What We Keep

Can you believe it? It’s December already! I’m going to take this moment to express my deepest gratitude for every sweet soul that landed on Team Yellow. You have made this year so remarkable in multiple ways. Your kindness and compassion are evident every day, and your willingness to hang in there and keep trying is a lifeskill that will serve you in the long run. I honestly can’t believe I get to spend my days with YOU. I am so proud of every member of our team, and I’m pretty excited to share some of your beautiful work here.

Inspired by a book called WHAT WE KEEP, everyone wrote about an object that holds a special memory or elicits a strong emotion. You can see some of the special possessions our kids treasure here:

Julia S.

Finn G.

Carlos C.

Sae M.

Miles K.

Finally, as we move into this season of giving, I ask each of you to consider sharing some of your bounty with our pen pals in Uganda. This year marks a decade since my students’ collaboration began, and I’m thrilled to continue this tradition, but I need your help. Global Village Connect has sustained our relationship and monitored our investment with care. Our current campaign is a Give-a-Goat initiative that provides a milk goat to vulnerable students from Mulanga Primary School. When that goat has its first female kid, it must be passed on to another child in the village, and the remaining goats are theirs to keep. It’s a micro-business that bolsters nutrition and keeps kids in school, and, ultimately, impacts a whole community. If your family has (or cares to begin) a tradition of charitable contributions that benefit other children, kindly consider a donation to Global Village Connect. The recipient receives a notice of the donation, and the donor receives a tax-deductable statement. Outside of class, I sponsor a Pen Pal Club that is open to every RMS student. We meet virtually every Sunday at 3:00. Students are free to attend when they’re available. Stay safe and stay warm!

Global collaborations connect Radnor with the world!

Lucky Week 7: Growing Mindfully

We’re in the swing of things now. There are fewer glitches, and more awareness of how to live life as a middle school community. In 418, we’ve been exploring self-esteem and what it means to have a growth mindset. When you wander through the halls, you pass messages of encouragement crafted in haiku form by some of the members of Team Yellow. Sometimes, those 17 syllables are just enough to make you remember that we’re here to learn and grow, and that building our brains means that you have to struggle sometimes. We’re learning how to analyze the characters in the book we’re reading together (Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick), and we’re noticing how a kid’s self-esteem is reflected by how s/he behaves. And our hallway is illuminated by a wall full of Identity One-Pagers that illustrate our passions and dreams and fears. In a nutshell, it’s pretty fun to learn together. Here are a few of the highlights:

4 Weeks In: Making it Work

So, here we are, four weeks in. I think it’s time to just stop and take a breath and look at what’s working and what’s not, and to look at some of the tremendous beauty that results when you ask 11 & 12 year olds to play with words. Being in the company of children is one of the great joys in my life. This extended isolation has made them eager to be in the company of one another and to assume their new roles as middle schoolers with an earnestness that is serious and exciting and precious all at the same time.

Parents’ Night was last week, and it was great to share all the things we’ve learned the first three weeks of school. Honestly, it’s a pretty incredible list of accomplishments: students have figured out how to navigate our learning platform, how to upload photos and hand-made illustrations, how to create and upload a power point slide with a 6-word memoir and a controlling image, they’ve dipped their fingers into the Library of Congress collection of posters from the WPA and selected 3 that relate to their lives; they’ve copied and pasted images and made personal connections to historic material, they’ve learned to navigate a building, find 6-10 different locations each day, run the stairs numerous times a day, carry their Chromebooks to each destination, charge it overnight and message teachers when they’re confused or locked out of a Zoom class. And every time they log in for a class from wherever they are—in their room, greenhouse, living room, kitchen—every time I think to myself: THEY CAME BACK!

What’s not working? There are lots of kinks, but we just carry on and make the best of what we have. Kind of like the kids in Uganda.

Splitting my attention between live children and kids on Zoom is really two different jobs that require two very different ways of interacting. The prep is brutal. With each class divided into two sections, there are really 10 different sections to plan for and implement. I feel a lot better today after giving the kids online a writing project while I read aloud outside with the students attending school. Building a reading community is at the heart of what grows in my classroom, and starting Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick is a ritual that initiates the bond we establish as readers and writers who are exploring the power of words together. I am trying to give myself the grace to explore how to most effectively reach every student in this new arena. Not everything is going to work, but I’m gonna keep trying. Thanks for being on this journey with me. To all the students, families, colleagues, administrators, support people, custodians and nurses and guidance counselors who are in the trenches with me…we’ll just keep holding each other up and making the best of the circumstances. Enjoy this in the meantime:

Watch this lovely collection of 6 Word Memoirs

This Empty Vessel

Welcome to my Corona-era classroom.

