Summer H. 5Co

What to Count

I had a scary dream last night

That pulled me from my slumber

There were frightening things that happened

With Monsters, witches, lightning and thunder

I really regret what I did

Because I still haven’t fallen back to sleep

I shouldn’t have counted those monsters

Instead of counting sheep

Mrs. Connolly's Class Artwork

Reid B 5Co

Watching a Baseball Game

Team’s up by one in the ninth,

But the pitcher’s in a jam.

Bases loaded, two outs,

And a full count on Lamb.

I stand up near the TV,

Waiting for some action.

I can’t take much more suspense,

From this intense attraction.

Finally the pitcher chooses a pitch,

After the catcher shows the sign.

And in case you haven’t noticed,

This game is on the line.

The pitcher throws a forkball,

I can’t wait to see the results.

After the pitch I say out loud,

“You just had to walk the tying run home didn’t you?”

Bailey B. 5Co

Hunger Games

I want to read the Hunger Games

 I really really do!

My teacher Ms. Connolly says

no not in school.

It sounds amazingly cool

but I cant read it,

 so I asked my parents they said fine but Ms. Connolly just keeps denying, request upon request

I just keep trying

I think I might be asking

until I’m dying.

Casey C. 5Co

FGN

Family

Game

Night

Was

SO

Fun

Won some money

And a trip

Basketball

Pizza

Even a bike

$3000

That’s alright!

Throw the slider

Bouncin’ Boggle

Reach for the dots

WE WON!
WE WON!

Jamaica, baby!

SO FUN!

SO FUN!

Jane E. 5Co

Rip-Tide

I jumped In the pattern of wave after wave,

It was salty and cool, a memory to save.

Laughing with my brothers, having lots of fun,

A glance at the boiling, golden sun.

Waves towering over my head,

A shadow as dark as under my bed.

The water rushed out and with it I went,

Away from the shore I quickly was sent.

I was gliding along with no fear at my side,

But I quickly figured out that I was in a riptide!

I remembered what my dad had said, just the day before,

When you are in a riptide, swim parallel to the shore.

So I followed his advice, and swam right around,

That troublesome riptide, and got to firm ground.

Charlotte C 5Co

        The Gymnastics Machine

The gymnastics machine used to do cartwheels all around the house

She even did performances when we were supposed to eat

She would never stop until my parents started to beg, will you eat your dinner before it gets to cold

She would shove her dinner down her throat and when she finished that she would start right up again

Cartwheels, cartwheels after each other

Sometimes the gymnastics machine would do round-offs and cartwheels in to splits

She doesn’t do her classes after school no more cause her favorite gymnastics instructor doesn’t teach there anymore

Boy was the gymnastics machine sad at that news

My opinion is, who cares there are more nice gymnastics instructors lying in the world

But of course the gymnastics machine doesn’t care on what I’ve got to say because she’s found something else to do instead…

KARATAYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh boy, I’m in HUGEEEEEEE trouble!!!

Casey C. 5Co

I CANNOT Write a Poem

I CANNOT write a poem         The day was almost over

I really don’t know why           This would never be done  

I CANNOT write a poem          I went to bed so sadly

No matter how hard I try.          This day was not so fun.

To write a good long poem        I CANNOT write a poem

You have to think real hard        I really don’t know why

So I went outside to                    Wait! I just wrote one!

Concentrate in my backyard       See you later, and goodbye!

I lay there in the grass

And stare up at the sky

Then I get hungry

I go in and eat a pie

I lay there a little more

Then get kind of bored

But I have to finish this

Because it will be scored.

Maybe I should take a nap

That would do the trick!

So when I got into my bed

Along came my friend Rick

I told him I was working,

This had to be done today,

But he ignored me,

And walked in the house anyway.

I followed him and told him

He really had to go

He just looked at me

And all he said was “NO!”

I picked him up and carried him

To his house next door

I really was hoping

He wouldn’t come back for more.

Will F. 5Co

Sleep Away Camp

I was at sleep away camp in Akron, OH enjoying it so far, and then we had a big game coming up. It was the last game of the camp. I was so nervous I couldn’t handle the pressure I would have to play perfect to win the championship. The game was just starting. The other team started off scoring two goals when I was on the bench then when I came in we came back and tied it 2-2 and then in the closing seconds of extra time the other team had a shot and it was going middle corner. Our goalkeeper was on the ground all I had to do was block it so without even thinking I did a bicycle kick and blocked it! With a sort of adrenaline I did it! And then the referee blew the whistle and we were going to penalty kicks it was anyone’s game and we ended up winning 3-0 on penalty kicks.      

