The Mockingbird - June 2018

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Sophie Pollio, 2024

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2018

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Mountains

Waterfalls rushing, Beautiful skies over streams, Birds in the blue sky.

Emmalee Bailey, 3rd Grade Emilie Beasley, 6th Grade Horseback Riding I feed it apples.

I give it water to drink.

I put a saddle on it.

I hop on his back. , ULGH LW DURXQG WKH ÀHOG I love horseback riding!

Jack Clayton, 6th Grade

Riley Link, 1st Grade Winter Dark, Chilly

Snowing, Sledding, Skating Fire, Christmas, Swim cap, Swimsuit Swimming, Biking, Running Fun, Hot Summer

Caroline Willis, 4th Grade Joe Bakkar, 6th Grade

This Is My Paradise: A Poem for Jane Goodall As I walk I hear: The crunch of leaves and The quiet bird calls The soft leaves brush my arms Soothing This is my paradise I wait Enjoying the sun on my face

Kate Fine, 3rd Grade

7KH VXQ D Ă DPLQJ RUE The tall reeds reach out to me

A lethargic animal comes close

This is my paradise

Big but silent Covered with fur he is amazing He sits and waits Lovely, Beautiful This is my paradise He remains vigilant I wait, wait, wait, With nimble actions he is gone A split second This is my paradise The sun sets over the hill The sunset is as colorful as a painting Red, Pink, Yellow Surround me

Anna Sigrist, 3rd Grade

This is my paradise Leah Avery, 6th Grade

Withered Rose: A Holocaust Poem

Roses danced, set ablaze by the tender sun.

Annaleigh Vlahovich, 3rd Grade Nazis came, to tear us apart, to wither our pride.

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They scared the sun behind the clouds, unseen.

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7R EH WDNHQ DZD\ IURP WKH ZRUOG·V JHQWOHVW KDQGV No rose unscarred, torn hearts, hope lost.

Kirsten Ackerman, 6th Grade

Andrew Konikoff, 3rd Grade

Fall The leaves quivering, Turning from green to brown now,

Isabella Leon, 6th Grade

The leaves vanishing.

Grady Cartwright, 3rd Grade

Haunted House CRACK! The dim lights go off I try to get out I blindly look for an open window or door.

I am dragged up the stairs by someone Or something, Pushed out to the balcony and locked out, Staring at the graveyard behind the house.

A huge gust of wind picks me up Pulls me off the balcony

Lizzie Adams, 6th Grade

I plummet down, Down, Down,

When Autumn Falls

DOWN! Alex Lawson, 4th Grade

I see yellow, brown, and orange leaves falling. , KHDU FUDFNOLQJ ÀUHV I smell fall scented candles.

I taste turkey.

I feel crunchy leaves.

Sadie Compton, 2nd Grade

Kate Rose, 6th Grade

Mahogany Mahogany is like chips of wood.

Mahogany is one of my favorite colors.

Mahogany is a tree in the woods.

Mahogany is very relaxing.

0DKRJDQ\ WDVWHV OLNH FDUDPHO Ă DYRUHG FKRFRODWH Mahogany smells like fresh mulch.

Mahogany sounds like twigs under my feet.

John Grunwald, 6th Grade

Mahogany feels like branches on the ground.

Mahogany looks like a doormat.

The Day the Crayons Quit Dear Duncan,

Mahogany makes me feel happy.

Mahogany is the best.

It is me Black Crayon. I am tired of

Rohith Konduri, 2nd Grade

your shenanigans. I am tired of you just scribble-scrabbling with me, it is driving me crazy!

Your very frustrated friend, Black Crayon.

Shaan Thakkar, 1st Grade

Brown Brown is an elegant deer.

Brown is soft soil growing a fragile sprout.

Brown is a strong copper penny.

Brown is a gentle color.

Brown tastes like chocolate.

Brown smells like a fresh brownie from the oven.

Brown sounds like robins in a tree.

Brown feels like a warm teddy bear. %URZQ ORRNV OLNH D WUHH¡V EDUN Brown makes me joyful.

Brown is my favorite color.

Samirah Harger, 2nd Grade

Whitney Collenberg, 6th Grade

Rain Hopeless, somber Spinning, dropping, falling The most depressing weather Storms Maya Riddick, 3rd Grade

Arturo Granata-Bellacicco, 1st Grade

Color Colors are the sky, They are a shiny rainbow, Even the black night.

Drew Duquette, 1st Grade

Cam Simmons, 3rd Grade

Thunder Thunder Dark, ear-splitting Boom, crackling, spine-tingling 7KH FORXG WKDW¡V GHDIHQLQJ Storm Will Poynter, 3rd Grade Asher Heath, 1st Grade

The Dark Night The dark night, Illuminated; By its stars in the vast sky, And its black holes relying on darkness; Supernovas, nebulas, and galaxies swarming the universe.

Wormholes Inventing new laws of time and space.

Neutron stars Heating and pulling.

Supergiants readying to explode to dark matter.

Suns Keeping life in touch.

Earth Housing the only discovered life.

And on Earth are animals, humans, and birds.

And in the sky is nitrogen, oxygen, and argon, The perfect elements needed to sustain life on a small planet, ,Q D PDVVLYH XQLYHUVH RI LQÀQLWH ERXQGV That we will one day explore‌ It all came from darkness, Nothing, No life.

Bang!

The universe is born as dark matter swarms, And the stars form; New planets attach to the stars and rotate And life is born, On Earth.

Alexander Dusa, 5th Grade

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I am from I Love Lucy reruns To long nights reading the captive stories of J.R.R. Tolkien by the moonlit window, and cheerful sunny days playing with British bulldogs.

I am from games of street hockey and mothers calling you in for dinner as the light starts to dim, to days of mall shopping with friends ZKLOH OLVWHQLQJ WR $%%$·V ODWHVW KLWV

I am from fantasies of far off places and dreams of the bright future that is ahead, from looking through photo albums and imagining a family of my own.

Chance Stuart, 5th Grade

WKHUH ,¡P )URP I¡P IURP WKH OLJKWQLQJ VSHHG RI UROOHU VNDWHV To the cheer squad, And soaring high, ,¡P IURP WUDGLQJ VLOO\ EDQGV ´/RRN , JRW D EXWWHUà \ ¾ From memorizing New Kids on the Block, Also from Kirk Cameron, Staring with his dreamy eyes, As he hangs on my wall, While waiting on the porch, For Growing Pains 7R ÀQDOO\ FRPH RQ ,¡P IURP WKDW DPD]LQJ .LW .DW Crunch!

To bundles of reading Nancy Drew, $QG ´%DG¾ PHDQLQJ ´&RRO ¾ 7R JHWWLQJ $¡V Then wanting to give them back Me and my mom have grown up differently But we love each other the same

Abigail Littlejohn, 5th Grade

Bad Cover Here I am again Alone in the library Yet because of my bad cover I remain stationary

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Every time someone comes here

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I am often missed

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Here I am again Standing all alone

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Peter Galiotos, 5th Grade

Through a New Set of Eyes: A Poem for Thurgood Marshall From the perspective of a judge who encountered Marshall as a young lawyer For we all need each other, A new day,

some joyful, some smart.

a new case to see,

I see past his face

mostly the same,

and gaze straight into his heart.

who should be free?

