandma. And it only happened a month apart. How could that be a coincidence? How could my mom go through something like that only to have it happen to my aunt and grandma 4 weeks later? This is a story that has now forever changed me. Although it was a struggle, it happened for a reason.

Everything happens for a reason; this I believe.

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bit my lip and rolled back on my heel as I waited for our presentation to begin. Caroline stood to my left, inspecting her nails. My eyes darted

I

in the soft morning light. The screen behind me suddenly illuminated the bright yellowish gold color that Caroline and I used for the background of our Powerpoint.

“Got it!” Mrs. Scholz exclaimed, putting the document into full screen. “You may begin now.”

As Caroline talks, I take deep breaths and hold them for a few seconds, each one like it may be my last. There is this small voice in the back of my head reminding me that this is going to be a disaster. It’s very quiet sometimes and I can’t hear it, but then it gets so loud that it rings in my ears. It’s always there.

Come on… just get it done.

“Next slide, please,” Caroline calls to Mrs. Scholz. I barely realize that Caroline has finished.

I feel a cold sweat and a tugging

around the room, trying to keep my mind distracted. I noticed nothing in particular: same classroom, same teacher, same kids, same seating arrangements. It felt as if we were living the same day over and over again.

The room smelled faintly of wet dirt due to the plants our teacher, Mrs. Scholz, had sitting on her window sill

sensation in my gut as I slowly turn to face the screen. I take a deep breath and read, “Some of the characteristics the Midwest...” After each sentence or so, I glance back at the class, hoping to death that I’m not doing anything stupid or weird. Quickly I finish the slide and let Caroline read the next one.

Caroline insisted we had a long

My First

(And Definitely Not Last) Presentation By: Jessica Chan, 6th grade, Avondale Middle School, Rochester Hills

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Powerpoint. I shud at the thought of us being here for the rest of class time because of our ridiculously long presentation. Still, I force that thought to the back of my mind. I’m doing fine… About half our class is listening; the other half is drawing or whispering. Well, at least only half the class is watching me.

As I begin reading the next slide, I try not to think about what is happening. I always think about everyone else instead of me. It is like when you do something bad and know that you are in trouble, it is on your mind twenty-four-seven.

I keep my undivided attention on the words on the screen as if Caroline and I were rehearsing again. When I messed up, I fixed it and went with it. Before I know it, our presentation is over.

I lived! Moreover, I felt energetic and enthusiastic, like I was ready to get up and do our entire Powerpoint presentation again all by myself.

At that very moment I knew that I had gotten over my stage fright.

“Very, very good job!”

Mrs. Scholz exclaims as she and the rest of the class applaud. I turn to look at Caroline.

“Good job!” I smile.

“You, too!” she smiles back.

We both go back to our seats as the next group is called up. I smile to myself and in my mind I’m screaming and jumping up and down. I did it!

And I did great!

Something that I learned from this moment is not to stress about things that scare you because they’ll turn out fine in the end; just play along with what’s happening. This event changed me and helped me grow. Now I volunteer more often, like raising my hand in class and even talking more often. More importantly, it helped me see myself differently and discover who I really am.

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The Black Wave By: Emily Valencia, 5th grade, Bailey Lake Elementary, Clarkston

M

iguel Antonio is the only pretty beach around: white sand warming up your toes; shells and stones buried in the sand; the air is clear, not gray from smoke, with the sounds of seagulls and people talking. And last, but not least, the ocean.

Although it looks inviting and cool, it can be extremely dangerous. It’s salty, blue, seaweedy, and wet. No words can fully describe the sea.

“Miguel Antonio,” I said, standing in the white sand, breathing in the fresh salty air.

“Wow, look at the rock!” Sofi, my 13-year-old cousin, shouted. As I looked at it, I squinted my eyes to make sure I was seeing the rock correctly. It was a strange neon orange.