There’s furniture and technology and all the fixins; the only thing missing are kids. Schools without children are hollow and a little sad. The buzz of computers and the static that accompanies having to log into your Zoom session at 1:17 is a little cray-cray. Everytime my kids ‘show up’ at these odd intervals, I’m shocked. They made it. They’re here! Well, sortuv.

The kids are amazing, really. They’re ready to learn, and I think they’re a little grateful to have someplace they have to be. And they’re starting to blossom with their quirky little personalities through the screen. I’m looking for tiny victories, and I’m going to go into this gently. I will try to engage your kid for the time we’re together, then I’m going to suggest they turn their computers off and go play and explore and read and talk and ride bikes and climb trees and look at the world with a sense of wonder and compassionate curiosity.

Today our librarian/media wizardess, Mrs. Horan, visited our Zoom Room. We learned how to tap into the Library resources, and we played a pretty competetive game called Gimkit on Literary genres, and we read a beautiful little book by Jose’ Jorge Letria and his talented illustrator son, Andre Letria, called If I Were a Book. Then my kids created their own interpretations. These tiny treasures are the perfect reminder of my goal this year to have my kids fall in love with reading and writing. Here are a few for you to enjoy.

Lily R.

Hayeon L.

Milo K.

Evan L.

A Virtual Trek Through Uganda

A celebration at the school after the installation of our first school farm.

Follow along as I guide you through the beautiful sights in Uganda. You’ll see some amazing wildlife, as well as pass through the villages where Radnor Middle School has helped establish 2 school farms that provide lunch for close to 2,000 students each school day, we’ve donated 50 milk goats in a pay-it-forward enterprise that bolsters nutrition and provides a means for earning school fees, and we’ve built a latrine, because middle schoolers think a private place to pee is basic human right. Life in these villages has been especially challenging during this COVID-19 lockdown, so we’ve actually been providing emergency food relief for some of the most vulnerable families in the school communities. This Virtual Trek was designed as a fundraiser and a fun raiser during quarantine. Participants make a donation with a commitment to exercise 12 times over a month. There will be 12 posts or ‘stops’ on this journey where you’ll get to experience a bit of the Uganda I have come to know and love over the ten years of our collaboration with Global Village Connect. Follow our trek here. Donate, if you’re motivated; exercise for a really good cause and because it’s good for you!

A Few of Our Favorite Things

Here Comes the Sun is 2nd Period’s homage to Spring. Please watch us shine by tapping on the title.

Love in Action is a video created by the 3rd period LA class…enjoy it.

12 Things I Wish They Taught At School by Ella D. 

Some things that aren’t taught at school have a negative effect on our future. Simple things like how to cook a real meal, such as pasta, rice, and lasagna! Others are more complicated. Things like how to cope with failure and loss can take time to learn. I believe that if we learn all 12 of these things in school, our generation will be so much more successful!

1.     Photography: Photography unleashes creativity. It is a fun way to look at the world in a different way. I love photography and I hope they teach it someday.

2.     Gardening: Gardening is also very important, it can encourage healthy eating, introduce scientific causes, and can impact the future. All of us need a GREEN THUMB!

3.     Home and car repair: If there is a small leak, parents patch it up. If there is a problem with the car, parents patch it up. We need to learn this so in the future we can save money and get our hands dirty.

4.     Learned languages earlier: We need to learn languages because it helps with our future, there are so many possibilities just waiting to be explored.

5.     Survival/self defense skills: We need to learn survival/self defense skills so if we are in danger we will know what to do, so we don't die. I think it is very important to learn survival/self defense skills.

6.     How to get a job: Jobs are the main source of money everywhere, if we can't get one we might end up in the streets. No body wants that.

7.     How to cook a real meal: It's a basic need of life, we need to learn the basics. Like pasta, rice, lasagna, and more. If not, the future won't look so bright.

8.     Time management: Time management is one of the dreads of middle school, and it will continue to be for your whole life. But, if we tackle it now, it won't keep catching us when we're older.

9.     How to raise a child: We need to know how to raise a child because it affects our future. If we don't know how to raise a child, our generation will put a dent in society. And those consequences may be harsh.

10.  How to manage money and taxes: It is a basic need to learn how money and taxes work. When we are older, we will need it more than ever. If we don't do taxes, there are big consequences.

11.  How to make big decisions: We need to learn how to make big decisions in life because a big decision decides our path in life, the wrong decisions can lead to regret and a pit in our stomach, and when making a big decision, lots of people struggle with it. It causes stress and can keep you awake at night.

12.  Coping with loss/failure: Everyone in the world has experienced loss or failed at least once. Some people may treat it like it is the end of the world, others may caring on like it was nothing. It's different for everyone that's why we need to learn ow to cope with loss/failure.

