MEADOWS ELEMENTARY
FIFTH GRADE WORKS
                     PIONEER JOURNAL ENTRY
                                         By Nick
Today we faced hunger and bitter cold.  We were riding in the wagon and all of the sudden it started snowing. We were already cold enough and the snow just made it worse.  About 2 hours later it was a blizzard, and there was so much snow that the canvas was sinking into the wagon.  Just then the canvas snapped and snow was blowing in from every direction.  We went into a cave in the mountain.  The men would go and look for berries while the women and children prayed for hope.  Many, many people died of hunger and most of us didn't have any shoes and had frostbite.  When the blizzard was over, we all looked for animals with fur to tie up the canvas and keep us warm with the fur.  We didn't travel very far, but we got our wagon fixed.                                          Sincerely,
                                                                   Grandapa Joe
This is a story about a Yankee soldier 
   coming home after the Civil War.
                          By Edwin
I am going back home to Maine from the war.  Before that, there I was with the Southerners on the other side of the river. I felt desperate for their tobacco; they wanted my coffee, but they were the enemy.  I felt confused, my emotions were so complex.  I just sent my delicious coffee and the enemy sent me the mouth watering tobacco.  I didn't feel right doing it, but I needed something to ease my mind.  In the morning we start the dreadful part of this long journey, but I didn't worry.  I better get some rest for tomorrow's war.  In the morning we'll wake to gun shots and cannons bombing.

It was morning and I could hear guns and cannons.  Really fast I got dressed and got my gun loaded and then rushed outside to see hundred of soldiers fighting, stabbing, and killing.  I felt so angry I couldn't even hold it in, so as the bullets zoomed right past my face barely missing, I started a one-man stampede.  As I killed many Southerners, I felt proud of my nation, truly proud.

After four of the bloodiest years, when I finally returned home, I found my house in perfect condition.  So I ran to greet my family.  I thought I'd be greeted by my loving daughter. Instead
I felt sorrow and great grief. My daughter had died from hypothermia and the rest of my family died from starvation.  Maybe the war wasn't worth it, if I had to loose my family! 
Since my family died, I plan to live off the land and keep on moving west until destiny tells me to stop. But I will never forget the four bloodiest of years and when the North took victory.
VOLCANO POEM
By Angel

Volcanoes are gigantic
And as big as the Titanic.
Volcanoes do erupt, 
But they also corrupt.
Volcanoes are mean,
But they don't blow out beans.
Volcanoes are naughty,
But they don't have dotties.
Volcanoes don't fly,
But they are high.
 

 VOLCANOES
By Tim

When pressure builds, 
The volcano blows.
When pressure's light,
The volcano spills.
Very, very hot.
Cools when it hits the water.
Aa is sticky.
Pahoehoe is smooth.