Publish polished student writing inspired by this contest-winning photo here!

[Publishing Voice]

Each year, the WritingFix website sponsors a Digital Photo Contest for students and teachers nationwide.  The goal is for students to take pictures that would inspire their classmates to want to write the "story behind a picture."

 

Click here to access WritingFix's Digital Photo Resource Page! 

 

At right, you see the teacher-winning digital photograph from our 2010 contest.  It was taken by teacher Amie Newberry.  You can enlarge the picture by clicking on it.

 

If you use this photo in class as a writing prompt, and then have a student like what they're writing so much that they take their writing through the writing process, we want to see their published stories posted here!

 

Post no rough drafts...please.  We're looking for polished writing inspired by this photograph!  Final drafts of stories can be pasted or attached in the "Reply to This" box below.

 

Very Important:  Teachers, please only share your students' first name and grade level with us when you post the writing on their behalf.  Do not post last names or school names, or the posts will be deleted.

 

Twenty-five Teachers every semester will win a free classroom resource!  Each semester, we choose 25 new students to publish at our online lessons directly at the world-famous WritingFix website. To have your students' writing considered, it can be posted below in the box underneath  this posting.  In November and May, we will select the 25 students whose writing impressed us the most, and if your student(s) is selected, you will be asked to choose from any of the NNWP Print Publications (http://www.unr.edu/educ/nnwp/publications.html) for us to send to your classroom.

 

Help us celebrate your writers.

 

--Corbett Harrison, WritingFix Webmaster

[Nancy Schneider]

Daddy is that you??

 The room was filled with crying people all crammed into a tiny hospital room. The reason was my daddy. He has cancer, brain cancer one that you can’t get rid of. He looks up and says don’t cry for me I’ll see you someday. He looks up and says I can see Gods face. I looked on the monitor screen there was no heartbeat.

We all went home sad and heartbroken. That was the night my daddy died.

That same night I had a dream, a bad one that’s for sure.   I dreamed I was on the beach all alone.

“Daddy is that you??” I thought I saw someone behind me but there was no one. I heard a voice. “Is that you?” No, it can’t be. I couldn’t help it.

“Daddy is that you?” I screamed. I felt a hand upon my shoulder. I turned and it was my daddy, but how? He says in a whisper “I told you I would see you all someday.” I was speechless. I could not believe my eyes but it was really him. I went to give him a hug but my hands went right through him.

We walked in the moon light together. But it seamed like something was pulling us apart.

In the moonlight I saw a figure moving towards me. It was my mom. I told her that daddy was back and then she just said, “Where is he then?” He is standing right next to me. Then she disappeared. I knew right then and there that only I could see and hear him. Now I am all alone besides my daddy but no one else could see him.  Then I woke up. Then it was over. Every night since then I tried to have that same dream but I never can.

 

By: The Girl in sorrow (Janae)

 

[Nancy Schneider]

The Last Glimpse

Have you ever been to the beach for vacation? Did the last day of the trip sneak up on you like your little sister hiding in your closet? If so you probably know exactly how 9 year old Melony and her father Arthur feel.

         

Today is July 27, 2009. It is summer; no school, warm sunshine, and plenty of relaxation time. For six days Melony Sorter and her father Arthur have been staying in the house that they rented in the Outer Banks. In and out of the door they go, loading things into the car for the trip home to New York tonight.

“Dad,” Melony complains. “My arms are tired.”

 “How late did your arms stay up last night?” Arthur giggles.

 “You know what I mean,” she replies trying not to laugh.

“Let’s take a break,” Arthur says with an exhausted voice.

 

During their break there is silence, the joyful but sad kind of silence. All the events that took place that week seem to go by so fast. The boardwalk is their favorite, arcades, mini golf, riding bikes, seagulls, and shopping. They explored everything that they wanted to do on the boardwalk. Arthur breaks the silence.

“Let’s get back to work. We’re almost done.”

 After an hour everything is packed and lunch is in their stomachs, so they head to their favorite place.

 

The boardwalk was so crowded today that the people reminded them of a flock of seagulls pecking at a person’s taco. Since it isn’t relaxing getting crowded by strangers, they decide to take a walk.

 “Where should we take a walk Mel?” Arthur asks.

 “I KNOW, I KNOW!” Mel shouts with joy.

 “Eanie, meanie, minie Mel,” Arthur says pointing to his daughter.

“THE BEACH!” she exclaims. “Come on! Do you want to wait another year to walk on the beach?, begs Mel. 

“Great idea, let’s go,” agrees Arthur.

 

When Mel and Arthur get to the beach they realize that to stay dry they need to stay away from the water, well at least for Arthur. He is in pants, a decent sweat shirt, and work shoes, while Mel is in a t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops that she holds in her hand.

 

The sun is starting to hang low in the sky. Dim light casts above the ocean. A beautiful sunset is there to add to the effect. Their shadows cast behind them, making them look seven feet tall. Who would have asked for a better last day?

 

Walking off the beach Melony’s toes sink in the sand.

“I am sinking,” Melony jokes.

“I got you,” her father laughs.

 

Together they turn for one last glimpse at the glistening water washing along the sand and the golden sunset above. Mel and Arthur put one arm around each other as they head toward their car.

“Bye beach,” they whisper together. “See you next year.”

 

 

Sincerely,

 The love of a father daughter relationship (Maddie)

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Nancy Schneider]

The Beach of Wonders

 

It was a warm summer day

 a man in his great leather shoes

 a girl playing in the sand,

are having a great time.

 

But as they think about each other

in so many ways,

time goes by

 they take each other’s thoughts

and let them fly.

 

They express how they care

about each other,

through their hearts.

 

 This tall man with black hair

and his little girl,

kicking their feet

across the sand.

As they stand there, with one another,

their worries are gone like no other.

 

By:  Russell

[Ashley Crossno]

Gone, 5th Grade

[Ashley Crossno]

No More Feelings, 5th Grade

Seeing You Again, 5th Grade

The Beach, 5th Grade

[Ashley Crossno]

The Dream, 5th Grade

The Kidnapping..., 5th Grade

The Run on the Beach, 5th Grade

[Ashley Crossno]

The Unknown Thief, 5th Grade

[Ashley Crossno]

The Dream, 5th Grade

The Kidnapping..., 5th Grade

The Run on the Beach, 5th Grade

[Jo Hill]

 By Rebecca    Grade 7