Sean’s “Life Under Quarantine”

“Schools will be shut down because of COVID-19.” At this time and place in the world, a virus called the coronavirus (COVID-19) has taken over. It was everywhere in the world and there are almost 2 million cases. During this time period, I have mostly been playing with friends online, and playing outside with myself and my little brother. This time period is extremely boring, and school has been canceled for the rest of the school year. None of us have been doing anything fun, and Easter was not very fun because we couldn’t do anything. Some states and countries are on lockdown, which means that they can’t even go outside, and the USA alone has 500,000+ cases of this virus. So far, there have been 114,979 deaths in this virus, and we are running out of supplies. Toilet paper is as hard as finding life on other planets now, and people are seriously being affected.

People are saying that this is coming from bats, and that they have never seen it in humans, and people are seriously taking into consideration to not see any friends or family that could get seriously affected by this virus, and people are staying inside and not going anywhere if they don’t have to.

Life in quarantine is hard, because you can’t see your friends and family very often, and you can’t go anywhere. My friends and I are mostly playing videogames together and having fun, but the parents are not having much fun.

“Tommy” by Tommy G.

“Tommy get in here” I’m used to hearing that line a couple times a day. That’s my nickname, it’s been my nickname forever, I can’t remember a time my parents actually called me by my real name Thomas. That name just makes me feel more comfortable around everyone, and Thomas seems more proper.

My name means strong and straightforward, I think this definition is very accurate to me, and to all the other Thomas's I know, because most of them are athletic, basic boys. However, I don’t think you can put a label on a person just because their parents named them this before they knew anything about them. But if I was to give my name a definition specific to me it would be funny and athletic. I thought of funny, because I’m the youngest and my family members laugh at my innocence and stupidity, and always make fun of me and how small I am.

Secondly, I picked athletic, because I like to play a lot of sports and I practice them a lot. Plus, I excel in most of the sports I play. It’s not all about sports, it’s also about running, jumping and stamina, which I have more that the average kid my age. However, I didn’t pick athletic just because I’m athletic, but also every Thomas I know is athletic, my teammates, and my grandpa. Whether you call me Thomas, Tommy, TomTom, or Thomacio, it now means funny and athletic.

Anna’s Personal Metaphor: “I Shine”

Source: https://nameberry.com/babyname/Thomas

My Name by Adam B.

My name is the Hebrew word for "man". It could be ultimately derived from Hebrew אדם ('adam) meaning "to be red", referring to the ruddy color of human skin, or from Akkadian adamu meaning "to make".

According to Genesis in the Old Testament Adam was created from the earth by God (there is a word play on Hebrew אֲדָמָה ('adamah) meaning "earth"). He and Eve were supposedly the first humans, living happily in the Garden of Eden until they ate the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. As a result, they were expelled from Eden to the lands to the east, where they gave birth the second generation, including Cain, Abel and Seth.

As an English Christian name, Adam has been common since the Middle Ages, and it received a boost after the Protestant Reformation. A famous bearer was Scottish economist Adam Smith (1723-1790).

https://www.behindthename.com/name/adam

To define my name as junky eater. I would define it junky eater because I really love a lot of junks foods and my name is Adam. And I am proud of my name and I am happy I didn’t get any other name.

Kylie’s Take on “Famous”

In the poem “Famous” by Naomi Shihab Nye, Naomi talks about how things are famous to other things. An example is, “The river is famous to the fish.” This quote means that to the fish the river is famous because if the fish doesn’t have a river, it wouldn’t have been able to live. It is showing that whatever you feel close to, that you should consider that thing or them famous in your mind. It is explained in a way which I would say my parents are famous to me, I would say this because I need them, and they raised me. I wouldn’t be the same person I was today without them. The poet's intention was to make you feel that everything that is close or super important in your life is famous. Naomi was trying to make you feel famous, like your best friends should look at you and feel that you are famous in some way. It could be for being the kindest person they have ever met or being funny and loyal, I would want to be famous for being the one who is known for being nice to everyone and being someone that other people want to hang out with. I don’t want to be famous for being mean or dishonest, I would rather that people look up to me and that I encourage them to be there full self. I want to be the butter to their bread, the sweet one and the person who can care about everyone and put their differences aside.

Estelle’s Personal Metaphor: “All Eyes on Me”

Estelle’s personal metaphor poem was inspired by our abstract charcoal drawings.

Brendan’s Where I’m From Poem

I am from Under Armour 

From Nike  

 From Chicken noodle soup 

I am from a yellow house 

With lots of Christmas decoration  

From Sugar maples, pine trees and Rhododendron bushes 

From the best climbing tree in Wayne 

I am from Kit Kats and ribs 

From Meama and Popop 

I’m from “what?” 

