In a Word: Force

Each Wednesday afternoon, the Farm School students are given a word as they leave school. They go home and write a creative composition using that word. Thursday morning at tea / snack time, they read their composition to the group. The exercise has very few boundaries. It might be poetry, prose, a story, a fable, a diaglogue, etc. The given word may be a common word, such as "fire," or it may be a new vocabulary word requiring research before use. Often the words are an extension of something happening in the school community. Each week we will share one example of the "In a Word" series.

This week the word "force" came from the study of wind energy. The writing this week was an stream-of-consiousness exercise. After breakfast on Friday morning, the students were given the word and 15 minutes in which to write. The only rule was that they must keep writing the entire time. This piece is one example.

FORCE

The force of the blow shook the earth. The tectonic plates rattled and slammed as San Diego dissapeared into the ground. Tsunamis swept through southern Asia, tossing fishermens' boats like a toddler throws its toys when it is angry. Volcanoes erupted and Pompeii returned to its beginnings. Earth is on the verge of collapse and all the world can do is watch helplessly.

-Sam, 9th year student