Grades 3–4
NarrativeWritingOnce, a girl named Clara was observing some kids in school. She found that the kids at BVHM loved to learn, but the kids at other schools still hated going to school. Clara was determined to make it possible for those kids to enjoy school but she did not know how. After hours and hours of thinking, making a list of things and crossing stuff off the list, she came up with the perfect idea!
She decided to start a school! After looking all over San Francisco for a place to start a school, Clara found the perfect place. It was a big, open place with lots of outdoor space. Immediately, Clara went to work designing classrooms, a playground, a garden, a gym, an auditorium, and even an ice-skating rink and a tennis court! Then she finished by hiring some teachers, security, yard monitors, and an assistant principal (she would be the principal).
Then finally, Clara opened the gates of her very awesome school! Luckily, the school opened right before the school year started, not in the middle of the year. Everything went perfectly at the school! The kids were excited about going to school and all the special activities were working out. For a while, everything went as expected and the kids were all successful, but the problems were not over.
About a month into the school year a terrible disaster happened. The system that kept the ice-skating rink crashed and the figure skating lessons had to be canceled! Of course the figure skaters had to keep doing lessons, because they were preparing for a competition. Clara felt horrible. It was up to her to keep lessons going. Clara felt like this was her fault. She sat for hours on end trying to figure out what to do.
Then, an idea popped into her head! She would rent an ice-skating rink somewhere else while people would repair the ice-skating rink at her school. Immediately, she got to work finding an ice-skating rink that would be available for around two weeks. Luckily, she was able to easily rent a skating rink.
Two days later, people had come to repair the ice-skating rink at the school and lessons were going on at a nearby skating rink. Still, Clara was worried. What if the ice-skating rink could not be fixed? But, luckily it was a problem that was easy to fix. It would only take two weeks to fix and be reopened.
Two weeks later, things went as planned, and the skating rink was reopened! Yay! Clara felt like a huge weight had just been lifted off her shoulders.
by Ashley Smith, 826 Valencia
Students design dream schools filled with creative and imaginative elements to improve learning, complete with origin stories, illustrated designs, and…
by Selene Freudenberg, 826michigan
This hero’s journey leads an unlikely suspect into a land of books with a plot-disrupting villain who must be destroyed in order to save a multitude of characters, including Harry Potter!
by Lukas, 826 New Orleans
A student challenges the existence of Confederate monuments in New Orleans and builds the case for a monument to The Houma Nation instead.
by Natalie, 826 Valencia
A recipe for how to create a legendary rapper.
Ms. Lowe’s Fourth Grade Class at Roberto Clemente Learning Academy in Detroit, Michigan
An example of a "Neighborhood Poem" created as a class as part of 826Michigan's Rare Air/Aire Raro Young Authors' Book Project.
by Charlie, 826michigan
A very scientific retelling of why dinosaurs went extinct.
by Abdikabir, age 8, 826 MSP
This poem uses the 1st person point-of-view to show what life looks like for a timber rattlesnake.
Ren, 826 New Orleans
In this poem, a student explores what summer means to them.
by Jekaya, 826 Boston
A student reflects on what it takes to stand up to bullies and speak up for others.
by Ciaran, 826NYC
A creative field guide to a Mourning Cloak butterfly who lives in New York City.
by Alyssa, Kevin, Gustavo, Jocelyn, and Gabriel, 826LA
In science class, Victoria the Manticore makes fun of Carla the Witch for using magic, and a few bystanders step in to take a stand against bullying.
by Yaretzi, 826LA
In this resolution inspired by the "Include Someone" lesson and Cartoon Network storyboard, we learn how a thoughtful surprise can brighten a friend's day.
by Joshua, 826CHI
Alien monsters and a young boy forge a friendship over a dramatic series of events.
by Quinn, 826CHI
A piece that explores the dynamic nature of love and might just become your next Valentine's Day card.
by Marie, 826CHI
A monkey named Chesley saves the animals of the forest from an evil Master!
