Mrs. Packwood's class

Each team at Hellstern this year is learning about ways to become involved in community service projects.  In an effort to serve our community, the All-Stars has partnered with the Veterans Hospital in Fayetteville.  This has been a wonderful way to support our local veterans, and it has also given us opportunities to learn more about what it means to be a veteran in the classroom setting.   The All-Stars visited the Veterans Hospital on Veterans Day, and they are also heading up a school-wide fundraiser to collect money for the   Wounded Warrior Project  .  The purpose of WWP:

• To raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of injured service members.
• To help injured service members aid and assist each other.
• To provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members.

Through the wounded warrior project, our students learned about the meaning of the words courage, discipline, integrity, service, duty, country, and honor .  They also analyzed the word “freedom,” in Language Arts and wrote an explanatory essay about “What Freedom Means to Me.”  They were assessed based on the Arkansas Writing Rubric for Content, Style, Sentence Formation, Usage, and Mechanics.  The following responses are samples from students who wrote about freedom in a touching way.  It’s writing like this that really makes me proud of our All-Stars students!

Grant

The freedom in America is complex.  It has many faces and many meanings.  You can be anyone, do anything, and have everything.  America stands on the five legs of the military, sees by the eyes of ou government, and heartbeats the blood of the American dream.  Freedom to me is the fact that I can succeed or fail, doing what makes me happy.

In my government, I can go and do what I want and not have to ask the government if it’s okay.  I can worship at any church, play basketball with  my friends, and not get punished for it.  If you look closer at it, you see that we also have the right to fail.  We don’t live in a government where you have no choice but to do what your parents do and if you’re no good you go poor.  In America, you have the freedom to choose what you want to do , and if you are no good, you can choose again.

Everyday there are brave men and women giving their lives so we can continue to enjoy the freedom to suceed or fail doing what we love.  On Veterans Day, we should stop and thank the ones who give their lives.  Freedom is complex, and the people who protect us is sewn into the image that is American Freedom. 

Emily

What is Freedom?  How does freedom affect our lives?  Why do we have freedom?  These are all questions you’ve probably asked yourself before time and time again, but have you ever looked for their answers?

Freedom has an extensive list of meanings, and no one has quite the same definition embedded in their head.  You could go to every human in the world and each would have a different meaning of freedom.  If you asked me, though, I would smile and reply, “a place with freedom has a safe environment, everyone possesses equal rights, and most importantly, everyone can choose what to do with their lives.  A place with freedom should always have these three characteristics.  The 14th Amendment helps to create a safe environment because it states everyone should have equal rights.  If you were told how to live your life, would you feel very free?  This is why America is so unique; we can live our lives the way we want to live them.

When you go to school does your teacher tell you what book to read?  How about what you bring in your lunch, or what games to play at recess?  The answers to these questions are all, “no.”  This is how freedom affects our lives.  Unfortunately there are many countires that omit freedom without a second glance.  Religious freedom, freedom of speech, and many other privileges we have here in America are discouraged in places like China.

Now that you know what freedom is an how it affects our lives, there’s only one more thing to know.  Why do we have freedom?  The answer is one simple word:  veterans.  Men and women who are willing to fight to keep this country’s freedom no matter what the cost.  Through cold, stormy nights, or scorching heat, they fight to preserve this country’s rights.  America will be forever thankful to its veterans for their courage and determination to preserve our freedom.

Every year my students spend time working on how to add style to their narrative, persuasive, and expository essays.  This year is no different!  I have so many good examples of descriptive writing from the ALL-STAR students we have here at Hellstern!  There will be more samples of student writing to follow, but in this post, I wanted to share some expository essays.  The theme for the 3rd Annual Springdale Student Film and Multimedia Festival was My Passion, My Potential, My Promise.  My students wrote expository essays about the meaning of these words.  Then, some students even recorded podcasts to submit to the film festival. 

Jocelyn C.

Passion, potential, and promise.  These are some significant words.  All of these words have something in common.  Apart from starting with the letter “p” they all connect to what you are capable of doing.  Like many people, I have a passion, potential, and a promise to myself and to the world.

My passion has to do with God, people and school.  Passion comes by inspiration and I’ve been inspired by many people…like Jesus, teachers, and my family.  My family and I adore God above everything.  Jesus Christ loved God too and gave a tremendous example of what real love, worship, and passion is.  All of my teachers inspire me to do my best.  I look at them and say to myself, “Someday I’ll be like them: an intelligent, professional, contributing to the community.  Also, my family has shown me to love people the way I do myself.  My parents help everyone that they are capable of helping.

