TASK: Write a short piece about an autobiographical event using the same amount of sentences as your age. Use a variety of sentence structures, transitions, and vivid words.

MAINE LEARNING RESULTS:
G8 & G9  - Use a variety of sentence structures and transitional devices in written pieces.
E2 – Use planning, drafting, and revising, to produce an organized, well-developed piece of writing that shows command of mechanics, voice, and language mechanics.

 
"Goalie's Out"
by Jeff D., age 12

      He shot, saved by the goalie!  A person from the other team had shot the ball.  I was in the goal and I had saved it.  The game was tied with seconds to go.  Then I heard my dad scream, "Dribble down the field!"  I started dribbling down the field.  First, I whizzed by all their forwards.  Next, I sprinted through their midfielders.  Then, I skillfully maneuvered around the defenders.  All the while the crowd was loudly shouting. "The goalie's out!"  Finally, I shot!!! It hit the post and the game ended in a tie.

“Who Are We?”
by C.G., age 12

             Have you ever stopped to think about who you are?  I most certainly have.  Aside from being Courtney, I’m a dancer, a collector, a Girl Scout, a daughter, a leader, a big sister, and much more.  Other than being all of this, who am I really?  That is a really hard question.  In one word I have to say I’m a dreamer.
           But who are you?  Are you admired, a leader, or a hero?  One thing you and I probably have in common is that we are both trying to put a little good into the world. Next time you have a moment to yourself, STOP, think about who you are.  Describe yourself in one word.  And keep thinking about this the rest of your life.     

 
"Climb on Mt. Washington"
by KCF, age 12  

     A sign near the summit said, "Danger! Mount Washington has the worst weather in the world.  If not prepared, turn back now."
     The wind drove the rain into my face as mom and I left Lake-of-the-Clouds hut where we had slept that night.  The gray sky made me sad because it made me feel like someone had died somewhere.
     As we were descending the mountain trail, we tried to help each other down the slippery rocks.  I felt like I was trying to keep my footing on seaweed-covered rocks.  Once I fell and knocked mom off her feet.
     Sometimes I hike in rain, but I have never hiked down Mount Washington in pelting rain.  I had to cross ice-cold, raging rivers.  Near the bottom, I had to rock-hop across a pool at the foot of Jewel Falls.  I was soaked by the time I reached tree line. How did we ever manage to get off the mountain safely?

"If"
By CA, age12

     If I could change the world, what would I do? It doesn't take too much thinking to know what I would like to accomplish.  the first thing I would like to see happen is a more caring world for people and animals.  I was very upset over the recent attacks on America that left so many people dead and injured.  It was so horrible!  I felt extremely sad after that day, and I also thought of other innocent victims.  my next concern was for any pets that might have been killed or hurt. I always feel sorry for anyone or anything that can't protect itself.  Before those terrible events of September 11th I never really thought about people attacking us in our own country.  Then one day, like any other, can change everything and everyone. I only hope that some good will come out of all the tragedy.  If it doesn't change the world, at least it has brought our country more together than ever.

"Being Me"
by TN, age12
(The names have been changed to protect the innocent)

     In a perfect world I would be just like everyone else, but the world is not perfect and I am not normal; I am Tommy and I like it that way.  I mainly just do my own thing; nobody can tell me how to act (except for my parents).  There are downsides to being me like sharing a room with my little brother, but for the most part I enjoy being Tommy.  I like my family, I have a brother who is cool but can be annoying sometimes.  I also have a sister; she is okay but can be annoying and girlish.  My parents are nice, my dad is really funny and crazy and he acts more like a twelve-year-old than I do sometimes.  My mom is more like a normal parent and she helps me if I ever have a problem.  I like to skateboard, draw, and do anything related to punk rock music so I don't get bored easily.  A Tommy day is usually pretty fun.  I own lots of animals like cows, horses and a chicken.
     It's funny, before I ever went to school I used to wish I was a "big kid"; now I wish I was that age again and had no responsibilities or problems.  Well, that pretty much sums up my life; I hope you enjoyed it.