Even though I am white, I walk into the room.

like my father before,

The lawyers all there.

I make a ruling.

One black and one white,

I wish to do more.

I try not to stare.

I promise myself 7KH EODFN RQH VWDUWV ÀUVW

to let the good in,

such eloquence and grace,

to make a big difference.

so thoughtful and precise,

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I see past his race. :H DUH DOO HDFK RWKHU¡V HTXDOV When I look into his eyes,

a falcon to a hawk,

I see such persistence.

a foal to a colt,

He is hardworking, diligent,

a stroll to a walk.

and always consistent.

For what difference is skin?

No one else saw it;

A rudimentary disguise,

They just saw his skin.

and I see the world

We are like salt and pepper,

through a new set of eyes.

and yet we are all kin.

Lily Stockwell, 6th Grade

Taken Away: A Holocaust Poem It started with stars on our clothes, it ended with millions of deaths.

We were taken from our friends and family, never to see them again.

In cattle cars we went to Auschwitz to be herded into barracks like sheep.

We were starved and abused, crippled and sick.

We moved from camp to camp meeting new people, then saying goodbye.

Mommy got sick, I thought she might die her bones yelling for help.

We thought we would never live thought never would we see my brother again.

We were skeletons but we are still us.

Charley Fiveash, 6th Grade

Stolen Childhood: A Holocaust Poem We ate challah and drank grape juice.

We laughed like brothers.

We played together in the same house Without looking over our shoulders.

But while we were carefree, Our faces beaming like the sun, One man was gathering strength in the shadows.

We were ignorant, just babies.

The man, a snake waiting in the shadows For the right time to strike And become the face of evil, Turning ordinary people Into murderers and thieves.

Memories of war Visit me every night.

Fifty years later, I still hear glass screaming, Airplanes whining, And my friend begging for his life.

I am sorry, Friedrich.

Julian Burke, 6th Grade

Gone: A Holocaust Poem ,W·V D GD\ :KLFK LVQ·W WR VD\ ,W LVQ·W QLJKW They all blend.

We are stuck With nowhere to go.

Nowhere we can go.

It all blends.

The freedom we once had, Justice and equality, Bottled up inside me.

Our front door Now a stone wall Blocking the world from us And us from the world.

KNOCK KNOCK! Open up.

Our shadows creep Silently.

BANG BANG! Opened up.

Our shadows too loud So now we are Gone.

Carrie Collenberg, 6th Grade

Broken Walls, Bridges of Hope, and Flags of Freedom

Thoughts, Memories,

The stripe of valor,

Waving

The block of justice,

In the air.

Fifty stars of liberty,

Loyalty and Nationalism,

Answers to “Star Wars,�

Drawn out of each color,

And international peace.

Billowing in the gentle breeze.

The tall façade, The barrier,

The sickle,

The city torn apart.

The hammer,

The order,

The industry,

To be followed.

The peasant,

The wall to be broken.

The sadness, The problem,

“Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate!

Never Solved.

Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!�

The will to become open.

Whispers, like broken records,

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Redundant and repetitive,

The nation,

“Gorby! Gorby! Gorby!�

Forced to rebuild.

Hands shaken,

The thought,

Words spoken,

Instilled.

Lives inspired, Feared at home,

The red maple leaf,

Loved abroad,

The step into a place unknown.

The desire to improve.

The thought,

Impatience.

Flowing in one ear

Waiting for the future.

And out the other.

A last thought,

The better solution,

If not me, who? And if not now, when?�

/RFNHG DZD\ LQ VRPHRQH¡V PLQG Never to venture out of the mouth.

Areen Syed, 6th Grade

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, OLH DWRS WKH *HQHUDO¡V KHDG placed to see history be lead.

This man was like no other, always compelled to love his mother.

His astute military mind was brilliant.

In the face of battle, he remained resilient.

His brain, like thunder, would pound until his answers were found.

His mind would hop on his campaign.

Still he sought no further fame.

One island after another would fall while the weight of the world he had to haul.

A nation on his back and still have a world to track.

A leader of new Japan.

No more suited to it than any man.

Carter Whetstine, 6th Grade

/LIH LQ WKH 0LUURU -RVHSK 6WDOLQ¡V 5Hà HFWLRQV I stare out the bland window, , SRQGHU P\ OLIH DP , VRPHRQH¡V KHUR" It hurts me though.

For I think of the pain, and sorrow.

I look at this country, My country.

I wonder, and wonder.

Until, like a mad man, I am consumed by it. :DV UXLQLQJ /HRQ 7URWVN\¡V OLIH ZRUWK LW" He was the wild hog, no, the tame house cat. $OWKRXJK FKLOG , DP QRW , ZDQW WR WKURZ D ÀW It riddles me with pain to bear the thought of it.

I was not his most exuberant fan. %XW WR IRUFH D PDQ Ă&#x20AC;OOHG ZLWK SULGH 7R KLV XOWLPDWH GHPLVH" :KDW DP ," $P , WKH OHDGHU RI WKH 6RYLHW 8QLRQ" <HV 'R , KDYH PDVVLYH DPRXQWV RI PRQH\ DW P\ GLVSRVDO" <HV 'R , KDYH PDVVHV RI VROGLHUV WKDW ZRXOG PRELOL]H DW WKH VQDS RI D Ă&#x20AC;QJHU" <HV 6R ZKDW FDXVHV PH WKLV SDLQ" Surely not morality; this has never affected me before.

Maybe in my old age, my mind grows weak.

Or maybe eventually Monsters must face their demons.

0LFKDHO &ROL]]D th Grade

Lucky the Leprechaun

If I found a leprechaun with a pot of gold, I would buy an Xbox from Game Stop and play with it with Lucky. I would play

The Power of a Book Look at a book

basketball with Lucky. He would not share

All you see is paper

the pot of gold with anyone else. We would

Open a book

eat Lucky Charms together for breakfast.

And the tables have turned

We would go to a leprechaun party in the evening and we would leave at 11:00pm.

After the party we would go home and sleep.

Lucky sleeps with me in the master bedroom!

Sahish Sappati, 1st Grade

Read a book It will take you to a place With magical fairies, And teleportation It will take you back To the middle ages Or dinosaur times 7R JODGLDWRU Ă&#x20AC;JKWV Amazing moments in the past

Be Successful Be strong.

Be nice.

Be everything you can.

Look at a book All you see is paper Open a book And the tables have turned

We have so much power in us. /HW¡V XVH LW Do handstands on the wall until your face is red.

Dream big when you get out of bed.

Be successful, my friend.