My potential is what I can do but have not yet accomplished.  Many of my friends and family say that I should be a counselor because I give amazing advice or a preacher because I know a lot about the Bible.  My dream, my whole life, though, has been to be a missionary.  Where would I go?  I don’t know because I want God to tell me.  All I know is that I would be helping the world be a better place by taking God’s word to His people.

My promise to myself and to you is to never give up, reach my dreams, and try to make this world a better place.

Jocelyn’s podcast

Teagan M.

What does potential mean to you?  How about  passion or promise?  These three words have a lot of meanings.  To me, potential means if you work at something long and hard enough, you might have a career as that in the future. 

You can’t touch potential, you can’t see potential, but you know and I know everyone has potential.  Most people don’t realize that you can’t make yourself have potential; it comes from within you.  An ability to do something, like the way I have potential to go to college…is potential.  Everyone around me probably has potential to do something, but they might not know it yet.  “The potential of the average person is like a huge ocean unsailed, a new continent unexplored, a world of possibilities waiting to be released and channeled toward some great good.”  Brian Tracy wrote this descriptive quote and he obviously was talking about the undiscovered potential in people.  Potential is the capability of a person that has not yet been discovered.

Passion is something you can’t touch or see either, but if you like something and you work at something enough, you have a passion for it.  I’m not passionate about a lot of things, but one thing I am passionate about is school.  At home I’m always thinking about if I have homework or not, or if I need to study for a test.  School consumes my mind.  Michael Jackson was a pesron who was passionate about something.  Singing and dancing consumed his mind.  What does passion mean to you?  To me it means if you really love something and it consumes your mind, you’re passionate about it.  “If there is no passion in your life, then have you really lived?  Find your passion, whatever it may be.  Become it, and letis become you and you will find great things happen for you, to you, and because of you.”  A powerful feeling such as love, joy, or hatred to an object of such enthusiasm or devotion…is passion.

Again, a promise is one of those things you can’t touch or see either, but just remember, if you make a promise, stick with it.  The thing I hate most of all is when someone makes me a promise they either know they can’t keep or don’t stick with their promise.  An example of a promise is when one of my friends promises to tell me something and don’t pull through.  Or, when little kids go to a store to sit on Santa’s lap to tell him what they want and he says he will get it, but doesn’t.  It makes me kind of sad because I want to tell themhe’s not real!  “So much promise stretches before us.  Americans have always reached for the impossible, looked to the next horizon, and said, ‘What if?’”  A promise is a declaration that one will or will not do a certain thing; a vow or indication of something favorable to come; ground for expectation of future success or excellence.  I know these “p” words can be a bit confusing, but everyone has at least one of them.  Do you know yours?        

The world spins around and around and around, and yet we are still searching for our passion and promise even though it was with us the entire time.  It’s as plain as the stars in the sky, as the sea in California.  It’s just too obvious!  My passion is helpfulness and my promise is hope…to never give up.  For those who have big passion and promises have great minds, but the ones with the small, simple, and loving ones have great hearts.

Passion is the guide of our life, whether we like it or not.  Passion comes to you like a slap in the face, like the rush you feel on your first big roller coaster.  It feels so breathtaking and as if happiness blew up inside of you, and things in the world got straightened up.  Then, my friend, you will do what your passion is calling you to do.  You will do it, and then do it again.  Like my passion.  Helping is overrulling me, it’s all I want to do!  Sometimes the best smile is not on your face, but on the face of a stranger.

To have a promise is to have the world’s power and hope in your hands.  It’s a wake up call saying you are powerful, but your hope is stronger.  Unlike passion, a promise comes to you like a gentle breeze across your face.  It feels so fine, so fresh.  It makes you vow to do that one thing.  Like my promise, hope.  Now do you have to do one thing?  No.

When you think of passion, you think the world, but when you think of yours, you think of the universe!  Your passion is life and your promise is too.  Passion is as fast as lightning that skids across the cloudy sky; it’s the power that the heroes of the day carried on their shoulder.  Though, a promise is the thing they carry in their right hand.  Now, don’t waste this moment, for you are special to have this gift of magic and peace. Anyone can see that even if you don’t have the best clothes in school, or the most jewelry, there is one thing you have and that makes you who you are.

