Computers Past, Present and Future

By Amanda S.

Students and adults all agree that computers have changed the world we live in. Computers have had a large impact on our global community. Information exchange has become almost instantaneous. Our home and work environments have adapted and now rely on our access to computers.

The first real computers were built in the late 1940s. They were huge machines that filled rooms as large as a barn and used enormous amounts of electricity. They also used thousands of electric tubes called vacuum tubes that looked a little light bulbs. These computers could solve complex math problems. However, they were expensive to build and run. Worse, they broke down after only running a few hours or even minutes because the tubes burned out.

In the 1960s, scientists found that a single tiny chip made of silicon could do the work of hundreds of vacuum tubes. They were also not expensive to make, and ran on a lot less electricity. This was the beginning of computers becoming smaller. However, believe it or not, it was not until the early 1980s that people considered buying home computers.

Today, computers are used for everything from games, communication and word processing to research, calculations, and sending people to the moon, (and in the near future, even farther). Just think, when our parents and teachers were our age, they did not have an encyclopedia on one disk. They had to write and rewrite everything in long hand or on a typewriter. They were unable to download information and graphics off the internet. They did not have the whole world at their fingertips. Today, we do.

In the very near future our homes and lives will be run by computers. We can already bank, make travel arrangements and even grocery shop by using computers. You do not even have to leave home to go to the other side of the world. Computers, however, do not yet have the human will to live, but then again, that may only be a matter of time.

All we want for Christmas…

By Bobby B.

All we want for Christmas is a bell schedule.

The teachers will heave a sigh of relief if,

with a bell schedule, we quietly leave.

They will truly enjoy our cherubic faces if,

on time, we are in our places.

So Dr. Nickisch, our Santa do be,

provide us with bells and surprises you'll see;

the children all nestled at their desks calm and cool,

proud students of Peacock Middle School.

With bells, fewer "tardies" there will be,

followed by fewer detentions, as you will see.

With fewer questions about when we can leave,

the teachers' headaches we will relieve.

Along with our decorations and holly,

a bell schedule will make us jolly;

so keep in mind this little phrase and we will have happy days.

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rhyme;

A bell schedule will keep us on time.

The Ride

By Suzie E.

As I swing
Higher and higher
Into the clouds
My stomach falls
And I am pleased
I wait till the end
But I want to go again
I am happy
Yet Sad
I am excited
Yet Mad
And I can’t wait till the next time
But I appreciate this time

Running

By Suzie E.

Outside
Running
Running
Wind in my hair
Breeze on my face
Sun making the glare
Running
Running
Hair dangling around
Sweat dripping
Breath slowing down