Wyatt Salter, 3rd Grade

Josie Saffold, 5th Grade

Giants giants GHDGO\ Ă&#x20AC;FWLRQDO destroying, disrupting, dictating a pinnacle of destruction ogres A Letter from Space

Ashten Konikoff, 3rd Grade

Dear William and Sammy, ,¡P RQ 3ODQHW ) , Ă HZ RQ WKH 6RQLF ,¡P KHUH EHFDXVH , ZDQWHG WR Ă&#x20AC;QG QHZ OLIH $QG , GLG , IRXQG D QHZ VSHFLHV RI DOLHQV FDOOHG WKH ) ¡V 7KH\ DUH FRRO , OLNH WKHP 7KH\ KDYH WZR VXQV KHUH ZKLFK PDNHV LW UHDOO\ KRW , IHHO ZHLUG EXW , OLNH LW KHUH 6HH \RX LQ WZR \HDUV Your buddy, $OGHQ Alden Morrall, 1st Grade :KHUH ,¡P )URP ,¡P IURP 6SDFH ,QYDGHUV )URJJHU DQG &HQWLSHGH WRR ,¡P IURP P\ ELNH UROOHU VNDWHV DQG KRZ , XVHG WR ]RRP ,¡P IURP FRQVWUXFWLRQ SDSHU VFLVVRUV DQG SHQFLOV WKDW DUH JUHHQ ,¡P IURP 0LFKDHO -DFNVRQ %ORQGLH DQG KRZ WKH\ XVHG WR VLQJ ,¡P IURP 6KDXQ &DVVLG\ 'DYLG &DVVLG\ DQG KRZ IDPRXV WKH\ EHFDPH ,¡P IURP 0$6+ 'XNHV RI +D]]DUG DQG WKH DZHVRPH PRYLH )$0( ,¡P IURP PDF DQG FKHHVH FLQQDPRQ WRDVW DQG DOO WKDW \RX FRXOG FRRN ,¡P IURP EDFNJDPPRQ UXQQLQJ DQG UHDGLQJ D JRRG ERRN ,¡P IURP D GUHDP RI Ă&#x20AC;JKWLQJ SDLQ DQG PDNLQJ SHRSOH ZHOO ,¡P IURP KRSH GUHDPV FKRFRODWH LFH FUHDP DQG DQ HQGLQJ WLPH KDV \HW WR WHOO Ben Parker, 5th Grade

Civil Disobedience Peaceful, helpful, dangerous Planning, knowing, helping , ZRQ·W JHW XS Breaking rules on purpose.

Alice Paul

Eliot Baker, 2nd Grade

Alice Brave, determined, honest Who helps people Who is able to change the world Who feels calm Who wonders what more she can do :KR IHDUV ´,V WKLV HQRXJK WR FRQYLQFH WKH 3UHVLGHQW"µ Who cares about women Who dreams of changing her world for the better Paul Gabriel Bond, 2nd Grade

Underground Railroad Long, exhausting, hard Floating, walking, driving ,W ZDVQ·W XQGHUJURXQG Way to freedom James Ware, 2nd Grade

Elizabeth Blackwell Elizabeth Smart, caring, kind Who wanted to enjoy equality Who was able to work hard Who wondered if she would ever be allowed to be a doctor Who feared she would not achieve her dreams Who cared about others :KR GUHDPHG RI EHLQJ DQG Ă&#x20AC;QDOO\ EHFDPH WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW IHPDOH GRFWRU Blackwell Gidget Schlossberg, 2nd Grade

Have You? Have you ever fought a dragon?

Have you had a staring contest with an ogre?

Have you grown wings and soared through the sky?

Have you ever traveled through outer space?

Have you ever traveled to the underworld?

Have you gone to the bottom of the ocean?

Have you ever fought megalodons and saved pretty mermaids?

Have you gone through dangerous portals and explored the extraordinary dimensions?

Have you ever built a red colorful time machine?

Have you ever controlled a galactic battle ship and saved the cosmos with your greatness?

Have youâ&#x20AC;Ś Ever read a book?

Vincent Montagna, 5th Grade

Taking the Swing: A Poem for George H. W. Bush

I step up to the plate.

Ready to take the swing.

Waiting for the windup. +HUH·V WKH SLWFK The ball gliding over to me in slow motion.

And then I swing. $QG D FUDFN LV KHDUG IURP WKH EDW

Soaring away from the bat.

Like a shot from a howitzer. $VFHQGLQJ LQWR WKH VN\ The ball is diving now, a bird of prey. ,W ODQGV RQ WKH JURXQG ,W ERXQFHV 2QFH WZLFH WKUHH WLPHV Before it skids to a stop out of the park.

&KHHUV FDQ EH KHDUG IURP PLOHV DZD\ 3URYLQJ ZKDW , MXVW DFFRPSOLVKHG I think of what lead up to this.

Hard work. World War Two. Pearl Harbor.

, WRXFK KRPH SODWH DQG WKH URPS LV RYHU 0\ QDPH LV EHLQJ FKHHUHG Yale wins!

Korben Mortimer, 6th Grade

Parker Lesley, 6th Grade Jackie Robinson Jackie Brave, caring, friendly Who enjoys playing baseball Who is able help black people play Major League Baseball Who feels happy for what he did Who wonders why they made the rule about black and white Who fears mean people Who cares about his family and country

/XNH 6KLQRĂ&#x20AC;HOG th Grade Freedom Give me freedom, I will stumble and fall.

Put me in jail, I will smile and wave.

My freedom.

Who dreams of having a peaceful world Chuck me opportunity,

Robinson Locke Learner, 2nd Grade

I will not catch it.

Give me a direction, I will gladly follow it.

My freedom.

Give me free space, I will drop it.

Give me a goal, I will run after it.

My freedom.

Lincoln Hatch, 5th Grade

Mira Shapero, 6th Grade

My Room Is…

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What Love Is

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I love my family. Love keeps on

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Caroline Wainger, 4th Grade

\RX ORYH WRR 1DWXUH LV ORYH WR SHRSOH SHRSOH DUH ORYH WR QDWXUH Friends are love. Friends can help \RX 3HWV DUH ORYH \RX SOD\ ZLWK WKHP DQG WKH\·UH IULHQGO\ WR \RX LI \RX KDYH ORYH LQ WKHP &ODVVPDWHV DUH ORYH WKH\ FDQ KHOS \RX NHHS SURPLVHV IRUHYHU &ODVVPDWHV DUH IULHQGV WR KHOS Danny Fei, 1st Grade

Lola Mae McKenzie, 2nd Grade

Room Sweet Room , ORYH P\ URRP ,W¡V ZHOFRPLQJ FRPIRUWDEOH DQG FR]\ ,W¡V OLNH P\ RZQ OLWWOH SDUDGLVH DQG hideaway from my family. I saunter in, laugh, VPLOH DQG FU\ LQ P\ URRP ,W¡V ZKHUH , FDQ pour out my feelings and secrets to my stuffed DQLPDOV , DOVR KDYH D SLFWXUH RI P\ OLWWOH à XII\ SRQ\ LQ D SLFWXUH IUDPH , KDYH D à XII\ ZKLWH rug too, and when I step on it, it feels like clouds under my feet! I have a little blue desk, DQG LW¡V ZKHUH , GUDZ DQG ZULWH EXW PRVWO\ draw. I love to plop down on my nice, warm,

Brogan Brown, 2nd Grade

FR]\ EHG DQG UHDG ,W¡V ZKHUH , FDQ SRQGHU questions and get absorbed in a book. When I wake up in the morning I see golden streams of light pouring down from my window. I breathe in the musky fresh air in the morning. I am such a lucky girl to have a hideaway of my own where I can keep my treasure and trinkets.

