Check out students' posters! Students researched an animal and created a poster that cleverly displayed the information they learned. 

Ever wonder why are planets round? All planets we know are round like Earth, Mars, Venus, Pluto, Jupiter, Uranus, Mercury, and Saturn. In this essay, you will find out why planets are round and things about our solar system.

First of all, the answer has something to do with how gravity works and the creation of our solar system. Our solar system was created like a lot of other solar systems from a nebula. A nebula is something that can begin a star’s birth. A nebula is a cloud of gases and dust. The nebula spins very fast under the gravity that keeps getting bigger and the gas goes under nuclear fusion which causes a star to be born. After the birth of a star, there are two powers of gravity that fight over the left over gases and dust from the star’s birth. The two powers of gravity squish the gases and dust together. Then, larger element will collide together to make the beginnings of rocky planets.  Next, matter pulls in, to smooth out the rough edges of the planets.

Now you know why planets are round because of nebulas, gravity, and the formation of our solar system.

In this, you will see how Cass and Max-Ernest are alike, and different. Cass and Max-Ernest are both from the secret series, and are main characters. First, I will compare them.

First of all, Cass and Max-Ernest are both adventurous . For example, Cass and Max-Ernest traveled through their town, out of state, through snowy mountains, and through jungles.  Also, Cass and Max-Ernest are both brave. For instance, they weren’t afraid to sneak around in a place where if they were seen, they could be kidnapped. Cass, along with Max-Ernest both like mysteries. They’re trying to solve several. They’re trying to figure out why Cass’ mother got kidnapped, who the evil people really are, and why are they doing evil things? Cass and Max-Ernest are both fighting evil. They’re fighting Ms. Mauvious, Dr. L, and Senor Hugo. They are the ones who kidnapped Cass’ mother. Another comparison, is that Cass and Max-Ernest are casual. Cass just throws her hair up, and doesn’t care, and Max-Ernest just wears a t-shirt and jeans. Also, Cass and Max-Ernest are both good at cracking codes. They both act as if it’s so easy to do, when really it’s actually hard to find out.

Next, I will contrast them. Cass is worry-free and Max-Ernest is always worried. For example, Cass had some trail mix, and Max-Ernest wanted it, but since he was allergic to chocolate, he didn’t even want a little piece just in case. Cass was fine with him eating it. She wasn’t worried. Next contrast, is that Cass likes to camp outside, and Max-Ernest doesn’t. For instance, they camped outside, and Max-Ernest complained the whole time. Meanwhile, Cass loved it. Cass is serious, but Max-Ernest isn’t. Cass is always focused with everything, and Max-Ernest will always say a joke. Another contrast, is that Cass is always prepared, and Max-Ernest brings nothing. Cass always has her backpack with everything in it. Max-Ernest just leaves it up to Cass.

Those were some of the reasons how Cass and Max-Ernest are alike, and not alike. They have some different interests and some same interests. Now you realize how to compare Cass and Max-Ernest.   

Students task was to write a well-structured opinion essay filled with evidence supporting their claims. Special features include:

• A strong, clear thesis statement
  
• Three unique, powerful reasons
  
• Meaningful personal experiences
  
• Facts and evidence from others
  
• A strong introduction and lasting conclusion

Students could write about any topic that they felt strongly about. We hope you enjoy our essays!

Gym should have more varieties of sports because it gets boring. Aren’t you sick of doing the same thing every gym class? The girls and some of the boys don’t like it. Some girls fake injuries because they don’t want to do gym. For example, Leah said that sometimes she wears boots to get out of gym. Almost all the girls and some of the boys do not want to do gym. The reason they don’t want to do gym, is that it’s boring for us. It’s boring, because all we do is hockey, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, and kickball. For example, Gavin said that we only do four sports, it’s boring, and Mrs. Penza should teach other sports. Also, Aidan said that we only do the games that Mrs. Penza likes, and when we want to do something else, she’ll say no, and we’ll do something boring. Gym should have more varieties of sports because it gets boring.

Gym should have more varieties of sports because gym is too focused on boys. For example, Jenna said that whenever the boys are captains, they pick the most aggressive boys for their teams, and the girls do nothing. We also never get passed the ball. One reason that gym is too focused on boys is that whenever the boys ask to do something, the answer is yes, but whenever the girls ask to do something, the answer is no. For example, Daniel said that in gym he wants to do other things, but the boys would never agree with him. This makes me realize everyone thinks that the majority of the class is boys, but it’s not. This is important because gym isn’t as much physical education for girls as it is for the boys, because girls usually just stand, and talk. We’ve even tried to fix this. Gym should have more varieties of sports because gym is too focused on boys.

