
#BirdvilleVoices
vol. 2, edition: 6 May 2018
Welcome to #BirdvilleVoices Digital Literary Magazine!
This digital literary magazine is a compilation of writings from the budding middle school authors around the district. Please enjoy their insights, humor, and writer's craft.
6th Grade
Tommy X- Watauga Middle School
Playing video games,
Hoping that my opponents are fair.
Playing these games
Can get people fame
Some people think that they are lame.
Playing at night
the game Fortnite
Is better than flying a kite.
Staying in sick
Stressing my cough
Staying in bed
Until I have to turn it off.
Alandia J- Haltom Middle School
How to Survive the Sixth Grade
Sometimes it’s hard to start fresh and begin something new. Sixth grade is just like that. You are stepping into a whole new plateau in your life. When you get to this big part of your life, you’ll want to be successful. Which can be hard at times, but don’t worry, by paying attention in class, completing all of your work on time, and by joining activities and clubs, you will be successful in the sixth grade.
Teachers will really appreciate you when you pay attention in class. They won’t have to repeat instructions over and over again and won’t have to call you out in front of the whole class. Even better you’ll be able to bring home amazing grades because you listened and participated in class. Being behind in class isn’t very helpful either, so paying attention will guarantee that you won’t have homework to do later on when you might not understand it very well.
Bringing good grades home is very important so doing all of your work on time can help you out a lot. You’ll never have to worry about doing it on your own time. For example, one day you might want to go hang out with your friends after school. You later realize you cannot do that because your mom told you that you are grounded because you have to finish that one assignment. Just one assignment! You obviously want to hang out with your friends rather than doing assignments.
Everyone wants new friends and wants to be able to enjoy being in 6th grade, right? Well activities and clubs can help with that. For one you can have fun and two, you can meet new friends or stick with the ones you have.You might also get extra credit for some classes. Who doesn’t want that?
I hope you gained information about things that can help you in your first year of middle school, because I know I survived 6th grade doing these very simple things!
Sean R- North Ridge Middle School
Drawing Some Magic
“Happy birthday Sweetie! My little Daniel turning ten. You’re so old!” My mom exclaimed as she went into my room. “Thanks mom.” I said, not even close to enthusiasm. “Why are you so down?” My mom asked. “It’s your birthday, be happy.” She said, sounding confused. “I just wish dad could come back from the army by now.” I said. “I know, me too. But he will come back.” She stated. “What if he doesn’t though.” I asked her. “Uh...” She hesitated for a moment. “Let’s just go and enjoy your birthday today, okay Son.” “Okay Mom.”
As soon as I walk out of my bedroom, I’m bombarded with cheers and excited squeals. “Kid, what are you up to now?” My Uncle asked. “He knows what division is now, right?” My grandma shouted at my mom. “Okay calm down, everyone!” My mom blasted. “It’s time to open presents!” She said with a higher than usual voice. After everyone gave me their presents I looked over what I got. A few candies, some random cards, a cool new skateboard, and nothing really else. But as soon as everyone left my mom pulls out one more present. “This is from Dad and I.” She said. I ripped it open to see, a chalk box? “Look, I know it’s not much, and this might not have been the best birthday, but this was your dad’s. He says it’s magical.” Mom said with a mischievous grin. “Haha hilarious.” I said, sarcastically. Right after, I did what any sane ten year old boy would do. I tried them.