What is Love?

Love is when your dog licks you

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Maple Murphy, 4th Grade

on the face. Love is when you WDNH WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW ELWH IURP D SLHFH of bacon. Love is going into the ocean. Love is playing video games.

Love is when your sister makes you laugh. Love is when Mommy lets you sit in the back!

Owen Christian, 1st Grade

JJ Monninger, 2nd Grade

I Sew I measure, I cut, I pin, I lay.

I thread, I sew, I pivot, I sew.

I stop, I lift,

Dominic Villafranca, 5th Grade

I pull, I snip.

I cut, I clip, I thread, I push.

I pull, I snip, I fold, I pin.

I select, I sew, I push, I sew,

I stop, I lift.

I stop, I pull.

I rotate, I push, I sew, I pull,

I sew, I lift.

I sew, I pull.

I sew, I back tack, I lift, I snip.

I fold, I sew, I stop, I turn.

I sew, I lift, I snip, Fletcher Creech, 5

th

Grade

,¡P GRQH Taylor Purcell, 5th Grade

Fabric, Fabric Everywhere My tree house is painted green, and it has a blue door.

There is a yellow slide with green and orange polka dots. The best part is that the paint changes

Sarah Ternes, 5th Grade

colors depending upon my mood.

Pink is happy, purple is calm, and blue is cold. Green is excitement, \HOORZ LV ZKHQ , GRQ·W IHHO ZHOO DQG UHG LV ZKHQ , DP PDG ,I \RX VHH D sewing machine, it means that it is WLPH IRU PH WR VHZ

There is a bean bag chair that is turquoise inside my tree house. There DUH VDPSOHV RI IDEULF VHZLQJ ERRNV VWXIÃ&#x20AC;QJ DQG SLQV 7KHUH LV DOVR D VHZLQJ PDFKLQH DQG D UXJ WKDW KDV D SLFWXUH RI a sewing machine on it. There is even a small table with several chairs. Since you might be wondering when I am sewing, there is a bright light shaped OLNH D VHZLQJ PDFKLQH RQ WKH RXWVLGH RI my house. I will turn it on when I am actually sewing inside my tree house.

You are welcome to join me.

Maggie Rafal, 3rd Grade

Anna Iacobucci, 5th Grade

Guy! There was a person named Guy $QG KH DOZD\V VDLG ´+L ¾ But in the end +H ZDVQ¡W P\ IULHQG For he had stolen my pie!

Ellie Burnette, 5th Grade

Harper Constantinides, 2nd Grade

A New Cavalier Hotel Over spring break my family and I went to a ceremony for the grand opening of the Cavalier Hotel. The hotel is very fancy. The hotel has a spa, indoor pool, two restaurants, D ZHGGLQJ DUHD WKDW LV QRW Ă&#x20AC;QLVKHG DQG VHYHQ Ă RRUV RI EHGURRPV 7KH VWDII PHPEHUV DUH the nicest people my mom and dad have ever PHW 7KHUH¡V D KXJH NLWFKHQ DQG RQH ELJ ballroom. The food is delicious and they have D ELJ ´7HD 5RRPÂľ QH[W WR WKH RXWGRRU JDPHV Someday, I really hope to spend a night at the Cavalier Hotel!

Kailyn McNaughton, 3rd Grade

Sabrina Casagrande, 5th Grade

Dinner and Dessert $ 3RHP IRU 7ZR 9RLFHV

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I Wrote a Poem about Myself

0ROOLH $UPHQWURXW nd Grade (OOLH 7UDQW nd Grade

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.H·0\UDK 6WHZDUW 7KRUSH nd Grade

0ROO\ 5ROIH WK Grade

Sun

sun luminous, bold eclipsing, scorching, illuminating gives warmth to Earth star Gunnar Zimmerman, 4th Grade William Chung, 3rd Grade Beach I feel the silky sand See the water crashing soft Hear the dolphins chirp Felicity Johnson, 3rd Grade

Eliana Jin, 4th Grade THE FEEL OF SILK Like the back side of a dolphin Or a whale Or a ray.

A soft dreamy cloud Or your favorite blanket.

The Feel of SILK. Carter Kaplan, 4th Grade Mollie Decker, 4th Grade

A Book Is Like an Ocean

A book is like an ocean The waves, stories The creatures, characters.

Suddenly, it can sweep you off your feet, Completely immerse you.

A book is like a friend Who is always there for you.

They can make you laugh Or help in times of peril.

And suddenly, they can become different in a matter of pages.

A book is like a sunset Sometimes it takes a long time, But you enjoy it just the same.

It is beautiful and engrossing And comes in all different shapes and colors.

A book is like a shadow It can follow you and crowd your thoughts, And a good one will never leaveâ&#x20AC;Ś A book is a special thing Anyone can read.

Ayla Kell, 5th Grade

'LVQH\·V )LUVW 5HDO 3DO With ears as big as plates, I am laughed at and ridiculed, but one quality that transcends others is my storytelling skills.

I tell of my adventures and my plucky attempts for victory, for I can solve any problem and Donald rarely can.

I remember the old days ZKHQ :DOW ÀUVW GUHZ P\ H[XEHUDQW VPLOH and on the paper I stood proud, for my name was Mortimer Mouse.

But soon I became Mickey, and I whistled about the choice, IRU :DOW·V LPDJLQDWLRQ had brought this mouse to life.

My creator is a magician, and he conjures my friends out of thin air.

He muses over dreams and wishes upon stars.

My buddy, Walt, moved on to other projects, IXOO OHQJWK IHDWXUH ÀOPV DERXW SULQFHVVHV LQ SDODFHV But I remained KLV ÀUVW UHDO SDO

Ann Gray Golpira, 6th Grade

Ice Cold, Slippery Sparkling, Freezing, Glistening Water, Winter, Outside, Marshmallows Roasting, Smoking, Burning Hot, Bright Fire Kayden Stone, 4th Grade Natalie Tajan, 6th Grade Sitting by the Fire

Warm at home, Elves are watching you.

Hot cocoa is very hot, 6LWWLQJ E\ WKH Ă&#x20AC;UH Quinn Parvin, 4th Grade Sam Shumandine, 6th Grade

The Feel of Snow Like a day in the Arctic A popsicle, an icicle, A big marshmallow Dropping from the sky.

A snowball in the making, Or a snowman waiting to be built Brody Stuart, 4th Grade Yasmin Danso, 6th Grade

Silence: A Poem for Maya Angelou

0\ ZRUGV KDYH VWDEEHG PH DQG QRZ WKH\¡UH ORVW I should have spoken; silence is the cost.

