Swimming Fun

This Friday, in our daily summer swimming class, there was Fun Day. It was a day when you could play water polo, go on the water slide, or on the diving boards, instead of doing the usual hour class.

We all quickly got changed. We couldn’t wait for the fun to start. I didn’t want to play water polo at all. I wanted to go on the diving boards and the water slide. I started out with the diving boards.

I had to wait for the coach to tell me when to go. After she told me it was my turn, I would jump or dive. It didn’t matter. After all, it was fun day. I kept on going and going until I started to get bored. I asked the coach if she could open the water slide. I have to wait for the other coach to come out, she had said. I decided to try diving again. But it was boring. So I went to the shallow end.

I played there for a couple of minutes before I realized I had forgotten to put on my goggles. I put them on and jumped into the shallow water again. But that soon got boring. So I figured that I could try water polo. I came out of the water. Then I saw my goggles were missing. I was puzzled as I had just put them on. Hmmm..As I looked around, I noticed them at the the bottom of the pool. I jumped into the shallow part again and retrieved them. Then I joined the other kids also asking to play water polo.

After a little while, I realized no one was passing the ball to me. Let me just wait a bit more I thought. Suddenly someone passed. I caught the ball. But I threw it in the wrong direction. Someone on my team still caught it but they had to throw it very far to get it where we wanted. No one passed to me after that. I realized they were just passing to the older kids. I decided I didn’t want to play water polo again. I knew we would not get to use the water slide. So I went on the diving boards again.

I pretended I was a dummy by just keeping on walking until I fell of the diving board. I tried it with jumping and running soon. But just as I came back, I saw a long line of people. I stood in the line. End of class the teacher called. But we just kept on diving. I wanted a last dive on the high board.

And that’s what I got. A perfect last dive on the high diving board. Perfect angle, perfect body posture. Perfect everything! So I hadn’t had a bad Fun Day. I had got what I wanted. A perfect dive.

A Journal Entry about Chano’s Life

Chano is a character in the story Tonweya and the Eagles in Lakota Indian tales. He is a Native American. I wrote this journal entry about Chano’s life during my fun summer class.

Today I was taught how to make bows and arrows for hunting and wars. I myself learned how to ride ponies bareback. The first pony I rode was so naughty, that I almost fell off! I was soon selected  to attend Carlisle School. After a long time, I graduate with honors. Before I leave school, I am chosen to represent Native Americans at the Congress of Nations in an Exposition in Chicago. After I graduate from school, I enter government service. I spend the bigger part of my life in Indian schools. I spent some of my life at a boarding school. At that school, I met my wife. I soon became very well known for my activities. I became an actor for “The Silent Enemy.” During that time, I caught a cold that turned into pneumonia. I knew I’ve few more moments to live and I’ll die shortly.

A Pioneer Poem

A Pioneer Poem

Bright, sunny day

Long, long way

Where shall we stay?

Hot, morning sun

Lots of fun

Throughout May!

Warm afternoon

Time to stop

At the top

Cold, hard night

Bed-bugs bite

We all sleep tight

The day is gone

It is dawn

Time to fight

with the storm!

by Writing Girl

Anna’s Pioneer Journal: August 19, 1851

Dear Journal,

Today when we were all at our last breaths, our wagon train rolled into Oregon. Everyone found a piece of land and said hello to their new neighbors. I’m feeling excited but very tiresome. I know I’m very lucky to have made it through the long journey here.

It’s been very sad to leave behind my friends, Laura Knight, Abigail Knight, Isabelle Emerson, and Margaret Stewart. In Oregon, we are cutting down trees to make a log cabin. I have to help grow the crops, while Billy and Jacob are helping to build our home.

Our piece of land is amazing. The scent of pine trees fills the air and there is even a boat in the sparkling river. The evergreen trees stand tall and proud, their green leaves shimmering in the sunlight. The air is soft and the breeze blowing gently. The birds can we heard singing beautiful songs. The grass is tall and green, sprinkled with morning dew. Even in my wildest dreams, I would never had imagined that our new home would be so wonderful.

While we are building our home, we will be staying with our neighbors, the Robinsons. They have a girl who is the same age as me. Her name is Mary. Mary and I are already friends. It sure was worth traveling here.

Anna Clark

Who writes? I do!: Anna’s Pioneer Journal: July 4, 1851

Anna’s Pioneer Journal: July 4, 1851

Dear Journal,

We’ve arrived at Independence Rock. Everyone has a lot of energy because we just stopped at Fort Laramie. I am excited because we are getting closer to Oregon.

Independence Rock is really cool. All of the children like climbing it and tracing the names of the people who came here before us. Yesterday my friends and I climbed to the top of Independence Rock and played. I took a sharp rock and carved my name on the rock next to Pa’s. Later that day, I found a little cave and climbed inside. Since we arrived on July 4, at supper we played music and celebrated. Even Mr. Taylor who was always grumpy, sang and danced.

After the celebration, Ma told me that early pioneers like us had named Independence Rock after the holiday; when they had come to it on July 4. Pa reminded me that we would have a happy life in Oregon. I know we’ll reach our new home safely.