First I drew a huge butterfly with a worn red chalk shard. Nothing. I tried drawing a tree with the closest color the box had to green which, was blue. Still nothing. Oh no; The last color left to try, I dare to say it, is pink! I carefully take the chalk, and drew a simple, straight line. All of the sudden, the earth trembled in fear at the summoning, of a worm. It was awesome! Then I drew a pink skeleton. The summoning started happening again. Right after, a living skeleton arose! “I don’t think that was the best choice.” I muttered as the skeleton starts charging after me. “Help!” I yelled as I ran through my street; though nobody was there to help me. It’s like the chalk bent the rules of reality itself. I looked behind myself and saw the skeleton charging at me as though that had been its life’s purpose. I stop, draw a quick circle, then a force field appeared around me. The skeleton caught up and then it started bashing my force shield. “I have to find a way to stop this skeleton!” I said to myself as I thought in my cramped space. Then I remembered something that always destroyed my chalk pictures as a kid. Rain! So I drew a rain cloud in my tiny shield of protection. Out of the blue, a massive grey cloud of sort built up and started pouring out rain. The skeleton started to fade along with the circle I made. I walked out of my blurring force field and... “Happy birthday sweetie! My little Daniel turning ten. You’re so old!” “Mom? Is that you?” “Of course sweetie!” Randomly enough, everything repeated itself, but after everyone filtered their way out of my house there was a new knock at the door. I looked back at my mom and she smiled. I looked forward and saw “Dad!” “Hi little sport.” I hugged him so tight that after I let go, he wheezed. “Getting stronger as a ten year old eh?” “Haha hilarious.” I told him. Finally, after what seemed like forever, my parents finally gave me the one final gift. “This is from Dad and I.” Mom said. I ripped it open and found the same chalk box. “This was your dad’s. He says it’s magical.” Mom said with a mischievous grin. “It is, though.” My dad said, serious as can be. “You can go draw with it as long as you don’t draw bad, evil things,” said Dad, strictly. “Okay.” I said back to him. Then, after all that happened to me I went outside, took the pink chalk piece and started, drawing some magic.
Eddie P- Watauga Middle School
And the things you did
I remember the things you taught
And the things I’ve learned
For the better or the worse
To math to never giving up
You guided me through times I thought were hopeless
And yet we succeeded together
I will always thank ya’ll for I shall never give up
That is what I learned this year
And will never forget
For if I do this will be meaningless
Till the end of time
It will never wear away from my heart.
Keira H- North Ridge Middle School
Beauty.
At What Age Do People Start Getting Cynical About Beauty?
Beauty. I’ve always cared about what I looked liked on the outside. From the Claire’s makeup sets to the Baby Lips lip gloss, vanity has been important to me ever since I learned to talk.
I used to apply eye liner on my lips but I still thought I looked amazing. Of course I thought that because no one was going to tell a 2 year old they looked bad. Now people care more because someone will have the nerve to tell you that you look terrible. I believe that people are always and have always been cynical about beauty.
Whether you are a tomboy or a girly girl at some point in time you have cared if you look presentable. I find it very frustrating that people judge others who wear makeup, or do their hair nicely. It’s ok to want to look good it doesn’t matter if you’re 67 or 3. So once again, I believe that people begin showing effort into their looks at a very young age.
Analise M- Haltom Middle School
What it Takes to be Successful in the Sixth Grade
There are many ways and things you can do to be considered successful. These are some of the things I do to be successful in sixth grade.
One of the things that I think are necessary to pass are grades. Grades are part of the decision if you pass sixth grade. At our school getting and keeping good grades gets you an advantage or reward like a Power Card. Power Cards are something Haltom Middle gives to students with great grades and behavior. They give students benefits in the classroom, including leaving class early sometimes. Sometimes other grades can motivate you to get good grades or keep them if you already have them. Another way be successful is having all your supplies.
You should always be prepared when trying to be successful. Being prepared means you should have your supplies and things necessary for class. Having your supplies help get better grades because your ready and set for class. Supplies are obvious things like pencils and erasers but sometimes less obvious things like homework and having a good attitude.
A positive attitude is another thing that is good to have. A good attitude is more motivating than always being negative. A positive attitude will help you be more respectful to your teachers instead of talking back and possibly getting into trouble.You should always work hard in class with a positive attitude.
All of these things can help you be successful in sixth grade and beyond. Continuing with this work ethic can help you get into college, get a good job, and be successful in life.
Rachel E- Watauga Middle School
In a small village below the sea,
I sit at home awaiting my friends.
We're going out to find some shipwrecks.
I've been waiting for quite some time.
I don't know if they'll actually come.
They
Don't
Notice
Me.
At all.
I used to be a major part of my friend group.
Used to.
I felt like I was,
Somehow,
Hogging everything.
There
Is
No
Middle
Ground. At least not for me.
I've been waiting for almost half an hour.
I should go find my friends.
I choose to go looking for them.
The sea plays with my hair.
Twisting,
Turning,
And Twirling it into unnatural curls.
My purple locks spiral around my head.
I push them out of my face, swimming off.
I finally reach our meeting place which is a magnificent coral reef.
But I see something.
I see my group of friends.
They sit and laugh.
Not at me though.
I see their multicolored hair,
And beautiful colored tails,
The coral reef serving as the background,
All swirling into an amazing and hypnotizing rainbow.
