Wiiings

=My Collection= I have a collection of rocks. It is special to me because I started when I was three years old, and it was what I did for fun when I played alone. Later I just did it for the fun of it because it was fun to lern about new types of rocks. Now because my dad and I are working on a chicken coop we had to dig so we found many different rocks.As I walk around I spot cool rocks and pick them up, if you just walk around now seeing the amazing rocks you might just miss a hiding geode just because you didn't stop to take it home and see what is inside it. My fovorite rock is the **//giant//** crystle like one that I tripped over.I would have left it alone but I diced to see how big it was so I picked it up and it was huge! And so it became the first rock of my collection.

Elena Vander Els 6/3/08 Mr. Brown’s reading group Writing Naomi’s Speech Your Honor. Lemon Tree is my home, I grew up here and I love it. If I was separated from Gram and Owen I would never be happy again. If I go live in Vegas I would never meet any one new, I would stay in a small studio apartment babysitting Safire, Clive’s daughter while they go out and gamble and get drunk. Clive is Skyla’s boyfriend. Also Owen would never have fun if I was not there because who would play checkers with him? When Skyla took care of us Owen had hundreds of flea bites and I had selective mutism. Also she left us alone in a storm when I was four an Owen was one! Also just about one month ago Skyla came in our home and told us she was our mom. When gram was talking to Skyla we heard Skyla say my name isn’t Terri Lynn Jones any more. Also Skyla is not off drinking I saw a pack of beer in her car, and at Owen’s hospital Skyla smelled like rum cake so I think Skyla drinks rum excessively. Now that Gram takes care of us Owen has no flea bits and I talk more often. Also Gram has never left us alone once. To be a mom you have to devote time to your kids and be trustworthy. Skyla said she would come to our conference and Owen and I waited hours for her. Also even though we live in a trailer it is calm and quiet and we have the best neighbors who we have known for so long. Skyla is not a good mom because she slapped me hard and threatened Gram! Also she does not even want Owen! His own mom does not want him, her boyfriend wants to bet on Owen because he has a disorder. She does not like him because of the way he looks, she called him a blem! . The teachers love me and they treat me with respect. Another thing is I have one best friend but, I have a teacher who is another best friend, Mr. Marble, he lets Blanca my best friend and I eat in the library, like a little club. In my spare time I carve soap with a paring knife, Gram was nervous about the knife so I started with a paper clip, and then I moved on to a knife. So your Honor, members of the jury if you place me with Skyla you are damaging my family. Skyla might just dump Owen on the street. And I will never be happy again.