There’s nothing more fascinating than the imagination of a child. First graders stretched their minds today with this writing prompt!

If you could be an orca whale or a dragonfly for one day, which would you choose? Why? How would you spend your day?

If I could be a dragonfly for one day, I would fly across the ocean and listen to the sounds of nature. I would see different animals in the ocean, like sharks, stingrays, octopus, and scorpions. Then, I would fly around the Earth! I would see different states. I would be looking for ponds where mosquitoes live. I would have lunch!

If I could be a dragonfly for one day, I would fly. I would meet animals. I would be frightened if I saw a bear. I would fly away. I will meet some friends. They would be birds. We will play with my friends until supper. Then I will go to bed.

If I could be an orca whale for one day, I would go far away to see an island. I would jump out of the water 100 times. I would be frightened if a bigger animal came. At the end of the day, I would go back home.

If I could be a dragonfly for one day, I would go to a lake and see my shadow. Then I would go get some food. I would be in the mood to fly to the city and meet more dragonflies. We will meet lightening bugs and fly around together. Then we will go home. We will have so much fun. Then we will fly over to the park. We will take a rest.

If I could be an orca whale for one day, I could swim. I would play, too. When I play I will play with my friends. We will play tag. After that, I will go home. The next day, we will have fun again. Then I saw an octopus. I swam past it. He felt bewildered because he didn’t know who I was. Then it will be good. I will feel good. I would have a good day. But, being a kid is good, too!

If I could be a dragonfly for one day, I would explore the world. I would fly over the mountains, seas, states, and trees. I would see a dolphin in the sea. I would stop at places. While I’m at those places I will do stuff, like figure out what language they speak and what their culture is. I like being a kid, too.

If I could be a dragonfly for one day, I would fly around the Earth to see outer space. I would go to the hottest planet in the Milky Way. Then I would visit the monkeys and we will play hide and go seek. I would be “it.” We went to sleep in a tree. The tree would be in China. The end.

If I could be an orca whale for one day, I would swim around the deep sea. Then I would go deeper in the ocean. I will see my friends, like Tico the octopus. Then we will find Ricky the clown fish. We will play at the water park. Then we will go up and we will surprise Momo the parrot. He is a very funny parrot. Then we all will find Tinkerbell and ask her if she could make the parrot swim. We had so much fun today.

If I could be an orca for one day, I would chase fish and spin around in the ocean. Then I would play with my friend the beaver. I would go home and eat supper, and it would be fish. Then I would go to bed.


If I could be an orca whale for one day, I would swim in the ocean. I would eat fish and make new friends. Being a kid is better, but I like being an orca, too.

If I could be an orca for one day, I would find friends underwater. I would have lots of friends, like lobsters and crabs and fish and jellyfish and squids and shrimp. I might see a boat and a scuba diver and sharks with babies. We live in the ocean, and when it’s night we will find ocean things to make a house. I’ll do it with my friends.

If I could be a dragonfly for one day I would spend my day with my friends, even Mr. Rubin! I would go to the park! I would have a pizza party at my house! We will all hole the pizza together. We will break it with our hands!

If I could be an orca whale for one day, I would go under the ocean. It will feel good playing with the other fish. I would play tag with an octopus.

If I could be a dragonfly for one day, I would fly all day long. I would fly with the birds. One bird would be my friend. All the birds would be my friends. We would fly together. We would fly together to New York City.

Thank you to the Lewis Family! Jacob and his family took our classroom project of secret island design to the next level! They build a three dimentional "Lewis Family Island" at home. Luckily, they let the rest of the class in on the fun, and brought it into school. Here are some of our responses.

I like the treehouse the best. I like how you put details on the picnic table. I was entranced when I first saw it.

I love the details and if we didn't have Jacob in our class we wouldn't have this wonderful map in our classroom. It's a great creation. Thank you for bringing in the map!

I like the treehouse. Did you make it?

I like the boat. I like the treehouse. I love the Lewis Family Island, because islands are fun to make.

I like the waterslide because it slides on the island! I love the pop up. Everything on the map is stupendous. It is immense. It made me entranced.

I like the hideout because I like watching out for ships!

I like the waterslide and the boat and the treehouse. If I went to the island, I would want to see a bald eagle!

I like to swim in the water. I would go the the Lewis Family Island.

I love it! I like the pop up boat and watersilde. If I can visit it, I would be delighted.

I like your treehouse and your extraordinary waterslide on the edge of the island. What is the thing with red on the seat? Oh, it's a firepit!

On the Lewis map of their island there is a waterslide. The garden is beautiful. It would be a long journey to get there.

I like the waterslide because it looks like the best waterslide ever. It's a pop up waterslide. The water comes into the island for the waterslide.

I love your map because it's a good map. I like the tree.

It is so extraordinary, because it is a place where you can have lots of fun.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

First graders spent time thinking about freedom, equality, and the beauty of nature this morning. Coincidentally, we were able to make connections between the teachings of the great Dr. King and children’s author Leo Lionni.

Martin Luther King Jr. told the people that you don’t have to be alone if you are different. It doesn’t matter. Leo Lionni made two books that we read today. The books said it doesn’t matter about your color.

Martin Luther King Jr. and Leo Lionni taught us it doesn’t matter what color you are. Tico learned a lesson about sharing.

Martin Luther King Jr. said to the government that it doesn’t matter what color you are. The chameleon wanted to be a certain color. Tico learned about sharing and being a nice friend.

Dr. Martin Luther King taught us to change the world, and Tico taught us that we are all different.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. helped change the laws. He helped the world and people.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did a nice thing. It doesn’t matter what color you are. It matters that you can move and play.

Leo Lionni and Martin Luther King Jr. both taught people that it doesn’t matter if you skin is black or white. It just matters that you are yourself.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. says everybody is different from other people, even the people that are the same color. Tico learned sharing is nice. Chameleon learned that not every animal has a color.

Martin Luther King taught us it doesn’t matter if you’re black or white. Tico taught us sharing is fun. It doesn’t matter if you’re different. It doesn’t matter who you are, just what you do. Chameleon taught us it doesn’t matter what color you are.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Leo Lionni are kind of the same because they both like others. What really matters is what you do.

Martin Luther King believed in freedom. It doesn’t matter what color you are. Leo Lionni is a great bookmaker. The chameleon changes color and meets a friend.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. taught people it doesn’t matter what color your skin is. Leo Lionni wrote A Color of His Own. The book is like Martin Luther King because they taught us the same thing.

Martin Luther King showed us that colors can be different, but we are all people.

Martin Luther King helped change the law and give us freedom. He told us everybody could be great people. We have to be nice to everyone and help each other and care about each other.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. taught us about people and freedom. He said that it doesn’t matter what color you are and everybody should be able to do the same things. Family, food, and friendship are really important in life.