But why?
Why are they here?
Why does my heart feel like it's being ripped from my body?
Why are the memories of being alone, feeling like I'm a burden, feeling useless flooding back to me?
Why?
They said they would come get me.
No.
Not again.
I bet they wouldn't even notice.
I feel so alone.
I'll leave.
Let's see when they find me.
IF they find me.
I'll hide.
I'll wait.
I don't know if they will even try.
If they even care.
It's only been a few minutes.
Water rushes around me.
Thoughts swirl through my head, copying the water.
I'm broken from my memories when I hear Lynn and Lona calling.
Soon their calls are joined by those of Mare and Andrea.
The sound of moving water joins them.
The sound of my tears finishing the song.
Their calling my name.
MY name.
Have they found me?
Did they see me at the meeting place?
Should I go and confront them?
I'll wait.
Just
A
Bit
Longer.
I feel something grab my arm, startling me.
I turn to see what is touching me.
It's Lynn.
Her blood red hair framing her face.
Her tail the same color as her hair.
She seems relieved.
Her fins still flip nervously,
Yet somehow excitedly.
She yells to the others about finding me.
They all crowd around me.
Lora with her dark blue beauty.
Lynn with her blood red magnificence.
Mare and her bright orange allure.
And of course Andrea with her silver glamour.
They hug me.
Smile at me.
Could there be a possibility that they care?
They apologize for leaving me alone.
They explain that they wanted to find me something before going to get me.
They noticed how I felt.
I explain what I did.
And why.
We decide, together, to go.
To try and make me feel
Like
Part
Of
The
Group.
Neha R- North Ridge Middle School
Time Travel Adventure
It was a regular Saturday night in the year 3089 and I had just heard my mom calling me back in for dinner. You see my mom...well she isn't the best cook so I wasn't eager to get home. As I walked to my house I saw a large,shiny object stashed behind a bush. I walked up to it and read a sign that said, TIME MACHINE. Willing to give it try I stepped in and typed 5023 into the keypad. Thinking that this wouldn't work I was surprised when I heard a loud WHOOSH followed by a THUD. I got out of the machine and noticed all the pretty blue and purple lights. Then i noticed the weird creepy people standing in front of a hologram of the Earth and humans on it. I started to back up when I noticed people sitting in chairs with things around their heads. I accidentally knocked over a trash can on my way back and all of the creepy people turned to look at me. I started to run back to the time machine but I noticed the door had been automatically locked...for another 24 hours!
When I turned back around a tall alien grabbed my arm and threw me into a bright green room that smelled putrid. He locked the door and spoke in a weird language to another shorter alien. A few moments after that the shorter alien pushed a button that opened a trapdoor right under my feet. I woke up and found myself in a dark small room with a blanket and water. I realized that I still had my watch and looked at it. It said the time 10 p.m.,I knew I got here at 7 so I had been knocked out for 3 hours. I was to busy trying to find a way out I didn't notice the other two kids in the same cell as me. There was one boy and one girl around the same age as me. I asked the girl if she knew how to get out. She ignored my question and said,¨Hi I'm Kayla what's your name?. ¨ I ignored her question as my own silent revenge and asked the guy if he knew how to get out. He just shrugged and said,¨I don't know.¨ I noticed he had a cut on his leg that was large and probably pretty deep to. Still freaked out that I was locked in a cell I didn't pay much attention to it. Kayla said that the guys name was Darren and he's been here forever. I looked outside of my cell and saw a key lying on the floor. I reached out and grabbed it. Kayla started to squeal and took the key from me and opened the door. Darren put a hood over his face and started to walk towards the door. When he walked by I smelled the smell that was in that room full of aliens. I said to myself,¨ It's probably just because he's been here so long,Right?.¨
We started to walk along the long corridor and that smell kept getting stronger. About the time that we reached the end of the really long hallway it had been 4 hours. It was now 2am and I was exhausted tired and sore and all I wanted to do was go home and sleep. We came across a door that had a weird language that Darren translated to DO NOT ENTER. I was tired and wasn't thinking straight so I pushed Darren out of my way and walked in.