I’m from keep going and push it to the limits 

I’m from praying before dinner 

I’m from creeks and trees 

From Sprite and hot dogs 

From World War 1 

From Patty and Kevin 

I am from skiing in the soft snow on the Rocky mountains 

From being happy 

From Wayne PA 

Ryan’s Poem “Dreaming” Inspired by “Waking Instructions”

Dreaming

  Climb upwards                                                                                                              

 to the beautiful evening sky.

 Forget all pain and sorrow.

 Allow yourself

 to be rid of all your troubles

 It will feel like flying.

 It has dreaming attached.

When Alice & Shane Got the Giggles…

This was in 5th grade during Camp Canadensis. We were all tired and getting into bed after a long day. It was kind of cold, so I was buried inside of my sleeping bag and a blanket. We all said goodnight to each other for about 10 minutes until our parents told us to go to bed. We all were silent for a solid 30 seconds, until I broke out into giggles, which turned into laughter after everyone else is the cabin started laughing and talking. My friend Banu made this thing where you would lift both of your legs that were inside of the sleeping bag, and we went all around the room in order, it was so funny. We called it, "The Banu”. Then we ACTUALLY said goodnight and went to bed. The next morning, I decided to wake anyone up that was still asleep by jumping around in my sleeping bag and laying on top of them. I looked like a big caterpillar jumping around the cabin. It was a pretty good idea, because now everyone was up! ~ Alice L.

Ah, band practice. Those were the days. It was hilarious and frustrating. Most of the time we weren't even practicing, we were just joking around. Practices after school. At first it was the messy attic area of my house.  Then it was the sort of smelly room above Luke’s garage. The voices filling the air. The playing. The yelling. The singing. The laughing. Ah the laughing, especially with Kevin there. We would watch our favorite show, The Office, on the couch laughing together. Ah band practice. Those were the days. ~ Shane L.

Tobin Changed!

I think I've changed from the beginning of school because I feel more comfortable in the school. Now I know everyone pretty well and I don’t get lost in the building that often. I also have made some new friends this year and have met nice teachers. Now I get up super early to go to school but get dismissed earlier to. Now I feel more confident in myself because I’ve made some new friends and I know my teacher well. I feel more excited than I was on the first day of school because of all my new friends.

Alexa’s “Where I’m From”

I am from a la mode on sunny beach days

From Athleta and Vineyard Vines

I am from a big and cozy stone house

With a steep driveway

I am from the Atlantic Ocean and Fairview Lake

Camp Oneka and Ocean City

I am from Cold Stone ice cream and lacrosse sticks

From Barbara and James

I’m from the Boo’s and Lex's

And “Alexa hurry up!”

From “You got this!” and “Play hard!”

I’m from Our Fathers

I’m from the Fenimore Woods playground and Please Touch Museum

From Chick-fil-a and lemonade

From my families constant loud, obnoxious laughs and jokes

On a steep hill

Sledding with my next door neighbors

I feel happy when I am spending time with my friends and family

I am from those moments

I’m from waterparks at the boardwalk to going to the mall with my friends

Lauriel’s “Listening Instructions”

 Walk unto the wet sinking sand,

Hear the trees swaying peacefully.

Forget the argument.

Allow yourself to fall into the water

Feel the seaweed between your toes.

It has swishing and swashing attached.

 Connor’s Acrostic

Caring for everyone no matter who they are.  

Organizing is my goal in Middle School.

Never backs down on a problem or question.

Not scared or afraid of any Challenge.

On the field or off the field, I work hard.

Running is also something I am good at.

My favorite hobbies are soccer and video games.

Unbelievable parents that help me with anything.

Reading is starting to get more fun.               

Plays sports such as soccer and basketball.  

Has an 8 year old sister who is entertaining and nice.

Yankees, celtics, redskins and tottenham hotspur are my

favorite teams.

Mackenzie’s Acrostic

Daylen: “I’m the Window”: Inspired by Chris VanAllsburg’s Illustration

I am the window at the top of the room. I can see everything in the room, I watch everything that happens. I am a small window, so I let a little bit of light into the room. One day I was looking at the tiny door in the room, I had no idea why it was there, it was too small for any human to use so there was no point to it. So that day I saw that the handle turned, I kept watching it, and it happened again, but this time a human saw it too. He went back upstairs but kept coming back down to check on it. I only shined light on it for a while then I started to give up. Then I heard what sounded like voices, I couldn’t make out everything I heard but what I did hear was exciting. I heard “We ___uld g_ throu__ th_ do__”. So I assumed they were going to come through the door. I waited three days. I saw the handle start to turn and the door opened...

