Literature

READING WORKSHOP 1

“Oh, you mean Mrs. Jonz?” Practice the Skills

“No—I mean Mrs. Jones,“ I corrected. “She took great care

in teaching you how to spell words like, ‘about,’ ‘until,’ ‘know,’

‘better,’ and ‘nothing.’ Yet for all of her efforts, you’re sending

e-mail messages like this one: ‘Dear Ashley: Can’t tell U any

more bout that cute kid in our class till I no something. Betta

go now; nuttin more to say—Me.’” 4

Looking down at her hands poised on the keyboard, I

expected her eyes to start showing some chagrin.^7 Instead,

she had them trained on the computer monitor and an

incoming response from Ashley. “Waz up?” it read. “Got

your message but g2g now, as sorta have gobs of homework.

Ta l k 2U l at a, K K? ”

4

What is the author’s opinion

of her daughter’s writing? Does

she think that technology has

a positive or a negative effect

on her daughter? Write your

answer on a note card and add

it to Foldable 5. Your response

will help you answer the Unit

Challenge later.

Vocabulary

poised (poyzd) adj. in a position of being ready

7. A person showing chagrin feels embarrassment or shame.

548 UNIT 5 Is Progress Always Good?
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