“If your mind’s not there [in class], it’ll do no good to try and concentrate—write it [the note] and get back to class with the conflict off your mind; at least you know that the person will know your feelings and then you can do your work.”

An excerpt from Sadowski’s “Adolescents at School: Perspectives on Youth, Identity, and Education” (2008)

All throughout the semester we have discussed the many pressures, insecurities, brain development, puberty and body development, and identity searches that adolescents have to learn how to navigate. Though all of these topics were enlightening and fascinating, I must say that I could never have anticipated the notion of passing notes actually being beneficial to the adolescent’s psyche. Granted, I remember the days of writing and passing notes in class and in the halls and the horrible fear accompanied by a sort of thrill felt at the thought or possibility of getting caught in the act. Oh the nostalgia! Presently faced with the fact that this form of communication between students, though typically against the class rules, actually plays a huge role in their social development and ability to focus in class, I’m led to ask myself how I will address the situation in my future classroom.