From The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris VanAllsburg

Meet Felipe

Felipe is my name I'm

Excellent at soccer, I'm good at

Listening to directions,

I also love learning about science and,

People’s hobbies

Especially fun ones

Goalkeeper is

A position that I play in soccer, and I

Love to play that position the part that I

Like the most is that

I’m good at it, also

Nobody ever scores on me finally, I'm no good at

Organizing my stuff

Grace is No Ordinary Name

Grace is a name of Latin origin meaning, “favor, blessing.” That works for me. But if I were to create my own definition, I have a few words in mind. First, “creative.” I always seem to have a story in my mind, whether it be something completely crazy, or just an idea. I also really like art, although I’m not very good at it. For the second word, I chose “clumsy.” That might seem surprising, because grace also means “elegance,” or “refinement of movement.” There is no “refinement of movement” here! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve accidentally ran into an open cabinet door. The last word I’d like to add is, “kind.” I think I’m nice. I try to be, at least. Even though I’m definitely a pessimist, I always try to be as optimistic as possible when it comes to other people. So, that concludes my definition of Grace, “creative clumsy, and kind.” I know that this doesn’t apply to all Graces, but it applies to me.

Blake’s Hair

My hair is brown, long, and messy. I don’t worry too much of my hair, but it sometimes makes me stand out. In the morning when I wake up my hair is all over the place, I am basically the definition of bed head. My hair describes me as messy, don’t have much free time to do my hair, and finally I am outgoing.

Anika R. is One Lucky Daughter~This is for her Mom

5 Perks of Being Your Daughter

1) Being your daughter comes with

Laughter and music.

2) Getting to help you cook

And keep the house clean.

3)  Stealing all your stuff,

But you're ok with it.

4) Learning to be creative,

And to communicate with the people around me.

5) But most of all, being your daughter,

Is being loved 24/7.

The Soundtrack of Stephen’s Life

Song 1- “Happy” by Pharrell Williams: This song always reminds me of me and my sister going to the movies when I was younger, her and I had so much fun together especially when listening to this song.

Song 2- “Every Little Thing is Going to be Alright” by Bob Marley: This song is special to me because our whole family loves to listen to this and we all say everything will be alright and okay at the end.

Song 3- “Hymn for the Weekend” by Coldplay: This song reminds me of my mom, my sister and I going back to her in the Bronx, New York, and us just having fun and enjoying life.

Song 4- “Angel” by Chance the Rapper: I picked this song for two reasons because me and my sister have loved this song since it came out and that we have many angles watching over as every day and all day.

Song 5- “Sunflower” by Post Malone: This song is in a marvel movie called Spiderman-Into the Spider-Verse and Marvel movies have something special in me and my family because we all love it so much.

Song 6- “Blessings” by Chance the Rapper: I picked this song because I am very blessed for my family and friends from God and my many other gifts from him.

Song 7-”Have a Talk to God” by Stevie Wonder: I picked this song because when stuff gets difficult, I love to pray to God and the angels looking over me.

Song 8- “Stuck in a Dream” by Lil Mosey: I picked this song because my teammates listened to this in the locker room all the time last year.

Song 9- “Christmas Wrapping” by the Waitresses: I picked this song because it is my favorite Christmas song, and my family and I love to listen to it during the Christmas season.

Song 10- “Synchronicity” by The Police: I picked this song because I love The Police, they are my favorite band this is one of my family’s favorite songs. 

Jason’s Re-mix of “Waking Instructions”

You to You

 Walk on water           To a sandy peaceful place.

 Forget who looks at you and who doesn’t.

 Allow yourself                                                                                                                                        to have a wall where you can be you.

 It will feel like nothing I have ever felt before.

 It has being attached.

Maisie’s Ode to Swimming

Dear Swimming,

Since the moment I met you in fourth grade

I was sucked in

From three-hour practices to Junior Olympics

You have always played a lead role in the Play of my life

I gave you everything I had

All my strength, and ignoring my inhaler

Even though my asthma wasn’t the nicest to you,

It helped me move forward

You were my gift,

The last one on my birthday

Thank you.

How Siona Sees Herself

In my self-portrait,

My hair is black like the abyss,

My glasses blue and transparent like a crystal-clear ocean.

When I smile,

My braces glisten in the sun like a piece of gold.

When I feel good,

My eyes light up like two tiny lamps in a pitch-black room

Where Ashley’s From

I am from laughter

From tennis and make-believe games

I am from a white duplex (the outside paint purposely clumped)

I am from roses and indoor plants

Making me feel like my house was a jungle

I am from Krispy Kreme and Harry Potter

From Suh Chul Kyun and Bak Yun Hwa

I’m from Ashy-Bobashy

And life lessons

From “keep your smile” and “Ashley...”

I’m from the three p’s:

        practice, patience, and passion

I'm from Radwyn apartments and Radnor trail

Rice and smoothies

From my great-grandparents surviving the Korean War

To blackish-brown hair and eyes

Luke’s Personal Metaphor

Roman’s Tribute for Mother’s Day 2020

Happy Mother’s Day!