My voice is shattered like a vase. , VXSSRVH , VKRXOGQ¡W VKRZ P\ IDFH My words are abroad, gone for good.

I should break the silence. I knew I could.

Then arose a woman named Bertha Flowers.

In my mind, her ideas gave her superpowers.

She reported that she had discovered a cure.

She said it would work and promised she was sure.

6KH JDYH PH D ERRN DQG VDLG LW ZDV DOO ,¡G HYHU QHHG She told me then that I had to read.

I followed her rules, I obeyed her commands.

That night I read the book aloud, With it sitting in my hands.

Aloud I read with all my voice.

Deep down I knew I had no choice.

7KDW ERRN RI SRHPV ZDV P\ Ă&#x20AC;UH It kindled my spirits. It strengthened my desire.

Ever so brightly, it shone its light.

It led me through each atrocious night.

Day after another, I regained my words, $QG IURP P\ PRXWK WKH\ WRRN à LJKW OLNH ELUGV To this day, I have published many things, %XW WKDW¡V KRZ , NQRZ WKH FDJHG ELUG VLQJV Madison Kay, 6th Grade

The Evolution of a Book Thinking of a book high on a mountain :KHUH VWRULHV FDQ XQUDYHO LQ WKH FRPSRVHU·V WKRXJKWV 7KH WKLQNHU ZRQGHUV DQG ZULWHV Ã&#x20AC;OOLQJ KHU SDJHV ZLWK DGYHQWXUHV Or rewriting an old fable from her childhood.

The ink on a page creating beautiful handwritten words ,Q WKH ·V ·V A printing press hard at work as pages became a story ,Q WKH ·V ·V A typewriter clicking away, typing through the words ,Q ·V A computer with no sound, but a glowing screen of paragraphs ,Q ·V From the past to the present a book was a book no matter how you wrote it.

It is an evolution, a new way, but there were always Words, paragraphs, pages.

From paper to digital It was always a book.

Olivia Reid, 5th Grade

A Perfect Getaway Costumes, ballet slippers, and tap shoes clutter my tree KRXVH ,W LV ORFDWHG LQ P\ EDFN\DUG DQG LW LV VXUURXQGHG E\ D Ã&#x20AC;HOG RI dandelions. On the outside, it is painted pink to keep the boys out!

Inside, there is a closet along the back wall. When you RSHQ WKH FORVHW GRRU \RX ZLOO Ã&#x20AC;QG FRVWXPHV QHDWO\ KXQJ RQ D UDLOLQJ Underneath the costumes, there are ballet and tap shoes in separate ER[HV 7R WKH ULJKW RI WKH FORVHW WKHUH LV D EDUUH IRU PH WR SUDFWLFH RQ %HKLQG WKH EDUUH WKHUH DUH PLUURUV IRU PH WR ZDWFK P\VHOI WR VHH LI , DP GRLQJ WKH VWHSV FRUUHFWO\ 2Q WKH OHIW ZDOO WKHUH DUH PDWV DQG SLFWXUHV RI GDQFHUV ,I \RX ZDON VWUDLJKW DFURVV \RX ZLOO FRPH WR WKH FKDQJLQJ URRP ZDWHU IRXQWDLQ DQG D GUDZHU RI KHDG SLHFHV ,Q DOO WKH XSSHU FRUQHUV RI WKH URRP WKHUH DUH VSHDNHUV DQG up on the ceiling, there is a disco ball! Right next to the door there is a little desk with an iPad on top to help me select the music. My dad helped me build my tree house. We used wooden boards that we DOUHDG\ KDG WR PDNH P\ ZRQGHUIXO ´JHWDZD\ µ , ZLOO VKDUH P\ WUHH house with my sister because she likes to dance, too. I will use my WUHH KRXVH LQ DOO IRXU VHDVRQV HYHQ LQ WKH ZLQWHU 0\ WUHH KRXVH LV WKH SHUIHFW ´JHWDZD\µ ZKHQ , DP PDG RU QHHG WR FRRO GRZQ.

Lexie Craig, 3rd Grade

The Piano I play an instrument.

It has keys that are white and black.

I can play lots of songs on it.

I love playing the piano!

A Poem about Me

Lylah Eubanks, 1st Grade

Kesar Funny, creative, smart :KR HQMR\V VXVKL LFH FUHDP DQG ZDIĂ HV ZLWK V\UXS Who is able to do gymnastics really well Who feels peace when reading a book

The Sound of Rock and Roll

:KR ZRQGHUV ZKDW¡V EH\RQG VSDFH :KR IHDUV WRUQDGRV DQG à RRGV

Light but heavy,

Who cares about my family and everyone in my class

Laughter and tears,

Who dreams of being an orthodontist

The mouse will eat the falcon,

Behl

Rudeness is kind, Kindness is rude,

Kesar Behl, 2nd Grade

OPPOSITES mashed together!

The sound of ROCK AND ROLL. David Martin, 4th Grade

The Room I Love In my room I feel free, brave, safe, and beautiful. No one can disturb me when I am there. On my bed I have a beautiful and luscious pink and purple comforter. My new SLOORZ VXSSRUWV P\ KHDG LQ VXFK D ZD\ WKDW RQFH P\ KHDG WRXFKHV LW LW GRHVQ¡W ZDQW WR leave it. In my room I like to imagine that I am a free spirit and not affected by the UXOHV :KHQ , IDOO DVOHHS , KDYH WKH EHVW PRVW WHUULĂ&#x20AC;F GUHDPV DQG RK QRW WR PHQWLRQ P\ SDMDPDV 0\ SDMDPDV DUH VR ZDUP DQG FR]\ RQFH , SXW WKHP RQ , FDQ¡W KHOS EXW IHHO VR safe. My room can be messy or clean, but no matter what, my room will always be mine, so I will always love it!

Milla Avery, 4th Grade

Lights, Camera, Action: A Poem for Steven Spielberg

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$ Ă&#x20AC;Q Ă DVKHV LQWR IUDPH emerging from water as blue as sapphires.

The scene switches to Jurassic Park.

Opening the gate to a deathly start.

The water ripples.

And as the ground quakes, the fear level triples.

Then cut to a boulder.

Cut!

The audience on the edge of their seats.

Leaving this scene suspenseful and incomplete.

Kate Jarvis, 6th Grade

Living Through A Movie: A Poem for Ronald Reagan How to limn it?

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Rachael Buchanan, 6th Grade

I Remember Myself: A Poem for Amelia Earhart I remember myself as a girl, Sitting in class, Waiting to be dismissed and run.

Run like a cheetah out of the school, 7R JHW DZD\ IURP OLIH IRU , GLGQ¡W FDUH $QG , VWLOO GRQ¡W I remember myself moving away, Moving far, far away.

My dad had lost his job.

We were the laughing stock: Lonely, ashamed, and ruined, Looking for a bright new world.

I remember myself as a nurse Helping the ones in pain, The ones struggling and in need.