Sophie A. 5Co

                                        The Robber

                  

   The steps in my old house creaked as I walked up them. My dog was acting worried and I was going to find out why. "BAM!" thunder exploded in the night sky. I shivered and ran up the stairs. I pushed open the bedroom door where I heard my dog crying. He ran out right when I opened the door, trying to tell me to follow. When I didn't he whined. I looked inside the room. At the window something moved. Someone was trying to get in! I swiveled around and ran down the stairs. I looked around the living room. The coast was clear. "Come on Jasper!" I whispered. He didn't come. Where was he? I turned around and saw him. He was still at the top of the stairs. I ran up to him but then stopped when I saw a ripped brown boot come out of the doorway.

   I ran down the stairs too scared to think that my dog was still up there. I only realized it when I was already hiding behind the banister. I wanted to run up but knew how dangerous it might be. I saw the man with the brown boots pick my dog and mumble something like, "Just a dog no people. I guess it will do." He turned around and disappeared through the broken window with Jasper in his arms.

   I stayed in my little corner for a while until I knew for sure that he was gone. I walked quietly up the stairs and to the broken window. The only thing I could hear was the faintest sound of a dog whimpering.

                  

   When I woke up the next morning I heard a car rumble down the driveway. It was Mom and Dad! I got out of bed and went down to greet them. I was prepared to tell them the whole story. But, when I got downstairs not only my parents were there but also Jasper! They told me that while they were driving home they saw a man holding a dog who looked all to familiar. They stopped the car and asked if they could see his dog. He declined at first but then say they could just look, no touching. They looked at the collar and sure enough it said Jasper, with their phone number. Her mom took her phone out and dialed 911. The man probably realized they were calling the police so he dropped Jasper and ran off.

   The police found him and he is now in jail. The good thing was that we got Jasper back and that was all that mattered.

Karthik N. 5Co

What Really is in McDonald’s Food

Ewe!!

The food has pink slime, which explains why it costs a dime.

The “potato” fries are fake and so are the shakes.

The coffee is bad; the cream they put on the coffee has more calories than hairs on my dad.

Everything they sell is pretty much crud the person who owns it is obviously a dud.

Sadly I have to go to the conclusion but at least now you know the truth and you wont mess your youth.

P.S. everything I said is mostly true, and the guy who owns McDonalds, I don’t like you.

Jared W 5Co

Grandpa Lenny

I am going to tell you about my grandpa, my mom’s father. My grandpa is taller than most people at the height of 6 foot 2. I have to look up at him. He has dark brown eyes and very little hair. I have never seen one bad picture of my grandpa. No matter what he always has a smile on his face.

My grandpa was in the US army. He was stationed in Germany and he was a machine gunner. Right now my grandpa lives in Boyton Beach, Florida. Although my grandpa is retired  he still knows how to dance. When he was younger he was a good dancer says my mom says. I like to play sports with my grandpa. He swims, plays tennis, and takes long walks with my grandma. I like playing tennis with him each time I get closer to beating him. It will happen eventually. When we go to restaurant, when my mom isn’t looking I sprinkle salt on his arm it is almost a tradition.

     When my grandpa was growing up in the Lower east side his family is poor, poor enough that he had to use his brother’s righty glove when he was a lefty. He was a great player. In the summer he went to a cheap day camp in Davis, New York. He loved it because they did everything he liked. What I felt really bad about is his mom died when he was thirteen. He had an ok childhood.

            My grandpa went to the Fashion Institute of Technology. He worked for many companies including Calvin Klein sports wear. He was the stock manager. He went to that college because he went to a high school for clothing so he went there. Also he was having trouble getting other jobs so he went there.

            My grandpa loves to have friends over. He asks them to play tennis or over to dinner. My grandpa lives near great restaurants for example something called Japan grill it is a buffet of Japanese food. They have awesome an all you eat buffet. My grandpa always thinks of other first and has a big heart  and I want to see him soon!