“I call it!” I reached my hand out to take it from the sand. Before I could reach the rock, however, Pablo, my 11-year-old cousin, grabbed it from the warm sand and started running away with it.

“Give it back, Pablo!” I yelled after him, beginning to chase him. My other 13-year-old cousin, Daniel, tackled Pablo, took the orange rock, and returned it to

Spring Break By: Gabby Smith, 2nd grade, Orion Oaks Elementary,

I

Lake Orion

was on Spring Break. We drove to the dock, where all of the boats were, to spend some time on a boat. When we got there, we waited for what felt like forever for the person to tell us how to maneuver a boat. It was a big pontoon boat! It seemed like a hard boat to operate. Still, when after two hours on a lake my grandpa asked me if I wanted to drive

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me. “Thanks, Daniel,” I said and hugged him.

“You are welcome,” he said hugging me back. We began to walk towards the ocean, watching Isabella, my little sister, chasing after seagulls.

“Ah!” Isabella squealed as the cool water below her tiny toes surprised her.

We all got in the water and played. Soon, my aunts, uncles, and Sofi got bored and left, while my dad, Pablo, Daniel, and I stayed in the cool water to play some more. The water felt good around my hips.

WOOSH! Suddenly, I felt a strong force hit my back knocking me off my feet. I had no control over my body. A giant black wave crushed and pounded us down, taking us farther into the ocean.

I tried to stick my feet to the sandy bottom of the ocean, but I couldn’t find it. It was too deep!

“We are going to die!” I heard Pablo shout over the roar of water. Then I remembered! This same thing happened to me when I was 3 years old, here, at this same beach. Images started flooding my mind. I saw Pablo as a little kid. I saw mom, dad, and aunt Patri. I felt the same wave from long ago wash over my body. I remembered

my mom hugging me right after it was over. Then, for the first time in forever, I started to cry. “Be brave, just be brave!” I commanded myself.

My uncle Marvin spotted us and threw himself into the ocean. He got a hold of Daniel and ushered him to safety.

“Come on, guys, you can do it!” I heard my dad’s voice.

WOOSH! Another wave took me even farther from shore. “Keep calm, keep calm,” I repeated over and over again.

Then, in the midst of dark water, I saw something bright green and yellow coming toward us. As it got closer, I could see a surfer in a black suit. We were saved!

Daniel was sitting by the shore, staring at Pablo and me with a look of an idea on his face. His idea was to build a mermaid out of the white sand and some pebbles.

“Let’s do it!” I shouted excitingly. We worked on it for quite a while, making white sand take the shape we wanted.

It looked really good, and people were staring at it. “Time to go,” mom said as she came over to us, looking at the mermaid. “And don’t you scare me like that again.” “I won’t,” I whispered softly, as I hugged her. “I never want to return here ever again.”

“Let’s get back to the hotel,” she said.

So we walked away, and the Miguel Antonio beach disappeared from sight.

From that day there I learned that the ocean can be extremely dangerous.

the boat, I was thrilled and said “Yes!” I got on my grandpa’s lap, and he told me to go starboard, which means left. Then we went port, which means right. After a little while, I wanted to bring it back to the dock. When we were about to go in, my grandpa told me to go sit back down so he could park the boat. “Humph” I wanted to park the boat!

After the ride, we went up the hill for what felt like ten miles! When we finally reached Grandma and Grandpa’s truck, we hopped in and drove off to a fish feeding place, which was like an Aquarium but with fish only. We looked at the fake fish inside and went outside with fish food to feed the

trout. My favorite fish were the beautiful white fish, but they didn’t look very hungry. We went up another hill, and it felt again like another ten miles, to grandpa’s truck. He drove us back to our hotel before going back to their campsite. When my grandparents left, we went swimming in the jumbo pool that was very clean, unlike many other pools on this vacation.

The story of this day was special to me because it is a story that I will always remember. Stories like this are always important because they spread the word of our experiences and lessons. That is why stories matter.

