Chapter 1 – A museum and a bully
One dark evening in December, Mrs. Smith, an elementary school teacher, stared at the stack of papers that awaited her attention. She tried to remember why she had begun an after-school writing project for fourth- and fifth-graders. Her goal had been to start a school newspaper, written by the students themselves.
My students have access to computers and spell check, but they would rather play video games than learn how to write a note or a story, she thought as she picked up a red pencil and began to mark the papers. Then she recorded the first corrected copy into her computer, ready to typeset.
I hope students will be encouraged by seeing their names as authors of their stories, she mused. Perhaps they will even become interested in reading newspapers.
A Day at City Museum — By Paul
My oldest brother, Mike, took me to the City Museum. When my brother said it was a museum, I thought it would be really boring. Instead there was a lot to see and do.
We slid down a 10-story slide. Then we climbed a giant treehouse with branches and bars and then crawled through a thing that looked like a slinky. We explored a cave that was cool and wet and spooky.
I was disappointed because the Ferris wheel wasn’t working. Instead we went down to the basement ball pit. I was disappointed again. I could not go in because I am not tall enough yet.
We crawled through some dark spaces. Some people wore flashlights on their heads. Others wore knee pads. My brother wished he had brought some.
We went into a tunnel. It kept getting smaller and smaller. My brother is so big, he got stuck at the end and had to squirm back the way we came. I laughed and he got mad.
We also tried a swing and then did some skateboarding. After a while, I got all tired and steamy hot. I went home and went right to bed. I hope we get to go again sometime.
The end.
I’ll definitely try to find room to publish Paul’s story. Mrs. Smith rubbed her tired eyes and read on.
The Smallest Boy in Class — By Shane
I like to go on field trips, but I don’t like being the smallest boy in my class. One day, we went on a field trip to learn about safety. We learned how to stay away from mean dogs and to stop, look and listen at intersections and when to speak to strangers. We went to the train stop then practiced waiting and then crossed.
A few weeks later, we went on a bus on another field trip. I got my class T-shirt before our field trip. It is blue and has our school’s name on it. My friends in different classes have different colors.
We went to Meramec Caverns. I got wet there because water was dripping on me from the top of the cave. We saw some really cool shiny rocks made out of crystal. Then someone turned out the lights and we all acted like we were scared but I really wasn’t.
That part was fun. But going to school is not always. This boy in the fifth grade picks on me at the bus stop. The two older boys who wait with us laugh when he does. He took my lunch one day and threw it into a mud puddle and I didn’t have anything to eat. He told me if I told my parents, he would beat me up. So I didn’t. But I don’t know what to do. I hate being the smallest boy in my class. If I were bigger, he would leave me alone.
The end.
Oh dear, Mrs. Smith thought, I was afraid this might happen. He’s being bullied. How do I respond? I had better tell the principal about this. I’m so frustrated because we teachers can’t be everywhere at once. We also can’t ignore bullies. I want to tell Shane to stand up to the bully, but is that the right thing to do? He is much smaller. I will suggest he tell his parents.
Did you know?
The City Museum in downtown St. Louis was opened in 1997 by sculptor Bob Cassilly, who had the inspiration to create an urban playhouse for children and adults. The former International Shoe Co. factory was remodeled and the 600,000-square-foot building was decorated with donations. Artists used salvaged old columns and statues from demolished buildings and even an old bank vault, glass bottles and other “worthless junk.” All materials, including salvaged bridges, old chimneys, construction cranes and miles of tile, were donated by local sources.
The museum includes multistoried spiral slides, secret passages, winding tunnels, underground caves and an aquarium.
An old school bus, considered perfectly safe, overhangs the roof as though it might fall at any moment. A sky-high jungle gym makes use of two retired airplanes. Hundreds of feet of tunnels run from floor to floor.
To enjoy the experience, City Museum recommends that sneakers or closed-toe, closed-heel shoes be worn in the museum. Sandals or flip-flops are strongly discouraged. Footwear must be worn at all times. They also recommend that you consider wearing full-length pants or jeans, as you will want to take advantage of the multiple slides, tunnels and various attractions.
For parents
Bullying has always been a problem. Statistics show that an adult usually is notified in less than half of bullying incidents.
Bullies are often fearful themselves. They may hide their own fears by bullying others. Signs may include getting into physical or verbal fights, having friends who bully others and growing increasingly aggressive over time. They may constantly blame others for their problems but not accept responsibility for their own actions. Older bullies may show constant concern about their reputation or popularity.
Chapter 2 – Holiday fun
Mrs. Smith tackled six more stories from students.
This is a better response than I expected, she thought. I spoke with the principal about Shane being bullied and she said she would get back to me. I hope it won’t take too long to help him.
Thanksgiving at Grandma’s
By Chelsea
It is almost Thanksgiving. I help my grandmother, so I know how to get ready. First, you need to know how many people are coming so you know how many plates to set out. You need a turkey from the freezer chest at the grocery store that is cold but ready to cook. You need mashed potatoes, so you cook them and then smash them. You need peas.
When all the food is cooked, everyone comes to eat. My aunts and uncles and cousins all come. We go around the table and tell what we are thankful for and then we eat a lot of food. Then the men go downstairs and watch a football game while we clean up the mess. Why don’t the men have to help?
The End.
Good question, Chelsea.
Christmas
By Kennedy
Not long before Christmas we had a snow day. I made a snowman and a fort. My sister and brother tried to help Dad take the ice off the car with a scraper. I like to play in the snow. My Mom does not like the snow. She did not play outside with us.