by Zaid Rodriguez, 826 Valencia
This story immerses the reader in sensory details to tell the tale of what lies behind a mysterious door.
by Erriyanna, 826michigan
An epic poem about a younger sister. English and Spanish versions included.
by Vanessa, 826CHI
A story about a mermaid named Luna and the epic battle to save Benzo, a rainbow-colored kingdom, using the power of love.
by Felix E., 826 Valencia
A student's fear is conquered after a startling discovery.
by Benny, 826 Boston
Inspired by Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid, this piece contains a series of journal entries and rules for a new sport by fictitious NASA operative Agent Smitty.
by Ivan Newton Ponce, 826 Valencia
This poem uses sensory details to describe the writer's favorite places.
by Alexa, 826michigan
A poem that tastes like pepperoni pizza.
by Maribel O.G., Grade 4, 826 Valencia
In this story, a student gets to know a new teacher and discovers that things are not always as they seem.
by Girod, 826 New Orleans
This celebratory poem uses similes to list all of the things the writer loves about themself.
by Charlotte Velasquez, age 8, 826 Valencia
A school’s spooky secret comes to light. Does a hair-cutting monster really exist?
by Olivia, 826NYC
An elegy for corn.
by Kevin, 826LA
A letter from the author to the author on appreciating both the unconventional and conventional parts of oneself.
by Esperanza R., Grade 3, 826 Valencia
A letter asking the next U.S. President to stop climate change and save our home.
by Jude, 826michigan
A student describes life in the future, complete with 3-D pens and hologram television!
by Naomi, 826michigan
A (mostly) love letter to a kiwi with delicious imagery.
by Alongkorn, 826 New Orleans
In this resolution inspired by the "Include Someone" lesson and Cartoon Network storyboard, we learn that unlike wasabi gummies, there is no expiration date for making amends.
by Ximena Torres, Age 9, 826 Valencia
A poem about the lessons your family can teach you.
by Aanya K., Grade 3, 826 LA
In this set of diary entries, a student explores what makes a villain.
by Mohamed F., 826 MSP
This poem uses descriptive language to leave the reader clues about the animal it is depicting.
by Lina, 826 Valencia
A mischievous recipe calling for 3 tablespoons of candy, 10 gallons of not laughing, and 100 gallons of mother.
by Sabir, 826 MSP
In this shape poem, a student walks you through a typical day in her neighborhood.
by Angel Flores Vazquez, 826 Valencia
This poem illustrates the effectiveness of descriptive language.
by Nana-Wadieh, 826NYC
This student writes about accepting people the way they are and putting yourself in someone else’s shoes.
by Muawiye, 826 Boston
In this resolution inspired by the "Include Someone" lesson and Cartoon Network storyboard, we learn that the act of inclusion begins with feeling empathy.
by Dahlia-Rose, 826NYC
A field guide to Queen Anne’s Lace and a day in the life from a flower’s perspective.
by Levi, 826NYC
An origin story for healthy food, involving an epic battle between purveyor of high-fructose corn syrup, Ronald McDonald, and a heroic band of chefs.
by Reyes, 826NYC
A creative field guide to the eastern gray squirrel.
by Jonathan Rivera Navarro, 826 Valencia
This poem celebrates and mourns a taco.
by Stefany Moreira, Vivi Small, Ana Rosas, Eugenia Rosas, and Jason Carrillo, 826NYC
This poem describes a warmer, tastier world run by young people.
Kendall, 826 New Orleans
An ode to an animal friend.
by Keila S.O., 826michigan
An “I Am From” poem about growing up in Detroit.
by Emma D., Grade 4, 826LA
A plea to the next President to provide better access to mental health treatment for youth.
by Rechab T., 826DC
This poem takes a surreal approach to describing a scene.
by L.M., 826CHI
The story of a lonely ghost named Annabeth, a plan to kidnap children on Halloween, and an unlikely encounter that reveals the true nature of friendship.
by Ehmely, 826CHI
A crucial missive for anyone playing a high-stakes game of "Hide and Seek".
