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With much enthusiasm, 5th grade English students embarked on the complex process of writing individual short stories. Students learned how to organize the structure of their stories using the pattern of a classical storyline. Most importantly, students learned to reflect on the purpose of their writing, who they are writing for, and to always write with a positive message for the reader.
Below is the sample of their stories.
Congratulations to Emma Yang for doing an excellent work! 👏🌷
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—Virginia Blanco, Gr. 5 Homeroom Teacher
By Emma Yang, 5th grade
Boom! Thunder had struck the ship. “Captain!” Captain Tim bolted straight up from bed, heart racing. He glanced at his ticking pocket watch. It was 12:43 A.M., March 12, 1866. Good-natured Tim was aboard an old navy ship he had bought the year before, and now found himself afloat on the Pacific Ocean. A courageous explorer and captain of the ship, he was on a return journey to San Diego after a fruitful expedition to China. He was accompanied by his loyal and dedicated crew.
A crewman’s voice pierced through the night shouting, “There’s a fierce thunderstorm approaching! “ Instantly, Tim sprang from his straw bed. He quickly donned his leather jacket and pulled on his heavy boots as he raced to the ships’ deck. The dark sea crashed against the ironclad vessel. Almost immediately a chill of despair gripped him. As he stood frozen, the furiously roaring waves reflected in his brown eyes. He was momentarily stunned. Just within sight, about a mile away, he noticed the faint silhouette of a lighthouse. He needed to think fast.
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Sensing his captain’s distress and the grave danger they were in, John, one of the crewmen, instantly cried out, “We must not surrender to despair! Only through effort can we achieve success! We should sail with all our might!” Before his words had faded, Tim was already pushing the ship to its limits. John smiled and quickly joined in to battle the howling winds together.
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As they drew closer to the pier, cheers erupted from the crewmen. The anchor dropped with a resounding thud, and everyone aboard the ship rushed to the safety of the pier, seeking refuge from the storm’s rage.
The following morning, the crewmen were readying to head home. To express his gratitude for his great effort in protecting the ship’s crew, Captain Tim gave John $10,000 and sent him home to enjoy his well-deserved reward.
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When Captain Tim returned home, he discovered an unused notebook he had purchased years before. Inspired, he decided to transform it into a diary. The first entry he penned read:
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“March 12, 1866… John Prito Saved the World.”
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The end.