For Christmas, I asked for a real bunny. I got my mom a bracelet and my puppy some toys and my brother a game. My puppy played in the snow for too long and turned into an ice cube. I got a towel and inside the house I rubbed him like I was drying him to help warm him up.
When we decorated the Christmas tree, I put on some angels and also ornaments and a little sleigh with Santa under it and some toys. I like red, white and blue garlands around the tree. Then we sang “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” I sang the song by myself once at school.
For Christmas I got a pogo stick from my grandma and grandpa. My cousin and I played a game with the pogo stick. My favorite part of Christmas is getting presents and being with my family. Our cat Licorice likes my brother’s new racing cars.
We ate Christmas dinner and then opened more presents. I like to turn my new kaleidoscope. I see blue, pink, rainbow colors, diamonds, fireworks, spice red, white and other surprises. I got so many toys and games we had to put some downstairs! We went to my cousin’s house and had a Christmas party and played hide-and-seek and she let me hide under her bed.
My Elf-on-the-Shelf got me into trouble. He made a mess with my cereal and milk. My parents got mad at me, so I taped his hands shut. This morning, he took some towels, one for his head and one for his back, and a red towel for his blanket. Then he went into my room. I was so surprised when I walked into my room because I thought he was somebody else and I jumped about two feet. Do you think someone is playing a trick on me? My big brother laughed a lot when I told him.
The end
I would wonder about that, Mrs. Smith agreed.
Minecraft
By Baxter
For Christmas I got a Minecraft video game. First you load up the game. Then you have to punch a tree (with your hands because you don’t have any tools yet). If you want wood, you must cut down a tree in the game. Then you have to punch out all the wood in the tree. Then the leaves fall and you can get an apple or another tree.
If you don’t have a crafting table, then you can use yourself as a crafting table. You can break stone but it won’t give you stone until you craft a pick ax with three sticks and wooden blocks. You could build how you want. It comes with a hidden zombie, a creeper and a sheep.
The end.
Mrs. Smith sighed. I wonder how I can use Baxter’s story. It is complicated and I don’t have a clue. I’ll have to ask my grandson.
Did you know?
According to a study from the National Center for Education Statistics and Bureau of Justice, among students ages 12-18 who reported being bullied at school during the school year, 15 percent were bullied online or by text. An estimated 14.9 percent of high school students were electronically bullied in the 12 months before the survey.
People who work with bullied children suggest that parents, teachers and other trusted adults first listen calmly when children do open up about being bullied.
For parents
Although children are often reluctant to report bullying to adults, there are potential signs to warn parents:
Adults are urged to check out unexplained injuries and be suspicious if they notice lost, ripped or dirty clothing, books, electronics or jewelry.
A child who is afraid of going to school may repeatedly fake illness. The cause of recurring headaches or stomachaches also need to be established.
A child’s patterns may change. They may come home from school hungry because they did not eat lunch. Or they may start binge eating from stress.
Sometimes children feel that the situation is their own fault, that if they looked or acted differently it wouldn’t be happening.
When parents do find out, they are encouraged to offer support and understanding. Parents naturally want to protect their children. They feel angry that their child is suffering and want a quick solution, but solving a bullying situation can be a long, frustrating process.
Chapter 3 – Sand, stones and starfish
A tired Mrs. Smith yawned as she picked up another story from a student a week later.
It’s happened again. Shane is being bullied by the older boy. He still doesn’t want us to tell his parents though we’ve urged him to do so. I’m beginning to see that this project may have to involve more than just a fun newspaper as I had intended.
Ball Tag is Fun
By Justin
Ball tag is fun. You need some kind of a soft ball, not a hard ball. And you can’t use rocks. If you get tagged (hit) by the ball then you are IT. The first time you are hit, you call out the name of someone who is playing and try to hit only him or her.
The next time you are tagged, you get to hit anyone you can. I know you are not supposed to use rocks because I used a rock one time when I was a kid. My friend Lacy needed three stitches and Mom was really mad at me. But Lacy got over it and she plays with me and my other friends all the time now.
The end.
I am glad to see that Justin learned his lesson quickly. Also glad the little girl wasn’t badly hurt. He obviously didn’t intend to hurt her.
Sand, Seashells and Starfish
By Leslie
I like to spend the night at a hotel. In a hotel, you can eat everything you want for breakfast. You can have waffles and bacon and eggs and potatoes. And when Mom and Dad go out, my brother and I can jump on the bed and watch what we want on TV. They let our dog into the hotel. He barked a lot.
We have been to Florida. I went swimming in the ocean and played in the sand. I picked up a lot of seashells. My brother is afraid to go into the ocean because of sharks. I am not afraid of sharks because they swim way out. My brother is 12 years old. I am just 9.
My brother found a turtle. When a hawk came around, the turtle went into its shell so it would not get eaten. We tried to find crabs. We dug them out of the sand. They are funny looking and have big claws. Some of them walk sideways. We didn’t eat any of them, we played with them and put them back in the wet sand. Small birds will eat them if they get a chance. Some crabs grow out of their shells and have to go find new ones. They are called hermit crabs.