So don’t be embarrassed with what you have, for you are special to have it.  Although your friend may not like it, at least it’s you!

Cheyenne’s podcast

Parker H.

The great basketball coach, but better person, John Wooden once said, “Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”  We can all learn something from these intelligent words.  It is we all have potential.

If I would have to say one thing that I’m passionate about, it would be a pretty easy choice.  Man, I love basketball so much.  See a loose ball on the floor?  I’ll probably be diving after it in about 2 seconds.  This hustle happens because of my passionate feeling for this game.  For example, I play on my school’s basketball team and haven’t bypassed a single practice or game all year.  Also, I’m almost always watching stuff to do with basketball, socializing, or reading things to do with it.

Potential to me is saying that you have the chance or ability to do something that you set your mind to.  Mine?  I would say that I could keep playing and getting better at basketball.  I could fulfill this dream since I have powerful legs that keep me going so I can play a lot of basketball.  Good endurance helps me, too.  Another thing is I practice about 5 days a week, sometimes with my team, but otherwise on my own.  Lastly, I have excellent work ethic, and I try to stay as committed as possible.

Anyone can promise something, but it doesn’t always come out true.  Since I like basketball, I could promise I will go to the NBA, but that is not guaranteed..unlike these things.  First, I promise to try my best to get better, until I get the best I can at basketball.  Second, I pledge to go to as many practices and games as I can.  Lastly, I will try to go to lessons with good basketball instructors such as Rotnei Clarke’s dad, Conley Clarke.

Overall, you can see my passion for basketball, a truly astonishing game.  There is potential for me to do anything I want, I just can’t let I cannot do interfere with what I can do.

Parker Hastie podcast

This spring, our students learned about using figurative language in their poetry.  Then, they presented their poetry using video as their medium.  Check these out!

poem

spring is by noah west

Sizzles and pops, ooohs and ahhs.  This is the atmosphere at the one and only restaurant, Sho-gun!  This Japanese restaurant cooks up a real crowd.  The place is down right amazing!  Once you step in, the first thing your nose picks up is the exotic spices and meats.  Your mouth starts to water.  The waitress asks, “grill or table?” Grill of course.  While the chef prepares, you think to yourself and you wonder, what will the food here taste like?  Well, you have to find out yourself.

Sho-gun has a variety of foods.  My personal favorite is the grilled shrimp and rice.  Of course, there are others.  There is steak, soup, salmon, and vegetables.  Everything is just perfect.  The first bite into the steak is like you’re in heaven.  Their rice is mixed with different Japanese spices and grilled veggies that are to die for.  Of course, I can’t forget the lip-smacking shrimp, cooked to perfection.  They have everyday sodas, tea, coffee, and water.  These meals are sure to please. 

Here at Sho-gun, there is a new way of entertainment.  The chefs throw, flip, turn, and twist your food to the point of excellence.  They’d even make an onion volcano, with fire shooting out of the top.  They’ll create scrambled eggs and toss them in your mouth.  This is a way to bond with your family, friends, and even college boys that you end up by.

Now you can see why I’d love this awesome restaurant.  Everyone is so unique and has a twist in food.  Come here and I promise that you’ll ask your parents, “Can we come here tomorrow?”

Jacob (1st block)

“This is the dumbest thing I have ever done,” I thought.  I looked up the hill of the mighty roller coaster’s biggest dip.  When it got to the top I thought this would be my last birthday.

Before I tell you why I thought that was the dumbest thing I have ever done, I will start by saying it was my birthday and my parents were taking me to Six Flags.  Most people would not have been that excited, but I had never been to an amusement park.  As soon as we walked into the park, I saw a huge roller coaster.  My brother said I was too scared to ride it.  Of course, I had to prove him wrong, so I stepped into the line.  After about half an hour, I approached the end of the line, sat down in a seat, and heard the “click” of the safety harness.  From this point on, I knew there was no turning back.  Then the ride started moving slowly forward. 

More thoughts were running through my head, like, “Why am I here?” and “How did I get talked into this?”  The ride had started slow at first, but it rapidly gained speed.  I could hear my heart beating.  The other people’s screams sounded as if they were whispering.  Then, as soon as it had begun, it was over…or so I thought.  The ride stopped, then shot backwards.  Before I knew it, I was back at the start of the ride.  The ride had stopped; it was finally over.

