February 2019 - EASTERN OREGON PARENT - 7
Schoolroom stories: The black hole valentine
T
hree eight-year-old
boys in my class-
room created a
serial story of comic strip
characters. Set in another
universe, each character
had special super-hero
qualities. Some abilities
were unique. Other at-
tributes emerged only in
conjunction with the skills
of associates, or the task
at hand.
These characters’
adventures focused on
helping each other out of
problems, and the largest
problem was safeguarding
and procuring the energy
to maintain their super powers. The
protagonists of their stories trav-
eled across the universe searching
for these vital resources.
When the boys weren’t involved
with their comic strip characters,
they researched black holes, plan-
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ets, space travel, jet pro-
pulsion, big bang theory,
solar energy, radio waves
and constellations. Their
comic strip acted as a type
of ongoing research paper.
New information learned
showed up as drawings
and dialogue in their cos-
mic comic stories.
The comic strips helped
me know what lessons the
boys might find inter-
esting. Math? Scientific
notation seemed to fit
right in with space travel.
History? Studying about
Charles Schulz of Peanuts
fame. Physics? Looking
at simple machines. Music? Elton
John’s “Rocket Man.” Whatever
subject I introduced that related to
the comic strip was well received.
After a discussion about black
holes, one of the boys, Randall,
asked me, “Ms. Maren, what do
you think is the most powerful
force in the universe?”
The tone of Randall’s voice let
me know he expected me to decide
between fusion, fission, solar, grav-
ity or perhaps some other form of
energy that the boys hadn’t dis-
covered, or anybody else for that
matter.
“Well,” I said, “you’re probably
not going to like my answer. You
probably won’t even think my an-
swer is believable. You’ll probably
think it is the grossest, yuckiest an-
swer I could tell you. I expect you’ll
just laugh when I tell you.”
“No, no. We promise we won’t
laugh,” the boys promised.
“The most powerful force in the
universe? I think the most powerful
force in the universe is … love.”
Much to their credit, the boys
Maren
Schmidt
_______________
Kids Talk™
didn’t cough, roll their eyes, or
shout out “Oh, gross!”
“You probably won’t find that
written down in any physics book.
You won’t find a mathematical for-
mula to prove it. And some people
might even say I’m wrong and crazy.
But I think the ultimate force in the
universe is love.”
It was lunchtime. The boys left
without additional comment. That
day here was no more discussion
about the most powerful force in
the universe.
A couple of weeks went by and
Randall asked if he could talk with
me. “I’ve been thinking about what
you said about the strongest force
in the universe. I’ve talked to my
parents and to my grandparents.
But mostly, I’ve been thinking about
it and I have to tell you I think
you’re right. Love is the most pow-
erful force in the universe. It makes
everything possible. The power of
love makes a black hole seem weak
and tiny.”
That was my black hole valentine.
________
Kids Talk™ is an award-winning
column dealing with childhood de-
velopment issues written by Maren
Stark Schmidt, M.Ed. She has more
than 30 years experience working
with children and holds teaching
credentials from the Association
Montessori Internationale. Contact
her at maren@marenschmidt.com
or visit MarenSchmidt.com.
© 2019.