The fourth-grade crew at Palouse Prairie Charter School hosted and evening of art, poetry, and inspiration to benefit the Humane Society of the Palouse (HSOP). Student worked hard all semester to prepare for this big event! Students started their learning journey by reading Sharon Creech’s free verse novel Love That Dog and studied the art of poetry along with Jack, the main character who is inspired to write poetry about his dog that he adopts from an animal shelter. As a crew, we were inspired to “adopt” animals from our local Humane Society, make colored pencil sketches of them, and write poems in their voices to inspire others to adopt animals. Students engaged in fieldwork at the HSOP to learn about the organization’s mission, meet all of the animals in need of adoption, choose an animal to “adopt” for their project, and hear stories about the animals’ lives to inspire their work. Throughout the semester, students studied and practiced the arts of poetic writing and reading. Our lovely expert artist and animal lover, Ryan Law, helped students develop colored pencil sketches using an artist’s toolbox, which we turned into a co-created criteria list for high-quality work. This work clearly reflects students’ attention to craftsmanship, responsibility for their learning and dedicated service to their local community! 

At the Celebration of Learning fundraising event, students read their poems, displayed their art, and sold posters and greeting cards showcasing their work. The crew raised more than $500 for the Humane Society of the Palouse and was awarded a “Humane Society Hero Award” for their extraordinary work of service and compassion to promote our local organization and inspire adoption of animals who dearly need a home. We hope you enjoy the high-quality work of these students and are inspired to support your local Humane Society too! 

I’m sad 

a mountain goat

with no herd 

and no grass to graze

but I hide in my igloo

with these walls 

keeping me trapped. 

I wish I could get out 

run around and

play

with a fluffy tailed

skinny body creature

that climbs trees and 

runs fast. 

I would LOVE to play with them.  

I hope to have 

my own bed 

someone to cuddle with 

a new family

for a squirrel

to chase

ME. 

Kaya – by Kaden Vasquez  

Can YOU do it?

They call me Layla

after the Wrestler.

because

I squirm and wiggle and pounce

on my brothers.

It’s almost like I’m a wrestler myself!

But in this small crate there’s

not much room.

But we still try

even though it’s hard!

It’s almost as hard as learning to read 

for the first time…

with no book!

Every wrestler needs a home.

They need to be able to move

and pounce

and wiggle

and squirm!

If YOU adopted me and my brothers,

we would purr and meow

as if we were saying

thank you

thank you

thank you!

We would be the happiest

wrestlers in the 

WHOLE WIDE WORLD.

All

because of YOU! 

Layla – by Juliet

I can’t live in this ugly cage 

with nothing to do

like a kayaker

stuck in a whirlpool

waiting for rescue. 

Happy to see my friends

grab the throw rope

and sail away

to a happier life

but wondering why

nobody saves me.

It feels like a wasp is invading 

my hive and kidnapping the bees.

I wonder why?

It feels like the walls are closing in.

I don’t know 

if I’ll make it 

out of this avalanche 

that trapped me 

under the heavy snow

I`m old and shy.

like ski boots 

25 years old 

in a small garage. 

A lovely lady 

finally 

threw me the throw rope.

I grabbed it 

And sailed away!

Gerard – by Owen Hudelson

Dear people, 

My name is Ace

I am a border collie mix

I am a black white and caramel 

colored male. 

Before I came to the 

HSOP (is that what this place is called?)

I was a stray

lost 

all alone 

sad

as sad as a pencil thrown

on the side of the road 

no one to write 

a story with it.

I was cold 

lonely

in the cold fall days and nights.

I hated those days like a

squirrel just hates a dog

Wait WHAT I am a dog!! AAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But then I went to the HSOP and I loved it there

SOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! Very much

Oh, and I loooooooooooved!!!!! all of 

the very nice people there too.

But after

a while 

the cage

got way

tooooo

small.

It felt like 

the cage 

Was closing in on ME AAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!

Oh no oh no oh no!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!

Phew! Good thing it did not actually

do THAT!!!!!!!!

Some things I love are

car rides 

treats and 

playing. 

I will make anything a

a toy 

or a treat.  

Some things I like to eat 

are 

Christmas tree ornaments 

rubber ducks

but most of all

toilet paper. 