 This is why riding the roller coaster was the dumbest thing I have ever done.  I felt dizzy, I couldn’t walk, and my brother kept asking me why I did it.  I told him because he said I was too scared.  For once, I had proved my brother wrong.   But now, I would never ride a roller coaster again, not even to prove my brother wrong. 

The Big’un by Zach R. (4th block)

Why is the roller coaster so bumpy?  Up and up.  Then down and down really hurts my back.  Also, the part when  I am screaming my lungs out hurts my throat.  I said to myself that I made a good decision picking this roller coaster.

A loud break noise knocked me out of my thoughts.  “Next,” the operator said in a calming voice.  I was the first one for the next ride.  For the second time, he looked like he probably wished his job was over.  “Come up next person,” he said calmly, again.  Getting on board, I buckled up tight, dripping with sweat everywhere.  It started with a jerk, screeching.  When it jerked, it felt like it was like a spaceship going up and up, like I said, into the baby blue sky.  I’m raising my hands up like I’ve been on a roller coaster before.  We were at the very top now.  “Wooosh!”  Everybody screamed when it took off.  My eyes glazed on the tracks as they flew past.  When it turned, I leaned to the guy sitting next to me.  I leaned so far that I thought to myself, “this might tip over.”  The next turn was the right, so I leaned toward the guy next to me which was really embarassing.  What I noticed was that it looked like a humongous flat screen t.v. because my hair was flying back and you couldn’t see it.

Besides, the next part was the amazing loopty-loop.  Thinking that I would get sick at that part, I didn’t.  I got very dizzy, but I was a man.  Zach could take it.  Any time it was the end of the loopty-loop, everybody said “Woooo!”  Feeling brave enough to ride it again, my first ride wasn’t over. 

The next part was the twist-tie.  In my head, I felt a “dah, dah, dahhhhh.”  I remember some guy came up to me and said that he threw up during this part.  It swiftly came up right in front of us.  Fast as lightning, I closed my eyes harder than ever before.  All I felt was my feet go backwards, forwards, and side to side.  Glaring straight ahead, I saw a tunnel full of people that were in line waiting to be on that amazing roller coaster. 

The roller coaster jerked, but I didn’t screech this time.  Invincibility made me feel powerful.  That is how I always feel after a roller coaster.  This wasn’t just a normal roller coaster, though.  It was the Big’on!

Reflection by Sheridan (7th block)

Click, click, click.  My heart pounds in my cars as we gain altitude on the coaster.  My thoughts are no longer on my 12^th birthday at Six Flags Amusement Park, but  on the plunge to the bottom.  This is one of those terrifying moments when you spend so much time preparing yourself for the upcoming event that, when it actually happens, you’re not ready.  So, of course, when the breeze picks up, and the wind whooshes through my hair, I realize that the whole time I’ve been thinking, we’ve been slowly rocking forward.

Suddenly, the once soft, floaty breeze becomes harsh, and fast, knocking the scream out of my mouth and yanking it behind me.  We begin the long rush downwards, me yelling all the way.

My eyes trace the truck, following every twist, mapping every turn.  As we fly along the rail, I screech like a monkey, anticipating every flip of the stomach.

“Hey!” I spit at the stone-still man sitting next to me.  He hasn’t moved a muscle the whole time.  It’s like he’s in some kind of trance.  I don’t understand how someone can sit through an entire roller-coaster ride without hooting your lungs out once.

“Huh,” I huff, rolling my eyes in disgust.  His eyes flit towards me in surprise, then he sort of smiles, knowingly.  Obviously he’s not explaining, so I turn to the other side, watching as we enter a small cavern of mirrors.  It’s chilly inside, and slightly unnerving.  But I can laugh with glee and pure joy, simply enjoying the ride.  Little do I know, that I won’t last forever.

My eyes then detect something that changes the course of my first coaster ride forever.  Suddenly, out of the jet black unknown pops a stark-white, laughing, bobbing face!  What, or who it is, I don’t know, but I’m so frightened that my fingers begin to fumble at the seat belt.  Before I even know what I’m doing, I’ve leapt from the seat, pushed the safety bar away, and have begun pointing, shouting at the mirror.  Scary music begins to play, mounting my fear to a new level.  Everyone is staring, the mood has changed, and I sit, embarrassed.

The coaster finally comes to the final turn, bringing upon us another cave of mirrors.  Again, I see the awful face, screaming at me.  The second we make eye contact, it begins to yell:  “Stop, stop, stop!”  I set my jaw.  I won’t stop.  So, I keep on yelling, grinning, cackling with glee, showing that evil clown who’s boss.  But then, this mystery person gives me a look, and I shut up.

