Visiting Tropical Reefs in the Aquarium (by William)

One time I went to the aquarium with my dad and my cousin Hansen.  

We walked into an exhibit called Tropical Reefs.  When I walked in I saw huge tanks about three men tall and colorful fish zooming around which reminded me of the cars of the city.  Just then, a sting ray dove down to eat the fish and the blue tang swam away very quickly and I couldn’t study more about it. 

Then a diver came and he brought another blue tang near the window of the tank and I got to study more about the blue tang.  I felt so excited that I said “the Tropical Reefs are so cool!”  “Yes they are,” replied my dad.  “Indeed” my cousin added to the conversation.  My mind raced trying to think what would happen if tropical reefs were destroyed.  “Wow, tropical reefs are an important part of the earth,” I said.

Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a group of fish surrounding something.  I couldn’t see what it was, so I hatched a plan.  It was a crazy idea and I don’t think the fish like it, but I did it.  Bonk!  Bonk!  Bonk!  I knocked on the glass of the tank and the fish swam away and I saw some coral.  

I strode around to enjoy the sights of coral and fish.  Suddenly I spotted a blue tang and I followed it.  Soon it paused at some coral to eat polyps.  I started to study the blue tang.  A blue tang is blue with a black and yellow tail.  The blue tang was flat as a pancake.  Suddenly, I stopped in front of a sign, it introduced me to all sorts of coral and facts that people can ruin coral reefs.  It also taught me that big boats may chunk off big pieces of coral.

After a few minutes, it was time to leave.  I had a lot of fun in the Tropical Reefs exhibit.

First Time I Went on an Airplane - Describe an Experience with Fear (by William)

Have you ever went on an airplane?  Let me tell you my experience on an airplane. 

One early morning, my mom announced that we were going to Taiwan.  I jumped out of bed, threw on an outfit, and started packing.  I threw in some outfits, pajamas, water bottle, books, tour guide, and maps.

As my dad pulled into the airport, my palms started to sweat, and a shiver went through my spine.  I knew exactly why my mind was controlling those weird actions and that was because I was going to throw up in the airplane.

As we walked into the airport, I noticed a big waiting room.  I asked my mom “are we going in there?”  “Yes,” she replied.  When we first walked into the room, I noticed a monitor revealing the airline’s name: Eva Air. 

When we actually stepped into the plane, a chill pounded through my spine, my heart started to beat wildly, and my palms started to sweat even harder. 

Just then I heard the pilot’s announcement.  “Ladies and Gentlemen, please buckle your seatbelts.  We are taking off in one minute.”  I buckled my seatbelt.  “Roar” went the plane’s engine.  I squeezed my mom’s hand.  “William!  Why are you breaking my fingers?” Screamed my mom.  “I am scared of this plane ride!”  I explained.  I couldn’t hold my feeling so I screamed “Mom!” I felt something strange in my body and I looked around for a parachute, but there was not even one.  “Too late,” I moaned. 

The plane was already flying in the stratosphere.  I finally got to sit back and watched a movie, eat, brush my teeth, and go to sleep.  Everything was good until I woke up.  I sighed and looked where the plane was, right over Japan. 

The plane ride was better than I expected, and we safely landed in Taiwan.

***Author's notes***

The story may start in different ways -

Ask a Question

Have you went on a plane before? Let me tell you my experience on the airplane.

Sound Effect

“Roar!” Went the plane’s engine and the body of the plane started to shake.  I was sitting on a chair, buckled up, my stomach did a cartwheel when the plane took off.

Dialogue
“Calm down, you are breaking my fingers!”  Shouted my mom.  “Mom, I am so nervous and nauseous, the plane is shaking so hard” I said.  

Create effective story endings - 

Reflection

Some years even now, I remember the first time I went on an airplane.

Dialogue

“Mom” I said, “the plane ride wasn’t so scary,” and I meant it.

Thoughts

I was nervous on the outside but I felt a surge of triumph inside.

The Last Night of September (A Poem by William and Sunny)

The cricket was chirping, and
William was burping.

The moon was shining, and
Sunny was smiling.

It’s time for bed, and
may dreams be bright.

When eyes flutter open with sunrise,
October will come with pumpkin and surprise.

Trees are tall and wind whispering Fall,
The season of harvest brings love and abundance for all.

My Cousin Sean (by William)

I have two cousins, Sean and Hansen.  Sean is in college now. 

 (Sean was 12 years old and I was 2)

(Sean graduated from High School this year)

My memory about Sean was that last year we went to Berkeley and Stanford Universities, and he volunteered to be the photographer.  I like the picture that he took under the pine trees near the gift shop at Stanford.  I think he is a very good photographer.