What I saw was horrifying. It was a room with human children with probing devices on their heads sucking all the life out of them. The ones who have been there the longest,their eyes were black and lifeless and they had no emotion written on their face. I turn around to see Kayla and Darren smiling and in unison said,¨We didn't want you to find out this way,oh but now we have no choice. Kayla pushed me into that room and locked the door. The tall alien that I saw earlier put me in a chair, locked my arms in place and put a probing device on my head. I kept yelling and yelling till my throat started to hurt. I slowly turned my head to check the time. It was 6am. It had been a full 12 hours since I got here. I knew there was no chance I would get out now. It had been 3 more hours and I felt the life draining out of me when I heard the door. I lifted my head slowly and saw that it was Darron. He went over to my chair took the arm bands off and dragged me to a room where there was a large colorful machine. He put me in that machine and the life that had been stolen from me came back. I was now super energized but also really confused. Darren said,¨I didn't want to do that.¨ I said,Could have said that sooner.¨ He laughed and said,¨ I know and I'm sorry for that but I want to get you out of here. ¨ I said,¨Ok,¨ and we started to walk down the hallway. I asked him a lot of questions on the way to my time machine. I asked him what happened to his leg. He replied with,¨When I first got here they said I was special and that I needed to be transformed into one of them. They were supposed to put the transforming shot in my arm but a runaway prisoner ran into the room and knocked everything over and accidentally made the doctor stab me in the leg. ¨OHH is that why you smell like one of them.¨ ¨Wait but then why does Kayla not smell or look like one of the aliens. " He said,¨ because she willingly wanted to be a alien and did not undergo the transformation. By the time we reached the time machine it was 12 again and I had six more hours left. We walked to it and I told Darren that he should come with me. He said that when he arrived his parents were with him and they had been killed while trying to escape. I said that he could live with me if he can tolerate my moms cooking. He laughed and said that earth was no longer his home. He said that he would be ridiculed and probably killed because people would think he is a threat. I begged him to come with me until he finally said yes. Believe me when I say that it took literally a hour. For about two hours we were talking about his past life and things to do when we go back,until we heard her Kayla yell,”GET THEM.” Darren and I started to run around the entire perimeter over and over again until we only had a minute left. We got back to the Time Machine and I went in first but Darren froze. I said,”Darren come on get in we only have a few seconds. Just then I noticed Kayla standing behind him. We only had 5 seconds left and Darren shut the door and typed in the number that would send me home. When I landed I started to cry. When I finally got myself together I walked home. When I got home I noticed that I was on time for dinner. I learned later that time goes faster on that planet than on earth. It's been six years since I've been there. It's been six years since I've seen Darren. On my eighteenth birthday I was walking in the woods when I suddenly saw a familiar face.
Tania B- Haltom Middle School
Success in the Sixth Grade
There are many ways to be successful in sixth grade. Everyone has different methods and strategies to reaching for the stars. My suggestions are that you need to pay attention, get the best grades you can, and be on your best behavior at all times.
One thing that can help you is to pay attention and to not get distracted. One reason that this could help you is so you could know what your learning and be practicing and getting better. Once you have been doing that for awhile, you could potentially master the material your learning.
Another way to succeed is to get good grades and try your best on all tests and assignments. In order to do that, you have to study and work hard. You also have to turn in all homework and classwork on time or else your grades could get low and you could fail. Another important part in this goal is to never give up even if you’re having a hard time just keep trying and trying until you get it right.
Finally, you should not get in trouble and always be on your best behavior. One thing you could do to prevent yourself from getting in trouble is if you really want to talk to your friend just wait until you are out of school. During class you could miss out on material that you need to learn and could also get in trouble. Also if someone tries to fight with you don’t fight back just tell a teacher or adult and they’ll help you get out of the situation and not get in trouble.
All in all, there are many great methods that can help you be successful in the sixth grade. Just remember to pay attention, never give up and to try your best. Before you know it you may have reached the stars!
Kylan L- Watauga Middle School
"Come on Olivia"
Mackenzie said in a
sarcastic tone
"Did you really think Hudson
was giving that to you."
she brushed the stuffed tiger’s fur
into place.
I mean she was right
Mackenzie Halter was perfect.
Her shiny blonde-white hair,
perfectly toned arms,
and big sea blue eyes.
And I was just me, frizzy haired,
zit faced me.
I started crying and ran and ran
I didn't stop until I got
to the magnolia tree.
Then a lady in a patch work
dress with a brown
leather vest asked to sketch me,
I said sure
and then explained everything
about Mack and Hudson.