In Florida, they have lots of hurricanes. My parents worried about that. We didn’t see a hurricane, but we did see a big storm with lots of wind and waves. The next morning the beach was a mess. There were piles and piles of seashells and seaweed. I found shells I had never seen before and sea urchins. We found a bunch of starfish, too. I thought they were dead. Mom says we can’t keep anything if it is alive. That’s a law and they can put you in jail if you do. But Mom wasn’t any more sure than I was if the starfish was still alive. It felt stiff. So we took it back to our hotel room and Mom put it on some wet paper towels. Then we went to lunch. When we got back, we could see that it had moved one leg about an inch. We took it back to the ocean and threw it into the water. I was sad because I wanted to take it home to show my friends.
I made up this next part, Mrs. Smith, because you said not all stories have to be true. We can use our imaginations.
I was walking on the beach with my puppy. The puppy jumped into the water and went swimming. A pink fish jumped up and said: “What are you doing in the water? Can you swim under water like I can?”
“No,” said my puppy. “But can you run through a field like I can?”
“No,” said the pink fish.
“We are really different,” said the puppy, “but maybe we can still be friends.”
The end.
What a nice touch of imagination. I am impressed. Leslie might just be a writer some day.
Did you know?
Ospreys are often seen flying over the water, hovering and then plunging feet-first to catch fish in their talons. The osprey is a fish-hawk that lives along coastlines, lakes, and rivers almost worldwide. After a successful strike, the Osprey flies away, carrying the fish, head-forward, with its feet.
They are found on rivers, lakes, coastal areas near water, either fresh or salt, where large numbers of fish are present. They are usually found around major coastal estuaries and salt marshes, but also regularly around large lakes and rivers. Migrating ospreys are sometimes seen far from water, occasionally even over the desert.
For parents
Because of bullying, students’ schoolwork may suffer. They may have difficulty sleeping. They might have frequent nightmares. Grades may drop and they may show a loss of interest in school or no longer want to attend school. A sudden loss of good friends or avoidance of social situations may indicate feelings of helplessness or decreased self-esteem.
In teens, self-destructive behaviors such as running away from home, cutting themselves with a razor, pulling out chunks of hair or talking about suicide may begin. In those cases, parents are urged to get outside help quickly.
Chapter 4 – Bullies do not always win
The following week, as Mrs. Smith tackled another set of stories she mulled over a big problem.
I saw Shane on the playground today. He had a black eye. The principal had finally told his family about being bullied. He told the school nurse that his dad said he had to fight. So he did and he has bruises all over.
The bully’s mother says she can’t do anything stop her son’s bullying. She and his father are divorced and he doesn’t see the boy very often anymore. I’m going to have to include information about bullying in my publication. This has to stop.
The Bully Did Not Win
By Lauren
Kids were always teasing me about being fat. When I was in second grade, two boys started picking on me. I told Mom one was an albino and the other one comes to school dirty and smelled bad. Mom said to ignore them and not to be mean back. They might be being bullied, too.
The school nurse told me I would have a heart attack before I grew up if I didn’t stop eating candy. She scared me so I stopped, even though I saw other girls eating candy and they were thin. I kept gaining weight anyhow.
In third grade, a new girl, Charon, started school late. I didn’t have many friends then because I never knew who was going to tease me. One day Charon threatened me. I was heavier than she was, but I never have wanted to pick on other people because I know how it feels. I tried to stay away from her but another day she cornered me and told me she was going to beat me up at lunchtime. I didn’t want to tell my teacher. I finally told one of the other girls who was nice to me. She told a bunch of her friends and when Charon walked up toward me in the playground, six of them all came over and surrounded me. She backed off.
The best part about it was that I suddenly realized these girls liked me enough to help me and after that I played with them more often.
Now I’m in fifth grade. I went to camp and a nice nutritionist showed me how to count calories. I’ve been doing it and learned I was just eating too much and now my weight is slowly getting close to normal.
The end
This shows how adults sometimes bully young people with the best of intentions. Lauren has matured a great deal since then. I’ll have to have a talk with that school nurse about nutrition.
Water
By Blake
We like water. We like to drink it and swim in it and get clean in a bath or shower in it. We like water when it rains and it is warm and we can play in it.
We like snow when it comes down and turns the world white. We like to make a snowman. We like to slide down a hill. We do not like snow when it is so cold that we have to stay inside.
We like to see ice when it coats the trees and they sparkle in colors outside our windows. We like to slide on ice when we play. We do not like to slide and fall down.
We like steam when it clouds our window and we can draw pictures in it with our fingers. But Mom does not.
We don’t like water when we get wet waiting for the school bus. We don’t like water when the creek floods out and we can’t go anywhere.
We don’t like snow when we can’t go see our friends. My grandma fell and broke her wrist.
We do not like steam from a pot on the stove because it can burn our fingers if we try to touch it. So sometimes water is a good thing and sometimes it is not.
The end.
I do find joy in working with these students, even when I’m so tired. Mrs. Smith chuckled. This job is going to be more difficult than I thought. How do I choose which of these writings to print?
Today, the principal told me she would like to have a special program on bullying but that there is no time or budget to include it. She suggested I could help by featuring some stories about how students overcame bullying so I will include Lauren’s story.
Did you know?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics and the Bureau of Justice, about 30 percent of young people admit in surveys to bullying others, while 70.6 percent of young people say they have seen bullying in their schools and 70.4 percent of school staff have seen bullying.
Bullying was witnessed by 62 percent of school staff two or more times in a given month and 41 percent witnessed bullying once a week or more. Still only 20 to 30 percent of students who are bullied notify adults about the bullying.
