Hot🔥Task

In class, we wrote an ending to the story Thirst by Paul Mason. This was my ending and I tried to convey the emotions Ryder and his dad were feeling. Toodles.

Ryder ran deeper into the forest, his father’s furious voice echoing through the dead branches. Dusk drew closer and birds cawed in the distance. Ryder stopped, his chest heaving heavily while his lungs gasped for air. He didn’t regret stealing the water. His sister was able to shower and he was able to quench his sickening thirst. Ryder hooked his hand onto a branch and lifted himself up. The more he climbed, the more tranquil the world went. Reaching the top, Ryder looked out onto the horizon and saw the sun tuck itself away. His clothes were no longer dirty and his lips were no longer dry. He had a feeling in him he hadn’t felt in a while. Serenity. He loved it.

Dad stalked through the forest as the last ray of sunshine retreated. “Ryder,” he shouts, his voice rumbling through the deserted forest. The branches crunched under dad’s heavy stomps while his hands were fisted at his sides. Dad’s patience grew thinner. “Ryder,” he shouted again. My son, a thief he thought. How could this happen? Dad knew that water was scarce. He blamed it on himself. How could he let his family come to this? Struggling to live, getting by just barely. Thieving. He knew that in desperate times came desperate measures, but he was supposed to care for his family and make sure they didn’t come to this. He had failed them. His shoulders slumped in dejection and his hands fell loose at his sides. “Ryder,” he mumbled weakly. His son had been brave enough to do what he hadn’t been able to. Dad needed to tell him that.

Ryder listened closely from above. The crunch of parched leaves started to near. His dad was coming. What would he say? Would he be disappointed in him? Ryder didn’t know. “Ryder,” his dad called weakly. “Please come out son,” he said. Ryder heard the defeat in his voice. He hopped down the tree branches and landed in front of his dad. He saw that his shoulders were slumped and his eyes were shadowed with sorrow. “Yes dad,” Ryder answered. His father looked up at him. “I’m proud of you son,” he whispered. 

Out of all the scenarios Ryder had thought of, he had never thought that his dad would be proud. He was expecting a scolding and discipline, but not pride. “You did what you needed to. You helped out when I had failed and for that, I’m proud of you.” Ryder’s eyes widened. He heard defeat and the feeling of failure in his father's voice. “You didn’t fail us, dad,” Ryder comforted in a soft voice. “Even though our water was depleting, you’ve done more for our family than you think.” His dad looked at his son with surprise and hope. Hope that what his son was saying was true. “You give us a roof over our heads, a bed to sleep in, clothes to wear and food to eat!” Ryder reassured. He saw a smile start to form on his father's face. “You’re amazing, dad,” Ryder finished off. A full-blown smile appeared on his dad’s face and he saw that twinkle of happiness in his eyes he hadn’t seen in a while. “Thank you, son,” his father replied. “Thank you for providing when I couldn’t.”

Ryder started to think he had gotten away with it. Then, his father knocked those hopes out of the park. “But, that doesn’t mean you can steal,” he scolded. “I know dad,” Ryder replied. “This is the first and last time you will steal water. This is the last time you will need to steal water.” Ryder’s hopes started to soar. “Your mother and I just got a job promotion. This job pays a lot more than the last one and we’ll never have to worry about water again.” Now they were both grinning like fools. Ryder didn’t have to fret anymore. They were going to be okay. “Let’s go home now son,” his father said as he started to walk home. Ryder trailed after him, excitement coursing through him for what was to come.

Desperate Boy STEALS Water During Drought

Desperate times call for desperate measures but does this make stealing right? A young boy, Ryder, is living in a town that is suffering extreme water loss. His parents are too poor to afford water and him and his little sister are on the verge of dehydration. Their clothes are dirty, their lips are chapped and they haven't had a shower in a while. His neighbour's tank is overflowing with water and the valve is unlocked. Ryder steals it. Was he right or wrong? This is a run down of the story below. Basically, a narrative plot planner. Toodles.