"Done"
she said sweetly
"don't look at it until you get home"
I didn’t
I threw it
in the corner
and went to sleep
I woke up late
ran and took a shower
I didn't have time for makeup
and couldn't even
make out my reflection in my mirror
so I cycled to school
people gaping at me
I know I didn't have time for makeup but gee,
I thought.
"Um Via what did you do to your face."
said Kemper
my best friend since forever.
"I know I’m not a makeup expert but..
OH MY GOD."
"Is it that bad" I said frantically pulling out my mirror.
"No you’re beautiful "
I stared in the mirror "Whoa"
I murmured "I’m gorgeous."
Marissa C- North Ridge Middle School
A New Home
“That’s when I realized the park wasn’t abandoned at all. It was inhabited. A whole world made of what our world discarded,creatures included.”
I awoke when I heard the sound of banging at my window. I tried to think of anything,instead of a balled up fist, that could create that sound. I slowly tiptoed to the window,and quickly pulled the curtains open before I could second guess myself. Surprisingly,there was no one there. My pulse slowed and my heart started to rest when I heard it again. Then my body started to shake,and a thick pressure pushed me into my bathroom. The mirror hung above my sink, then fell with a thud, and I saw something strange, a hand attached to a figure in a green cloak. Somebody was in my mirror! “HELP!” I screamed praying someone would hear me. It would be too late to save me though. The unusual creature had grabbed hold of my ankle, pulling me into another dimension.
My face slammed against the ground, filling my mouth with dirt. I got up groaning. When I started spitting soil I noticed the cloaked creature kneeling down in front of me. My first reaction was to run, but when it began to speak, I froze.”I’m sorry I had to bring you here,but there was nothing else to do,” it said in a smooth sorrow filled voice. In a way it was calming and lured me to come closer. Suddenly an urge overwhelmed me and I needed to see what the creature was. Without thinking I pushed the cloak back. The drapey satin hood swiftly fell down to reveal a boy just a little younger than me. When the kid looked up I could see his eyes were wide, and glistening. ”Why did you bring me here?” I questioned. “I need to get out of here, but...I don’t know how. I figured if I brought someone else here they could help. ”Finally I took a look around. That’s when I realized that the park wasn’t abandoned at all. It was inhabited. A whole world made of what our world discarded, creatures included.
I would never, ever want to live in a world that was so gloomy, so I helped him. We walked around looking for my bathroom mirror. I spotted a little piece of my mirror sticking out of the ground, and I snatched it up as if it could disappear if it wasn’t in my arms. I ran back to show my discovery to the boy. He grabbed it out of my hand and set it on the floor. “I can’t use this it won’t work,”he said. “ Why not, ” I said hearing the tremble in my voice. “The other world has discarded me,”He said. “Isn’t there something we can do to get you back?” I said.” I can if someone takes my spot here. I realized he only brought me here to replace him. Before I could do something he yelled, ”Sorry!” and jumped into the mirror. The mirror folded up, and was gone. I’m stuck I thought. My legs felt weak,so I laid down on the ground. This is now my home this is now my home I repeated in my head until I closed my eyes, and everything went dark.
Valerie R- Haltom Middle School
How to be Successful in the Sixth Grade
Sixth grade can be a big leap from fifth grade, especially if you are making a transition of heading into middle school. To help you with that transition you should look into classes like pre-ap math, science, and pre-athletics.
One way to be successful in sixth grade is joining pre-ap math. Pre-ap math gives you an opportunity to work harder. It also helps you getting a better chance of going to college. Pre-ap math isn’t just about working and college, it’s also about having a good time. You get prizes for working hard and being good. If you want to be successful in sixth grade, you should consider joining pre-ap math.
Being in pre-ap science might be an advantage. In pre-ap science you get to do fun things like science experiments and projects. Pre-ap science improves your imagination by learning about what you can do or what you can be with time and hard work. Pre-ap science also improves your sense of creativity. It opens up different ideas and helps you have more design in your work. Being successful in sixth grade can be hard, but being in pre-ap science just makes it easier.
Another way to be successful in sixth grade is by being in pre-athletics. Pre-athletics benefits you by helping you get fit in a fun way. It also helps you prepare for the next year in athletics. If you are thinking of being in athletics might as well join pre-athletics. When you enter middle school, you might need friends to support you. If you need that you should consider being in athletics where you can meet new people.
Being successful in sixth grade is important but in order to do that you should consider pre-ap classes and pre-athletics, but most importantly be yourself.