When bystanders intervene, bullying stops within 10 seconds about 57 percent of the time.
Most bullying takes place in school, outside on school grounds and on the bus.
For parents
Frustrated parents and teachers often wonder why children do not report bullying. Some answers given after the child once again feels safe include: Bullying can be a humiliating experience. Children may fear backlash from the kid who bullied them. They may not want adults to know what is being said about them because they may be afraid it is true. They may also fear being seen as a tattletale or that adults will judge them or punish them for being weak.
Chapter 5 – Around the house
Mrs. Smith adjusted her glasses. This story is from Madison. Her family moved in not long ago, so I don’t know much about her.
Around My House
By Madison
My sister and I played with plastic dinosaurs today. T-Rex has short arms and a short neck and likes to eat meat. If he snuck up behind me, I would get out of there fast. I wouldn’t like to fly on a pterodactyl because I don’t like heights.
I like my Mom and Dad, Sissy and my dog and they love me. Rags climbs on me and he likes to chew on my hair.
Sissy and I play hide-and-seek in our house. When my sister cannot find me, I keep running around until she finds me. I have to go to bed at 8:30 on school nights.
We also have a cat. I like how cats shake their behinds before they run. She comes running up to me when I come home from school because she knows me. Tabby likes to jump on my chest from the window over my bed and that wakes me up.
I would like to make up a whole bunch of songs about school, about how I learned to talk, how I tell secrets to myself and about how I dream. But I don’t know the right words to write them down with yet.
The end.
I hope Madison will be able to write down some of her dreams and secrets as she gets older.
I Like to Hunt
By Larry
I like to go hunting with my dad. For Christmas, I want a bow and arrow. I also want a shotgun and a pocketknife. I want to hunt wolf, bear and deer. When I told my teacher that, she asked what would I do with the dead animals. I said I’d just leave them there. She didn’t look very happy. She said I should find out how to donate the meat from them to poor people. That seems like a lot of trouble to me.
I would like to earn money to buy hunting guns and knives. I want to make money by doing chores. I am learning how to mow yards. It is hard work. I can wash dishes, sweep floors, vacuum, clean shelves and wash mirrors, too.
Some day I want to have a Kool-Aid stand. I will bring out glasses of Kool-Aid and charge $2 for each glass.
I like owls. Owls eat mice and rabbits. They hunt at night when it is dark. They hear mice and other small animals. They have very good ears.
I want a puppy. We have a cat but I would rather have a wolf dog. I would name him Spike. It would be funny if the puppy came wrapped up as a present.
The end.
Mrs. Smith sighed. Larry has a difficult time getting along with the other students. Oh, this next one is written by Larry’s older brother, Daniel.
My Strange Brother
By Daniel
My brother acts strange. All he talks about is hunting all the time. I try to look him straight in the eye when I talk to him but he looks away. He likes to do things alone like line up dominoes and knock them down. He can do that for hours. I get bored. Mom and Dad let him get by with things like sitting on the couch and banging his head against it over and over. He will only eat meat, no vegetables or fruit. He did not even want to go to the Science Center with me and Dad and it was really fun.
I like to play baseball and soccer. Baseball was very fun this year. Our team won in games and practices. We are done now for the season but I want to play again next year.
My brother doesn’t like to go to my games. Noises bother him and he gets mad and starts screaming when my friends come over, so now my friends can’t come over anymore. Some of them tease me about my strange brother and say things that hurt my feelings like that he is a freak.
The end.
Mrs. Smith sighed. I’m not surprised Daniel is resentful of the special treatment his brother gets. This is a difficult situation for the whole family.
Did you know?
Our education system is based on the assumption that all students should be able to practice certain social skills but some students are not able to do so without help. Although they may learn facts quickly, they have trouble communicating and applying what they know in everyday life and in adjusting to social situations.
Some students have trouble making eye contact. Others fail to respond when called by name or appear not to hear their teachers. In earlier times, such behaviors were punished. Now educators are trying to encourage these children to become more engaged with others. As students are able to do so, fewer classroom disturbances occur. Developing social skills are rewarded with encouragement. Early treatment can make a big difference.
While it was previously assumed that most students who fit these description had a low ability to learn, it has been discovered that many have normal to high intelligence.
For Parents
Autism spectrum disorder is a term that describes how a person perceives and socializes with others. It indicates problems in social interaction and communication.
According to doctors at the Mayo Clinic, such children may perform repetitive movements such as rocking, spinning or hand flapping, biting others or head-banging. The child may develop specific routines or rituals and become disturbed at the slightest change. Some students are unusually sensitive to light, sound or touch, yet may be indifferent to pain or temperature. They do not seem able to engage in make-believe play. They may fixate on an object or activity with abnormal intensity or focus. They may develop specific food preferences, such as eating only a few kinds of food.
Chapter 6 – Sad times and glad times
Early in February, Mrs. Smith picked up yet another story from her pile. She thought: Olivia is a pleasant student to work with but she has seemed sad lately.
My Dad
By Olivia
I like to eat squid. I really do. I ate squid at home. Dad cooked it. I also like pizza, macaroni, ice cream with a chocolate shell, pumpkin pie and hot dogs. I haven’t learned to cook any of these yet.
I have a dog named Charley. He likes to play-bite my fingers. I have to pick up after his toys. I also have to clean up in the yard.
My Dad can do almost anything. He fixed up a four-wheeler. We get to ride in it. We have a lot of fun together.