Show Feelings. Don't Tell

Writing is my favourite subject. The ability to create worlds and to whisk readers away to another place. It's mind-blowing. Anyways, in class, we've been taught how to show feelings in writing, not tell. Instead of 'he was terrified' you can try 'his palms started to sweat and his heart thundered in his chest'. When you do this, you make an emotional connection with the reader making the story 10X better! Here's a story that I wrote, using the 'show not tell' ethic. I used another story, basing the plot off of that one. Toodles. 

  The Rip                                          

There were two brothers who were not at all alike; they were different in every way. The younger brother was always safe inside, reading, escaping this world, while the older brother was always on a new adventure. Snorkelling and diving, swimming and bombing, exploring caves, pretending to search for hidden treasures with his friends. On the rare days James would leave the house to sit on the sand, Jack would chide, “Come on you chicken. It’s only waves.” James would shake his head and retreat back into the safety and comfort of their house. Due to their differences, James and Jack fought endlessly. One day, their fighting and bickering helped repair their relationship.

One morning their mother got angry with them. “ Like a cat and a mouse! Out you go together,” she said, “and try to be nice to each other just for once. “Why did I have to spend time with you?” Jack grumbled. “I didn’t want to come. I would rather be inside.” James mumbled. “You’re such a baby!” Jack left him and went to the edge of the sea.  “Hey! Come here!” he yelled a little while later. Gingerly, James walked over to meet him. “Look how big the waves are! Let’s go out there.” James froze in place. “N-no, you mustn’t,” he said, imagining all the horrible things it could lead to… “Ah! You’re lame,” said Jack as he ran out into the water and dived under the waves.                               

James watched his brother swim further out, fear gripped his heart. He had reached the big waves now. Big, towering waves. They could easily shove him underneath, hurting him. Then, James saw it. A rip. A strong current, luring his brother out to the endless, merciless sea. Jack shouted and screamed, captured in the iron grip of the rip. James' palms started to sweat and his heart pounded in his chest, louder than drums. He had to follow him, had to try and save him. So, with a final glance back at the beach, James sprinted into the water, diving down, down under the waves.

Cold. So cold. The water was freezing! But James had to focus on the panicked screams of his brother. Even though his mind shouted desperately at him to turn around, and get back to shore where it was safe, he continued on. James came up to the surface, gasping for air. Then he dove back under. Nearly there. He was nearly to his brother. The terrified howls of Jack started to get clearer and clearer as James neared him. The anticipation of it made his arms move faster and his legs kick harder. He came up once more and saw him. Jack. Relief washed over them like the waves they were in. James swam to him and wrapped his arms around his older brother. He was fine. “Hey mate,” a voice called from behind the two brothers. “Did you need a lift?” They opened their eyes and saw a guy on a surfboard reaching out to them. They both frantically climbed on the board and away they went. 

“I’m sorry for trying to get you to come out to see the waves with me when you clearly didn’t want to,” Jack apologized. Jack and James were walking back up the beach and to their home. James looked over at his brother and nodded his head. “I forgive you. I’m sorry for always trying to get you to stay inside,” James replied. His brother turned to him and then embraced him in a hug. “I forgive you. Thank you for saving me.” James wrapped his arms around Jack and they both promised to compromise with each other. They walked away feeling lighter; a weight no longer on their shoulders.

“Why you boys are quiet for once,” their mother pointed out when James and Jack finally arrived home. They shared a smile and looked at each other. Smiles brighter than the rising sun and eyes twinkling like the stars, James replied, “The cat and the mouse forgave each other, mum.”

Reciprocal Reading: Helping Us Understand What We're Reading

When you're reading an important piece of text, do you really understand it? Do you remember the percentages, the facts or the main idea of the text? Reciprocal reading can help with that. In class, we're learning how to reciprocal read. Practising our skills on the text, Testing The Water helped me learn more and understand our local aquatic life better. It helped me learn more about macroinvertebrates (small animals with no backbone but are large enough to be seen without a microscope), how healthy our water is and how we can keep our rivers and creeks in great condition. This is something I made on reciprocal reading and Testing The Rivers. Toodles.

The Wonders Of water

 Water is something all living things need to survive. In science, we are revising the cycle water goes through. Evaporation, condensation and then precipitation. Filling out the boxes with information was fast and easy but hopefully, in the near future, I'll start to find out more things about water. 