Jacob Q. 5Co

The Skiing Disaster

It was a cold blurry snowy day and I was skiing!!! I drifted down the hill at incredible speed. I stopped at the top of a ramp and enjoyed the view. The trees were white and so was every thing else.

 I saw my own brea- WHAM!!! An unknown missile hit my back; I lost my balance and rolled down the hill!! My arm hit some thing sharp and sent me free flying then touched down on the snow covered ground. The trees were a blur, faster and faster I tumbled. The snow stung my face it stuck on to my cold cheeks. Finally I slammed into a tree, the snow softened the impact but it still stung my back. My whole body was sore. And blood oozed out of my arm I sat up and I saw three grownups by my side and also my brother. They asked if I was okay. I didn’t answer them. I just looked at them. I was only 5 and I didn’t know what to say but I said fine and I got up. I didn’t show them my scratch so they let me go. My arm must have hit a stone when I was rolling!  My brother told me that he smashed into me and I got so mad!!!

 I yelled at him and zoomed down the hill and didn’t stop until I got to the bottom.

I waited there for him, when he came he said that he didn’t mean to bump into me. It was too foggy to see anything; it was a good excuse because it was foggy. I thought about it for a long time and I finally forgave him and continued skiing. And so what happened after that day?

Well after that I went to the hotel that I was staying in and didn’t do any thing exciting. All I did was sleep, eat, sleep, my arm healed slowly but its fine now. My brother left me alone for a while and that sums it up!!!!!

 I didn’t tell any thing to my parents, and everything ended fine!! I always hope I will go back there some time and I hope next time its not that foggy!!!!! J       

Griffin K. 5Co

                              March 2010 Storm

       March, 2010… I’m going to my friend Zach’s house with 3 of my other friends, Dylan, Jake, and Eli. We stayed there for 4 days. I have to admit it was extremely fun.

       But on the second night we all heard a boooooom. My friends and I looked outside. There was a huge tree in the backyard, so close to the house. Did I mention that there were 7 kids in the house? Zach’s little sister had 2 other friends.

       Night 3 was awesome we did skits. My friends and I had one dad and 3 kids. We were doing pretend brothers being lazy. The dad comes and says,” You kids need to go outside.” We didn’t want to so we got in an argument.

       My friends and I were sleeping in the basement. There was a strange noise in the bathroom I went to check it out but nothing was there. Half an hour later we heard it again. Zach went to open it there was nothing there! It stopped an hour later.

       We went to Zach’s mom to tell her what happened. She said it was just the faucet. When there is a bad storm the faucet leaks a little bit.

      Well now I’m home and no school because of the storm.

             

Fraser L. 5Co

Snakes

Slivering through the forest floor, hunting down their pray

As quiet as a feather, sliding all around

Up and down the trees, all around the leaves, making hissing sounds

Scaring people off the ground everyone makes a frown

Making hissing sounds

Filip S. 5Co

First Day At LLS

    I couldn’t really sleep well the night before the first day at LLS.

But I just had to learn fast in school .I put on my clothes and went down stairs to eat breakfast. Then I packed my bag and went outside to wait for the bus.

     Finally the bus came! I was so exited! When I got in I got shocked by all the strange words. What the kids were speaking was so complicated; but I didn’t really care; I knew I was going to learn fast. I just had to dig in until I find the key to English.

     When I got of the bus I looked at the school building. I entered the school slowly. Sometimes I got a bit dizzy so I leave the crowded places. I remembered where my homeroom was; so on the way there I looked around. When I reached my homeroom I saw a big red sign that said “Mrs.Garron” on it. I came to my locker I took out all my books and papers.

    I got into the classroom and looked for my seat. Not every body hade come yet. I tried to do my morning work, but it was confusing me. So I asked a boy next to me named Nicky for help.

He said I had to make a nametag with my name on it. But I didn’t understand, so I took a piece of paper and wrote a question mark on it. Then he showed me his nametag and I understood quickly.

    Now months has gone by and now I learn more and more, now I can communicate with my friends and even read out loud! Now years have gone by and now I sometimes say to myself “ I can’t believe of what has happen in the last 4 years!!”

Emily R.5Co

Line

So straight,

No curve,

Stands still too.

Just there and silent,

 standing in

 the dust.

That line you can trust.

It tells nothing

 just stays on a page.

