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MERCED CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Our students have the academic skills and personal characteristics to continue their learning journey, pursuing their passions and talents.

Instruction

AUTHOR IN RESIDENCE

Author's picture
Amanda Rawson Hill is the author of six books for children including the beloved grief picture book, You'll Find Me, and the award-winning verse novel, The Hope of Elephants. She lives with her husband, five children, sleepy bulldog, and blind kitten in Atwater, California. 
 

The Authors-in-Residence program in the Merced City School District gives fifth grade students the opportunity  to learn how to brainstorm, plan, draft, revise, and critically read other written works like an author by getting 8 one-hour instruction sessions from a published author. Over the course of eight weeks, students will complete one large project in narrative, argumentative, or informative writing as well as other smaller writing exercises to hone specific skills.

Poems based on Anna Imroth by Carl Sandburg

Phones instead of people,
skipping school, ditching people,
no sleep. Headaches cause of screens.
No more get to know people.
The world is more than just a screen.
Look around. See a bird. Get fresh air.
-Dalana, Grade 5, Burbank, Ms. Malone-Huff
     ---------------
I head to class when I hear a tease.
Sure it hurts but it's only me.
My friends will care but it's just what happens.
It's just them and the lack of caring.
-Emily, Grade 5, Burbank, Ms. Malon-Huff
     ---------------
Imagine a world with black sky,
people gasping for cool air to breathe, and no ocean.
People coughing, not much plants and trees.
When all you could do was walk and ride a bike.
-Aarav, Grade 5, Burbank, Ms. Leong
     ---------------
People screaming, crowd's rushing.
Coffins buried - lives lost.
Friends cry, blood everywhere.
Wind blowing, quiet city.
Grief hitting, emotions erased.
Black clothes, tear running down.
Put a stop to this.
"Make it stop, make it stop!" people yell.
Listen to these protests.
And bring these people home.
-Ella, Grade 5, Burbank, Ms. Leong

A Double Haiku


Martin Luther King
ended racism by peace.
He spoke to peace
He did a speech in
Washington.  He had three kids.
Sadly he was killed.
-Student, Grade 5, Stefani, Mr. Her

Poetry based on Where I'm From by George Ella Lyon

I'm from the smell of cigarettes.
I'm from the sound of casinos.
I'm from the place that rarely cools down.
I'm from blocking and kicking the ball on the sometimes crispy
sometimes muddy field.
I'm from moving from house to house.
-Student, Grade 5, Burbank, Ms. Malone-Huff
     ---------------
I am from the water dripping down my body
after playing in the pool.
I am from a million stories I read.
I am from the waves crashing while I play in the sand.
-Savannah B, Grade 5, Burbank, Ms. Leong
     ---------------
I'm from the cheer of the fans and the warmth
of the wind blowing on my face.
I'm from the soft fur of my pets.
I'm from the food that makes my stomach growl.
I'm from the roar of the plane as we land in Wisconsin.
I'm from the splash as I jump into the pool.
I'm from the memories that i made with my family.
-Luana, Grade 5, Burbank, Ms. Leong