Cell phones love English!

This morning I had an epiphany: cell phones love my English class. And if you really stop to think about it, it makes total sense. Often disregarded as just another technological device, a cell phone's sole purpose is to help you communicate with others. They listen to you laugh, cry and tell the stories of your life. They help you reach out and text someone.

Before, I used to get upset when cell phones went off in my class - breaking my train of thought, distracting my students, not to mention breaking school policy- but now I see there's a reason for it: cell phones desperately want to participate in my class. They want to share their opinions and feelings about the characters communicating in the novels. And so, they call out in song, buzzes or beeps. Imagine being so limited all you can do is hum the latest Kanye West song when you want to make a contribution to a discussion? Tragic.

I consider the close to 20 cell phones I've taken from students this year (and placed in my desk until 1:55 when they can be picked up) and realize these cell phones WANT to be in my desk. They WANT to spend the day listening to others discuss and communicate. I mean, let's be honest: who wouldn't?

I think it best, for now, to silence cell phones so that they may listen and learn in quiet - where they can be left, snug in your bag, to ponder whether Holden's life would have been different if he had a cell phone as opposed to going into phonebooths repeatedly.

Or, better yet, at the beginning of the class, give me your cell phone so I can put him (or her) in my desk to enjoy the cadence of my lessons as they roll on throughout the day.