by Luis Cornejo, age 9, 826 Valencia
A student recalls the first time they saw a ghost.
by Madhav, 826michigan
In this short epic, a pig and a snail pilot a NASA rocket and bring breaking news back to New York City.
by Ava Tassinari, 826 Boston
A story about a bullying incident on the school bus.
by Faisa, age 9, 826 MSP
This poem writes from the perspective of a Prairie Shooting Star flower, detailing a day in its life.
by Maria, 826 Valencia
This student gives thanks to ordinary objects in an ode.
by Keila, 826michigan
An "I A From" poem. English and Spanish versions included.
by Zari P., Grade 4, 826DC
A playful "I am" poem that explores what's possible.
by Alan, 826DC
This poem describes the thoughts of hunger.
by Lyric White, age 10, 826 Valencia
A magical mountain quest to save a mermaid.
by Johny, 826 LA
A riveting interview with Godzilla, Superman, and Dragonbolt—a cast of characters that will try to outdo one another before this TV special is up.
by Violeta, 826CHI
A monster's routine trip for tuna sandwich ingredients results in a broken arm!
by K.M., 826DC
In this piece, a student describes the challenges of being a superhero and reflects on their power to shine.
by Kayla, 826LA
This author reflects on an act of kindness to someone in need.
by Camila R.G., Grade 4, 826LA
In this letter, a student asks the next U.S. President to help the homeless.
by Yasmeen W, Grade 3, 826 Valencia
In this descriptive short story, a student overcomes their fear of turning on their video.
by Aiden Spence, Grade 3, 826NYC
This poem describes all of the reasons why green is the best color.
by Antoni L., 826DC
In this poem, the author discusses their origins through metaphor.
by Fatima, 826michigan
A list poem about a beautiful room and a beautiful family in both English and Spanish.
by Luana Anticona Nolasco, age 10, 826 Valencia
An eerie encounter with a shapeshifter after a grocery run.
by Marisol, 826michigan
A young girl's poem about all the life she sees in her yard. English and Spanish versions included.
by Christian, 826 New Orleans
This poem uses personification to introduce the audience to an olive and its cousin, Jeff.
by Will, 826michigan
A student imagines life in the future.
by Brayan Luna, 826michigan
In this poem, a student vividly recounts watching The Undertaker perform a signature chokeslam on WrestleMania. Written in Spanish and English.
Raven, 826 New Orleans
You guessed it—an ode to cookies.
by Zoe Gomez, 826 New Orleans
Through a series of questions, this poem asks what if the world was different.
by Alfredo Enriquez-Aguilar, 826 Valencia
Have you ever wanted to care for a dragon? This poem teaches you how.
by Winta, 826DC
A concise but essential list of survival tips in the event of a sweet disaster.
by Alex, 826michigan
Percy Jackson’s story retold—in a single tweet!
by Sherilyn, 826LA
A story about what to do when one witnesses bullying.
by Sebastian, 826 Valencia
In this story, a student finds a surprise within a Takis bag and makes a wish for a dream school.
by Caleigh, 826LA
A letter offering a concise yet compelling list of all that awaits in LA.
by Victor, 826 Valencia
An ode to Beans, Rice, and Chicken.
by Juna, 826michigan
A poem about taking the world in—and letting go.
by Lux, 826NYC
A student reflects on their experiences with bullying and how they’ll take a stand in the future.
by Yarely, 826michigan
A poem about grandma. English and Spanish versions included.
by Giannyl Guerrero Cabral, 826 Boston
A practical list of ways anyone can stop bullying.
by Elian de Leon, 826NYC
A poem that focuses on color and translates it into sensory details.
by Victor, 826 Valencia
This student gives thanks to ordinary objects in an ode.
Armani, 826 New Orleans
A poem about the magic of bath time.
by Noel, 826 Valencia
The creation story of a new school, reimagined to improve learning. (Paid for by Taylor Swift with free water bottles, an Italian restaurant, a movie theater, and a comfortable and safe environment.)
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