Anna Clark

Who writes? I do!: Anna’s Pioneer Journal: May 2, 1851

Anna’s Pioneer Journal: May 2, 1851

Dear Journal,

Last week we crossed dry land. Every five hours there was a minor sandstorm and every day there were two major sandstorms. Mr. Stewart lost his wagon. He is traveling with our neighbors now.

It’s really hard to get across sandstorms. Everywhere the wind blows and dust flies. People and animals are getting sick from all the dust. Even though we are in the front of the wagon train, in our animals are getting sick too. Our wagon train always tries to continue but gets stopped by the dust. We have to stay in the wagons for most of the day. One of the days we just went through the sandstorm to make up for lost miles. Atleast the sandstorms are behind us now.

I hope we will reach Oregon without many more problems.

Anna Clark

Who writes? I do!: Anna’s Pioneer Journal: April 15, 1851

Anna’s Pioneer Journal: April 15, 1851

Dear Journal,

Today was a busy and very tiring day. I wish we never had today. Three wheels broke,  we had to go up two hills, and we crossed a river, therefore we only traveled 5 miles.

I’m getting used to life on the trail. In the morning, we girls ready up breakfast. After breakfast, me and my friends play games by the riverside. We come back up when the bugle blows because than is when we start. Unluckily, the trail started us off with new challenges. Two very steep hills. Since both hills had rocks on top of them, we tied ropes on the rocks and used them to pull ourselves up. After 5 hours, we were done. It had been lots of hard work. After one more mile, a wheel broke. It took long to repair that. Soon we had to cross a river. We built a raft to take all the wagons over. Since the current was strong and swift, Mrs. Lorgingher lost her favorite rocking chair. Right before nooning, another wheel broke. We were in a lot of hurry, so the wheel got fixed quickly. During nooning, us children collected buffalo chips for the fire. We set out again at 2.00 PM, and had to fix another wheel. At 8.00 PM, it is time for supper. We also find a nice sleeping spot.

As I go to sleep, I wish tomorrow will be a better day.

Anna Clark

Who writes? I do!: Anna’s Pioneer Journal: April 10, 1851

Anna’s Pioneer Journal: April 10, 1851

Dear Journal,

We arrived in Independence, Missouri early this morning. I’m in the tent where we sleep with my journal in front of me.

I’m exhausted ‘cause we spent a long time in a cramped wagon. I’m very excited to explore Independence. But Pa told me I had to stay in the tent so I would not get lost. Although he said I could keep the door open. In my head I can still hear the loud day. People chatterin’ noisily, animals making noises, and hammerin’ happenin’ on nearby. The sights of the day are goin’ through my head like a slide show. Dust flyin’, animals restin’, and merchants sellin’. Love the peace and quiet of the prairie tents. Not noisy like Independence. Don’t have to cover my ears no more.

I’m helpin’ my family get ready for the long journey. I’m goin’ shoppin’ for supplies at the general store with Ma. Emily is washing clothes in the rivers. Billy is off to the blacksmith. Jacob is at the gunsmith with Pa. I hope it isn’t so noisy on our trip.

Anna Clark


Who writes? I do!: Anna’s Pioneer Journal: February 20, 1851

Anna’s Pioneer Journal: February 20, 1851

Dear Journal,

I’m getting ready in my room. We are packing for Oregon and I have to leave behind my favorite toy. Ma told me we will have to sell it to get enough money for the trail.

Last night, I had to say goodbye to my grandpa. I was hugging my grandma like crazy. I am really sad to leave my grandparents. For the trail we are bringing lots of dry food. Ma says other food will spoil quickly. Pa remembered to get medicines and didn’t forget to bring along his hunting and fishing equipment. My brothers Billy and Jacob are in charge of the livestock. I’m guessing they’re getting the chicken and oxen right now. I’m not going to forget my best calico dress. My sister Emily is in charge of the tools. I reckon I’ll not be in charge of anything. Although Ma said I’d have to yoke the oxen and hitch them to the wagon. I know Ma has remembered to fetch our sewing kits and the gunpowder.

I decided to bring along the pebbles from my game. Emily’s cat chewed it up. I’m gonna enjoy Tuesday, when we start on the trail. I reckon we won’t meet any dangerous animals on the trail. I’m worried there is going to be a problem.

Anna Clark

Who writes? I do!: Anna’s Pioneer Journal: February 19, 1851

Anna’s Pioneer Journal: February 19, 1851

This past year in Third Grade, I had a pioneer journal. A pioneer is a early traveler to the west. A pioneer journal is the journal that a pioneer keeps of life on the trail.

I’m going to share my entries!

Dear Journal,

It’s noon in New York an Ma just told me great news. We are taking a risk and moving to Oregon. Right now in my room, I still can’t believe than Ma and Pa made such a decision.

I’m feeling really excited. I’m thinking about all the fun we will have in Oregon. One of my friends died of a disease. I can’t wait to get out of here. The reason than we are leaving is than we hope for a better life and richer farmland. I just can’t forget than I have many worries as well. What if we get eaten by an animal? What if we have a shortage of food and water? I’m trying to forget all my worries.

I’m looking forward to a better life in Oregon. I’m also looking forward to lots of fun on the trail.

Anna Clark