(Sean and I in Stanford)

I also played with Hansen and Sean sometimes.  Sean protected me from Hansen and he never hurt me.  In return, at grandmother’s old house, I saw Hansen aiming an arrow at Sean, but Hansen wasn’t watching me.  I pounced on Hansen and he lost his grip, then the arrow landed on the table.  I gave the arrow to Sean and he fired it onto Hansen’s belly.

 (Sean was 13 years old)

(Sean was 14 years old)

Sean is away from home and he is only returning home for Christmas.  I am certainly missing him. 

Grand Canyon Junior Ranger (by William)

This summer we went to Arizona to visit Grand Canyon National Park and I got sworn in as a Junior Ranger. 

(Grand Canyon Junior Rangers to be sworn in)

The badge looks like an arrowhead with the word “Junior Park Ranger” on it.  It is made from plastic and it has the symbol of National Park Service emblem.

(Ranger book and badge)

What I learned from Grand Canyon Junior Ranger class included “DUDE,” the formation of Grand Canyon.  D means deposition, U means uplift, D means down cut, and E means erosion. 

I also learned the shapes of poop from animals.  Herbivore’s poop are ball shaped and carnivore’s poop are sausage shaped.  My poop sometimes are ball shaped, and sometimes are sausage shaped, so I am an omnivore.

Squirrels are the deadliest animal in Grand Canyon because they carry disease and can bite you.

I learned a lot in the Junior Ranger class and I like my badge.  Hope you will collect National Park Junior Ranger badge too.  

(My National Park Ranger badge collection)

A Letter to the Beautiful Grand Canyon Railway Train Conductor (by William)

                                                                                                August 23, 2015

Dear Ms. Shaundalee,

Thank you for an awesome train ride for the Grand Canyon.  In your car I had a very good view.  I saw cows, horses, birds, the Grand Canyon, the Marshall (from the Cowboy Show), and the Colorado River. 

(The day we took the train ride happened to be Ms. Shaundalee's birthday--Happy Birthday!)

(Good view from the train)

My favorite part about the train ride was when the train started moving.  But, now I am back in California, and if I go back to Arizona, I hope to see you again. 

You can contact me by email or you can visit my blog.  Welcome to visit me in California.

Yours truly,

William

Can you believe it?  Email from Shaundalee came during Labor Day Weekend!!!

Hi William,

It was so nice to get your letter today! I am so happy that you and your family had a great time riding with me. So glad you all had a fun time! 

If you and your family come visit Arizona again please come visit us. If you all decide to ride on the train again you can alway request to have me as your PSA.

I am happy to see you all had a safe vacation and made it home safely. 

I'm going to put my pictures in my train scrapbook along with your letter and the picture you drew me!

Thank you again! Be a good boy! Hope your doing well in school and having fun with your friends. Tell your mom and dad I said hi and thank you to them as well. Your family is amazing! Stay happy! Always smile. :)

Your PSA,

Shaundalee

Seella (by Jennifer, guest columnist from Sydney, Australia)

Jennifer, age 7, lives in Sydney, Australia. She has read a lot of William and Ethan's blogs. She likes reading, writing, drawing and dancing. She has a younger sister called Ashley who likes to build Lego a lot. Jennifer will turn 8 in this coming October.

One day an Arctic miracle is born and a great adventure awaits this polar bear family. Find out more in Seella.

Once in a cold ice cave, a female gave birth to two polar bear cubs, an Arctic miracle, a boy and a girl, twins.

After a few months, the polar bear family set out into the cold icy world. A snowstorm blew up. Seella, the girl twin saw her brother collapse. Seela's mother covered him with snow, he still did not wake up.

Seella and her mother had to leave him behind for that they had to find food.

Seella's mother spotted a seal, ran up, pounced and it was dead. For that it was the last meal they would have in a long time.

Weeks passed, Seella grew older but they still had no meal. Because of this, Seella's mother is forced to do something early.

The ice sheet was forming later and later in winter, so Seella's mother could not find enough food for two. Seella's mother grunted at Seella meaning for her to leave but Seella did not move. Seella's mother grunted again but fiercer and louder this time. Seella understood and ran away before her mother decided to chase her away.

Seella wondered alone on the cold ice floor, a Arctic fox was following behind her. Arctic foxes are scavengers and like to follow polar bears for they are the top predators in the Arctic. Nothing in the Arctic can kill a polar bear except another polar bear. Since then tilt of the earth has returned to where it started and Seella is able to find food.

When Seella is hibernating, she gives birth, another Arctic miracle twins, a boy and a girl.