I helped the soldiers who were dying, Fainting away in their beds, Drifting off to a new world.

A world of new promises, $QG WKDW¡V ZKHUH , ZDQWHG WR EH

, UHPHPEHU P\VHOI Ă \LQJ IRU WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW WLPH Soaring through the sky, like a bird.

Soaring beyond the opportunities, laughing: Jubilant, gallant, and excited.

I knew I could do anything.

My bright new world.

Sydney Joynt, 6th Grade

The Charge of the Future: A Poem for Nikola Tesla That coil of your own design your transformer OLNH Ă LSSLQJ WKH VZLWFK RQ D QHZ HUD with one press of a button And the world, your world will never again function without the charge of electricity sparking branching out The tendrils of light like the hands of creation, your hands, one and the same Reaching out to envelop the universe warping it changing it developing it at a speed not now known to the human race Dauntless in our efforts to power the world and the future Gretchen Scott, 6th Grade

Flying Speks I threw on my pink, fuzzy, robe, and sprinted up the stairs as fast as I could. It ZDV &KULVWPDV PRUQLQJ 2QFH P\ SDUHQWV JRW XS LW ZDV Ă&#x20AC;QDOO\ WLPH , SLFNHG XS D PHGLXP VL]HG UHFWDQJXODU ER[ DQG VKRRN LW , VDZ SDSHU WHDU LQ P\ IDFH , VDZ ULEERQV Ă \LQJ ,W was an amazing mess of madness. After I opened all my presents I noticed something.

´:KDW¡V WKDW"¾ , DVNHG P\ GDG

´1RW VXUH ¾ KH VDLG ´%XW LW KDV \RXU QDPH RQ LW ¾ I picked it up. What was it? It was decent weight. It made a little noise when I

shook it. Slowly I tore it open. RIP! It was Speks! YES! My face lit up. I was smiling so big, my eyes were closed. I was jumping off the walls with excitement, going insane! It felt as though I was walking on clouds.

6SHNV DUH VPDOO FLUFXODU PDJQHWV 0DVKDEOH VPDVKDEOH EXLOGDEOH WKH\¡UH KRXUV of endless fun and entertainment. I was feeling creative, so I was going to try to make D KROORZ VTXDUH ZKLFK LV YHU\ DGYDQFHG $IWHU PDQ\ DWWHPSWV LW UHDOO\ ZDVQ¡W ZRUNLQJ 7KH EDOOV ZRXOGQ¡W JR WRJHWKHU LQ WKH ULJKW ZD\ $IWHU D PLOOLRQ WULHV , FRXOGQ¡W WDNH LW anymore! My hands were shaking, my face was getting red. I felt as though I was a ripe tomato about to explode. My heart was beating out of my chest as I was tightening all my muscles in my body to try to hold back from letting my boiling lava erupt. , UDLVHG P\ DUP VPDVKHG WKH OLWWOH XQFRRSHUDWLYH EDOOV LQ P\ VZHDW\ Ă&#x20AC;VW DQG WKHQ ZLWK DOO P\ IRUFH , WKUHZ P\ DUP GRZQ DQG RSHQHG P\ Ă&#x20AC;VW ZLGH 60$6+ 7KH\ ZHQW everywhere. Under the carpet, in the cushions, under the table, even in the other room!

The lump in my throat grew to be the size of the moon. My guilt was bigger than ever before. I tried to pick them up, but there were too many, in too many different places. I had just lost half of my favorite Christmas present. , UHDOO\ OHDUQHG P\ OHVVRQ <RX KDYH WR KDYH SDWLHQFH DQG \RX FDQ¡W JHW IUXVWUDWHG RYHU OLWWOH WKLQJV ,I \RX GRQ¡W WKHQ ZHOO \RX PLJKW HQG XS ORVLQJ VRPHWKLQJ \RX ZHUH very, very excited about.

Brooke DiGeronimo, 5th Grade

Cole Chavez

Cole Brave, friendly, creative, and funny Sibling of Tessa and Marisa Lover of PB&J, chocolate, and Legos Who feels happy, joyful, and peaceful Who gives joy, love, and fun Who fears sharks, tarantulas, and snakes Who would like to see God Who lives in Virginia Beach Chavez

Legos legos mini, architecture

Cole Chavez, 2nd Grade

building, designing, trading bricks with studs blocks Ian Scanlon, 3rd Grade

Hungry Hippos Hungry Hippos is very fun! Almost every family member can play. The game is dangerous. I was in Pennsylvania when I learned how to play. To play this game, you need a lot of tennis balls, scooters, and a garage. My mom paired two people together and my uncle was a helper. We put the tennis balls in a sack. We sat on the scooter and tried to collect as many balls as we could from the middle of the JDUDJH 7KHUH FDQ RQO\ EH RQH Ă&#x20AC;UVW SODFH ZLQQHU DQG , FRXOGQ¡W EHOLHYH KRZ PXFK laughter was in the room! My winter break was wonderful.

AllieTyszko, 3rd Grade

Riding Splash Mountain

´0D\EH WKLV ZDV D EDG LGHD µ , WROG P\ IULHQG 'DQQ\ ´1DK µ VKH UHVSRQGHG DV we buckled into the second biggest ride in Funtown, Splash Mountain. It was a three EXPS ZDWHU ULGH WKDW LV UHDOO\ VWHHS DQG RQ D WRERJJDQ 7KH Ã&#x20AC;UVW WZR EXPSV ZHUH small but the last one looked HUGE. , PD\ KDYH EHHQ RYHU H[DJJHUDWLQJ EXW LW VWLOO ORRNHG ELJ , GRQ·W NQRZ ZKDW FDPH RYHU PH ZKHQ P\ IULHQGV EHJJHG PH WR ULGH EXW , VDLG ´<HVµ 0\ NQHHV ZHUH buckling as I walked up the steps. I was trying not to lose my cool but deep inside I was having a mental breakdown. Will I survive? I thought, stumbling on my every step. No, said a harsh, cold voice in the back of my head. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Are you ok? You look a OLWWOH JUHHQ µ DVNHG P\ FRXQVHORU 'DUF\ ZLWK FRQFHUQ ´<HDK ,·P Ã&#x20AC;QH µ , UHSOLHG D OLWWOH VKDNHQ , GLGQ·W ZDQW WR EH WKH SDUW\ SRRSHU IRU WKH GD\ IRU P\ IULHQGV :H JRW RQ WKH ZRRGHQ WRERJJDQ DQG VWDUWHG WKH ULGH 7KH Ã&#x20AC;UVW WZR EXPSV ZHUH Ã&#x20AC;QH , DOPRVW IRUJRW ZKDW ZDV LQ IURQW RI PH %XW DW WKH ODVW EXPS ZH ZHQW KLJKHU DQG KLJKHU , VDLG P\ ODVW SUD\HUV UHDO RQHV QRW WKH W\SHV DERXW JHWWLQJ D JRRG JUDGH RQ D WHVW , FRXOG VHH WKH KHDGOLQH ´ <HDU 2OG 'LHV RQ 6SODVK 0RXQWDLQ 0DLQH µ 7KHQ , FORVHG P\ H\HV DQG ´$++++++ µ , FRXOG IHHO WKH JODFLHU like chlorine water soaking me from my head to my toes as my heart stopped and I dug my nails into the palm of my hand. Then I realized it was done, I had survived Splash Mountain!