"Life Under Quarantine"...& Some Much Needed "Laughter"

Lauriel’s story will make you cry with laughter!

Have you ever almost killed your brother because he breathed in helium? Well I have, so I’m going to tell you all about a story that when I think of it cracks me up. My brother was invited to our neighbor’s which is his best friend’s birthday party, he went and came back late. I was in the kitchen getting something to eat, he walks though the door with balloons, cake, and candy. He puts all the cake inside the refrigerator. I ask him if I could have some, he says yes, I take out a plate and a spoon plus a knife. As I'm eating, he looks at me and he says have you ever sucked helium? He said he's seen it in videos, and that it changes their voice. I just looked at him, he says OK I'm going to do it. So he takes one of his balloons,  bites a small hole and starts breathing it in, but I don't think he realized that you were supposed to take small  breaths and talk, you can't inhale so much of the  helium, but he kept inhaling like it was normal air. I start laughing, his voice was super high when he decided to talk. He was not just laughing, he seemed a little woozy, he was leaning forward and backwards, he was all over the place. Let me remind you I'm still eating my cake, but I'm dying with laughter, he starts falling into the chair that I'm sitting in, with my knife, I did not cut him, but I was so close, I moved my knife so fast, it was as fast as lighting. It was funny until I realized that he didn't just crush me, he smashed my cake.  I was so mad I was like, why you must you be so stupid. I went and got another piece of cake and I said let's tell mom. We told her and she said in a I'm-going-to-start-laughing-but-I-must-be-serious voice, don't you ever do that again. Whenever I remind him of that story, we start cracking up. I don’t think I'll ever forget that story. That's my hilarious story from childhood.

Camryn’s beach memory brings giggles

On my dad's side of the family there is a lot of laughs. We go down to the shore with his six brothers and their families. There are so many times I could remember that we were all laughing on the ground. One time, we were playing our annual whiffle ball game on the beach. It's not so easy to run fast in the sand. I was at first base and my mom was up to bat. The wind was blowing, and the waves crashing in the distance. The sun was still up in the sky but would be setting soon. People were off the beach, because it was later in the evening. I forget who the pitcher was, and if my mom got any strikes. She hits the ball and starts running towards first base. She was so close until she tripped! It looked like a scene from a movie. We were all dead laughing, and if anyone brought it up today, we all still would. Anyone on or around the beach must have been so confused as to why we're all rolling in the sand laughing. She got out in the end but that didn't matter cause we all enjoyed getting to see that. My grandfather gets to give the trophy to someone every year, and I bet you can guess who he gave it to, my mom!

Reid has a keen perspective on laughter

Somehow the simplest things come with laughter, like a chime being rung, it doesn’t stop ringing till a few seconds later when the sound dies down. My friend Max made the fall slipping and sliding like he had a dozen bananas under his feet! The slushy turf making every movement feel like you were in quicksand. Our laughter never stopped, it was the laughter that make you giggle every second, the kind that makes you paralyzed when you try to stand up. Why we felt this way, well we don’t know. You never know when laughter will come to you. Sometimes pain can even be confused by laughter, it comes quick.

Annika finds joy in her Grandfather’s foible

Amber Fort, Rajasthan, India

     It was like nothing I had ever heard before, laughter bubbling out of my mouth, loud and intense, as grandpa spewed the words recalling, his hilarious meeting with a South Asian woman. He described the moment in the back of my dad's car as we drove to the 76’ers game. He described it as, the first time we went to Rajasthan, a booming, never quite city, in South India where we came for a vacation. It was the third day we were there, the sun extremely bright in the sky, you could burn your eyes, and immense heat you could boil an egg on the floor. We had just left in the minivan to visit Amber Fort, the great palace of Rajasthan. We did have a lot of fun, although I’m pretty sure we all got a heat stroke. My dad taking pictures at every stop, had an album full of memories. The sun, now setting, hazy in the sky cast a shadow on the great fort, transforming its color from a brown, to a mud orange. We decided to take pictures, in this lovely museum kind of section in the palace. The white columns stood tall, holding up the roof, and a chain of patterned windows surrounded the place. Since the windows looked so great, my dad decided to take a picture through them. We stood on one side of the window, as my dad clicked from the other side. This is when it got out of hand. Since it was getting late people started leaving in swarms. My mom grabbed my hand as we walked through, my grandma and brother following. And this was all I remembered, but little did I know I missed out on the funniest part. My grandpa told us when we were leaving, the story of his embarrassing event. As he was walking out, he grabbed ahold of a woman's arm and thought it was my grandma. He held on to her hand and said, “Annett, when did you put on so much weight?” The woman turned and she was not my grandma, she looked shocked, an angry vein popping from her forehead, she slapped him across the face. We all went silent, then my dad and I looked at each other, and started howling with laughter. The kind of laughter that startled a room, and the kind of one that made others want to join in even though they had no idea of what was going on.  My grandpa, on the other hand, did not look pleased, the right side of his cheek maroon red from the hit, he walked away. Now that he recalls it, it's very funny, and it certainly was.

