New Words A Student Publication of Reading Works
November 2019 | VOL. 4, NO. 5
Autumn by Asalia Autumn is a magical season that we can enjoy through our senses. The trees in the fall have a nice combination of different tonalities of colors such scarlet, aureate, tangerine, and bronze creating an atmosphere of unimaginable beauty with the sunshine. Another manner to enjoy autumn is when the wind plays with the colorful leaves making them dance and fall delicately. We can hear the crunchy noise that they emit when we walk of them. In autumn the air is impregnated with the delicious, soft and warm smell of cinnamon, ginger and chocolate that emerges from the smoke of the houses. You can never forget the smell of wood and leaves.
A Beautiful Place by Nafeesa
n Afghanistan when I was 6 years old, my father and I planted trees. After twenty years my father, my children, my brother, my aunt’s son, and I visited this place. The trees had grown larger. They were near a river. People caught fish in it. There were many bright red flowers and green pistachios on this mountain. My father planted onions, tomatoes, potatoes, and corn. My mother had chickens and sheep. People hiked down this mountain to see a golden door. Some people were afraid to walk in the tunnel by this door. This is a beautiful place in my memory.
Autumn by Martha
utumn is one of my favorite seasons because I love seeing the leaves change colors, red, orange and yellow and they are my favorite colors. In Autumn the weather is nice because is not too hot and not too cold. I like to see the leaves falling. It makes me think how the trees prepare to sleep, they finish their cycle and again came back for spring. The birds also prepare to migrate. In this season I enjoy the leaves on the ground and start blowing. It looks like they running. Also during this season I like to eat pumpkin empanadas, one of my favorite dessert. Autumn is fantastic season for me. I like to enjoy with my family.
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NEW WORDS | November 2019
My Friend’s Story by Hedieh
Pets My story with Ruby and Maily by Orquidia
Ruby is a Chihuahua and Miley is a Beagle. What I like about them 1. They are fun and smart. 2. Ruby scolds Miley a lot – when Ruby scolds Miley she starts barking and biting. After Ruby stops they follow each other. What I don’t like about Miley – She cries a lot She wants to sleep in bed with my son
My friend Sahar who is originally from Iran enjoys returning there for visits. She has three children and she is very busy with them. Other members of her family still reside in Iran so it means a lot to her to return there and spend time with them in her country. Last time when I went to Iran, I took some pictures for her, she really like them. Her oldest daughter is going to be 14 and she is very smart and pretty. She also likes visiting Iran and her family. The middle child is very nice and kind. She enjoys school and is a good swimmer. (she learned how to swim two years ago.) One of her favorite foods is pizza. You should see her beautiful smile when she is with her Grandparents. Now I would like to tell you about the youngest child. She is nine years old and keeps very busy and is also kind. Although she loves fruit, she is very chubby and cute. Going to school is not one of her favorites. She enjoys playing ping-pong. (but she rather not exercise). My friend’s husband owns a dealership. He is also very kind and caring person to his family. He is handsome and spends week-ends shopping with his wife every week-end. This was my friend’s story.
She’s dirty When my son doesn’t take her out for a walk, she runs away from home and has caused me problems in the development where I live What I do not like about Ruby – She barks a lot and annoys the neighbors Miley is a Beagle. Photo Credit: Orquidia
She’s a bit of a piglet! She escapes and walks in the streets and bothers people.
They send me notes from the office that stresses me.
What Would I do if
by Le
Ruby is a Chihuahua. She’s a bit of a piglet! Photo Credit: Orquidia
My dog
by Fabiana y dog is called Tomasa. We call her in many way affectionately: Negrita, Bebe, Nena, Mamina. She knows that we call her. She is very intelligent. She is of Maltese race, her hair is black with curlers. She is very small. Tomasa is very good with the whole family but she loves me the most and I love her too. She likes to go for a walk in the park. When she sees that we are about to go to the street, she is the first at the door. When we go in the car she loves to get his head out the window, I think she likes to feel the wind. She is my companion, it only frightes me to know that one day she will have to leave.
t’s a question asked by so many people through so many years and in so many ways: what would you do if you won the lottery? Friends, family, even coworkers ask others about it every once in a while out of curiousity, procrastination, or even just for fun. Even I myself either asked this question to someone or had to ask this question myself. It makes me ponder the possibility to have anything I’d ever want with ease. But if I did win the lottery, what would I want? I supose (like anyone else) complete my own “personal” christmas list of everything I’ve ever wanted. Heck, I could finally play all the video games I’ve always wanted to play but couldn’t afford too. I’ve always wanted to make my own music too so it would be nice to afford any instrument I need. I sometimes go shooting at the range so it would be nice to own a few more guns with tons of bullets for each one. Aside from the fun of shooting targets, it would be nice to hone my skills for when I apply to become a police officer. Haha, but this is merely the tip of the iceberg of all the things I would want for myself. I know it would be in my best interest morally to do something for my family as well. I could pay off all their bills so that they wouldn’t have to struggle so much. I could even have all their vehicles fixed so that they wouldn’t have to worry about them breaking down. I would even treat them out to eat and buy them so many gifts. Anything they want, I will get it for them without a second thought or expecting anything in return. Of course I know that nothing lasts forever. No matter how much money I win, it will dry up eventually. The smart thing to do is use that money to go to college and study so that I can get a job that keeps me happy and financially supported. That way if I had any financial problems along the way, I will be prepared to handle it. On top of that, it would give me a great sense of pride knowing that everything I got, I got through hard work and sheer determination. Now I know winning the lottery is a one-in-a-million chance that will most likely never happen, but it’s still interesting to think of what I would do if I did win. To one day go from a regular joe to having such wealth and power all on
NEW WORDS | November 2019
My Story by Lorena My name is Lorena I am a woman and mother. I have a daughter and a son My husband and I live in Albuquerq’ for 18 years My Family is beatiful I have a dog his name is Poncho
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A Mother’s Love by S.T. I look at my children and my heart rejoice. They did hear my words. They are grown and now will tell me so much I have Said to them when they were small. So, Mothers, don’t stop talking to your children. They do listen!