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O P I N I O N /A R G U M E N T

WHAT HAS HISTORY TAUGHT US? By: Liberty Guilmette, 7th grade, Waldon Middle School, Lake Orion

“T

hough we may come from different places, and speak in different tongues, our hearts beat as one,” - Albus Dumbledore There are so many different lessons we can learn from history: be brave, stand up for what you believe in, stay strong, help the world become a better place. However, what I believe is that one person can change the world. One person’s choice can re-write history. It all starts with one person wanting a change, and as a result, he or she impacts the world.

This is what history has taught me.

Rosa Parks started a revolution by refusing to stand up. Mrs. Parks most likely did not know the impact of her decision on so many lives, but she was the spark that ignited a roaring fire for civil rights. Nelson Mandela changed South Africa for speaking out against segregation and oppression. Though he was in jail for over half of his life fighting for his people, Nelson would not

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stop. As a result, he affected thousands of lives and removed barriers separating black from white in South Africa.

Malcom X was born in the 1920s, when racism was blatant. He preached philosophy of racial equality. Maya Angelou was an inspirational poet and songwriter. She was also a civil rights activist, a professor, and an author.

Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights activist and led many peaceful protests changing the way many viewed the world.

All these people have a few things in common: they changed the world, they were black, and they were civil rights activists. All of these men and women of color were fighting for their rights; all of these men and women are still fighting for their right to be treated like human beings. I wonder why white people still think that they are superior to any other race. History books make it clear: we are the ones who have inflicted pain, misfortune, anger, damage, and sorrow on others. Why must these people still fight for equality?

History shows us that we have not yet

learned that we are different, and yet, we are the same.

Muhammad ibn Musa AlKhwarizmi is also known as the father of algebra. He introduced Arabic numerals to European mathematics.

Without him, we would still be using Roman Numerals. Ibn Zuhr was the first person to link our overall health and wellbeing to our diets; he understood that exercise and good food were needed for us to be healthy.

Shirin Ebadi is an Iranian human rights lawyer. She has spoken out against her government and fought for women’s rights. Malala Yousafasi has spoken for women’s and children’s rights for education.

All these amazing men and women are Muslim.They are also proof that no matter your skin color, religion, age, or country, you can make a difference. Yet, because of their religion and way of life, they are looked upon with disgust and fear. We, humans, must not judge religion, ethnicity, or gender. We must judge a person’s character and actions. We must not make false assumptions; we must judge everyone on a clean slate. Because we are human, we make mistakes, but when one person makes a mistake,

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O P I N I O N /A R G U M E N T the whole community shouldn’t suffer.

We must start anew for every individual we come across. One person can tip the scale; one person can change the world.

Paula Abdul changed the realm of music with her astounding voice. Isaac Asimov wrote many books and was a brilliant biochemist. Max Baer was a heavyweight boxing champion and wore the Star of David on his shorts while boxing in the ring. László Bíró was a Jewish inventor; he invented the ballpoint pen. He fled the country of Hungary due to Nazis’ invasion.

Once Word War II was over, László Bíró patented his pen in the United States. Noam Chomsky was a Jewish civil rights activist. Albert Einstein was one of the most brilliant minds in the world. Richard Feynman was a textbook writer and physicist. All of these women and men were Jewish. History shows that a dictatorship influences

a culture. The Holocaust has tremendously impacted Jewish citizens. A lesson we can take from history is that fear plays a big part in having control. Hitler had grasped onto people’s fears, magnified them, and stood on a pedestal of tremendously fearful people. The way to achieve power is through good leadership, an open mind, and an open door. You can make an impact on this world, and your name can be written in love, pride, and awe.

History reveals to us many things about our culture, our beliefs, and how we came to be who we are today.