My Cold 🧊 Task

Writing is amazing. The ability to construct an entire world with worlds is mind-blowing. In class, we were to write a narrative on anything. I decided to base my story on Addie Katz, the daughter of the prime minister in my story.  She has a bit of social anxiety but has been tasked with doing a welcome speech for the prime minister. Does she do it or does she chicken out? Read to find out.

The teacher was cut off by the bell, signalling assembly, a special assembly with an esteemed guest.

Everyone got up and started hurrying to the hall, except for me. I took my time packing my stuff and when

I had finished, and I finally got up to leave. “Addie, could you stay back for a minute,” Miss Green asked

kindly. I nodded my head and made my way to her polished oak desk. “I need one of my students to do a

speech in the assembly.” I nodded in understanding. “Did you want me to choose someone,” I asked meekly.

“No thank you, Addie,” she responded. “But, I do need you to do it. You will be doing a speech for our

school during assembly.”

No. This can’t be happening. The words echoed in my mind, replaying like a broken record. “You will

be doing a speech for our school during assembly.” But I couldn’t do it. This was supposed to be an honour

considering who was visiting. The prime minister. She was doing a trip around America, visiting the schools

I supposed. I nodded my head, agreeing even though everything in my being was yelling at me not to. This

speech was going to be a nightmare! I never speak up or raise my voice. Ever. Imagine, me, Addie Katz,

doing a welcome speech for the person who runs our country. Just the thought of it is terrifying! Terrifying

enough to want to back out, to run for the hills. The mere idea of quitting is impossible though because the

prime minister is my mother.

I walked to the hall anxiously anticipating what I could do. Maybe I could not go; ditch the entire thing.

Then I think of the scolding I would get when I come home. The hall was getting closer as I could hear the

bustling of students, eagerly waiting for the arrival of prime minister Josephine Katz. Some were excitedly

counting down the seconds til mother arrived; others, me and probably only me, were counting down the

minutes till mother would leave. As I arrived at the hall, I crossed through the doorway and saw everyone,

save for Mrs Katz, sitting in neat rows of chairs. Hundreds of kids, hundreds of eyes, and they would all be

on me. 

A sleek, black limo approached the school gates. The prime minister was here. Stepping out onto the

pavement, Mrs Katz was looking superior in a navy blue suit. Sunglasses shading her eyes, eyes that I

inherited, Mrs Katz strutted up to the hall, two bulky bodyguards flanking her. She walked with pride and

confidence, making even that look regal. Her presence in the hall silenced the chattering students and I

started to make my way to the stage.

Each step made my heart pound, pounding louder than drums. Every eye was on me, monitoring my every

move. I could feel her gaze burning at the back of my head, looking for any wrong moves. Stepping up on

the stage, I walked to the podium. Everyone in this hall was watching me. Hundreds of eyes, but only one

pair mattered. Mother’s. I knew she was watching, seeing if I would taint the family name. But I had to prove

her wrong. Had to show her she was able to be proud of me. So, with my chin held high, I pushed down my

fear and welcomed her to our school. After an hour of speeches and groveling from the teachers to Mrs Katz,

I wished her well on the rest of her excursion around America. Watching mother walk out of the hall, I

caught her eye. She smiled and nodded at me, silently saying “Well done. You’ve made me proud.” I smiled back, feeling unusually accomplished.

So, with this being a cold task, I have a lot to work on. One, shortening my word count and two, more figurative language. Making this was fun, but improving it would be even better.

Our Mystery Shape Investigation

In my opinion, geometry is annoying. That is what we were learning in maths. Geometry. Geometry is the study of shapes and their attributes. If you want to be an architect when you grow up or even a builder, you need to know geometry. In class, my teacher played what am I but with a shape instead. She gave us clues and left us to it. Since I won with the help of my sidekick, Daizaleah, we had to make a sort of sheet on our method. Here it is.

In the end, we were rewarded with chocolate fishies, aka a piece of heaven. If I got a chocolate fishie every time I did well in maths, I might like it more. Toodles.