Turning away, I give an involuntary sob, not believing the fate of my first coaster ride.  I’ve no energy left to be angry, so I simply sulk in despair, the weird guy looking at me with concern.

As soon as it’s over, I jump from my seat, thrust my arms out in front of me to open the gate.  There’s no way I’m ever going back.  The gate clangs behind me.  Startled, I turn, only to find myself facing another slick, glass mirror.  Once more, and for the last time, I see the horrid, pale face, the image that ruined my 12^th birthday amusement.  I shriek, stumbling backwards. The solemn guy reaches out a hand, but I’m gone.  I’m running, sprinting as fast as my jittery legs will carry me.  I’ve collapsed, heaving, on the picnic table that is my family’s meeting place.  My mind is whirling, haven taken off on an intellectual roller-coaster ride of its own.  And then, in the next instant, I know I’m only running from myself.  Remembering the glassy mirrors in the strange caverns, I think back to how nervous I was before the ride.  How hard I’d laughed the whole way through!  Following this burst of thought, I recognize who I saw laughing and bobbing at me.

Collapsing in a fit of uncontrollable laughter, I think to myself, “Me-Sheridan…afraid of my own reflection.”

“Run Hard” by Kelsey (5th block)

I felt like I had won the Olympics as I crossed the finish line in the 100-yard dash.  I looked up into the clear, blue sky in pure glory.  Racing up to the first place podium, I was overwhelmed with emotion.  Tears filled my eyes as I caught a glance of my family cheering me on.  Stepping proudly up onto the first place podium, I flung a sweaty fist into the air.  A gold medal hung strung around my neck with pride.  I had won; I was a champion.

“Run hard.”  These were the words of my friends, my dad, and my thoughts.  Those were the words that swirled in my head as I jogged swiftly up Mockingbird Road.  Momentarily, I stopped unplugging the headphones from my iPod.  Resting my head on a birch tree, I took a swig of water remembering those words, “Run hard.”  I popped the lid back on and pushed the play button on my iPod and continued to jog.  Rhythmically, the words fell in place with my feet, “Run hard, run hard, run hard.”

I woke up to the sharp sound of my alarm clock going off annoyingly.  Groaning, I hit the snooze button and rolled out of bed.  It was one day before the big race, and already I was nervous out of my wits.  Slipping out of my slippers, I fastened on my Pumas.  I marched down the stairs and grabbed a bottled water. 

My mom eyed me.  “No breakfast?” she asked.

Grouchily, I popped a ripe apple in my mouth.  Smiling sarcastically, I mumbled out the words, “Happy?”

She smiled, “Very.  Now run hard and be back soon!”

Without a reply I sat down the apple and jogged out the door.  After running for some time, I stopped where I had yesterday and took a sip of water.  That’s when my thoughts finally began to settle in.  What if I screw up, trip, or fall?  I shook the thoughts out of my head and sealed the lid back on.  “Run hard.”  I thought.  “Run hard.”

Today was the day, the big race.  I stood motionless in front of the checkered finish line.  I eyed the competition and took a final gulp of water.  I tugged at the back of my Pumas to make sure they were on tight.  Scanning the crowd, I waved to my parents.  My dad looked at me and mouthed the words, “Run hard.”  I nodded without saying anything back.  I walked up to where the other eager girls waited.  An abrupt sound of a whistle screamed into the air.  We were off like galloping horses in the Kentucky Derby.  I inched my way up to the front.  “Run hard.”  The words tingled through my head and feet.  I had made it; I had won; I was a champion.

I stood strong and proud at the finish line.  My parents were at my side congratulating me.  I was showered with relief and sheer joy.   One by one, the girls were called up to receive their medals.  I stood on top of the first place podium with a gold medal around my neck.  A smile beamed from my face, inviting the whole world in.  I had won with two inspirational words at my side, “Run hard.”

Lindsey (1st block)

“Woo!” Everyone yelled as I ran across the big red string.  I had finally reached my goal.  I won the 100 yard dash in fourth grade.  Ever since I was I was in 2^nd grade my dream was to be in that wonderful run!  And now the day had come!

