Compositions from our 3 oldest children

I have shared so much 0f what the young 5's class does on Friday mornings at co-op, but seldom have I shared what the writers are working on. What follows are the compositions that our 3 oldest children wrote two weeks ago. This assignment was from unit 4 of IEW, writing reports from a single source. They could write on a topic of their choice, and they were to go to the library and find one source to use for their outline. This source could NOT be from the internet, it had to be a book. We spent a considerable amount of time in class learning what types of books worked well for source material, and which ones don't, because if you get the wrong book (with either way too much information, or not enough) the assignment becomes frustratingly difficult. With the right source material it is not too hard and even enjoyable! Each of the children was to write a topic sentence at the beginning of each paragraph, and a clincher sentence at the end. We have not yet worked on transitions between paragraphs. This is L's first year using IEW, also son G's first year, and daughter G's second full year. Without further ado, here are their compositions:

The Astronaut’s Life

by

L, age 9

All astronauts train continuously for many years. Mostly the training takes place in large water tanks because the water helps astronauts adjust to being weightless. Some astronauts, who are called mission specialists, are doctors, engineers, or scientists. They learn to do special jobs in space. Although astronauts have different jobs, they all train.

After all their training astronauts are eager to get into orbit. To help boost the shuttle into space, the spaceship needs two rockets. However, when the spaceship reaches orbit the rockets strapped to it drop off because they are no longer needed. When they are going into orbit a force, which is called gravity, mightily pushes the astronauts back into their seats. Once they are in orbit, the force is gone. Now there is no gravity to hold them down. Fortunately, their training has prepared them for life in orbit.

Because there is no gravity in space, it is extremely challenging to live. Strangely, everything on the ship floats. The capable astronauts eat, sleep, and work floating. Because their food and water float, they use straws to drink. Astronauts, who have been trained for weightlessness, are strapped in bed to sleep and also sometimes while working. Although astronauts are well trained, with no gravity, living in orbit is still very difficult.

The Fascinating Airplane

by

son G, age 10

Most military aircraft, which have jet engines, are amazingly maneuverable. Incredibly, fighter planes can roll from side to side and make quick turns to attack or escape. Since fighters are light, with their powerful engines on full blast they can fly straight up. Afterburners, a part of a jet engine, give planes extra thrust so they can go faster. Military fighters are known for their maneuverability.

All planes require landing gear to land. Thankfully, the landing gear is on the end of legs which are stable. Of course, the wheels have shock absorbers. Just as it sounds, the landing gear is obviously used to land.

Inside an airliner’s fuselage, which is the largest part of the plane, is the passenger cabin. The cargo hold is under the cabin. Aboard different airliners, seats are arranged differently. Amazingly, people can breath at such high altitudes because oxygen is continually pumped through the plane in pipes. The fuselage and every part of an airplane is very fascinating.

Dangerous Life in the Wild
by

daughter G, age 12

While many animals are not, mice, like a few other rodents, can be found in all sorts of habitats. These habitats include prairies, forests, deserts, marshes, and cities. All rodents need a safe, dry den, or shelter, to live in, store food, and raise babies. Nesting not on the ground, some species of mice dwell up in the treetops and rarely ever come down. Those living in the desert use their dens to keep cool from the scorching sun. In cold areas mice sometimes survive by tunneling under the snowy earth, which is a lot better than traveling in the freezing wind. Many mice, though, prefer living by humans in the warmth and comfort of their barns, houses, and other buildings. Humans also sometimes keep mice as pets. Rarely mice leave their dens in the daytime but come out instead at night. This is called being nocturnal. Observed all over the world, mice live in nearly every kind of habitat.

Considering their small bodies, mice have an exceptionally large stomach and powerful jaw, not to mention their speed. Most rodents are herbivores. Herbivores eat mainly plants and other non-living things, but there can be an exception. Included in their diet are insects, nuts, seeds, and fruit. Surprisingly, mice eat strange things, such as wallpaper glue, tape, and soap, and actually don’t eat a lot of cheese, if any. Their daily diet would be like you having a miniature thanksgiving feast to yourself every day! All rodents have large, strong, curved teeth called incisors, which are two long front teeth in the center of each jaw. Growing non-stop, the rodent must wear its chisel like incisors down by chewing and rubbing them together. If the rodent does not do so, the top incisors could curve back and pierce its skull. Without their sharp teeth and powerful jaw, mice would not be able to chew through all the things they can, like: paper to wood and plaster walls to even sheet metal.

Because mice live out in the wild, families must depend on each other to survive. Usually, female mice have litters of 10-24 babies, or pups. Some species can have litters 3-4 times a year! That’s a lot of babies! Blinded and helpless, baby pups look up to their mother for care and protection. Leaving the den only for short periods of time if not at all, the mother gives her pups the proper care they need until they are ready to depart from the nest, which isn’t a long time to wait. Within 6 weeks the pups are grown enough to start their own family. Of course this is normal for them because mice only live 2-4 years. It is extremely dangerous, though, for a young mouse to start a family out in the wild, facing the dangers of its habitat.