Science News by Matt
Nicholas, Exeter-Milligan Science Instructor
What's new in the science classroom?
Earth science has been progressing through the rock cycle with stops at
Sedimentary, Igneous, and Metamorphic. We have be learning characteristics and
classifications of the many rocks that make up our "3rd Rock from
the Sun." Recently in class, the
students were tasked with writing a story. The assignment was to write in first
person the story of a mineral fragment as it travels through the rock cycle. I
am pleased to say that our eighth graders were up to the task. They proved to
be very creative, while also, demonstrating a knowledge of the subject. I wish
that I could include all of the stories that we shared as a class, but this
news letter would have to be a lot longer. I have, however, received permission
from one student to use his work.
The class was required to read their
stories in front of the class, and I feel like this story may not be done
justice in print. The performance that was given had me on the edge of my seat
waiting to see what would happen next. After the story was finished, the author
received much applause, complete with requests of encore. He obliged and read
the story to the class again. So just as a set up for the following story, I
want you to picture a dark stage with one young man sitting on a stool. As you
read, I want you to read as though the speaker is talking to someone, but
you're not quite sure if he is talking to you. Be sure to take your time, read
every word, and take the appropriate punctuational pauses.
The Rock Cycle
By Nick Hayek
Hello, good to see you, take a seat and warm up, I insist… I’m Magma, and yes, I am the real deal. Don’t listen to those fakes who say they are Magma, they are obviously trying to cheat you...So, how was your day? I hope it was nice….Hmm…..So is it me...or is it getting a bit….cold in here…(a long while later). Why, this is quite annoying. I’m a solid now, I don’t like being solid, it’s just not my thing. I’m currently an Igneous, and...don’t much care for it. OUCH!!! Something’s hitting me. It seems to me that a thing called erosion is happening. Hopefully, it will end soon. Now I feel....small….a sediment of what I once was...why...why does this happen, to me? I feel so, crowded, so, pressured. Although, I do feel whole again, as whole as a Sedimentary rock. The heat...I feel it again…..So, welcoming….So, warming…..So... natural. Even though being a metamorphic rock could never beat being me, Magma, it is...tolerable. I still don’t much care for the pressure...but it means one step closer to my old self... Oh? This is it! I...FEEL IT!!! AT LAST, MY JOURNEY THROUGH THE ROCK CYCLE IS OVER! HUZZAH! Now, so terribly sorry for me abandoning the conversation, please, forgive me. It was, forsooth, very rude of me. Anyways, back to our, conversation...Are you enjoying the scenery, I arranged everything myself...What am I saying, of course you love it… It just echoes...me. Wait...is it….getting a bit….cold?
I hope that was as enjoyable to read as
it was to see performed live! A special thanks to the author and the eighth
grade class for their hard work. If you have any questions about the rock cycle
or would like to read any of the other stories, you can talk to one of your
local eighth grade students!
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