We can see bloodbath, inequality, mistakes, ideas that were thought to be great at one time or another. What we don’t see is that all of these things from the past have evolved into our present. There are weekly shootings and inequality towards anyone who is not a heterosexual white male. There are

Story of Poverty By: Kaden Kelco, 8th grade, Junior High School, Clarkston

A

n issue that affects too many people in the world today is poverty. Poverty in its worst is in third world countries. In these countries governments are less stable, resources are limited, and climates are intense. Yet, people’s stories matter, and we need to help them live a better quality of life.

Think about all of the food we have: three meals a day along with snacks.

Imagine not getting that anymore, going days without food and seeing your bones stick out of your skin because you have nothing there. One in every nine kids doesn’t have enough food to eat. That’s 795 million people (“Know Your World: Facts About World Hunger & Poverty”).

All of these kids are not getting what they need to develop right. Think about trying to drive a car with no fuel. That’s what it’s like to not have enough food.

22,000 children die each day because of starvation (“Know Your World: Facts

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About World Hunger & Poverty”). We may say “we’re starving” sometimes, but we do not know what it’s really like to be “starving”. 896 million people in developing countries live on less than $1.90 a day. That’s less than it costs to buy a school lunch (“Know Your World: Facts About World Hunger & Poverty”).

Have you ever gone to the doctor because you were sick? You probably got some medicine and were healed in a few days. People in developing countries don’t have that luxury. There are many diseases in developing countries such as Malaria, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Diarrhea (Johnson, Taylor). The people can’t get the help they need. There are some diseases that weaken you and others that kill you. Many of these diseases are easily treatable but the resources that are needed are not there. Think about never going to the doctor and getting your medicine and feeling better, just having that virus break you down until it finally kills you. Diarrhea kills 760,000 children each year. A child

mistakes in every aspect of our world; there are questions. But we, you and I, can change that.

We must look back and see all the horrific things that have not worked in the past and change them in the present. We must look at all of the incredible people who have molded and shaped our life. We must look and admire all those who gave their lives to make us free. We must open our eyes and see each other through a new light. We must try to live better than our ancestors did. It’s our turn to place the weight of changing this world on our shoulders. You can make a difference. Make them chant your name at the top of their lungs, and cry out Thank you! May your name be spoken in awe; may others read your story and stare transfixed at the glory of your tale of changing this world. Make all of this a reality. Change this world and be the person we admire!

dies every minute because of Malaria.

1.1 million children under 5 die each year from Pneumonia. 1.3 million people die from Tuberculosis (Lily Tyson).

Parents have to watch their children suffer, and they can’t do anything to help them. Kids grow up without their mom and dad who have been killed by disease.

Pollution is taking the lives of ¨more than 8.4 million people each year, a new analysis shows. That’s almost three times the deaths caused by malaria and fourteen times those caused by HIV/AIDS¨.

However, pollution receives a fraction of the interest from the global community (Leahy, Stephen). Pollution puts disease in the air for these people to breathe. It puts the toxic waste into the little water there is to drink. The ¨GAHP analysis integrates new data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and others to determine that 7.4 million deaths were due to pollution sources from air, water, sanitation and hygiene. An additional one million deaths were due to toxic chemical and industrial wastes flowing into air, water, soil and food¨ (Leahy,

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E D U C AT O R S

3 Ways to Help your Child Succeed in Math Margie Pearse is a co-author of Teaching Numeracy: 9 Critical Habits to Ignite Mathematical Thinking, Learning That Never Ends, and Passing the Mathematics Test for Elementary Teachers.

She has over 30 years of teaching experience with certifications in mathematics, elementary education, English as a Second Language, and Pennsylvania Quality Assurance Systems.

By: Margie Pearse, Author and Math Coach, Chester, PA

P

romoting a healthy attitude toward math begins way before your child steps foot in a classroom. Little ones discover, play with, and use numbers all the time. Toddlers explore numbers by insisting they get a cookie for each hand.

They learn very quickly the concept of more and no more.

And they experiment with spatial reasoning in play all the time.

How is it then that by the time children get into the upper elementary grades, too many of them no longer feel capable in math, or worse, even dread it? Can we, as parents, do anything so our children stay curious and interested in math?