I learned that you should face your fears and take risks because it might turn out to be thrilling.

Simone Nied, 5th Grade

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´:LOO , GLH" :LOO , OLYH" ,I , GR GLH ZLOO LW EH RI IHDU RU GURZQLQJ"Âľ, DVNHG DV , LQWHUURJDWHG P\ PRP LQ WKH FDU RQ WKH ZD\ WR P\ Ă&#x20AC;UVW VZLP FODVV ´,W¡OO EH DOULJKW Âľ P\ PRP VDLG ´2N Âľ , VDLG LQ WKH TXLHWHVW YRLFH ZLWK D OXPS LQ P\ WKURDW DQG P\ heart thumping out of my chest.

I stood in the locker room changing, the smell of chlorine and sweat so powerful it conquered my sensitive nose and made my eyes water like I was crying, something I wanted to do eagerly. It felt as though I was holding back two heavy trains at my eyelids and that they could come out at any time.

I walked in front of the pool with a fake but perfect posture. I saw it as a colossal ocean waiting for me to get in and drown. My mom could sense the fear in my eyes VR VKH VDLG ´$UH \RX DOULJKW"¾ ´2I FRXUVH ¾ , VDLG ZLWK WKH IDNH JLJJOH EXW LQVLGH , ZDV FU\LQJ DQG VFUHDPLQJ DW the top of my lungs.

7KHQ LW ZDV WKH PRPHQW ZKHUH , KDG WR JHW LQ , FDXWLRXVO\ ZHQW IHHW Ă&#x20AC;UVW LQWR WKH IULJLG FROG ZDWHU 12 , MXVW FRXOGQ¡W GR LW , FRXOGQ¡W HYHQ Ă RDW RQ P\ RZQ KRZ FRXOG I do backstroke? I jumped on my instructor thinking she was the only boat on the large expanse of the pool, in my mind a colossal ocean.

6KH ORZHUHG PH LQWR WKH EULVN EOXH ZDWHU ZLWK JUHDW GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW\ DV , ZDV wriggling and kicking her. I heard a splash and I was plunged in! Next thing I knew I was NLFNLQJ ZLWK DOO P\ PLJKW , ZDV DFWXDOO\ Ă RDWLQJ VWUXJJOLQJ EXW QRW GURZQLQJ $ JUHDW feeling of reassurance emerged over me. With a little practice, I could be splashing and KDYLQJ IXQ LQ WKH ZDWHU ZLWK P\ IDPLO\ DQG FRXVLQV ZLWKRXW KDYLQJ WR ZHDU EXOJ\ Ă RDWLHV that hurt my arms and left marks. , OHDUQHG WKDW HYHQ LI \RX DUH SHWULĂ&#x20AC;HG RU MLWWHU\ DERXW VRPHWKLQJ EH D JR getter! Give it your best shot because you might surprise yourself.

Eraj Zaidi, 5th Grade

Cruel Mind: A Holocaust Poem

I had big dreams in front of me trying to live my life to the fullest,

7KH 3ULVRQHUV¡ 3OHD $ +RORFDXVW 3RHP

but then the tyrant came for us

We lived a normal life and then,

like a monster

they took away everything.

that never ate enough

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They made me a body

then, in a second, gone.

with no soul

6FUHDPV Ă&#x20AC;OOHG WKH DLU

trying to survive

ZH VDZ WKH IHDU LQ HYHU\RQH¡V H\HV

the death camps

It was like a nightmare,

How scary it was

a nightmare with no end.

the terrors around me

Evil took us by the hand

ZH GLGQ¡W NQRZ

and swallowed each and every one.

LI ZH¡G HYHU EH IUHH

Until the Allies came

Shame screamed inside me

and brought us back

my body in pain

to a place where hatred

we were slaves

QRZ Ă&#x20AC;OOHG WKH DLU

of a cruel mind

Srivarun Hathwar, 6

And we heard the people chanting, th

Grade

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Never Again!â&#x20AC;?

Khushi Raval, 6th Grade

Arbeit Macht Frei

, WULHG WR VWRS WKHP EXW WKH\ GLGQ·W NQRZ What would happen to them, what horrors would unfold, Lambs to be slaughtered.

The train car squeezed us.

Nothing to eat; nothing to see. &RXOGQ·W PRYH VR KDUG WR EUHDWKH

Sorted into groups.

Never saw them again.

Gave them our things.

Saw death smoke rising.

Never a break, they put us to work. :H FRXOGQ·W EHDU LW As they chose The people who live, The people who die, Our friends and family.

Like we were scum, not even human.

´:RUN PDNHV RQH IUHH µ WKH\ VDLG We knew they were lying.

Innocent people, six million of them.

Just stay alive one more day.

Zoë Jones, 6th Grade

Winter , KHDU WKH KRZOLQJ ZLQG , VPHOO WKH VFUXPSWLRXV KRW FRFRD , VHH WKH SHRSOH JHWWLQJ VWXFN LQ WKH VQRZ , IHHO WKH ZDUP ÀUH LQVLGH , WDVWH WKH FROG VQRZÁDNH RQ P\ PRXWK :KDW FRXOG LW EH" Snowman

,W·V ZLQWHU Maite Guzman, 3rd Grade

)ULHQGO\ )UR]HQ 6QRZLQJ 5ROOLQJ 0HOWLQJ +DW &DUURW 6KHOOV )ODJ 6KRYHOLQJ &DUYLQJ 6PRRWKLQJ *ROGHQ )UDJLOH Sand Castle Charlotte Shumadine, 4th Grade

I Saw a Penguin

Snow

I was sitting by the window and I saw a &ROG :KLWH )DOOLQJ )UHH]LQJ 0HOWLQJ %OL]]DUG 6QRZEDOO 'LUW 6HHG *URZLQJ %ORRPLQJ 3ROOLQDWLQJ &RORUIXO %HDXWLIXO 3ODQW

SHQJXLQ ZDON E\ , JRW XS«GRQ·W DVN PH ZK\ 6KH WRRN PH WR $QWDUFWLFD 6KH ZDV SLQN DQG EODFN DQG VKH WROG PH KHU QDPH ZDV 5RVH 5RVH IRXQG KHU PDWH 5RVH·V PDWH·V QDPH ZDV -RQ :KLOH 5RVH PDGH KHU QHVW -RQ ZDV JDWKHULQJ URFNV IRU 5RVH 7KHQ 5RVH ODLG KHU HJJV 7KHQ

Chloe Levy, 4th Grade

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The Best Gift Ever The best gift I ever received was my big brother. This is my favorite gift of all because I love my brother!

Caitlyn Thompson, 1st Grade

Sisters Forever I have two of them living in my house.

They are both four years old.