Brooke H- North Ridge Middle School
Lost
“That’s when I realized the park wasn’t
abandoned at all. It was inhabited. A whole world made
out of what our world has discarded. Creatures included.”
My hands gripped the side of the iron fence enclosing the abandoned amusement park. I remember coming here when I was 8 for my friends birthday party. At that time, the park was full of life and smelled of fresh cotton candy. Now, 9 years later, it had an odor of rotting wood and rusting metal. I ignored the large “NO TRESPASSING” sign and pulled myself up the side to the iron fence.
My feet fell on the dry gravel of the crumbling pavement. The park was eerily quiet, the teetering towers of the wooden coasters squeaked every couple of minutes when a gust of wind disturbed them. A large plastic clown wore a horrifying smile, which used to welcome us, but now it scared me away. It held a massive sign with peeling paint, which read “WELCOME, FOLKS, TO HALTENVILLE AMUSEMENT PARK!” I shuddered at the sight and continued deeper into the park.
A tall building, the fun house, loomed over the park. It was three stories high with a large, flat roof. I pushed open the towering, rusty, metal doors. Cracked mirrors of a confusing maze surrounded me in the humid, dark room. Three large staircases to my left lead to the 2nd floor, 3rd floor, and the roof. I picked the last, largest one and began the steep incline to the roof. There was a hatch at the top, which I shoved open. The light from the cloudy day rushed in, leaving my eyes to adjust to it. I pulled myself up and onto the concrete platform. I looked around. Nothing much was up there, just a dusty blue tarp. A short concrete wall ran around the perimeter of the roof. I approached a side that looked over the entire park. A gazed out at the swaying structures when a cold wind tugged at my jacket.
“I didn’t know anybody still came here…” a chilling voice echoed around me. I whipped around to see a tall, lean teenage boy around my age. His face had soft edges, a pointed nose and black curly hair. His hands fidgeted in front of him as his ragged clothes fluttered in the wind. I stood up and turned to him, my back against the view I was gazing at. “Oh… yeah I was just…” I trailed off, staring at the stranger. Something about him was disturbingly unsettling. I wasn’t sure if it was unnatural green eyes or his scarred and cut hands. He took a couple steps towards me, only a couple feet away from me now. “Nobody comes here, not since the park closed.” He whispered. He strived towards me and stopped to leave a foot gap between us. “Why are you here?” He said quietly. A strong gust of wind almost knocked me over. His hands shot to my shoulders and gripped them hard. “Hope you had fun.” His face twisted into an awful smile, and I realized he wasn’t human at all. I tried to scream, but before I could, his strong arms shoved me off the roof. I shrieked as I plummeted. I saw more creatures standing on the tall hills of the coasters, cackling at me. That’s when I realized the park wasn’t abandoned at all... It was inhabited! A whole world made out of what our world discarded. Creatures included. Awful ones. My thoughts were interrupted by a quick pain that spread through my entire body. Then...
I was lost.
Jennifer A- Haltom Middle School
How to Succeed in Sixth Grade
Life has twists and turns, but we have to overcome these hardships and continue our lives. A difficult time in many students’ lives is the sixth grade. In order to succeed in sixth grade you must always have a growth mindset, pass your classes, and of course pay attention in class.
To be successful in general, you need to have a positive attitude and a growth mindset.You need to believe in yourself and never give up until you know you understand what you are learning. You will feel a lot better about yourself when you master something that you previously found confusing. Having a growth mindset will also help you in other stages of life, especially during difficult times.
Although it may seem obvious, it is necessary to know all of the things you learned in fifth grade to succeed in sixth grade. Sixth grade, like all grades, teaches you assuming you have background knowledge. If you do not understand concepts from prior school years, you will not understand sixth grade either.
Learning is important, so you need to pay attention in class. Paying attention can be the difference between passing or failing a class or assessment. You should always take notes as well. Avoid being distracting. Even if you do not want to pay attention, others might, so do not distract others from their learning.
Sometimes you need to work harder than the rest to succeed, but that is okay. Going the extra mile will guarantee that you will be successful in the sixth grade, and eventually everything else in life.