The shortest and best answer is a resounding, YES! With all of the available research on learning, parents can set their little ones on the path to success in math for a long time.

1. Include numbers naturally into your day-to-day conversations.

This doesn’t mean to make everything a math lesson. It’s simpler than that.

With younger children, talk about numbers during everyday tasks: you need two socks, we put three plates on the table: one-two-three, etc. Try estimating: About how many steps do you think it will take us to get to the corner? About how many apples are in the basket? Make counting and estimating a daily practice.

With older children, share and think aloud how you budget for vacation, plan for special events, and find sales that work for the family. Let children know that some problems take persistence and grit. Show them how much time and effort you put into figuring out exactly how many square feet of tile to order or how you know to leave the house at 5:00 am in order to the get to the Outer Banks by 4:00 pm for check-in.

2. Help Less Mistakes are often where innovation hides. We want to be careful not to take those important teachable moments from our children. Snowplow parents - ones who pave the upcoming road so their children do not have to experience any bumps along the way- do their children a great disservice. It is in these bumps where children grow persistence.

In math, it is no different; we need to help less. Nowadays, students are exposed to varied strategies that may look very different than the way we were taught. The best part about these new strategies is they are grounded in good number sense and reasoning. Be patient; your child is learning to make sense of the calculations. If we shut down the experience and teach them our way, we are robbing them of selfdiscovery. Step away, come back in a little bit, and say, “Tell me more about that.”

3. Remember your attitude about math is contagious Jo Boaler, a professor at Stanford University, states that “Parents’ beliefs about math change their children’s achievement in math.” In knowing this, we need to be especially careful of the words we choose when sharing feelings about math.

We do not want children to think it’s okay to be “bad” at math or it’s unlikely anyone in the family would ever get “good” at math.

The truth is, if we keep saying that, our children will see math as inaccessible. The best advice we can give to our children when talking about math is “Anything is possible with effort and persistence!”

Reference: Boaler, Jo (2016) Parents’ beliefs about math change their children’s achievement. You Cubed at Stanford University.

Retrieved from https://www.youcubed.org/ think-it-up/parents-beliefs-math-changechildrens-achievement/

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REFLECTION

Fiction Stories By: Olivia Spitznas, 3rd grade, Springfield Plains Elementary, Clarkston

I

LOVE writing fiction stories! They allow me to use all of my imagination. I can just think of a cool world with whatever I want in it and add characters, a problem, a solution, and a message.Then I pretty much have my fiction story.

Details are my favorite, because the details are how I see the story in my mind. I hate opening a book and not liking the beginning of the story. In class I was learning about “catchy leads,” or beginnings - they are what we use to

The Red Leaf By: Julia Lawler, 8th grade, Junior High School, Clarkston

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earing my dad's oversized jacket, I stepped out into the crisp fall air taking in the autumn view. I took a deep breath and made my way down the steps into the vast land of leaves. My eyes were instantly drawn to this vibrant red leaf. All of the other brown and tattered leaves surrounded it, waiting to cover it up.

Just like all of the red leaves in the world become taken over and morphed to blend in with the brown ones, people in our society blend together. In today's society, anyone who is considered "different" from the normal standards is often an outcast in need to be “covered up.” I think this is happening

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try to get readers’ attention so they will keep on reading. You could miss out on a great book if the beginning is bad. I read “Alice In Wonderland” and hated the beginning, but when I read further, it turned out to be a really good book.

The feelings are important, too, because they help readers know how the character is reacting to changes, challenges, and problems. The dialogue goes along with that because of the emphasis. “AAAHHH!!!!!’’ she screamed as it chased her through the forest” is MUCH better than “she screamed as it chased her through the forest.” That helps readers see how the character is feeling and/ or reacting.

The message is very important! It

contains lessons that characters learn; these lessons are helpful later in real life situations, such as how to stand up to bullies or how to tell people what you want, and other lessons.