"The Future"
By WK, age 12

     Flash! Zap!  Before your eyes you have the most high tech "gizmo" in the world.  Just then the guy next to you invents a "SuperGizmo 4000"  This is how the world will progress; one guy on top and the next pushed flat on his back by an even better guy.
     I think this is how the future will progress, but this idea isn't fake. Nintendo and Playstation at it for "the best graphics" or Microsoft and Dell striving for best memory or having a sleek design for your desktop.
     Although I'm only talking about technology, the medical field has also come a long way.  For headaches you could probably buy 14 different products that all do the same thing.  Because of these new changes were on the road to "super high tech future."
     NOT ME!!  Although the future is cool, it's going too fast.  Many people invented things that others won't use, or the things all have very confusing directions.  A to B disconnect D... or press menu for more options (like their aren't enough already.)
     I like things plain and simple, like swimming or skiing.  So stop and think about the future, and think about what I just said.

"Age Autobiography"
by BW, age 12

     Doesn't it bother you when an adult complains how a kid's life is so much easier than an adult's?  Well, I can tell you that it bothers me!  I just can't stand it when an adult assumes that a kid's life is just so simple and they say something like "Oh I wish that I cold be a kid again those days used to be so easy!"  It seems like you hear that a lot, doesn't it? I think that a kid's life could be just as stressful as an adult's life.
     There are some responsibilities that an adult has that a kid under eighteen doesn't have, like paying the bills, financing, and insurance.  I can tell that those are a very stressful part of an adult's life because I seem to hear my parents complain about having to pay the bills a lot, and they say something like "OK... are ready to pay those bills yet?" (Then they sigh.)  I honestly think that grown-ups underestimate how tough being a kid truly is.  For a kid it's very stressful when you have to go straight from school to an after-school sporting event then rush home to finish up homework, and stay up until 9:00 completing homework.  Another reason a kid's life could be more stressful is because kids are shy to express their feelings and so they keep all their emotions bottled up until one day they just explode.  But an adult has an easier time going to a counselor with their problems and expressing them. This is a kid's point of view on how much a kid's  and an adult's life are kind of alike; although I'm willing to bet that there is an adult that disagrees - I'd like to hear their point of view.

"Neil"
by NM, age12

     I could start this writing by saying "My name is Neil, I have two pets, they are: blah blah blah."  But no, I will not resort to that one, because I want to write something that is witty, and spontaneous for an opening; and two, Mrs. Hebert will probably be mad at me.  Oh look, I just wrote something witty and spontaneous; now I can get down to the real business... my life.  I was born December 6th, in Maine; I guess you could call me a "Maneiac" (haha).  I have a mom and a dad, both of them being disabled; you may think that this would ruin the relationship I have with them.  In actuality it has not really changed it significantly, it makes me cherish the life I have all the more - my able-bodied life.  Anyways, this is my biography, so let's get back to me now, shall we?  I'm in seventh grade at the Middle School of the Kennebunks.  I don't particularly like Spanish class, but that's irrelevant.  Sometimes I wish I could drop out of school, and become a bum.  I really think I could make a decent wage pan-handling for the rest of my adolescence.  Then get a minimum-wage job as a trash man for my local community. (I could get paid, and help the town all at the same time)  Well, that's the end of my autobiography; it may not have been the most informative one, but I had fun writing it for my favorite language arts class.

"My Biggest Dream"
by MJ, age12

     The species Homo Sapiens has always dreamt of flying like doves and soaring like eagles.  My dream is to dash across a scarcely clouded sky in a F-16 and perform maneuvers no Cessna can.  My dream is to fly with the best pilots in Top Gun.  The read Top Gun.  Only the best make it.  I want to be the best.  I want to be world renowned for my exquisite skill.  To be eligible for all this, I must first complete AFA.  If you are not familiar with that term, it means Air Force Academy.  This will be a substitute for college.  I will be trained in simulators, and then the real thing.  Think, flying at speeds no car can go, dropping into hazardous 5G dives and dodging lock-ons in a training session.