Oh, and christmas tree lights are yummy too.

I already got adopted and my owners 

love my fun

playfulness. 

They are teaching me what’s a toy 

and what’s not.  

I LOVE my new home so much.

I want this to inspire you to adopt some of my 

fun friends

Thank you soooo much!

With love, 

ACE          

Ace – by Shay Connel

SHOCKED 

It’s SO loud out here   

It’s not like the mailman is here, is he?

pretty please don’t leave me out here

It’s like an insane asylum out here 

WAIT

You’re going to put me 

in the back! 

Where no one can see me

and everything is gloomy

and there’s pouting 

and crying

and everyone is so miserable

and weepy

and teary.

Is there

a third option?

If you took me home

and gave me one too

then 

I would be jumping and screaming 

and seeming to seem 

like I’m meaning to say,

“Thank you thank you!” and 

“see ya later suckers!”

I would be

SHOCKED

Mama Bear – by Makayla Gentry

Silken, Sleek, and Sweet

That’s me – Caterina the Cat, 

An animal that 

Everyone would want to meet. 

However, one day something struck me like lightning-

It was as scary as MONSTERS- so frightening!!

I was fat, and someone took me to a place that looked like jail,

It was big and old as a bowhead whale- so stale!

There I underwent something that really hurt….

Oh- pregnancy was such a pain! 

Good thing it went away. 

I was in vain!

Oh- pregnancy was such a pain!

Emergency surgery

On dark days of rain

Oh- pregnancy was such a pain!

Good thing it went away.

On that day 

When pregnancy went away 

Next to me my babies lay.

Me, Carmen, and Angelina- a family

But my babies were adopted without me

But we’re still a family.

Catrina – by Silas Bruger

Hi, I’m Carmen

My sister Angelina

and I

LOVE

to cat pile

on each other.

Lazy Angelina

laying down

peacefully

then

I trap her

she’s my egg

I’m her hen.

We went to the humane society

right after

we were born

Unwanted

like a plastic bag in an ocean

Unloved

like a turtle’s health

Unappreciated

like a beach sunset and noone to watch

until…

a family

came to

adopt

me

and my

sister.

Me and Angelia

like chicken and

orange sauce 

if separated

no one likes it 

but if together 

Everyone

LOVES it!

Carmen – by Marlow Grafton

I’m frightened 

like a baby blue bird

fallen 

from the nest

scared

snapped 

by a crocodile’s jaws

with ten tourists

staring 

while I struggle

to get away

and don’t help

at all. 

I wish

I could have

the best

life

ever.

I would  

drink milk on

a sunny day, 

play with mice

on a string, 

eat catnip

and bounce like a kangaroo

running from a dingo, 

And 

I’d snuggle in a cozy bed

with you!

Imelda – by Rasmus

My enormous eyes

see giant grasslands of

wheat,

corn, crops

go by

I remember in my mind

an absence that makes me cry

Never safe

never sound

like a kid

with no home,

mom or dad

to protect him

Suddenly I find

shelter

safe ground

a red wooden barn

where we work

together to make

milk, eggs and meat for the farm

I decide to rest my

peachy, puffy body here

this is my home

now.

why am I not happy?

I’m still paralyzed with depression

hurt mentaly

I was a popular store

with no shoppers

a chunky, cumulus cloud

crying rain

but then my

tear-filled

vision sees

the humane society!

new people!

wait, what are they going to do?

yay!

no!

yes!

no!

ugh!

their caring capture makes me

eager, aggressive, fiery, feisty

these metal bars crumple my spirits 

like a letter

that nobody read

but is more important 

than it seems

wasting my time

in this cramped cage

like a full-grown chick

still stuck

in its egg

expecting a

great

paradise

where everyone cares for me

where I have food

where I can relax my mind

my body

my spirit

all

I

long for

and maybe need

is a

nice.

warm.

home.

Regan – by Nathan 

I hear loud voices

see big shadows

moving quickly 

like a metro train

flashing by

emotions

racing through me

like a marathon

waiting to see which one

will win.

I get excited

thrilled

as if i got a grant

a huge grant

NOPE!

I was disappointed as a kid 

whose trip to the zoo

was cancelled

permanently.

I used to be

alone

cold

scared

on the street

lost like a cow 

separated from its herd

a toy

left out in the rain.