To get readers’ attention I like to add funny things to my stories. I was inspired to do that when I started to read Raina Telgemeier’s books. These are hands down my favorite books, mostly because they are humourous and the illustrations are very detailed. When I was little, I loved making funny books; most of them were about explosions or “not to turn the next page or something will happen.” They were funny, but a little weird!

In conclusion, for a good story, you need a world for characters, a storyline you can visualize, dialogue (funny or not), punctuation, emphasis, and a message. Anybody can write a good fiction story using these things. For me, writing fiction stories is a way to express myself and have fun. I really think that writing this article about fiction stories has been fun as well!

because people are afraid to open up to something that is new to them. Those who are “different” often feel that they have to fit in, or to please other people, instead of being happy in your own skin.

Growing up in Clarkston, where there is not much diversity, many of us are not exposed to differences. This is not just about our racial makeup; it also about people's mindsets and ways of thinking.

There are so many great ideas and practices around the world; yet, not many of them are embraced in our town. Since the majority thinks along the same lines, it is hard for people, including myself, to branch off a single known idea.

When people are afraid of change and of new ways of thinking, there is no room for advancing. There is only their own little bubble that feels comfortable. Anything that is a threat to the safety of this "bubble" is automatically

shut down and turned away. It is sad to me that people are constantly judged and tossed to the side without getting a chance. Standing out from others should not be seen as a bad a thing; rather quite the opposite. In a sea of brown, old, and crushed leaves, people should strive to be a red leaf shining its vibrancy through the dark. I think that the more diverse a community is the better it serves everyone in it. Diversity helps people expand their knowledge and extend their thinking. Even though some people might not accept the new ways of thinking, life is going on. There is no need to separate us even more from the rest of the world. There is no need to spread negativity and hate towards other people who strive to live differently. These people aren't afraid to be themselves.

These people stand out, even if they are standing alone. These people are the red leaves of life.

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REFLECTION

Choosing His Own Weather By: Kiera West, 4th grade, Orion Oaks Elementary, Lake Orion

O

ne drowsy and gray morning, my mom and I were driving down the streets of our home town in Michigan. The weather was so depressing that I felt sad without any reason. “BEEP, BEEP.” It had just gotten worse traffic! “We have to rename this day to drowsy, sad, and ‘trafficy’ great, just great!” I thought.

We stopped at a grocery store. We walked straight in so no one could tell we were there. Swoosh! The sliding doors opened for us; they opened very slowly. The fast wind from the day pushed against my cheek like when I was alone sitting in the park. Then, for a slight second I put my head up and saw a man.

Mr. Mickens By: Raven Lofton,

5th grade, Herrington Elementary, Pontiac

M

y story is about my fifth grade teacher Mr. Mickens.

He made me a better person and discovered my hidden academic talents.

Last year, when I was in fourth grade, I was a “drama queen. “ I was a girl who thrived on drama and loved it. Over summer break, I felt tense because I had a feeling that I was going to get Mr. Mickens for my fifth grade teacher. Sure enough, I was in his class.

I had always thought of him as being mean, and I was scared!

However, after entering his

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classroom, I was no longer scared and realized that he was not mean; he just had high expectations for us. His famous word is “expectation.” And his expectation for me was well above my own.

He was looking at me and smiling.

I turned behind me to see if he was smiling at someone else, but no one was there. That meant that the man was looking at me!

I pushed my lips in a slip little smile. And all of a sudden, I felt like the gloominess of that day disappeared. It was still rainy and cold, but that smile made me happy. It made me happy for the rest of the day. It still makes me happy when I remember this man.

What was in this simple smile to affect me so greatly?

I think that this one man in the world chose his own weather. On that drowsy, sad, and trafficy great day, he chose to be happy! This taught me a very good lesson that I am in charge of how I feel. That is why I will always remember this story.

As the school year progressed, Mr. Mickens asked me to write papers for our school “wow” - wall of writing.