7th Grade
Michelle R- Haltom Middle School
Emotions
happiness is a ray of light
sadness is the raindrop rolling down your window
fear is staring death in the eye
strength is being in your mother’s arms
anxiety is being in the dark without knowing
Emotions
Dante L- Smithfield Middle School
Music
Music looks like stars glistening in the night,
Music tastes like cookies that just came out of the oven
Music smells like a candle that has been lit
Music feels like a warm soft blanket that has just came out of the dryer
Music sounds like birds singing their songs in the morning
Music is life.
Saurav B- Richland Middle School
Inspiration
In the world that we live in has many inspirations
The things that challenges us is called that motivation
In the vast world of glory we have people with success
The people that inspire us to truly be our best
They tell us keep moving forward, there is no time for rest
If we just give up and not succeed, it will just make us a mess
We keep pushing and pushing trying to reach the limit
But we can go farther and farther, we can push right through it
There is no end, just a beginning
We just started, there is always time for winning
It’s ok not to always know the answers
But you’re always learning from your mistakes, faster and faster
Nothing is bad about you being repetitive
If it conflicts them, they were born to be negative
Madison G- Watauga Middle School
THE MIDNIGHT BIRD
There is a bird , every night at the same time he soars high above the clouds. Like on queue he chirps like a beautiful song bird but when he lands he has the darkest feathers none has ever seen and the biggest red eyes that anyone could get lost in . But no one could , for this beauty has only ever been seen once , by a girl named Mavi . This young girl lives with her alcoholic mother and her abusive father. To escape she climbs out her window and wander around the woods , and gets lost in her own imagination with the midnight bird ……
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHAPTER 1 :THE ESCAPE
I growled at the thought of what happened last night , I opened my eyes to my somewhat of a family fighting again .
¨Third one this week “ I mumbled ¨and its only Tuesday¨ I got up and looked out the peephole of my door trying not to make a sound.if they hear me im gonna get beaten again… I looked down at my leg while in thought ¨ father really got me last night ¨ I wobbled over to my loose floor panel trying to open it without it cracking for my first aid kit , that i stole from the market ,was hidden. Creek the panel said as I gasped while all the fighting had stopped …..here I go again….
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Time skip ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She looked out my window with my now swollen eye . In the night Mavi always watched , she did what she wanted . Her parents slept , no one to stop her . Then she saw a shadow fly above the house going into the forest .
¨what's that ? “ she thought “i have to get closer …” she stood up and packed her bag of some snacks she had taken and opened her window taking a glance behind her at the small room she called home and leaped .
Linette M- Haltom MIddle School
Beauty
Girls these days don’t think of anything else
They are categorized by their appearance
But they need to learn
That what matters is what is in the inside
The outside is just the cover of what's really important
Of the true beauty
Life is short
You should appreciate it while you still have it
Live life without worrying what other people think
Because if people don't appreciate you for who you are
They don't deserve to be with you.
Ethan A- North Ridge Middle School
How Does Music Affect the Brain?
It has been shown that certain songs can create various feelings in the mind. Studies have shown that listening to music is a completely different experience than just a few random frequencies grouped together. This has always intrigued me, so I decided to write about how music affects the brain. In this essay I will be addressing why our brain interprets songs as representing different emotions, how music practice affects the structure and function of the brain, and how music can emotionally arouse the brain.
Chances are, you’ve probably felt sad when listening to a sad song, but have you ever stopped to think why that is? Studies have shown that cultural conditioning has brought us to interpret songs as happy or sad. There was an experiment done where a group of scientists let a tribe of natives listen to music and identify them as happy or sad. The same thing was done with a group of modern Americans. The Americans identified them better than the tribe of natives. Our culture has told us that certain kinds of songs sound happy or sad and our brain assumes that anything similar also identifies as the same emotion.
Einstein was actually a master violinist. He once said, "Life without playing music is inconceivable to me. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music ... I get most joy in life out of music." Studies have also shown that the two hemispheres of his brain were connected extraordinarily well. The two hemispheres of the brain control different functions. The left side is more mathematical and logical, whereas the right side is more language oriented and creative. If the two sides are connected well, they can work together just as well. This may be one of the reasons Einstein was so brilliant. Even more studies have shown that learning to play an instrument will improve the connection of the hemispheres. Therefore, we can come to the conclusion that play an instrument will help one gain intelligence.
Everybody enjoys being aroused. The arousal I’m talking about is what you feel when you are about to go on a scary roller coaster, or discussing an exciting topic. It has been shown that music inflicts this arousal- “It is generally agreed that music causes increased arousal...” (Storr 24). However, the complete opposite may also be done- “Music is said to soothe the savage beast, but it can also powerfully excite it” (Storr 26).