Beautiful Words: Some More Writing Worth Sharing

The following pieces were inspired by Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street

My Name

"Ella time for dinner!" "Ella do you want to play?" Ella means many things. In english it means "beutiful fairy woman," spanish it means "she," in Hebrew it means "goddess," in German it means "foreign." I'm so happy that my name is Ella. My parents were going to name me Elsa, and I am so happy that they ended up naming me Ella instead. If my name was Elsa, I would probably not have the same outcome. I am so happy that my name is Ella. To this day I still think about what would've happened if my name was Elsa. My sister and I decided to trick my cousin... We tried to fool my cousin that my real name was Louella. Maren and I had this all planned out, so as planned, my cousin asked my mom if my real name was Louella. My mom said yes. My cousin couldn't beleive it! To this day, I love my name and am glad it's the name that I have.

This is Estelle’s

“Martina fix your kalat!” that’s what my mom would tell me every time I made a mess. You may be wondering, “Martina”? Where’d that come from? Well I have two first names “Estelle” and “Martine”. This gives others the wide range of nickname choices to call me. I am known as Tukie, Telly, Stellie, Stel, Stale, Bred, Balloolie, Stels, Tellay, Marchepish, Chepish, Kabilang Bahay (neighbor), Etsy, Ate, Lola, Mamsir, and Beauty. I don’t even know where half of them came from. Anytime I hear someone call one of these names I know that it’s showtime. These names are each their own little description of me whether my friend made it or my family member.

My name means “star” in French. Everyone tells me that I fit this definition almost as much as the star fits the moon. I’d agree with that, but I think there’s more to me than just a star. People tell me that I sometimes outshine others, or that I “stand out” even though I think it’s just my height. I am told that I shine academically. People say, “You have such a bright personality.” which I can agree with. If I could change the definition of my name, I think it would be entertaining and creative. There are times where my favorite song will start playing in public and suddenly, I’ll start singing and dancing and my friends can prove that. There are also times where I’ll talk about the most random things to break the silence. Who knew you could get the whole gang laughing by just talking about dumb things you’ve done in the past? Most people find it odd, but I like asking people about themselves, it’s weird but I really like listening to others. I always like keeping my hands busy whether it be playing video games, doing sports, drawing and painting, or experimenting in the kitchen. I love drawing and I’ve always loved building things ever since I was a child, whether it be made of paper or cardboard. It’s fun to make your imagination come alive. I’m excited to find more nicknames and more traits that bring out the definition of my name, but for now I’ll stick to these.

Here is Shane’s Original Piece

“Shane!” Every time I hear my name being yelled, I think about food because it is usually my mom saying, “Shane, it’s time for dinner.” I love food, but my name doesn’t have anything to do with food. Shane means “God is gracious” or “a gift from God.” Shane comes from Irish origin. It is a form of John or Sean.

Characteristics related to Shane are, “balanced, peacemaker, intelligent, cooperative, insightful, adaptable, artistic, loving and kind, and diplomatic.” I agree with the meaning of the name Shane because all babies are a gift from god. As for the characteristics associated with the name Shane, I fit the bill for some of them but not all. I think I'm intelligent, artistic, and insightful. My parents would say that I'm not cooperative or adaptable because I have strong opinions about EVERYTHING! If I were to define my name in my own way the meaning would be smart, musical, friendly, and strong-willed. My passion is music. I love playing guitar, piano, sax and drums. When I am not playing music, I listen to music. I also enjoy hanging out with my friends and playing video games with them. Oh and one last trait to add to the list is foodie because I love to eat!

Anna’s Work

“Get over here banana!” My friends said whenever we see each other! Every time they say Banana, it fills me with joy because I feel loved by them. Also, I believe that whenever someone calls you by a nickname they are in a good mood and they aren’t mad at you, but when someone calls you by your full name, they possibly aren’t happy with you.

My name means full of grace, Favor. I don’t know if agree with this definition because I am not graceful, I am goofy and crazy. Full of grace means smooth and a pleasing way of moving, or a polite and thoughtful way of behaving. I agree with the part of being polite because I try my best to be polite to adults, peers and family because they will appreciate it. If I could make my own definition for my name, I know exactly what it would be, Anna would mean loveable, goofy and chatty. I would love to be known for my kindness and being loveable to others, for example whenever I see someone alone or sad, I feel it is my duty to go make them feel loved. When I say goofy, I mean goofy! If you ask my friends and family, they will say I do the weirdest and silliest things ever. I love being goofy because I know that it may put a needed smile on someone's face. Lastly, my name should mean chatty because I talk all the time. If you come and sit down with me, I will start a whole conversation of the teeniest topic. I love being chatty because you never know who you will meet from starting a conversation. Whenever you call me Anna, Macushala, Banana or anna banana, please just remember it means, loveable, goofy and chatty.