He inspired me a lot! And without me even knowing it, he nominated me for a “Student of the Month” two times.

Because of Mr. Mickens I learned that people can inspire us in many ways. Our parents and friends can inspire us. We should never give up on believing in ourselves and always allow others, who see our potential, help us strive to be the best we can be.

We all have individual and special talents. However, it takes just one person, like Mr. Mickens for me, to inspire and encourage us to reach our highest potential and be our very best.

Thank you, Mr. Mickens, for recognizing my ability to write and encouraging me to write more and often. This story of my 5h grade year will always matter to me.

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G R A D U AT E S / C O L L E G E T O U R

Being a World Citizen By: Anna Větrovcová Flight Attendant, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Former Student, Lake Orion High School

W

anderlust - a strong desire to travel. I have always felt it, always had the impulse to see more, to discover more. My first big step towards my dream to travel was a move from my home in Prague, Czech Republic, to Michigan, USA, for a year. Since then, I have visited twenty four countries as traveling has become my full-time job. More than that, it has become my passion and my life.

I live in Dubai - one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. I work as a flight attendant, and it is part of my job to take care of people from different countries, religions, and cultures. I have to communicate with them even when we do not speak the same language.

I have to understand that what might seem normal to me might be offensive to them, or words that sound rude to me, they might consider to be a compliment.

So what is the key to getting along with everybody in the world? It’s simple – respect. When I moved to Michigan five years ago, there were many things I did not understand: school dress code, Superbowl, or Fahrenheit instead of Celsius.

In Dubai, the culture shock was even stronger: Islamic culture, ladies covering themselves in 115°F heat, and fasting during Ramadan. Before I started to judge the culture I didn’t

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So what is the key to getting along with everybody in the world? It’s simple – respect.

— Anna Větrovcová

understand, I went to a mosque and had a very kind local explain some things to me. After she very patiently answered my questions, my perspective changed. Even though I might not have agreed with everything, I understood their views and beliefs. I could see it from their point of view, and I could respect it.

My job can be tough, but what makes it worthwhile is the relationship I build with passengers. When I show them

even the tiniest bit of respect, such as saying “thank you” in their own language, the world lights up in their eyes.

The bond between us becomes stronger, and I earn their respect and their trust in return.

To me, respect means the understanding that there is no universal truth. It is the realization that the way I do things is not necessarily the best way to do them and, most definitely, not the only way to do them. The more you travel, the more you find out about the world. You see the differences between cultures and customs, but more importantly, you see the similarities between people. We are

all the same, no matter the color of our skin, our beliefs, or our language. We are all humans, and we should celebrate our differences and learn from each other as much as we can. We should always strive to be better and let our experiences make us grow stronger.

I have left my heart in many different countries. Home is no longer a definition of one place. Home is a feeling that I belong somewhere. All young people should travel to take a look at the world from a different perspective. Take a semester abroad, go on holidays overseas, take a gap year and go explore what the world has to offer. As someone wise once said, “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.”

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G R A D U AT E S / C O L L E G E T O U R

Vincent Martocci Motion Picture Institute, Troy, Michigan Concentration: Cinematography and Editing By: Lauren Crane, 11th grade, High School, Lake Orion

CAN YOU RECALL THE SPECIFIC MOMENT WHEN YOU DISCOVERED YOUR PASSION? Ever since my mom got us a camcorder, I was messing around with the camera, making completely pointless variety shows with my little brother. But I truly fell in love with it when I was eleven years old. My school had a film class that my best friend and I attended. Given, we created one of the most random and nonsensical variety show, but it had some production value. After I saw our finished product, I knew instantly that this was what I wanted to do.

There was just one, very common, problem: due to lack of funds, I had no equipment until I got my first iPod touch at the age of 13. I was making little “Blair Witch” style horror films with my

friends and cut them together on my iPod. Ever since then I’ve been borderline obsessed with it.

