A Wish List for Others

 This is typically a time of year for kids to make wish lists and focus on what they want.  So, I like challenging them at this time of year to see if they can think of others in need, and write a wish list on their behalf.  My students had no problem thinking of others in need in their communities and the world.  Enjoy these two sweet samples!

Dear Santa,

        I am writing this letter for the homeless all over the world.  They need a house, food, health, and education.

        You need to help the homeless because they will get sick and die.  They also need all this stuff because they have a right to live.  If they don't have all this stuff, they make the streets look messy.

        If you help the homeless people, they will be super happy and it will also change their lives.  It also will make the streets cleaner and our lives happier.

                                                Your friend, Gilbert (4th grade)

A Wish List for the Children of St. Jude Hospital, by Emily (5th grade)

        From Thanksgiving to Christmas to the New Year, we have the tendency to ask for gifts for ourselves.  When most people ask for gifts for themselves, they tend to forget about other people who are less fortunate, and are in tougher situations than we are, such as the children of St. Jude Hospital.

        Many children of the St. Jude Hospital are sick with diseases, some with diseases doctors don't even know about.  With no knowledge of the disease, doctors can't give the child the treatment he or she needs, resulting in the possible death of the child.  Doctors need money for further research, medication, and hospital treatment.  Children from the age of 0-8 are extremely vulnerable from disease such as lung cancer and brain cancer.  With the money needed, sick children can not only survive, but also thrive.  Not only that, but their parents would be forever happy and grateful, not only for their child surviving but for all the gifts and donations of all the kind Samaritans who all got together and helped their child survive.  Can you imagine all the pain, suffering, and worrying of the parents for their child's well-being for all the days, months, even years!

        By giving the foundation of St. Jude Hospital money, toys, or even just a simple note, people worldwide are joining together as on whole, as kind Samaritans who will help the future generation to have a chance at life, and better opportunities in their community.

Thanksgiving Thoughts

 "Thanksgiving Thoughts" was a fun, fill-in-the-blank assignment my "Budding Authors and Artists" did right before Thanksgiving.  It was wonderful to see the thoughts of my young students as they pondered what Thanksgiving meant to them.  

Here is Zachary's (2nd grade) essay:

        Thanksgiving is a thankful and wonderful holiday.  It is in the month of November.  Thanksgiving is about thanking, being grateful, and getting together as a family.

        I like Thanksgiving Day because my family and I get together with my whole family and sometimes go on vacation.  We are also thankful and grateful.

        Here is a list of things I am most thankful for, and why:

1. My family- They make me feel loved.

2. My house- It makes me feel warm and safe.

3. My friends- They make me happy.

4. My teachers- They help me learn.

5. God- He made me.

6. Math- It helps me learn.

7. School- I get together with my friends.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Persuasive Writing: Let's Vote!

 Near election day, we learned the art of persuasive writing by creating a proposition to vote for, or by running for a government office, and persuading others to vote for us!  We discussed that each short essay should have an introduction, a body paragraph with more detail, and a conclusion with a "sell it"/persuasive sentence included.  Enjoy these great ideas!

  Prop 333 by Armin (5th grade)

Have you ever seen homeless people on the streets just sitting and suffering? Prop 333 will give the homeless places to live, food, clothes, dietary needs, and a community that cares.

First, Prop 333 will give homeless people places to live by using tax money to build more shelters. There will also be a service created to drive around and gather them to be later transported to a shelter. We will also create a donation to pay for the clothes, food, and dietary needs. Several people have volunteered to live at the shelter with the homeless and take care of them along with many doctors keeping them healthy. 

Ultimately, this will get the homeless off the streets and a place that they can call home. If you want to stop seeing people suffering on the streets, vote yes on Prop 333.  

Elise for President! (5th grade)

        Can you imagine what it would be like if a smart, productive, and collaborative GIRL president was elected for office?  Well, that will happen if you wisely vote for Elise!

        Have you ever walked outside of your house and smelled the very unhealthy smell of smoke?  Voting for me would completely get ride of that horrible smell.  If you're a person that likes the smell of smoke, consider it again for it has been proven that smoke is toxic and damages your lungs.  I would also have a more prioritized goal of protecting the Earth than any other presidents, because I believe that having a healthy and eco-friendly planet for the next generation is crucial.  Next, I will create a goal to fight fairly for rights.  It doesn't matter matter what you look like or any other things that you think is negative, because everyone is created equally by God.  Finally, an issue that I will address is also the problem of low pay rates for jobs.  For example, some teachers are not paid like other teachers are, which is not fair.  This can cause lives to deteriorate (make or become worse).  I will address all these issues, and many other ones.

        So if you want a president who makes your job super fun and fights for the fair rights of the people, vote for the ultimately awesome Elise!

Titus for President (4th grade)

Hi, I’m Titus, a hardworking and focused, and I’m running for president. Although I’m going to need your help to get votes. I’m going to tell you some things I’ll probably do if I win.

 

I think we should increase fines for littering on nature, or on city property, and promote recyclable material. Think about it! If you litter, that means more repairs, which cost MONEY$$$, meaning I, the president, get less money to spend on more important things, like funding and productions. Do you want that? Definitely NOT right? I know I’m so smart.

Anyways back to what I was saying, if you want a happy, stress free environment, then I STRONGLY encourage you to vote for me, TITUS!