In this essay I have talked about why emotions inflict feelings, the structural and functional changes music can have on the brain, and the arousal music causes. I can now understand why as a baby, I was always excited by “Rondo alla Turca” when my mother played it. I hope you have discovered similar things through this essay.
Works Cited
“Musical Training Optimizes Brain Function.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201311/musical-training-optimizes-brain-function.
“10 Ways Musical Training Boosts Brain Power.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201503/10-ways-musical-training-boosts-brain-power.
Storr, Anthony. Music and the Mind. Free Press, 1992.
Carolin A- Haltom Middle School
Goblin
In the Goryeo times
A general disobeyed royal commands
And walked into the deaths of many innocent people.
The young king told him to stop walking
Or else blood will spill.
He killed the villagers.
Even the young queen, his sister,
the king´s wife.
The young king stuck a sword
of sin through the general´s chest,
Leaving him cursed to live forever
As a Goblin.
To turn into ashes, the sword in the Goblin´s chest
Must be pulled out, by his special bride.
After living for hundreds of years,
One special night came.
He saved a young,pregnant woman
From death using his powers.
She died during birth,
But the child lived.
She lived to see ghosts and lived in a
Troubled home, as a young
High school girl.
Since she was supposed to die with
her mother, the young girl is
A missing soul.
She was destined to be the Goblin´s
Bride by the Almighty.
When the Goblin and his bride
Found eachother, they grew attached
And started to love and care for eachother.
However, the day came for the sword
to be pulled out.
The bride was too weak and sad, causing
The Goblin to use her little hands
To pull out his sword.
With one last hug, the goblin turned into ashes
In front of his lover’s eyes.
The next day,
He was erased from everyone´s memory,
Except one person.
The Grim Reaper, his best friend,
the unknowingly young king and
the one chasing for the bride´s
Soul.
The goblin begged and begged
To the almighty to go back to his lover.
So he came, and found that his bride can´t remember a single thing.
He gave her a one-sided
Embrace and left the young radio
Host confused.
The fall of a maple leaf led
The bride to remember.
They are in love again and plan
to marry.
However, the bride sacrificed
herself to save a group of kids.
A sacrifice,
something the Almighty cannot predict.
The bride’s fate has come and the
Missing soul has been found.
The goblin and the bride say goodbye,
And promise to find eachother in the next life.
The bride does not drink the Tea
Of Oblivion in order to keep
Her memories,
And goes through the door that leads
To the afterlife.
The goblin makes it rain
And must wait again.
He watches his best friend die
And become a detective in his next life.
He sees his old sister, the queen,
Reconnect with the old king,
As destined lovers.
One morning in Canada, a man
reads a book.
A young high school girl walks around.
They make eye contact of recognition,
as the girl says to herself,
¨Sad Love.¨
Trinity S- Smithfield MIddle School
WHAT IS LOVE?
What is love with no passion
What is love with no pain
What is love with no suffering
What is no love with no discipline
What is love with no care for each other
What is love
Love is none of these things love is God
With his glory, grace, and mercy
God is love
Love is God.
Abrianna B- Watauga Middle School
That One Cheesy Story
There he was. He was just sitting there, all pretty, with his eyes. And that smile. It wasn’t fair. How could he just sit there, staring at me, but I wasn’t allowed to stare back, or even acknowledge that he was there. Ugh, these stupid high school rules!
Isaiah was the most popular boy in school. Me, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. No one noticed me, acknowledged me, spoke to me… Except for him. The one person that I wasn’t supposed to even look at because of his overprotective girlfriend, was looking at me… What was I supposed to do?
I’ve had a crush on Isaiah Gonzales since third grade! But I’m not supposed to look at him, says all of the high school rules ever! How was I suppose to ignore that face. The one that was staring at me! At ME! But I’m just supposed to ignore him.
Until that one day… Until he noticed me… Until something happened that wasn’t supposed to.
~To Be Continued~
Alyssa P- Haltom Middle School
Shadows
I cannot walk through my life
without seeing them guys and girls
Silently calling , crying out to be noticed.
They think they’re normal , I say they’re not.
They are empty hollow - shadows and ghosts.
Their silent cries , screaming for help
That they can’t admit.