Proud feeling, people cheering, a big blue ribbon in my hands!  That was my proudest moment in fourth grade.  It was in the middle of May.  The 21^st to be exact.  This meant it was a perfect day for a big run!  For a moment I felt a little homesick, so I turned down around and I see my mom and littler by sister made feel much more confident!  My family had great smiles on their faces.  Smiling back seemed like a good idea, so I did.  This was truly a dream come true.  The reason was because it seemed like I had practiced day and night.  Finally the day had come, and I was ready to make a run for it!

Turning to face the front I glanced at the judge.  He went through all the rules, but the words went in one ear and out the other.  That was just about how nervous I was.  I glared at the other people, and they seemed to be very big junk food fans.  Not to be rude or anything, but I was surely to be the best one in shape!  My winning expectations were getting even higher.

“Ready, set, go!”  shouted the judge.  I dashed past everyone else, but then all of the sudden I remembered a strategy.  I had to slow down, or else I would get too tired and wouldn’t be able to make it!  Running at a fast pace for a few more minutes and then beginning to jog was something clever to do.  I had probably gone a long way, because I was getting closer to the red string.  My vision wasn’t very good, but that’s what stranded out the most.  Especially my families great big smiles.  “Woooo!” most people yelled as I ran across the big red string.  Finally I reached my goal.  Winning the 100 yard dash in 4^th grade was amazing.

Right now, I am in 6^th grade.  No matter what, every single day when I come back from school, I take a few minutes to sit and stare at my big blue ribbon on my wall.  Something I will treasure for a long time!

Alisha (4th block)

Crash!  I woke up to that very noise.  My head banged against a small shelf above my head.  What was that?”  I thought to myself.  Bang!  Knock, knock, knock.  I rolled off the bed with a thud.  Popping up ever so quickly, I ran and tripped on my dogs yellow and green tennis ball.  This time I got up not so quickly, and limped on my sore ankle.  At the staircase my eyes met with a familiar pair eyes.  “Buster!”  I screamed to the top of my lungs. Buster had torn up the whole house!  When I was upstairs, there was no light, but once I got downstairs there was little light from my electronic appliances. “I’m going to drag you by your furry tail and take you to your room!”  I said aloud.

That silly dog was an old dog, and usually behaved well.  Speaking firmly to Buster I said, “Your puppy eyes won’t work on me, you old dog.  They’ve grown on me!”  That dog, Buster, had cocked his head to the side and looked as if he were saying, “What did I do wrong?”  He had a playful look on his face, and he wagged his tail like crazy.  Leaping from the floor, I tried to catch Buster, but he leapt too.  Crash!  I fell on to the floor.  Looking up, I saw Buster running away with something in his mouth.  Sitting there for a while, I watched that old dog run as fast as a racing horse.  I haven’t seen Buster run so fast since he was young, but there was something else about him.  He was running wildly, zig zag, and back and forth.  Finally, I got up ready to chase Buster.  Dashing across the living room floor, I avoided all the obstacles, except one.  Thud!  I fell ont the floor and noticed what had tripped me.  Carrying a string, Buster had zig-zagged all over the place.  With the string wrapped around the chairs legs, it was over the ground, so I tripped.  My eyes drew attention to Buster sitting by my dining room table.

“Hmmm, I need to think of a way to trap Buster,” I thought to myself.  So, I set up my trap.  The main thing I had to do was chase Buster into his kennel.  Zip!  That silly old dog zoomed right past me as soon as I stood up.  Once I had noticed what was going on, I dashed over to Buster and he leaped right over the kennel!  Silly me!  I kept running and tripped over the kennel.  As I lifted my head, I saw Buster head over to the fridge!

Boom!  Buster took a sharp turn and headed for the doggie door.  “Oh no!” I thought to myself.  This time I walked outside and called to Buster.  The air was misty and the sun was about to rise, but there was not a sound to be heard.  Tears dropped from my eyes and dropped to the ground.  .  “Buster!”  I weaped.  He was my best friend and I didn’t want to lose him.  My dog, Buster is a good dog, and today he surprised me.  Walking around the block to look for Buster, I noticed something.  The bushes rustled and I crept closer.  Out came a cat, and it hissed at me and went back into the bushes.

With no hope, I dragged my feet back to my house.  As soon as I got to my house, my face brightened. “Buster!” I yelled.  Buster zoomed right over to me and knocked me over.  My wonderful dog licked me like crazy.  I told Buster I wouldn’t get mad at him for wrecking my house.  Buster licked me once more and gave a woof.  I smiled and Brought Buster inside.