My Letter To Santa

Near the holidays, it is a time to give and appreciate what you have. I am appreciative of my family, my friends, and my pets. However,  a long period of time has passed, and I still haven’t got a bunny yet. For some reason, I’ve always wanted a bunny since I was a small child. I would really like for you to give me a rabbit for Christmas this year.

As you may know, other people besides me can benefit from having a bunny. For example, my family and friends can play with my bunny when they want to. So not only am I able to enjoy the fact that I have one, my family and friends will be happy that they can play with one. If I get a bunny it is easier to take care of then a lot of other animals. For example, you have to walk a dog, and clean the litter box of a cat. You also have to fill the food bowls of cats and dogs often. If you have a rabbit, it doesn’t eat as much as they do. They also aren’t as dependent on you, so  my family and I would be able to go on more trips without constant assistance for it.

Currently, as I mentioned before, I have pets at home such as cats and fish. I’m already aware of the responsibility you need to care for them.  So if I get a bunny, I will take care of it without much help. I deserve to have a bunny this year because I know I will be capable of taking care of it. I have taken care of some pets in the past, and I think it is time I get one of my own. When my friends are busy, I will have a companion to play with.  I’ve already researched information about rabbits, and know they eat small amounts of food. They eat fruits and vegetables and need fresh water everyday. If I receive a bunny from you, I will greatly appreciate it, like I do my other pets.

As Christmas day is quickly approaching, I find myself thinking more and more about getting a bunny as a pet. I would be greatly appreciative if you would at least consider my request. Since I understand the responsibilities and have the time and patience to take good care of a bunny, I think my request is reasonable. I thank you in advance for reading my letter. Whether you fulfill my desire or not, I also want to thank you  for  my other gifts I’ve gotten and for making my Christmas jolly.

Sincerely,

Lauren Cassella

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

What is on T.V. every Thanksgiving morning? What starts on 77th street in New York City? The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, of course! Lots of people watch it, (44 million!),and  it has been a tradition since 1924. Those of you who haven't already watched on T.V., this is what the parade is all about: Every Thanksgiving morning, a parade called the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is on T.V. at nine o' clock am, taking place in N.Y.C. In the parade there are huge balloons and floats heading down 77th Street, stopping at 7th Avenue . This traditon started in 1924 because a  lot of people were immigrants, and they were proud they were now americans. They then wanted to celebrate a holiday similar to which they did in Europe. Throughout the 1930s, the population of people watching the parade grew and grew until almost everyone watched it! Soon there were balloons and floats for lots of characters that children and adults like. (especially Walt Disney ones.) Since then, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a big hit!

What I Am Thankful For

Lauren Cassella

I am thankful for a lot of things. One thing I am thankful for is my family. They always support me and cheer me up when I’m sad. I am also thankful for my friends. They make me laugh and we have a good time together. I am thankful for a lot of things.

                 

Pumpkin Picking

Every year in October near Halloween, I go pumpkin picking. There is a pumpkin patch not far from my house, so I go there. There is a variety of pumpkins to pick from, different shapes and sizes. I search the the inside and outside of the pumpkin patch and choose a round pumpkin to decorate for the pumpkin decorating contest which is held at my elementary school. ( I stopped last year since I'm not in elementary school anymore.) I make sure it has the right size stem, it is the right  shape and size, and is bright orange like I expect it to be. Going to the pumpkin patch is one of my favorite activities to do in the fall, and I'm looking forward to going this year.

Does Patriotism Still Matter?

 Does Patriotism still matter? Of course it does.  It is very important to believe in our country, America, and be grateful for the soldiers who fight for our freedom. Even if  people complain about the negative things about our country, like the economy, we should be thinking about the positive things.
 A positive thing about our country is we have freedom of speech. In America we have the freedom to speak our minds.We  even have the right to say negative things about our country if we choose. In other countries you can go to jail for saying what is on your mind.   Even if America is struggling with problems,  citizens should look on the bright side of things. Just because we have some issues, we are luckier than a lot of other countries.
    Also, in our country we can have freedom of religion. We can choose what ever religion we want, and practice it in public, as long as we aren't harming anyone. In other countries, you can even go to jail for practicing the religion of your choice!   Here in America, you don't have to worry about getting prosecuted for it.We can publicly go to whatever  house of worship that we choose to attend.
    Women have equal rights in America, too. In other countries women aren't allowed to go to school or get an education. America is one of the few countries where they are treated equally to men. But not only are women treated fairly in our country, kids are too! In some places kids don't have the privilege to get a good education unlike in America.  This gives children the opportunity choose a career and improve their lives.
    When I hear the word  "Patriotism" I think of stars , stripes and flags. But now I also think of freedom.

Ralph Fletcher

     In "Marshfield Dreams, When I Was A Kid" by Ralph Fletcher he writes about various topics that happened during his childhood. He tells a lot about his family members and about different events that happened when he was a kid. The reason for this might be because he came from a large family with many siblings.
    In Ralph Fletcher's vignette "First Pen he states "It was just a cheap BIC, the kind with the clear barrel, so you can see how much ink is left in the cartridge." ( Fletcher, 2005, page 43).   He picked a topic which isn't commonly used, and it is kind of ironic he chose to write about a pen when he's now an author.
      As he states in "Marshfield",  " Mom said to think of them as strangers- some are good, some are bad, and since you couldn't tell the difference leave them alone." ( Fletcher, 2005, page 4 ).  Ralph Fletcher used comparisons when he compared mushrooms with strangers. He also had an emotional ending to that vignette like he does in some of his other ones.
      As Ralph Fletcher has demonstrated in these passages, he uses different writing styles with each of his vignettes.

The Day I Broke My Wrist

It was the first day of kindergarten, and I had a great day at school! I had a new backpack, dress and pencils; everything was going great.  I was on my way to the park and was very excited to go play on the playground.  However, I did not know the unfortunate event that was about to happen.
     I ran up to the jungle gym, eager to go down the tall, shiny slide.  My brother, Derek, was on the other end of the playground.  The only ways to get there was to walk back down and take the stairs, or to cross on the monkey bars.  I was willing to take a challenge, so I chose the monkey bars.
     I reached out for the first bar and held on tight.  As I reached for the second bar, I lost my balance and fell to the ground.  I  landed on top of my arm on the wood chips.  My arm really hurt afterwards, so I went to the hospital shortly after I fell.
    It turned out I had broken my wrist.  I had to wear a cast (a pink one!) for a few weeks for my arm to heal.  It was not the ending I had planned for my first day of kindergarten!