Steven's Writing Portfolio

Current Publishing

During our poetry unit, we had the privilege to collaborate with graphic design students from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Each graphic designer set out to design forms and distribute our poems in unique ways that addressed the central message of each poem. Below you can see my poem’s design by Martha. Enjoy!

Previous Publishings

As a class we recently finished reading the Gold Cadillac by Mildred D. Taylor. This book tells the story of a Black family during the 1950’s during the civil rights movement. These diaries were written by students from the perspective of one member of this family, either ‘lois, the youngest daughter, father, or mother as the family faces discrimination, segregation, and racism.

The first day of second grade

10 more minutes until recess!Waaaaaaaite!!!I am getting ahead of myself in the story,I need to start at the beginning of this 2nd grade tale.

I was so nervous to leave 1rst grade.I woke up and put on my new uniform.I had some waffles for breakfast and went to the car.In the car I was thinking “what if the teacher is mean ''!

When I got to school I was curious. I crept slowly into school, there were familiar friends all around me down the 2nd grade hall. Is this my new classroom?I walked in.It was big and really organized. Mrs.Lavallee was at her desk in the corner of the room.She looked up from her cup of coffee and smiled at me.

She said “Good morning!” and I smiled back.

The rest of the morning was really exciting. Ms. Lavallee was really nice!Also she let us make our own clip sticks.I can't believe how cool 2nd grade really is.

‘10 more minutes till Recess!” said Miss Lavallee.”Keep up the good work!” I was a little worried…. am I kidding, I was really worried! I was worried that no one would play with me! Then It was time for recess and I got to finish all my work. When we all got outside everyone was playing with their friends from first grade.It was all the same kids from first grade. I was lonely because my best friend Angelimar had to move somewhere else and go to a different school.Then I got an idea!I will ask Angelimar’s cousin Bryan to play with me. So I went and asked Bryan “Would you play with me please?.” Then he said “Yes I will play with you.” I was so happy!I could jump in the air, but I didn’t because I was still sad that my best friend had to leave. “How is Angelemar” I asked him. “Good,” he said.We played tag because it's one of my favorite games.Bryan liked it too because we played it in 1st grade. I was now done with the day and I really had a good time. Second grade is really great!

The Shelter

Me and my mom went to the Southcoast Humane Society and Shelter to take a look at a little girl black puppy from Arkansas. “Bark!” It was so loud I had to throw my hands over my ears! I saw a hallway of huge metal cages. It smelled like toilet cleaner mixed with wet dog. “Yuck!” I started to look into each cage. “Over here!” shouted my mom. I ran to the cage my mom was in front of. When I looked in the cage I saw 2 little black puppies. They both had the cutest floppy ears. One was jumping all over the other one. We wanted the calm one but someone already picked her. So my mom asked me “Should we give the jumpy one a chance”? ”I said “Yes!” They brought us to a little room to meet the jumpy dog. I was so excited. I was speechless. Here was the black puppy with floppy ears. I grabbed a dog toy from the basket. The toy looked like a squirrel. “Come on girl !” I said as I was running around with the toy. She chased me trying to get the toy from my hand. Her tail wagged as hard as a hurricane. In those first five minutes, I knew she was the dog for me. My mom said “I'm not sure if we should get her, will you be responsible enough?” Me and the puppy froze. ”Yes I will walk her, I will feed her and I know she's a good girl.” Then my mom looked at the little dog and me. With a smile she said “Ok, welcome to the family Victoria!”