Gym should have more varieties of sports because change is good. Haven’t you always wanted to try something new? For example, I found online that making kids play team sports, is neither healthy, nor educational. Because it’s like if you’re not good at sports you’re not cool. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t play any team sports, but maybe less intimidating sports like volleyball. That would be a good change. If we changed our sports, we wouldn’t have to do the same thing over and over again. For example, Chelsea said that we did the same sports over and over again, and weren’t allowed to do anything else. Also, my sister Sarah said that even when she was there, which was four years ago, gym was still the same sports. We only did gymnastics two or three times this whole six years I’ve been here, and it’s because a small group of girls asked, no one else participated. We also only did volleyball about 4 times. Gym should have more varieties of sports because it gets boring, it’s too focused on boys, and change is good. All the girls and some of the boys don’t like gym.

Dear Mom and Dad,

I would like to have a gym in my backyard. I mean a tumble track, beam, bar, bouncy floor, vaulting table, spring board, more mats, and a foam pit. When you think about that, it’s pretty reasonable. I think if all that equipment was SO expensive, why would there be a lot of gyms in the world? If the prices were outrageous, there wouldn’t be so many.

 We really need this if you want me to get better at gymnastics. Because if I get good enough, it could pay for college, and you could save a lot of money! Plus, don’t you want me to be happy? I would like that because I love gymnastics, and it makes me happy!

Why we should get a gym? Because didn’t you always want something to cover that empty big space, now that we took down the pool? What better to do with it, then get a gym! How about instead of getting my room done over like you said I could, how about what I want/need even more?

Now… I already know where you can get all of this, it’s on amazon! Super easy, and we don’t have to go out and buy the stuff, we can just have it come to the front door, from the nice UPS man. The whole total would only be around 10,000 dollars! (Or more) Now think about that, it’s not like it’s 1,000,000 dollars.

Just imagine, me doing the craziest moves ever! I could be the top athlete in the world! Wouldn’t you want that? I know it might seem like a lot, but it’s really not, and, it’s worth it to get REALLY good at gymnastics. Just picture me so happy. I wouldn’t ever say I’m bored again!

Once I get too old for gymnastics, which will only be 11 years, you will never be able to buy me a gym ever! This is your chance, you only have 11 years, unless I get seriously injured, and can’t do gymnastics anymore. Then, you better get it soon. You should get it soon, so I can take advantage of having it now, because the higher level I get, the higher chance of me getting hurt. Be quick, and get it fast!

I will be very nice to you if you can get me these simple, easy to get things. You can return my favor. Haven’t you wanted me to be nice all the time? Well if you get want I want/need, I’ll get you what you want/need. It will be easy.

You’re probably still thinking, “I’m not getting Olivia this!” Well to make it easier, how about you at least get me a tumble track, and a bar. (Even though my first request was pretty reasonable). That would only be, like 3,000 dollars! (Or less).

Do you really want coach Joyce to make me do 25 push-ups if my legs were bent in my back-handspring? Or for me to score lower in competitions because I didn’t have enough practice? I could make my coach very happy, and the judges too. All because you got me what I want/needed.

Sincerely,
Olivia

The wind blows in my face making my half-wet hair swift up, as I’m clutching gently on a dolphin. It was slimy but smooth and very fun to ride on. “click click” I hear a dolphin coming from under the water. The instructor told us that the dolphins like to impress other dolphins by doing tricks. There jumping in and out of the water like they’re trying  to grab something, but really they’re not. It was a bright, and sunny day. The water was shining like someone smeared lip gloss all over it. I was going to ride a dolphin.

The water passes by me fast.  I was in an area blocked by rocks so the dolphins couldn’t swim away, but they seem very happy, and I don’t think they would. Suddenly, two dolphins come up and push me up and above the water. They push me up so high I feel like I am doing a stunt, and the dolphins are holding me up. It’s startling because I didn’t know it would be this fun. I see the pretty blue sky above me. There’s also a bright yellow sun that’s making the water shiny. It’s as if someone smeared lip gloss all over it. I look down, and get ready to go back into the chilly water. The dolphins act as if they’ve done this a million times, and I bet they have. We come to a stop, and I’m now slowly drifting through the water. It’s as if someone flipped a switch on the dolphin forcing it to slow motion. Now, we were dancing. I glance into the dolphin’s black eyes, they’re glancing back into mine. I take hold of his rubbery and big fins. All we do is just move our arms around. I look at the dolphin. It looks like it’s smiling, so I smile too. The dolphin gives me a kiss on the cheek, and someone takes a picture. Really, the dolphin just places its snout on my cheek. It felt like wet plastic.