Laying

on hard ground

wishing

I could be on a cushy bed

full of fluff

and the bed is as soft as sheep’s wool. 

Francis – by Hazel Stevens

This was our story

a little kitten

black as a shadow

soft as silk

but hungry 

hungrier than a flower

with no sunlight.

It’s harsh

not having two parents

we’re two kittens

with only one mom

to protect and feed.

Three cats. 

No home. 

Defending our lives against

Dogs

Cats

Birds and

A million cars

On ONE street. 

One sizzly summer evening

we were found

by a family!

Immediately trapped

like flies in a web

confused as a broken compass

one day let free.

But my friend

is still trapped

like a lonely dolphin

with no pod.

But you

YOU

can change this story.

Please please

With kitty food on top. 

Angelina – by Zeke Valentine

I was forgotten

They didn’t love me

anymore 

I am so so sad 

like a bear 

fishing in a stream 

after Black Friday.

I LOVE to play 

I see a feather on a string 

a stick

I jump at it 

I don’t get it

I jump at it again 

I still can’t get it 

I keep trying 

I never get it 

like a house never moves 

But owners leave their cat behind. 

I REALLY LOVE to chase mice 

I see a little mouse 

I run and pounce

like a kid jumping on another kid 

rough housing

when they shouldn’t be. 

I am a WILD cat

But I don’t belong in the wild 

I belong with you. 

Paddington – by Tayla Rose Whitehall

I am on the scariest roller coaster 

EVER

and 

it ends

not

when someone

drops me

but when someone

adopts me.

I’m as sad 

as a kid whose

grandma 

has died

a million 

times. 

I’m as lonely 

as a 

fish 

stuck 

in a shark’s jaw

while all of his

friends 

swim away.

I’m as mad 

as 

a

volcano

erupting

spitting lava

everywhere.

I never knew

it would be 

this hard

to not have

 an owner.

Elmer – by Danielle Rittenhouse

My cage is a prison cell

the sun is shining  

but it feels 

dark

as a

deep 

damp

cave.

I’m never getting 

out.

I’m soft as butter

but old 

so I might die a prisoner 

in the dark cabinet full of 

cobwebs 

that nobody remembered to open.

People stop and stare at my ear infection

I really hope it goes away 

so somebody will adopt me. 

I am as sad as a rhino 

with no horn

quiet as a mouse 

stealing a piece of cheese

slow as a

blind old man.

But I’m not guilty 

just a prisoner

all alone.  

 

Butler – by Adria Ogle

I love to curl up 

after

I eat 

but I don’t 

have a 

warm bed 

to curl up in. 

I love to be snuggled 

and 

scratched

on my 

head,

BUT 

I don’t 

have a 

loving

hand and 

I certainly

don’t 

have a

back 

scratcher.

I love 

to be

full of fun

but 

I don’t

have anyone to shine

that little red dot 

for me. 

I love

to have someone

to give me attention

but I don’t have

a loving

family

YET…!!!

Ali – by Isabella Hadley

Where are all of the kids?

It’s like they were all 

washed away when it rained

last night

the only visitor today

looked only at the cats

It’s a dull day.

I’ve only been here

as long as it took for

Mt. Everest to form

about two months 

to be exact 

but I’ve already given up 

on bark-bark-barking

at the humans 

like the other dogs do 

All.

Day.

Long.

I had a family

a good one

at first 

but then I did something

I shouldn’t have

I don’t know why 

I wasn’t feeling myself that day

but  I’m a really good dog!

But my family couldn’t see

through my mistake

so they took me back

to this small scary place.

It’s as cold as 

the top of Mt. Everest

not knowing 

if I’ll make it

the last

few 

steps.

I’m scared

like it’s Independence Day!

There IS one good thing

I got a new name!

And I love it!

I love it almost

as much as car rides!

And that’s saying a lot!

Can you guess it?

It’s Macy!  – Macy! Macy! Macy!

Last night

I had a dream 

I got adopted!

My owners were a family

of kids of all ages

humans big and humans small.

I got treats ALL the time

I chomped

I gulped

I savored every bite…

For about one millisecond each.

We went on walks

Well…more like runs…

Or tug o wars! 

