Students in Mrs. Beyerly's First Grade worked on Porquoi Tales. Por qua (French for “Why”) tales explain how things came to be. They often star animals, the celestial orbs (sun, moon, etc) or early humans. Here is Jacob's in his own words:

WHY COBRAS HAVE HOODS
On a sunny day cobra was in the forest srching for bugs. Thin cobra saw fox. Fox said "hahaha you are just a plane snake. If you can find three bugs I will give you a hood"! "OK"! So cobra gave fox three bugs in a jar. I will give you your hood just eat this funcky liserd that has a hood and that's how a cobra got it's hood.

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From Ms. Ehlinger's first grade:
For persuasive writing last week our topic was "How to help," we researched ways kids can help through volunteering.  We wrote persuasive stories with the students "persuading" people to help the earthquake victims in Haiti. Beyond that though they talked about things they could do to help kids in Haiti by donating their old shoes, teddy bears, or toys they don't play with anymore. 

Lauren  1-27-10

We neen  to  help  the  people   in   Haiti by   donateing   money clothes,toys, and food.The people Haiti  are  poor and  thay  need  food.Thay  don’t  have  that  meay Doctors   in  Haiti.  Thay  need  soes  and  clothes  so  the  glass  wont  get  on Their  feet. Thas  why  you  sould  help  the  Haiti   now.

Translation:

We need to help the people in Haiti by donating money, clothes, toys and food.  The people in Haiti are poor and they need food.  They don't have many doctors in Haiti.  They need shoes and clothes so they glass won't get in their feet.  That's why you should help the people in Haiti now.ally cute so I had them all publish their work on the computer and nw each students work is hanging outside of our