I just treaded there, smiling with my lifejacket on, and my half-wet hair. 

As I walk on the soft moist sand, I feel the sudden chill of the frigid water rippling under my toes. The water leaves a mark on the sand showing that it became damper. I carry on strolling, looking at my sunken in footprints behind me. I hear the flap of a lingering bird’s wings as the water reaches its little webbed toes.  I look out into the glossy water. There’s an orange/red sky that looks like it’s right on top of the water like frosting on a cake, and the sun is starting to set. There’s a series of waves, all sounding the same. The sky is dimming. The tide becomes lower and it doesn’t reach my feet anymore, or the little pittering birds’. The sand now becomes dryer where I’m walking and my footprints are disappearing. I start to walk back home…     

We’re cart-wheeling and back flipping on our private island’s beach. We’ve had enough, so we sit down next to a palm tree and watch kids splash and float in the heated outdoor pool. Once we are done talking, we go into the school and trudge through the hallways. We grab a few refreshing sips of soda from the soda fountain, go up the rollercoaster, and into the gym. We see the bright colored obstacle course, and urgently climb up to the top, as if it were a race. When we’re all at the top, we swing and glide on the unique shaped monkey bars. After that, we struggle and climb up the rock wall. Then, we swoop down the slides back onto the matted floor. We tumble through the hallways, walk into a classroom, and do math to get a snack from the vending machine. Then, we go down the rollercoaster screaming impetuously. We run outside, and start towards the palm trees so tired that it even seems hard to walk. Then we finally sit in the nice shade of a palm tree, watching the blue sea waves come in and out. We chatter more until the teacher calls us back in for art class. 

Check out some outstanding student work from the first homework project of the school year, All About Me. I've listed the requirements of the project here; below is what some especially creative students did with it.


Job 1. Mini-biography: Choose two from the following:

• Writing about yourself, your life, and your family – funny stories, sad stories, amazing family facts, etc.
  
• Describe the best book you have ever read.
  
• What was one of the proudest moments in your life?
  
• Describe a turning point in your life.

Job 2. Predictions: Write predictions about where you and three of your friends will be, and what they will be doing with their lives in: Ten years time & Twenty years time.

Job 3. Compliments: Write a page of compliments to friends and family, the kind of thing that you may have thought but never said. Try to include as many classmates as possible.

Job 4. Portraits: A page (or pages) of photos and/or artwork expressing your personality and what makes you YOU.

My name is Olivia. I’m going to tell you a little about myself. I’m a strong, flexible, and happy person. I love a laugh, and like to have fun, especially with my friends, but I also like a challenge. My favorite subjects in school, are math and writing. I like math because it’s one of my strong subjects, and I think that it’s kind of fun to learn, so I can practice all the different strategies for all the different subjects in math. I like writing, because I like to express my creativity, with a piece of paper, and a pencil. Also, all the tips and strategies for writing I think are really helpful, and have made my writing a lot better.

      Now, I’m going to tell you about my life. Gymnastics is my favorite thing to do. I LOVE it. I’m on a team, and love to do competitions. I do gymnastics all the time at my house, and wish I practice more at the gym. I also like dance. I take modern lyrical, which is like ballet, but loose and flowy. I’ve also been to lots of cool places, like Italy, France, England, Spain, and Mexico. I’ve gone to England though, more than five times! 

      Next, about my family. I have an older sister, Sarah, (who had Mr. Allen) and is now a freshman in high school. Then there’s my mom, dad, two cats, and a hamster.  I’m going to tell you a funny story with my family. We were in Rome, in a square called, Campo de Fiori, and had just finished our gelato. We were watching these glowing mini rockets soar up in the air, and then come down with barely any direction, so it could hit someone, but it was slowly coming down so it wouldn’t hurt you if one fell on you. All these people bought them, and there were many flying in the air. Then, a street vender comes up to us, and says to me, “try it out” in an Italian accent. He hands me one glowing mini rocket, and I take the rubber elastic, and say, “I don’t know how to” then, he shows me how, and I finally get it. It soars through the air, and then lands in the middle of a table in a restaurant, that two people were sitting at, but they laughed. My family did too. Then the street vender finally walked away, and he was smiling too.