On family road trips

my head out the window

tongue flopping about

like a worm 

being picked up 

into human hands

kids laughing 

as I tromple over them.

We played fetch 

they would throw the ball

I would run run jump leap soooooar

and catch it in my mouth!

Only to repeat it all again

We had so much fun

my family and I. 

But then I woke up.

It was only a dream

I just hope

that dream comes true!

 

Macy – by Pippi Moore

I was slowly trudging along 

down the bank

of the black river of

pavement

hungry

tired

as droopy as a wheat plant

withering away

in the desert. 

When the dogs attacked

sinking their teeth

into me

I struggled to escape

but they held onto me

I was terrified

That’s why I DON’T like dogs

and I DO like cats. 

I LOVE the cat 

in my new home.

I hope Wobbles 

doesn’t mind

all my squeaky toys! 

Cecilia – by Oliver

Can you play with me?

I will be as

fun

as a toddler playing on the swings!

I will 

lick 

you and it will feel as soft as a

little 

robins 

teeny 

feathers. 

If you want to have a 

good

doggo

like that 

then choose me.

I am a good girl,

I am as 

good 

of a girl as a kid that cleaned up his messes all by himself.

if you want a good girl 

then please adopt me 

PLEASE ADOPT ME!!!!!!!

Can you play with me?

I will be as

fun

as a toddler playing on the swings!

I will 

lick 

you and it will feel as soft as a

little 

robins 

teeny 

feathers. 

If you want to have a 

good

doggo

like that 

then choose me.

I am a good girl,

I am as 

good 

of a girl as a kid that cleaned up his messes all by himself.

if you want a good girl 

then please adopt me 

PLEASE ADOPT ME!!!!!!!

Can you play with me?

I will be as

fun

as a toddler playing on the swings!

I will 

lick 

you and it will feel as soft as a

little 

robins 

teeny 

feathers. 

If you want to have a 

good

doggo

like that 

then choose me.

I am a good girl,

I am as 

good 

of a girl as a kid that cleaned up his messes all by himself.

if you want a good girl 

then please adopt me 

PLEASE ADOPT ME!!!!!!!

Twix – by Connor Perry

In need of a home

I feel lonely without my Mom

I’m stuck in this metal box

that makes me feel left out

of the joy 

that others 

feel. 

I’m searching for a home

for a way out of this tragedy

like a toddler searching 

for his favorite toy

in a box full of 

dirty toys. 

I wish something could help me,

GET OUT OF THIS BOX!!!

I’m only a child,

WHAT’S THAT GIANT THING WALKING TOWARDS ME!?

They’re OPENING my DOOR!

I SEE THE LIGHT! 

 YES!!! 

 Sugar Ray – by Skylan

Help! Please!

Help me! Help me!

I’m stuck between all these bars.

I have been here for as long 

as the sun has been bright.

Well actually 

about five months.

I know a few things

but sadly

I don’t know many tricks.

Strangers come in 

day after day 

look at me

And my other adorable 

adoptable friends.

Then they leave us 

in the dust and disappear

like shooting stars.

I remember riding around

with my old family.

But then they brought me here and left me.

Forever.

Gone.

Always. 

Tied to a shed.

Me all alone.

I hope, hope, hope I don’t ask too much

All I wagtastically wish for 

is a loving home 

where I get

yum yum yummy doggy treats

Real hugs

And also

Lots of rides in the things human BEANS 

(I think that’s kinda weird because why would anyone plant a human!) 

call “cars”.

But maybe 

just maybe

I shouldn’t think about that yet

because

I don’t have the things I wish for!

Right now at least.

I live in this too small space

Small as a badger in a mouse hole.

Locked up.

Bored

as an adult reading a baby book.

I’m lonely too.

As lonely as the last fish alive in a school 

after a whales lunch!

I’m so lonely 

I bite at the cold bars around me

And bark.

Bark.

Bark.

Bark.

But still

nothing works!

I am stuck!

So please adopt me

I’ll promise you a great home

I promise:

1. To wag my tail ALL – DAY – LONG

2. To wake you with morning kisses

3. Not to bark toooo often

4. To always be adorable and mostly well behaved 

5. To sit in your lap and kiss you so much when you’re sad that you have no choice but to be happy!

6. To never chase the squirrels…I hope

7. Not to leave dead mice on your doorstep. Like cats do!

And 8. Most of all I’ll be your bestest friend always. 

