This Week's Spelling Story Winner

I was confident I  could finish my horrible spelling story. I was hesitant, trying to cram spelling words into sentences like superintendent and malignant. The due date was Monday so I had to be persistent on completing it. Or, I could be an immigrant and move to the Philippines, be a farmer for the rest of my life. My current state was frustration. How could I consistently make spelling stories? I hastily scribbled out words and kept editing my story. I was insistent to make it concise and was picky where I put my words. I typed my last sentence and hoped my words were sufficient.
- Marcus Su

Our Collaborative Poem

The following was a collaboration between all students in division 2. Students began by using the five senses to investigate, observe, and reflect on their own wishing stones. They each shared their best lines and then we worked together to structure the stanzas, sharpen the sensory language, and build a cohesive piece. After three revisions and some editing, this is our first poem together. Enjoy!

Stepping Stones: The Stories Our Stones Tell

By Division 2

Wishes waiting

in each crack

Like glowing jade rings in a cool damp cave

Or slippery sea glass polished by a roaring ocean.

Stones that feel like fresh bark on damp cool trees

Like dry paint, ready to be scraped off

Like the black in the eyes of a wolf

ready to leap on its prey.

Like a stroll through the forest on a brisk fall day

Or the ink black night when I lost my special doll.

  

Wishes echoing

in each crack

A deep rumble

A heavy rock plunked into the ocean

The beats of a drum- deep and rhythmic

Like an earthquake in the snowy mountain tops.

A loud rattling of rocks bashing together

shells breaking on the beach,

Thunder rumbling in to nothing on a stormy night 

Like Fireworks booming in the sky

To an orchestra of tap dancers.

Wishes hiding

in each crack

Polished and cold as ice

Rough like the shell of an old crab

Shaped like a tear, yet firm and solid

Like shells at the beach

Laying still in the sand waves crashing over them

As if someone tried to slice it in half but only left a scratch

Smooth and curved like a scratched piece of glass

Rough like the spine of a humpback whale,

Weathered with age

And glossy like the back of a baby dolphin

That has just come up for breath.

Taste our wishes

Hidden in stones

Salty, like a warm ocean breeze on a sunny summer day

And a damp sidewalk after a spring rain shower.

Sweet like someone dipped them in seven delicious layers 

of chocolate

Wishes waiting

In the crevices

Tickle your senses

Like a cool brush of paint against my palm

Fluttering petals of cherry blossoms

Yearning for you to take notice.

This week's Spelling Story Winner

Dylan’s Spelling Story

Sucked into my computer, I blast the community of seven feet tall insects that have taken over the local college. Slowly, they are connecting into one giant insect, but I am trying to stop them. I consider running away, but I decide to stay and fight. Could this be the conclusion of my video game life?

I am very concerned I will lose the tournament. I need to collect the omega plasmatonic- sound-wave- grenade. The insects must contribute food to their leader, they leave the battlefield, giving me the time to look for this special weapon.

“I see it!”

Behind me I hear a dark low voice, kind of like Darth Vader, but without the heavy breathing. He says:

“Hello, human.”

On my screen it says: THE LEADER APPEARS.

I am startled. I yell, “Night Hunter!”

“I have been waiting for fifteen years to defeat you! I commuted here to win the tournament but I also get to defeat my greatest enemy. It’s like a double kill.”