Lesson 3- Look For the Good - You Will Find It

I have fought the "texting" phase of communication for quite some time- more out of spite than anything else. My first encounter with the "texting movement" came about in the form of an essay. About five years ago, a student turned in an essay- word processed at that- that was pretty much written in "texting jargon." After the initial shock wore off, I decided to read through the language and look for the development of the topic and the organization. No such luck. When I shared my experience with co-workers, I was surprised that the texting movement not only had a hold on the lives of students, but it also had many adults in its grip. I was amazed at the number of teenagers and adults who were texting. What shell had I been living under? It was an epidemic. What happened to the old fashioned way of communicating- face to face or telephone? Okay, I could even go with e-mail- but that was pushing it. I didn't want my students to lose that personal means of communicating. Thus, I set out on a mission to rid my classroom of "texting jargon," (Lost the Superwoman cape on that one.)

For a while, now, friends and family have been sending me text messages- pretty much because they knew how I felt about the "texting movement," and they knew I couldn't stand not knowing what the message said- even though my phone plan charged a hefty fee for opening a message. I would read their messages, but I would not text back; I would always call. Needless to say- I was the topic of conversation at many a family dinner. But I didn't care. I wanted to "talk" to my friends and family. I wanted them to hear the love and concern in voice.

But, this year, I have finally given in to the "texting movement." For Christmas, my niece gave me coupons for "Texting Lessons." She has opened my eyes to the benefits of texting, and I must say that she and I do communicate more. I have always talked to my brother and his family at least once a week on the phone, but now we share more often. Sometimes I'll get a message about a grammar question or a literature question or just a quick "Hello." I cherish these from her and from my other niece and nephews because I realize that it won't be long before they will not need me like that anymore. Or they will have their own lives and won't have time for the quick "Hello."

I find that I text other family members and my friends more often now. Since we have changed phone plans, I don't think texting me or receiving my texts has the same appeal for them. They now have to find something or someone else to talk about at the dinner table. But I have to practice my skills, so they will just have to feed the texting monster they have created.


I am doing well in my lessons. My last report card said that I am "determined and well- behaved." However, I need to work on my "timing and [my] syntax." Apparently my instructor measures the time from the moment she thinks that I receive her message until the moment she receives my reply. (Not fast enough apparently.) According to her, I need to "stop spelling out every word, use fewer punctuation marks, and use more symbols. " To which I reply- you can take the English teacher out of the classroom, but you cannot take the English out of the teacher. (Cheesy I know- but the best I can do.)