My Mom helps me with my lessons. She doesn’t laugh much. She gets mad at my brother and me.
My Dad got sick and had to stay home for a long time. I took care of him when Mom was working. I do not know what he had. Now my dad is feeling better. He is going to work tomorrow. If he still feels bad, he will come back home. I hope he feels like his happy self again soon.
My Dad is so cool. He likes to take my brother and me for walks in the woods by where we live. He tells us how plants grow and shows us things like the sensitive ferns that close up when you run your finger along the stem. He made us wear orange jackets last fall before deer season and wouldn’t let us go out while the season was on.
He takes us to places like the Science Center. We looked at stars there and built an arch. And he tells us stories about our grandparents and even great-grandparents, although I haven’t met any of them because they died.
I love my Dad so much. Last week, Mom said we are moving away soon and I won’t get to see Dad except on weekends. That’s not fair. He’s staying here, so I will miss my room and have to go to a new school soon.
Mom is moving in with Uncle Larry. He’s not really my uncle. He and Dad used to be friends but now they are mad at each other. We used to be a happy family. I don’t understand.
The end.
No wonder she is sad. I wish I had more time to give to these students. Olivia is going to need extra support now. I’d never want to spank a child, but sometimes I’d like to spank parents.
A Trip to the Zoo
By Amy
We took a field trip to the St. Louis Zoo. I rode the bus sitting next to my best friend, Alissa. The bus was crowded, so our teacher made us scoot over so there was room for Sarai. We didn’t like that because then we had to be careful what we said. She’s from a different country.
I liked the zoo. We saw lions and tigers stalking around or taking a nap. We saw puffins in a room that was freezing cold and even a polar bear swimming behind glass. We saw monkeys called primates. We could see some through a glass wall but one monkey went racing up and hit the wall. I think he wanted to scare us.
We saw lots of animals like pink flamingoes, and funny little prairie dogs that live in holes and penguins that waddle when they walk.
One boy in the fifth grade climbed up on a statue of a gorilla. That’s a really big monkey. The real gorilla named Phil died a long time ago. The boy didn’t have to be worried about the statue gorilla but I wouldn’t want to meet a real one.
Sarai followed us around for a while. I guess she doesn’t have a best friend yet. She just came to this school. We finally let her walk with us. It turns out she had a lot of stories to tell us because there is a zoo in New York City, too. That’s where she used to live. She knew a lot about the animals. Now we are her friends.
The end.
I’m so glad these girls changed their attitude about this girl. Perhaps Sarai won’t become a victim of bullying if she has friends.
Did you know?
The St. Louis Zoo does not charge admission, but for a fee, visitors may ride the miniature railroad to the different sections of the zoo. All the animals are housed in spaces as close to their natural habitats as possible in an urban setting. Many families choose to spend time in one or two of the distinct parts like the River’s Edge or Lakeside or Red Rock.
The zoo has acres of animals including birds such as flamingos, swans, penguins and puffins. Primates include orangutans, chimpanzees, and gorillas. Big cats like lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, cheetahs and pumas are particularly popular.
There are numerous exotic animals including zebras, giraffes, babirusas, gazelles, red kangaroos, warty pigs, takins, okapis, Somali wild asses, bush dogs, black rhinos, capybaras, anteaters, red river hogs, carmine bee-eaters, hyenas, painted dogs, red pandas and hippos. Asian elephants are always popular. Water loving creatures include seals, sea lions, stingrays and otters. Bears include grizzly bears, Andean bears, and a very popular polar bear behind a see-through glass wall.
For parents
About half the marriages in the United States today end in divorce. Many students who go unwillingly through this process may feel alone and unsure of the future. It is common for them to think that their parents’ divorce is somehow their fault.
Sometimes children believe they could have prevented arguments by being more obedient or getting better grades. They may feel protective of one parent and blame the other one. Many feel abandoned by both. Talking about their pain with a friend, family member or trusted adult can help. Students can be reminded that the decisions that adults make about divorce are their own.
Some children may eventually find that their parents are happier after the divorce. Some may learn compassion and caring skills when a younger brother or sister needs their support and care.
Chapter 7 —School can be fun
In late March, Mrs. Smith groaned at the pile of papers that seemed to grow thicker every week. I want to include all the students who wrote something, but school will be out in seven weeks. Where will I find time?
Valentine’s Day
By Jason
On Valentine’s Day, you can give hearts and special gifts. I would like to give a special gift to my aunt, my mom and my grandma and grandpa. I give valentines to friends and neighbors who are not at school too, like Jennifer who lives next door.
My mom is celebrating by having a party for Valentine’s Day at our house. I invited everybody I know who is my friend. We will have fun at my house.
We will play video games and eat cheeseburgers and pizza and ice cream. I hope my Dad comes too, but he lives a long way away. I don’t see him very often. I send him emails but he does not always write back.
The end.
Mrs. Smith sighed. Jason is another young man who misses his father.
School and Winter
By James
In kindergarten, we had a lot of fun at recess. Then, we had two recesses, one to play and one for snacks. In first grade, we had shorter recess. We just had one recess for both. I liked it better in kindergarten.
If you are in a school and they have a cafeteria, you can eat anything they have. I like pancakes and sausage.
In the cafeteria, you have to speak quietly or you get a mark and you can only whisper. If you get two marks, you can’t talk at all and if you get three marks you do not get to go outside to recess. After eating, the lunch lady says we can go outside but if it is raining, we just walk in the hall by the cafeteria.