HOW DID YOUR PARENTS AND FAMILY FEEL ABOUT YOUR DECISION TO PURSUE THIS PASSION? WERE THEY ENCOURAGING? My grandmother, cousins, and family in general have been very supportive of my decision. But if there were someone I had to pick as my biggest supporter, this would be my mom. She has done whatever she could to help me succeed, and I will forever be grateful.

WHAT EXACTLY ABOUT CINEMATOGRAPHY DRAWS YOU TO IT? Since I was little, I have been absolutely fascinated with telling stories. My friends and I would go out in the woods for hours letting our imaginations take us on Historical Epochs, Science Fiction Dramas, Gripping War Thrillers, and so on. I guess that love to enact stories never left me. Life was like a movie to me, so eventually everywhere I went, I had my camera.

What draws me to film is capturing the “sonderness” of the human experience in the most beautiful way possible. Sonder: the realization that every random passerby has a life as vivid and complex as your own, populated with own routines, worries, and inherited craziness - an epic story that continues around you without you even knowing.

There are millions of lives where you only appear once, as an actor sipping coffee.

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO FILM AND CREATE CINEMA? It feels like there is nothing else I 30

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would rather be doing on this planet than creating films. The late Stanley Kubrick once said: “Perhaps it sounds ridiculous, but the best thing that young filmmakers should do is to get hold of a camera and some film and make a movie of any kind at all.”

Just like for any other artist, my camera and computer are my instruments. I use these instruments to create some of the most uniquely beautiful art. My goal is one room of people. If I can get at least one room of people to have a good viewing experience, then I am content about the outcome.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO DO FOR YOUR CAREER? I entered Motion Picture Institute wanting to make my own films. A good film school, however, does its best to expose students to all aspects of the industry, which means that at the end, one might decide to do something totally different. There are so many more job opportunities than people think in the world of film. I feel now that a freelance cinematographer might be the best route for me. I might build a freelance production company perhaps. www.KidsStandard.org

PA R E N T ’ S C O R N E R

Welcome Hello and Welcome!

W Maggie Razdar Publisher/Founder

e at Kids Standard hope you all had a wonderful summer vacation and are recharged for another fantastic year!

This issue is very special to me for many reasons. In this issue, we bring together some of the best works from the 2016-2017 publishing season and academic year. Reading through all their work was and is a totally heartwarming experience and makes the hard work of publishing a magazine worthwhile The theme of the Summer Writing Contest was “What can Kids Standard do for you?”. I am overjoyed to know students are finding pleasure and meaning in our magazine. We are continuing to provide a platform for them to showcase their talent, which boosts their self-confidence and self-esteem and sets them on the path towards success.

Additionally, I recently reread the pieces chosen as the ‘best-of’ from the 2016-17 year, and I could truly sense the voice of blissful students: some are tender and kind while others are persuasive and well researched. All are impressive works from our communities’ youth. I hope that you enjoy their pieces

as much as I have. Keep in mind that is not just about writing. Writing is just the end result! It’s the dedication, creativity, and research of these young writers that constructs something so special.

For over two and a half years, Kids Standard magazine, which publishes work of local children, parents, and educators, has featured work of over 300 Students and Educators from Oakland Schools. We have had a great experience working with the school district in 20162017. We awarded over 300 students with a Published Writer certificate at our end-of-the-year celebration in June.

All the published writers received Kids Standard Partnership Award for utilizing our publication as a writing platform. We are looking to publish more and award more students this year.

Our committed volunteers, Our Editor Arina Bokas and I work tirelessly to empower students to become independent learners through reading and writing!

Finally, thank you for reading and I hope you join us in empowering kids to become published writers!

Warmly, Maggie Razdar Founder

TO SIGN UP FOR PEN PAL GO TO: http://kidsstandard.org/service

TO ORDER A COPY OF THE MAGAZINE FOR YOUR SCHOOL DELIVERY GO TO: http://kidsstandard.org

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