A Collection of Our Best Work

Our re-imaginings of “Waking Instructions” by Emma Mellon

Racing Instructions by Siona Roy Waking Instructions by Emma Mellon 

Drive on a racetrack Crawl ashore

to the windy finish line to the damp beginning of day.

Forget the pressure of winning. Forget before and after.

Allow yourself Allow yourself 

to mercilessly pass others by.      to be spelled differently.                                                                        

It will feel like a mistake. It will feel like falling.

It has exciting attached. It has waiting attached.

Felipe’s version:

Fall where you are most comfortable 

To the beginning of your mind 

Forget your fear 

Allow yourself 

To be found 

It will feel like you are free 

It has preferring attached 

B+ By Tobin Longsworth Freedom  By Grant D’Ambra

Slithered out of bed   Walk outside   

To bright mid-morning.  

Forget about the B+ Forget cause and effect. 

Allow yourself Allow  yourself  

 To rethink to take risks 

It will feel like being freed It will feel like the wind

It has feeling attached.  It has answering attached

Wave Runners by Kylie Gray

            Riding a wave

            to the sandy coastal shore.

            Forget the times I've failed.

            Allow yourself

            to take no easy path.

            It will feel like a fresh new opportunity.

            It has attempting attached.

This description of a favorite place is by Alice Lake

There are many places that are special to me, but a couple of those places are really special to me, one of those places including my grandma’s house. My grandma lives in Ireland, and since we only go there around once-a-year, it makes it extra special when we go and stay. Another reason is her house is also always cozy, and has this sweet smell to it, which I am guessing is her perfume, and it is probably one of my favorite smells in the whole world. Finally, most of the time when we go there, our cousins from England and Ireland come over, which is really nice to finally see them after a while, and some of them stay across the street in my uncle’s and aunt’s house while they stay. When you put all those reasons together, that is what makes my grandma's house one of the most special places out of all the places that are special to me.

Another amazing place description by Annika Dillon

After greeting everybody at the airport we head home. Even the thought of home filled me with delight. Sure, it wasn’t my real home, just my aunt’s place where I stay in the summer, but I still have countless memories there. The car came to a stop and my sister and I rushed out. I stopped a few steps away from the car and took it in. The grass was bright green, the carousal slowly spinning because of the wind, the trampoline standing untouched, and Puma, one of the two cats that live there, is frolicking in the center of the yard. I see the greenhouse behind a couple small trees, next to the campfire. The creek still looks the same, with the same old small bridge my grandpa built years ago. I couldn’t wait until the ducklings came around asking for bread. I stepped inside the house, passing the porch. About everything there, including the house, was built by my relatives and family here. In the US I have a whole different, loud, American, large family. Here I have an also large, very different, Latvian family (including five dogs in one family). I walked past my grandpa's work garage, which smelled like gasoline, like it always does.   I made my way up the steps to a rather small house, compared to the ones in America. As soon as you walk two flights of stairs up, you see a small corridor, with a blue marble floor. To the left there’s another two flights of stairs heading to my mom’s and aunts' rooms. Next to that staircase is my grandparents' room, then my sister’s and my room, where all my legos are stashed under the bunk bed I have that doesn’t even have a lower bunk. I remember spending hours there last summer, with a blanket hung up to give me my lego privacy. Next to our room is the kitchen, then all the way to the right is the bathroom (without a toilet), and then the toilet room. Perpendicular to the toilet is a door that leads to a very small porch that, once again, my grandpa made. This whole house has me remember climbing on the shed roof during tuc tuc hide and seek, or me and the twinions running through the labyrinth of miniature trees in the garden. The twinions are my cousin's cousins, who are two 7-8-year-old boys that follow me around and act like my minions. I can’t wait to see them again. This whole house is a miracle through my eyes. The cats, the lake nearby, the trampoline; it’s all just heaven.

Check out Jason’s response to “Famous” by Naomi Shihab Nye

In the poem "Famous" by Naomi Shihab Nye it shows how things are famous to eachother. For example it says "the tear is famous, briefly, to the cheek." That tells how the tear is affecting the cheek and how the cheek is affecting the tears. The poet's intention was to make the people reading feel famous, to make them have a connection to everything they have. The poet is also trying to say that we are all unique and we should all be recognized for who we are in our own way. I would want to be famous to everyone, I would want everyone to know me, and to recognize me wherever I go. But I want to be famous for something unique not something people have already been famous for.

Our Personal Zen Zones

Creating a space for creating!