Last Thursday, it snowed. We got off early from school. When I got home, I made a snow castle and a snowman with our next-door neighbors. We went sledding and had races and threw snowballs.
If you want to play outside in winter, you have to put on a jacket and gloves and boots. I do like to make a snowman. You find a big pile of snow and you roll it up in a big ball. Then you roll a smaller one. Last you roll one even smaller than the middle ball for the snowman’s head. To put a face on the snowman, you can poke holes for eyes or mouth and then use a carrot for the nose.
The end.
Your details are well expressed , James.
Springtime
By Shelby
My family went to Shaw’s Garden and we played in a children’s garden. It has a swinging bridge with ropes and planks and you have to hold on to the ropes that hold it up when it swings. It made me dizzy. My little brother played in the water. He started splashing the other kids. Mom made him stop.
Then we rode in what they call a tram. It takes you to other parts of the garden. There are lots of pretty flowers and rocks there. You can also sit on a sheep and have your picture taken.
I turned 9 years old on the first day of spring. I asked my mom to make a cake and she did and I had a party. We played games like racing at a skating rink. After that we ate cake and I opened presents. I got a hula hoop and a bracelet. I like having a birthday.
In spring, we can play outside. I can jump on my friend’s trampoline and play ball. The trees are growing new green leaves. You can see flowers, butterflies and ladybugs all over. I like to wear a dress sometimes, but not when I want to play.
One day we thought a tornado might be coming, so we went inside and watched a movie. It started storming. We were happy the next day because it was not storming anymore.
The end.
Mrs. Smith tapped her red pencil and wrote: “Mr. Shaw’s Garden is also a great place to learn about nature.” Shelby is friendly and talkative. Some students are afraid of us, but she certainly is not.
Did you know?
The Missouri Botanical Garden is also known informally as Shaw's Garden, named for founder and philanthropist Henry Shaw. The garden is a National Historic Landmark and a center for science, conservation, education and horticultural displays, widely considered one of the top three botanical gardens in the world. It features 79 acres of indoor conservatories with formal and informal internationally inspired gardens.
For parents
Children who are bullied often do not report bullying. They may feel that no one could understand their situation or they may fear further rejection by their peers by being a “snitch.”
Because bullying can happen in different ways and degrees, suggestions for handling bullies need to be thought out (and talked out with adults) when physical violence is not involved.
When violence is involved, intervention needs to be immediate.
Sometimes children (and adults) may want to handle the situation on their own to restore a feeling of being in charge of their own lives. Encourage them by explaining that bullies enjoy feeling as though they have power over the bullied person. Parents may want to explain why fighting back can backfire. Bullying back or getting angry will let the bullies know they are hurting you. Try not to respond to the bully with more aggression and then tell them calmly to stop.
Try asking the bully questions like, “Why are you saying this?” Bullies may not have actual reasons and may have to stop to think about why. If they don’t stop, encourage your child to walk away from them. Bullies want to start a fight. Deny them this by staying calm and positive. If these suggestions don’t work, encourage them to ask for help at school. Emphasize that they have a right to a safe environment.
Chapter 8 – Changing seasons
Mrs. Smith smiled. It’s finally April, close to the end of the school year now. I’m as thrilled as the students to have a vacation. Wonder if they realize it.
Summertime
By Katie
I like summer. Then it gets hot. You can go swimming. When you get hungry or tired, you can go inside and eat or sleep.
My mom took me to the hair shop. That day my hair was long. A woman cut my hair short so it would stay out of my face when it is windy outside. You can play more when your hair is cut short. It gets dry sooner when it gets wet. When my hair was longer, it would get caught in the brush. Sometimes taking out tangles hurts.
I like summer best. I can play whenever I want. I like to play with my friends. But then school starts again while it is still hot. I don’t like waiting for the bus.
My cat is named Tiger. He likes cat food. He rubs against my legs and arms when I am getting him food. He purrs then. But he doesn’t like to swim with me in the pool and he hisses when I try to give him a bath.
I like to write stories. Here is a story about Adie: She wears her hair in pigtails tied with a pink ribbon. She likes English. She has a flower on her dress. One of her friends hid her homework and she got into trouble. Adie would never play tricks on her friends like that.
The end.
Mrs. Smith frowned. Sounds like someone played that trick on Katie.
Rocks
By Cornell
My aunt brought rocks for me from her vacation. My favorite rocks are the three shiny blue ones. One rock looks like a mountain and it feels sharp. You would not want to touch the hard point. Another rock looks like yarn and you can roll it like a ball. A pink rock is sparkly when you turn it in the light. Another rock is purple and when you turn it around, you can see light coming through it.
I made up a new game with them for my aunt and me to play, using her bag full of tumbled rocks. Here are the rules:
First you put all the rocks in the middle of the table. Then you take dice and throw them. You count the dots on the dice and pick that number of rocks with your eyes closed. Each player gets three turns. The player who gets the most rocks wins. And you get to keep them.
The end.
I suppose Cornell’s aunt agreed with his rules. Younger students like Cornell still use their imaginations to make up games. But something happens at school and so many of them lose that spark.
Halloween
By Henry
I dressed as Batman on Halloween. My brother dressed up as Buzz Lightyear. Grandma dressed up as a witch. We went to lots of houses in my grandma’s neighborhood. I saw some of my school friends. I said, “Happy Halloween!” Soon my brother’s light-up basket was full because people gave us a lot of candy.