That page is its stage

To be silent

Chris L 5Co

D.A.R.E

Have you ever thought about using drugs?  Don’t worry, everyone has thought about drugs, even me...Then a D.A.R.E officer came to school.  During my D.A.R.E classes I realized the biggest message to take from D.A.RE was “Never use drugs, ever!”  D.A.R.E taught me what drugs are and their horrible affects. 

        I used to think tobacco was not bad because so many people smoke cigarettes and do not stop.  If it was bad for them they would stop, but they don’t.  Then I found out about the chemical nicotine in cigarettes.  Nicotine and tobacco together do one big things and cause a variety of cancers and sicknesses.  The biggest thing is it makes you addicted to smoking or chewing tobacco.  “How does this happen!” You may wonder.  Well, your brain acts different with all the chemicals so when it does not have it in a long time, you think you need it to be normal.  But even without nicotine the chemicals in cigarettes are so bad they are also in items used to paint nails and preserve dead bodies and it goes in your mouth. “Gross!”   If you smoke you might think you are just hurting yourself, but you’re wrong.  It’s called second hand smoking, when you are around other people smoking.  The nasty chemicals get in the air and into another person system.  Imagine all the people who die from just standing there.  It’s so sad.

        One of the drugs I despise and hate the most is marijuana.  Even though marijuana is illegal in America, people disobey the law and smoke and sell it.  It makes you get stressed more.  In effect mood swings.  The second the police catch you with marijuana they will arrest you that split second.  One marijuana cigarette is equal to four tobacco cigarettes.  Wow!  That’s how powerful just one can be.  Tobacco and marijuana can be so powerful it kills on average one million people in the world in a year.  That’s crazy big.  One thing that’s surprising thing is that marijuana can be helpful.  “What the!”  You may ask.  Well marijuana can help fight sicknesses.  So if you need help becoming healthy.  That’s why some states make marijuana legal.  So if you had to use marijuana for a medical issue, the doctor would give you a prescription for marijuana.  So you can’t get in trouble.

        Alcohol is the most commonly used drug because if you have only a little amount it is okay, but a large amount is dangerous.  That’s right.  You heard me.  If you drink a little amount of alcohol it does not affect you, but it can be very dangerous if you overdose on it.  It’s fine if you don’t understand it.  I didn’t understand why it is so bad, either.  Why a little bit is fine, but not a large amount.  Here is it simplified, if you have a little it is not enough alcohol in your body to do its effect so a little is fine, just not a lot. A thing alcohol does is, making the good and bad filter in your mind not working so you make wrong decisions and actions.    If you overdose on alcohol you are called being drunk.  If you drive while you are drunk the police will pull you over for bad driving because when you are drunk your senses are weak and you can’t see well.  You are a danger to you and other people.  The cops will do a number of tests on you to see if you are drunk by telling you to walk in a strait line.  Another common test is to smell their breath for a particular smell.  The official test is at the police station called the breathalyzer.  You breathe in to the machine and the machine runs a test to see if the level of alcohol in your system is over the safe level!  Alcohol can be addicting, but not as common as being addicted to nicotine.

        Advertisements are where it all begins.  The thing about ads is it sometimes makes you think if you use the item you could be the person in the ad.  The funny thing is that most people in ads never used the item.  But it’s not like there is just one flyer or poster there are millions.  The average drug company buys one million dollars worth of ads.  Isn’t that a waste of money, right!  Why don’t companies spend the money for something worth the money?  Not ads.  Its total madness!  One reason why kids use drugs is because the ads are focused to get children to use the drug.  Why do people do all that crazy stuff?!  “It’s so mean!”

I am so glad that a D.A.R.E officer came to school so that I could set up a good future.  I want to be an engineer, but if I did not know about drugs I would never complete my goal.  D.A.R.E has been a very good experience for me.  I could never be looked up to by my children if I took drugs.  If D.A.R.E did not teach me about drugs, I would probably use them. I would not know that they are horrible and the tragic effects of drugs.  Also D.A.R.E taught me something I will never forget, if you get into a situation with drugs say “no!” and get the heck away.  A real friend would not make you do something you don’t want to, if they do they’re not a true friend.  That’s a very helpful thing to know for the future.  D.A.R.E changed my life.  It can change yours.

Thank you D.A.R.E.  Thank you Officer Batlin.

