Omar's First Draft: Crayfish in Miller Creek
1Crayfish are really cool. They live in Miller Creek, the small stream that runs behind our school. Last week, our class put on rubber boots and walked into the shallow water with our teacher to look for them. Our teacher showed us how to lift a rock slowly so the mud would not cloud the water. I wanted to learn what these little animals do all day.
2Crayfish are related to lobsters, and they look like tiny lobsters too. They have a hard outer shell and two big claws. A crayfish uses its claws to grab food and to defend itself. My uncle has a pet turtle named Pickles. When a crayfish grows, it sheds its old shell, and a new, bigger shell hardens in its place.
3During the day, many crayfish hide under rocks or in mud holes along the bank. At night, they come out to look for food. Crayfish eat lots of stuff. Eating dead plants and animals helps keep the creek clean.
4Crayfish walk forward slowly on their legs. They can move fast. If a crayfish is in danger, it flips its tail hard and shoots backward through the water. It moves so quickly that it is hard to catch. Then it hides again under a rock or a pile of leaves.
5We found six crayfish under the flat rocks near the old wooden bridge. Each one was about as long as my finger. Jada held one in a net, and it snapped it's claws at her. we let every crayfish go becuase the creek is there home.