I am happy for my new kitchen I like the springThe winter is special to me Because I love crismas I like thanksgiven and the kitchen eat potato salad turkey give thands for all
I Won the Lottery
eon
chance. In a small way, just the thought of that may serve as a motivator. No matter how bissful or crappy your life seems, you never know how much better it can become. Rather it be by your actions, or just by plain chance.
The Power of Peace of Mankind by Edith
here are men around the world that are trying to acquire power. Power over people, governments, arms, also money, too many things to mention. They believe that by getting the above they gain control. But life…happens only once on the face of the Earth. They don’t mind stealing or killing to quench their thirst for power, which steals their spiritual peace. This is what makes you live in happiness, it doesn’t matter if you don’t have any material goods, it just gives you peace of mind. Then why do they want to have power? If that doesn’t give you peace? The more you have the more you want and it just fulfills you less and less. It is not the material things that provides happiness. The truth is that it is nice to have things, but without killing or hurting others. Is it because they forget what reality is? In the end of my days, nothing of what I own can I take with me. They might think that money or power acquired from the grave will be taken? If at death everything is forgotten, their desires were useless.
The Cart by Lee
I went to the bus, and I asked a lady, “That’s a nice cart. Where did you find it?” “It was at Tru-Value,” she said. I found one at Tru-Value that I had to put together. The manager gave me a good deal so he didn’t have to send it back. At home, I was looking at the cart parts. So, after a day of thinking about whether I could do it, I decided I can. I’m an engineer. I laid out the parts and enlarged the instructions so I could read them and see the pictures better. This would have been easy—-if I hadn’t had a stroke. I had to learn this all over again! I laid the parts out like the pictures—axles, springs, washers, cotter pins, wheel caps, and wheels. Then I did half as a test to see if it was right. While I was putting it together, I had a problem. The cart would not stay open since it’s a collapsible cart. I thought for a moment. I would use tape to keep it from collapsing. It worked. Two hours later, I got rid of the tape. I’m ready to do a test run!
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NEW WORDS | November 2019
Should Zoos Exist?
A Note of Support
by Leon
n this article it describes people who have argued with each other about whether or not it is in animal’s best intrest to have them captive in zoos or simply allow them to live in the wild. Are we helping or harming them? There are enough pros and cons to support either side, which makes the decision rather difficult. Zoos can have a beneficial cause, while at the same time, drastic consequences. Personally, I belive zoos can help animals survive to a certain degree. As it is with most things in life, zoos have faults as well as advantages. The article does mention many psychological and physical problems that captive animals may have such as depression, OCD, anxiety, self-mutilation, and even abnormal behavior just to name a few. On top of that, some are given drugs to deal with these problems. These facts make it understandable why some people are against zoos. Yet, there is a silver lining. Zoos help animals by nurturing them in stable environments from uncontrollable climate change. They also help them breed to control their dwindling numbers. For example, in 1985 there were only nine California condors in the wild. But thanks to zoos in San Diego and in Los Angeles, the numbers sky-rocketed to 276 in the wild and another 170 in captivity by 2016. It’d be pretty hard for animals to achieve this on their own without the aid of zoos. It’s important to know how these animals live to better care for them. In 1911, the first gorilla to be in a zoo was fed hot dinners and cooked meals despite gorillas being herbivores. Knowing this now, zoos have a better understanding of these creatures so that they can take better care for their lifestyle. On top of that, this kind of information can be spread to the workers, as well as the public, to help us know what we can do to help. Zoos may not be perfect sometimes, but they do do a lot of good work. Not to mention we get to experience such fasinating creatures. Zoos may even encourage us to learn more about them and even help them. It’ll certainly keep the kids happy and busy too. Overall, zoos can certainly do all of us, humans and animals alike, something good. California Condor
In August, the Wednesday night conversation class wrote postcards to elementary school students in El Paso after the mass shooting there. As this was the first time the conversation class students had written a postcard in English, they were grateful they were able to help those who were affected.
With the loss of the people who died in El Paso, Texas, a lot of people are devastated. It is difficult to accept the loss of a loved one, but in time they will be able to continue on with their lives. -Martha I send my blessings to the families of the victims of the El Paso, Texas tragedy that occurred. Strength and peace for you in these moments of pain. My prayers and heart are with you. -Asalia I’d like to let you know I’m praying for you. -Faustina
Reading Works Our mission is to change lives through literacy. From health to the economy, from children's welfare to civic engagement, every decision we make is impacted by our ability to read. At Reading Works we help our students actualize their dreams by giving them free tutoring to support their educational endeavors. 21% of the adult population in Albuquerque doesn’t have a high school diploma or speak enough English to thrive economically. 84% of our students read at or below the 4th grade level. We're changing these statistics and need more help doing it. Monetary donations keep the doors open and the lights on, but there are many more ways to give. Please contact us (505) 321-9620 or check out our website: reading-works.org. Reading Works is a community-based 501(c)(3).
NEW WORDS is written by students of Reading Works. 8005 Pennsylvania Circle NE, Suite C Albuquerque, NM 87110 www.reading-works.org (505) 321-9620