They look the same.

One likes boy stuff and one likes girl stuff.

They like the same food.

They are the best twin sisters ever!

Annan Wynne, 1st Grade

My Marvelous Room 0\ URRP LV PDUYHORXV EHFDXVH ZKHQ ,¡P VDG RU PDG , ZLOO JR WR P\ URRP and calm myself down. When I am there I feel special to have a room of my own and not have to share one with my sisters. When you walk into my room you will see a tall white armoire that I treasure a lot because my mom had it when she was a child. Every day I create new adventures in my room. It is unique because it looks like an octagon! When I need peace and quiet I go there. My room is the answer to my problems. My room is awesome.

Meredith Avery, 4th Grade

Coal to a Diamond: A Poem for Oprah Winfrey As a young child her freedom was stolen.

She was abused and BROKEN, Taken.

A S T R A Y From her father and mother.

Everything seemed to fade away Like sand in the palm of the hand on a windy day.

A competent little girl she was: Retold the whole story of Easter at age three, Then Scholarship to the University of Tennessee, But yet, . . .

6KH ZDVQ¡W GRQH Perseverance is the key To succeed in reality.

6KH ZDV WZHQW\ WZR ZKHQ VKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW Inquired to interview at WJZ-TV. Scared and frightened, but She was still delighted.

Creator of Harpo Productions And Owner of OWN Television.

From rags to riches.

A child of God, she is radiating his glory.

Once a piece of coal.

Now she is a diamond.

Toye Lawani, 6th Grade

Hot Cocoa Hot cocoa, 6RIW PDUVKPDOORZV Ă RDW 6WHDP Ă RDWLQJ DERYH WKH FXS I love hot cocoa!

Easton Rogers, 1st Grade

Ronan Foy, 4th Grade

Winter Winter, ,W¡V WKDW WLPH RI \HDU 6QRZà DNHV IDOOLQJ LQ WKH DLU Santa Claus is here!

Christmas

Sam Light, 4th Grade

Christmas, 1LFH FR]\ Ă&#x20AC;UH Underneath the mistletoe, Sumner Hester, 1st Grade

Good boys get presents!

Jared Biggs, 4th Grade

Letter to Santa Dear Santa, How do you get to all the houses in one night? How old are you? How cold is it in the North Pole? What do you like to eat? Thank you for the presents on Christmas!

From, Drake Yanek Drake Yanek, 1st Grade

These Words These words Tumbling, Spilling, Falling, Snapping me up And never letting me go.

These words Taking me, Teleporting me To other dimensions, To other worlds,

Jack Trant, 2nd Grade

To other universes, 7R LQĂ&#x20AC;QLW\ DQG EH\RQG These words, Loving me, Caring for me, Teaching me, Catching me When I fall.

These words, Transporting me To Mt. Everest, To the Sahara Desert, To the Mariana Trench, To the top of the world!

Jack Poynter, 5th Grade Colin Gildea, 2nd Grade

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,·P IURP 7LQNHU 7R\V And Hotwheels, Lee Majors and Farrah Fawcett.

From Magnum PI and 0LOOLRQ 'ROODU 0DQ 6WLOO Ã&#x20AC;JKWLQJ IRU MXVWLFH In my head.

,·P IURP ´0D\ WKH IRUFH EH ZLWK \RX µ $QG ´'RQ·W EH VR GRUN\µ From Journey and The Eagles,

Andrew Salib, 2nd Grade

To Mounds and Jolly Ranchers. ,·P IURP UHDGLQJ Hardy Boys and playing basketball, In my mind the ball still thumps on the court.

,·P IURP WKH GUHDPV RI EHLQJ D YHWHULQDULDQ Reading comic books And horseback riding.

From Encyclopedia Brown and REO Speedwagon, 6LQJLQJ ´7DNH LW RQ WKH 5XQµ LQ P\ KHDG It was a beautiful portrait Drawn in my head, Full of generations, And they may not have known it then, But soon they would pick up their palette, And start to paint me.

Lucy-Gage Zimmerman, 2

nd

Grade Natalie Martin, 5th Grade

Otter and Basilicous A Poem for Two Voices

Otter

Basilosaurus

I am an otter.

I am a basilosaurus.

We love meat.

We love meat.

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I am a monster.

We love the water.

We love the water.

I live today.

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I saw a penguin walk by. I ran

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I am vicious.

outside in my Santa pajamas. It

We are opposites.

We are opposites.

Jill Stewart, 5th Grade

I Saw a Penguin

I was sitting by the window and

was strange. She was purple and pink. Her name was Lily. She KDG D ÁRZHU LQ KHU KDLU 6KH ZDV

Latane Ware, 2nd Grade Gaetan Poulin, 2nd Grade

very pretty! I went to the fair with her and we got lost. I had so much fun with her. She is my pet now. I love when she comes up to cuddle with me. She is the best pet ever and we will always be best friends.

Betsy McCabe, 1st Grade Zachary Armentrout, 5th Grade

If I had a Pet Penguin If I had a pet penguin I would call KLP 3HWH WKH ,, , ZRXOG PDNH KLP VOHHS LQ WKH IUHH]HU +LV IDYRULWH pizza is octopus and he would eat Ã&#x20AC;VK +H ZRXOG VZLP LQ WKH SRRO ZKHQ WKH ZDWHU LV FROG EUUU

Pete Call, 1 Grade st

Jacob Gonzales, 5th Grade

Max My dog is a hunter, 7KH EHVW \RX ZLOO Ã&#x20AC;QG He really likes reptiles, +H GRHV QRW FDUH ZKDW NLQG He likes to be outside, $OO RI WKH WLPH Hoping and hoping, Ruby Reis, 5th Grade A Pet Spider

7KHUH LV VRPHWKLQJ HOVH WR Ã&#x20AC;QG Some might think, +H·V RXW IRU WKH NLOO

If I was a pet spider I would live in Chesapeake

But reallyâ&#x20AC;¦he just wants,

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I think some of his new friends,

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May have taught him a trick or two, He now loves to do a,

Peyson Parker, 1st Grade

6QDS VQDS DW \RX Vaughan Cutchins, 3rd Grade

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First, we throw the snow.

7KHQ ZH ULGH WKH VQRZ PRELOHV , HDW WKH VQRZĂ DNHV

5XE\ &KDVWDLQ nd Grade

&RRSHU 6WXDUW th Grade

A Bike Ride

I am out riding my bike. I hit a banana skin, and skid out of control, then I went into the DLU DQG IHOO LQWR D ]RR , IHOO LQWR WKH OLRQ¡V FDJH 7KHQ WKH OLRQV FKXFNHG PH XS LQ WKH DLU and I landed back on my bike.

5HHG 6KLQRĂ&#x20AC;HOG st Grade

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I like to get the ball.

I like to dribble the ball.

I shoot the ball.

I miss, but I try again.

7KH QH[W WLPH , PDNH LW , ORYH SOD\LQJ EDVNHWEDOO

/LOD :DONHU st Grade &DUVRQ *DGG\ th Grade

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