typing

I remember learning how to type in 7th grade. It was something I worked hard at; something that I practiced often. My parents bought the "Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing" software for our computer and I practiced my little fingers out on that thing. I feel, if I remember correctly, that I became a pretty good little typer that year. I also remember typing a bunch of stuff for my 8th grade English class--poems and short stories that are fun to look back on now, even they are horribly written!

Even though I was well-learned in the area of typing, today I found out that, despite the hours spent on the internet, students these days just don't know how to type.

I had my 8th graders hop on computers today at the library. We've been handwriting memoirs for about 3 days and I wanted them to type their first one up. Now, to begin with, these memoirs were very, very short--3 to 4 paragraphs. I took them home over the weekend and edited them for spelling and punctuation. I told them how to get to the Word program to type. And then I watched in horror as most of these students, who have taken a typing class since 5th grade, pecked one letter at a time with their index fingers.

Most didn't know how to move down to the next line (simply press "Enter.") Some had no idea what a "Curser" was. Several wanted to know how to make a word capitalized. And even more were confused on indenting, a concept they probably learned in 2nd grade. It baffled my mind.

During 6th period, one student asked me if I could type without looking at my hands. They didn't believe I could so I showed them. They were amazed and thought I was magic. I told them it just takes practice...and majoring in English in college (which roughly translates into "Writing Papers")

Even still, with their pecking style of typing, most of the kids finished and were able to print off their memoir and turn them in. Now, I have the week to read about silly memories, sad memories, and happy memories. I'm actually kind of excited.

If any of you tried calling me this weekend, or if you were expecting a call from me, I apologize. I was totally engrossed in a new book and spent literally most of Saturday and after church on Sunday in bed reading. The book is the first in a series written by BYU graduate, Stephenie Meyer. It's called "Twilight." She has 3 books in the series and I am now just catching onto the hype about this book, which came out in about 2005. It. Is. Freaking. Amazing. Granted, it's about vampires...something I usually wouldn't read...but it's fabulously written and the love story involved gives me chills. I know, I know, "What's a Mormon girl doing writing about vampires..." but, seriously, it's probably the best, well-written book I've read since my first encounter with the Harry Potter series (if not, dare I say, better??)

A funny thing about this book, well 2 funny things. The first, not so much funny as fascinating: One of my friends growing up is the cousin of the author. Wow!

The second is that today I heard a group of non-reading type boys in my 4th period talking about the book. I approached them and asked if they had read it. They agreed in the affirmative and gushed about how well they liked it. I told them I was reading it and they were very excited to hear my opinion. I give a bushel full of KUDOS to any author that can get the usually non-reading boy to read; that's a terrific feat!!