We thought we were lost for a while but we kept knocking on doors and getting candy. We brought a lot of candy home.
Later that night, Dad took us to McDonald’s. But we were not very hungry by then. We saw a cat in the trash bin. My dad got it and brought it home with us. A few days later, the cat had five kittens. They were very small and had their eyes closed. We gave them all away except a black one. We named her Silky. She was scared when she saw herself in a mirror! She hissed.
I have a new friend who is a girl. She is in my classroom. She and I play together sometimes. I don’t like it when she plays with my other friends. I want to be her only friend. She makes me mad when she wants to play with girls instead of me.
The end.
Mrs. Smith sighed. I had a wonderful time dressing up on Halloween. Wonder what the students would think it I came to school wearing a dog costume.
Did you know?
Halloween began as a religious custom. “Trick or treat” did not become popular in the U.S. until after World War II. In those days, costumes were usually made from scratch by mothers with imaginations. A sheet with eye holes in it became a ghost. Some black cloth became a witch and a handful of jewelry and a long ruffled skirt turned into a gypsy.
For parents
Physical violence is always a danger and must be addressed quickly because the violence can escalate over time. Parents should not be afraid to seek help if your child is being physically bullied. Report it. Encourage your child to cooperate with the school administration. Tell an adult. Teachers, principals, parents and lunchroom personnel at school can all help stop bullying.
Encourage your child to avoid the bully and use the buddy system by having a friend with you on the bus, in the hallways, or at recess, or going to the bathroom during class, wherever the bully might be around. Have them offer to do the same for a friend.
Encourage your children to spend time with friends who have a positive influence. Participation in clubs, sports or other activities builds strength and friendships.
Provide a listening ear about difficult situations, but encourage your kids to also tell you about the good parts of their day and listen equally attentively. Make sure they know you believe in them and that you’ll do what you can to address any bullying that occurs.
Chapter 9 – Of frogs and eagles
That evening, Mrs. Smith grabbed yet another story. It’s 10:30 already and I’ve got school tomorrow. I’ll read this one and go to bed, like I tell my students to do.
A Plague of Frogs
By Kaitlyn
My grandmother says it is like a Biblical plague of frogs at our house. But first I have to tell you that Mom and Dad bought a new house and we moved in last fall, so we didn’t get to use the swimming pool in our new backyard all winter.
My brothers and I couldn’t wait until spring to jump in. But first it was too cold. Then it rained every day. Lots of people not far from us got flooded out. When the weather finally got hot, we were ready. We put on our swimsuits and grabbed our beach towels. But then Dad stopped us and said we had to wait.
“Again?” I asked.
He had to get all of the frogs out of the pool first. I ran out to the pool and was amazed. There must have been two dozen of them swimming around or caught in the skimmer.
My older brother and I helped catch them. Dad wanted to kill the live ones but Mom yelled at him, so we let them out onto a nearby field. Then Mom made us wait a while longer so she could dump more chemicals into the pool. That seemed like it took hours.
Can you believe it? By the time we got in, we saw two more frogs swimming around. And then we noticed a couple of more hopping under our fence and heading toward the water. Are those the same ones we just dumped in the field? Don’t they know chlorine isn’t good for them?
My brother and I pleaded that a couple of frogs wouldn’t hurt us, so we finally got to swim. But the story doesn’t end there. Once we got out, we sat in the sun to dry off. It felt like something was biting us but it didn’t seem very bad and we couldn’t see any bugs. By the next morning, we were covered with itchy welts.
Mom found out that the flooding was bringing out some kind of biting flies. One neighbor said that the only thing that would make them stay away was vanilla, so Mom fixed some with water in a spray bottle. The problem is that the pool water washes off the vanilla so we had to keep respraying ourselves each time we got out. It did work when we sat out dry on the deck that evening. At dusk, a cloud of mosquitoes drove us in. Won’t it ever stop?
Grandma says if the local horses and cows start getting sick, we’d all better pack up and move away because it is starting to look like the plagues in the Bible. Dad thinks the frogs got displaced by the flooding and so did the flies. Mom read that the lights on our patio draw the insects and the frogs follow. Still, I have my eye on the neighbor’s cow.
The good news is that it got really hot for a few weeks and it stopped raining. The flies have gone away, so we finally get to enjoy our peace. Well, that is except for the wasps and horseflies and our dog who likes to jump into the pool with us. But that’s another story.
The end.
This is well done, Mrs. Smith decided. Her style is very mature. I’ll bet her editor mother helped her.
The Eagle
By Brandon
Last winter, I saw a big black bird with a white tail eating something dead in the middle of the street. Our bus driver slowed down. She said it was a bald eagle and that in winter, they move into Missouri from the north. Most come in December. They live by the rivers because they like to eat fish.
When it becomes very cold here, the eagles have to fly more south to where the rivers don’t freeze so they can find food.
The end.
That was short but interesting. Maybe I can ask Brandon to add a little more to his story.
Did you know?
Frogs like in-ground swimming pools because they supply both food and water. At night, light reflects off the water and draws thirsty insects. The insects attract the frogs.
While it is easy for a frog to jump in, it is not so easy to jump back out. Most frogs eventually drown. Although the chemicals in a pool will kill bacteria, most frogs don’t carry germs harmful to humans.
Buffalo gnats are part of a family of blood-sucking black flies. More than 100 species are known in North America and new ones are still being described. All lay their eggs in running water and require the blood from warm-blooded animals to survive.
