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Student Work

On the school blog, you can see weekly posts that spotlight "What We're Learning" at Oracle Charter School.

This week, our Academic spotlight falls on the students in Mrs. Heather Diss's 9th grade English class who are currently studying The Lord of the Flies, by William Golding.The student work that follows was produced in response to a RAFT assignment that allowed students to integrate reading and writing to express what they've learned about some of the central characters in the novel.

Beastie, by Canaan M.

During the day everything's fine
Although there's still a fright.
I can't say this fear will be easy to find
It makes the littluns cry every night.

I demand silence from them all.
This needs to be thought out.
Still the littluns sit on the log and fall,
Yet no one worries about what this is about.

And later, when the sun sets
A young boy is pushed ahead.
In no time his cheeks are wet
Says he can't go to bed.

I asked who's been wandering
Out in our fear.
All I hear is mumbling,
Then Simon steps near.

He says he was walking
Out in the dark.
Everyone starts talking,
Then Jack makes a smart remark.

Don't get me wrong,
I'm scared too.
We've been arguing for so long
It's my job to tell them what to do.

A suggested ghost...
But of what or who?
We're so far from the ones we love most
They stick together I don't know where to.

What is this fear that we all feel?
It's not each other or I hope.
Is what we're scared of even real?
Until then, we'll help the littluns cope.

As chief, I say
It's okay to fear but can we not?
We should have said this in the day.
We should have saved it for the lot.

 Letter Home from Piggy, by Jessie M.

Dear family,

     I hope these words that I write let you know I miss you. I miss your faces and your love. The island with the boys is getting out of control. I miss my home and all my friends. I  hope to be rescued so I can again enjoy your love.
     But, things on the island aren't the same. The boys are becoming savage, losing their grip on civilized reality. I make so many ideas, but yet they don't listen. The ideas I make...I'm sure you'd listen. The huts we stay in are small, dingy and uncomfortable. It's not like my bed and warm home with you. What we eat is so unbearable. Fruits and a wild pig isn't that but, but not like Mom's cooking or Auntie's.
     Now as I close this letter, Daddy, if you're reading this, please come find us.

                                                                                       Piggy
P.S. I need a new pair of specs.

 Note to Self, by Rebecca A.

      This island is starting to go bad. We had started a fire today in the forest. It was horrible. We was all confused and scaired. But why that fire had to take the littun with the mulberry-colored birthmark away.
     I should have listened to him, when he spoke up about the beastie. I shouldn't have laughed. I'm sorry and how I can't say it to him. I wonder if he is in a better place than us. I should have listened.
     I should have acted like a true leader and taken him serious. I hope he forgives me for what had happened to him. Only if I could have saved him. I'll always remember that littlun with the mulberry birthmark. He showed me I have to step up as a leader. I promise I'll take care of the rest of the littluns and not lose them as I did with the last one, the littlun with the mulberry birthmark. I'm sorry. Rest in peace, littlun, rest in peace.

                                                                                     Ralph

 Letter to Jack, by Kaili M.

      Even if deserted on an island, we are Englishmen, you and I. Last time I checked, to be an Englishman you were proper and respectful.
     Can't you and I act that way?
     As a group, it was decided that I am the leader. I have tried my best to be a fair on in the time that we have been here.
     I'm writing to discuss separation of power. Your attitude has changed in the last few weeks. Meet me on the top of the mountain three days from now. I have an idea.
     I feel like we both have groups of followers.
     We both have different priorities.
     We both have different reasons for doing everything.
     I think we should split the island. We will hold an assembly. Each child will get to chose who they want to "follow." You will come up with your own form of government. And I will come up with mine. We will split the island and the two groups will only have contacts on certain assembly days. You and I will meet once a week, and in cases of emergency.
     That is my idea. Do you have a better one?

     Three days from today...
     Top of the mountain...
     Dusk...

     See you then...
     Fellow "Politician"...

                                                                                     Ralph