Cece M. 5Co

Water

The clear beauty

that whirls

 down my throat

 The thing that tickles my feet

 as it rushes through my toes

 at the beach

The thing that

Saves my life

 I know I’m

very lucky

other people

don’t have the

water that takes

two steps to get

they have

the water

 that takes

miles to get.

Bella S. 5Co

SEA BLOOD

Hi I’m ivy blue, and I want to tell you my story. I’ve been swimming all my life and I have to admit, I am pretty good at it. I thought I could take on anything that stood in my way, I was wrong.

I woke up to the sound of the blue bird’s singing on my window pain and the sea crashing down on the priceless sand. “Huuuaahhu” I yawned as I took my right foot out from under my blanket and brushed it across my fluffy blue carpet. It feels so warm under my toes and sends a chill down my spine. I felt ready and awake, just enough to swim for a while before school.  I tilt myself out of the molded shape of my head on the pillow. The clock was beeping loudly, so loud it echoed throughout the house. I lazily whacked the snooze button, my arm moving the way a windmill does. I stepped out of bed, leaving my legs asleep, but not my eyes. I flipped my golden hair in to my face and removed the hair tie. I ran over to my dresser and grabbed my purple Speedo and my day clothes and as I put them on I scented that something was wrong. I ignored it, because I get that 6^th sense feeling a-lot. Just as I put the swimsuit strap on my shoulder, I ran outside on to the stone cold grass and the morning dew.

The Hawaii fragrance filled my nose and the taste of salt was in my mouth. I ran out to meet my friend Kat. She was a redhead and about my size in mind and body. The smile on her freckled face told me that the ocean was calling. We dipped our toes in and shuddered. Not because it was cold just because we are so surprised something can be so perfect. We dove in to the sea just in time to see my friend Jake. His hair spiked up as he swam out to meet us half way. Hey Ivy, hi Kat. He said impatiently hi we both said at the same time. “Lets just cut to the chase already.” said Jake. I’ve been waiting forever. And without a word we swam out farther. One life lesson I learned is not to argue with Jake. When we stopped, I felt a smooth slimy brush against my left leg. I looked around; only seeing what I thought was a shadow.  Suddenly, a sharp pain took over my whole body, specifically my leg. My catlike reflexes told me to swim under and I did. I looked down to see the narrow black eyes of a brown tiger shark, covered in my blood.

            I feel the sharks teeth sink in to my calf moving slowly up my leg. I tried to yell but all I got was a mouthful of salty seawater. I felt cold hands tugging my arms, attempting to pull me up and out of the sharks gnawing jaws. Sadly, they were failing. I manage to get up, gasping for air and waving my arms like a bird flapping its wings, desperate to take flight. I hear the sound of rushing water and the shrill sound of a girl shreaking. Suddenly, everything was black and I thought I was paralyzed. I felt the hands hoist me up out of the water and then I felt the sand. Bumpy but still in my grasp. I thought the pain would go away, but no such luck. All the sounds were drowned out by now and I thought I had died. I held on to the sand as if it was my life, and it was.

            When I opened my eyes all I saw was a faint blue light shining over my head. I propped myself up with my elbow and banged my head on the light. The room went from chatting and crying to complete silence. My mother’s voice broke that silence. She ran to my hospital bed, her golden braids swinging back and forth. It was hypnotizing. I struggled to get out of her hugs and kisses, but found that I could not move my leg. I closed my blue eyes and felt many more hands in me. I opened my eyes and realized that everyone worried when I closed my eyes. Perhaps I was dead, or asleep. Looking to my left, I saw Kat, her sagging eyes maneuvered around the room, till they hit mine. Aooooooooo Ivy! You’re alive!!!!!!!!!! She yelled with such reaction I jumped a little in the bed. Why would I not?                                                                           

            “Why would I not?” I exclaimed out loud this time. “Don’t you know?” She said with surprise in her voice. No, what should I know…all that happened was I blacked out. “Oh sweetie, you really don’t remember!” “JUST TELL ME WHAT IS WRONG!” I yelled angrily. Look at your leg they all said at once. What? I replied confused. Look down. They said. I looked to find a swollen stump that is what’s left of me leg. As if an answer to a call, my two brothers stared at it in awe, like it was some kind of miracle that I had survived.

TO BE CONTINUED…