Humans are most often attacked at the eyes, ears, nostrils and wrists, although all exposed parts of the body are vulnerable. In some humans, severe swelling may occur as a result of the bites. Others may scarcely notice them.
Although buffalo gnats have been around for many years, flooding along the Mississippi River in 2019 has contributed to the large numbers. Buffalo gnats are more difficult to control than mosquitoes because the usual insect repellants are not effective.
For Parents
Cyberbullying occurs online but its effects are just as real and serious as any other form of bullying. Some young people have even committed suicide as a result. This form of bullying will usually occur when a bully makes repeated threats or remarks on social media that aim to demean, hurt or scare another person.
There are some established strategies to encourage your child can use to stop a cyberbully:
Ignore any messages the bully sends to you. Ignoring insults and lies makes you less of a target.
Cut off communication. If you are able, block their email address, phone number or whatever method they are using. Do tell someone if you are being bullied online or through some other form of technology.
Threats of violence, even those made online, should be taken very seriously. These can be reported to police or the FBI. Save all evidence of cyberbullying, including any emails from a bully that demonstrate their bullying.
Chapter 10 – Tragedy strikes
Why do I feel like something unfortunate will happen before vacation? Mrs. Smith wondered as she picked up her latest pile of stories and began to read.
A Walk to the Park
By Heather
One day, when I was 4, a neighbor girl asked my mom if I could walk to Laumeier Sculpture Park to see the funny-looking statues. She had taken me for walks to the park before. Mom was really busy with the two younger kids and didn’t mind. The park wasn’t very far from our house but there are several turns before you get there.
Roberta was 12 but she did not have many friends and sometimes she would play dolls with me. Sometimes she told me stories like if you break a glass in the bathroom and get a sliver in your foot, it will get into your blood and kill you.
There was a store that sold soda and candy a few blocks away. Roberta decided she wanted some but neither of us had any money. She told me I should walk up to strange people along the way and beg for change, so we could get some. I told her “no” and after asking two more times, she got really mad at me and said that if I didn’t, she would leave me to find my way home alone.
I felt afraid. I wasn’t sure I knew my way and there was a busy street to cross, but then I got this feeling like someone would help me, so I said “no” again. She backed down and we walked home.
I don’t want to play with her anymore.
The end.
Mrs. Smith wrote: “This is a good example of how to deal with a bully. Also of how to stay on topic.”
Mrs. Smith’s letter
Dear parents of students at Elmore Elementary:
As you already know, school will not resume until next August. Most of you are aware that a tragedy has happened but perhaps do not know all the details. In early May, a former student and his brother set fires in some of the boys’ restrooms. They used stolen grill starter to make the fires hotter. The heat seared the ceiling tiles of the building and the flames began to burn through to the rafters. Soon a thick toxic smoke began to fill the halls.
It was later found that the teen had been allowed into the school by his younger brother, one of our students, who opened a normally locked door. Because they are juveniles, we cannot name them. However, we can tell you that the teen had previously been disciplined for bullying. We can assure you that the student will not be returning to this school.
We are not sure why one of the smoke detectors failed. It is suspected that the teen had tampered with it. One detector did work and the principal notified the fire department after setting off the alarm bell. The teachers and students had been drilled in escaping a fire, so when the bell rang, they proceeded in an orderly way. Unfortunately, the teen had blocked one of the escape doors. When they found they could not escape, they turned around. Panic took hold as they rushed toward the next exit. A dozen of the smaller children were knocked down and trampled. Two had broken arms, one had a concussion. The rest escaped with bumps and bruises.
We on staff deeply regret what has happened but are grateful that the boys used fire instead of firearms. The results could have been so much worse.
I am glad I had kept a copy of the publications in my computer at home. Unfortunately, I had not brought home all the latest stories. They were ruined by fire or water, to the great disappointment of their authors, no doubt. We have decided to publish a single magazine with what stories we have.
Some students may be afraid to return to school. We encourage you as parents to talk with your children about this tragedy and help them get through what for many was a traumatic incident. Our students are children who look to you parents for love, guidance and protection. We can’t replace you. We need your help. We will give them as much time and attention as possible next fall, but keep in mind, we will have 20 or more students in each classroom and a few in each class already are dealing with unique problems. We can’t solve them all. We can be your partners in trying to help each one be successful human beings as well as successful students.
Mrs. Smith, fifth-grade teacher
Did you know?
Laumeier Sculpture Park is a 105-acre open-air museum and sculpture park in St. Louis County. On display are more than 60 outdoor sculptures set on a walking trail. They spur the imagination with their creative interpretations. There is also a gallery inside an impressive stone mansion donated by Henry and Matilda Laumeier.
For parents:
Praise your child for doing the right thing by talking to you about bullying. Remind your child that he or she isn’t alone and that older people get bullied too. Emphasize that it's the bully who is behaving badly. Reassure your child that together you will figure out what to do about it. Then let someone at school (the principal, school nurse or a counselor or teacher) know about the situation. They are often in a position to monitor and take steps to prevent further problems.
Sometimes it’s useful to approach the bully’s parents. But in most cases, teachers or counselors are the best ones to contact first. It’s best to confront parents where a school official or counselor can witness and mediate.
Most schools have bullying policies and anti-bullying programs. Many states have bullying laws and policies. Find out about the laws in your community. Do not give in if the school dismisses a bully’s behavior; notify local or state authorities.
