Maria was sitting in her desk listening to her 4th grade teacher say something about the best student award. Ringggg!!!! As Maria walked to the bus, she picked up some trash and put it in the trash can. Maria was trying to be nice to the world. Maria's class had been given some homework. Maria had to write about doing a good thing that would help the world.

When Maria got home, she ran upstairs and got a piece of paper. On the way to her room she saw her mom baking heart shaped cupcakes. Just then Maria remembered that tomorrow was Valentine's Day! Instead, she got pieces of red, white, and pink paper and started to make some Valentine cards. As she made the cards, she thought….my homework isn't due until the last day of this month. So I still have time to do it later. Her mom broke her thoughts. Her mom said, "Do you want some blueberries?" "OK!" Maria said. Maria finished the Valentine cards and put the cards into a box. She put the box in her backpack. Then she picked up the bowl with the blueberries in it and got a book to read. She studies hard words, and watched the movie "Akeela And The Bee." She wanted to study and be like Akeela. So she got a book called Champion Spelling Bee Words. There was also a Spelling Bee at school next Monday. Maria didn't sign up for the Spelling Bee, because she thought she couldn't become so good in five days. Then Maria got a piece of paper and she wrote, "Homework Maria R. Throw trash in the trash can." Then she read the Champion Words book again. Later Maria's mom called Maria down for dinner. When Maria finished eating, she got ready for bed.

The next morning Maria was so excited. When she woke up at 7:30, she at breakfast and went on the bus to school. Then at Maria's class, Maria did lots of activities, had treats and filled Valentine boxes with candies. When she got home, she did her homework, practiced piano, read, and ate dinner. The other days of her week were normal days except for the trash picking. The next week there was a Spelling Bee and everybody in the school came to watch it. A person named Kristen won.

When it was the last day of the month, and almost time for the dismissal. The office called Maria down. Maria walked to the office, wondering why she was being sent there. When she approached the Principal was holding out a silver and gold award! The Principal said "I read everyone's homework and yours was the nicest!" Maria took the award and said "Thank you!" That night Maria wrote in her journal, February 2007 is the most fun month! Then she went to bed. That night, Maria dreamt, "Love the World! Don't litter!"