Adopt me!

please

Juanita – by Ella Mae

A long time ago

I was a stray 

a lone wolf 

the runt of the liter

homeless

risking my life for every meal.  

I’m slower than a playful child 

with a broken leg

I’m weak like cracking ice 

too frail for skating kids to enjoy. 

I wobble and my legs fail me

I fall backwards with every step forward 

impossible to get ahead. 

Looking for scraps 

a dull shadow hovered over me

picked me up 

took me home 

gave me medicine. 

I now know 

I have Cerebella Hypoplasia 

that makes my legs not work so well. 

I am as thankful 

as a Cheetah who finally caught a Gazelle

for the Humane Society 

for giving me a home. 

Wobbles – by Haven Schnider

Malificent
causing
or capable of producing
evil
or mischief.
l cower in the back 
of my cage 
but people think
I'm waiting
for the right moment 
to strike.
I might appear evil
but I’m just shy
dark as dusk
warm as a fresh apple pie
scared as a doe staring into 
the hunters’ eyes.  
Roaming free 
as a wild boar
so happy
until trapped
all I heard was silence
lost 
alone 
afraid.
I can just picture it 
someone taking
me home 
stroking my fur 
cuddles all day
someone who will love me 
and
give me a forever home. 

Malificent - by Lily Wight 

I LOVE TO TALK

like an author

loves to write,

all those thoughts

and ideas

I just need

to say.

But 

sometimes

people cover

their ears 

to block out my noise,

and I don’t 

like that.

I LOVE TO PLAY

like a nine year old boy

silly 

with his best friend,

like splattered paint

in a good way.

BUT I DON’T LOVE LIVING HERE

there isn’t much space 

to play around in,

and I have no

friends to talk with

nobody to even listen 

to me say…

ADOPT ME!

Dexter – by Henry Brunner

Trapped and miserable

like a toddler

locked in a crib

I’m innocent

like a prisoner

accused

but not guilty

of their crime.

Everyone knows

that I’m not guilty

but i’m the 

only one

to blame.

Forgotten

like a shelf 

full of my favorite books

left out  in the rain.

Why

have you put me in this

deep dark

black place 

where I can’t see 

anything? 

It’s almost like

there’s nothing 

left to see

no reason 

for me to be.  

I can’t prove my innocence

or plan my own escape.

The only one 

who can prove I’m not guilty 

is YOU!

Lucia – by Cora Lingo

The Confluence of Cultures Expedition… adapted to our virtual world!

As part of their expedition called “The Confluence of Cultures,” the fourth-grade crew spent the first half of the spring semester studying the indigenous peoples of Idaho, westward exploration by Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery in the early 1800s, the subsequent expansion of the U.S.A. (i.e., colonization), and the impacts of colonization on indigenous peoples. The crew was well-prepared to start building a handmade cedar plank canoe for the Nez Perce Tribal organization Nimiipuu54, founded by Gary Dorr. Students discovered through their studies why Gary chose this name, particularly that the 54 refers to the year before the Nez Perce peoples signed a treaty with the US government in 1855 and well before the steal treaty of 1863! The students were so excited to build an incredible gift to represent their hopes for our continued confluence of cultures with the Nimi´ipuu peoples on the sacred land that we now share. When the covid19 global pandemic forced us to continue our education online, we quickly realized that we would not be able to build a canoe together. Although we were very disappointed by this news, we were incredibly lucky to have a local expert writer, Judy Sobeloff, help us adapt our expedition. The crew worked together online to explore the meaning of culture, listen to and analyze stories that reveal culture, and discover how sharing stories can promote deeper understanding and compassion for ourselves and others. Judy worked with the crew through video conferences for six weeks to help them discover the power of sensory details and imagery in writing. She led students through a process to put themselves into the character of a non-human animal that truly represents who they are using powerful sensory language. Each student then wrote a two-character, one-act play that reveals elements of their culture by sharing their very own family’s motto. As a Celebration of Learning, the crew hosted two sessions of “An Afternoon At The Theater” to dramatically read their plays for each other! We hope you enjoy listening to their plays and seeing their drawings of their animal selves! We also hope you are inspired by their family mottos and even to come up with your own!