Victory!

Had a moment of victory this morning--we started our final project at the middle school today and it was a project I have been pretty excited about. I passed out the papers and began to explain how the kids would be creating their own culture. They were to create both a visual as well as write a one-page paper that outlined the information.

I could sense the groans even before I began talking, so I started by saying, "Guys, listen. This is our last project (immediate cheers), and I am really excited about it, so stick with me and here we go..."

The groans and complains were vocalized as several students began saying how much they hated class, they hated their new seats (it's never too late to implement a new seating chart--3 weeks to go and yes, I moved them first thing Monday morning), that the projects were boring, etc...Thankfully, because I have been around these kids, and know their tendancy to complain and moan about, well, everything, this didn't have that great of a negative impact on me (although no one really loves hearing that their students hate them, etc...) and so I mostly ignored their comments and kept talking.

One kid, who has been a mostly good kid for me, respectful, did what I asked, quieted other kids down, etc started up with me. He didn't want to sit next to the student I had placed at his table. He didn't want to work on the project...and so he asked if he could sit outside. I told him no. Then he started making noises with his papers, hitting them against the table.

Usually, this offense warrants sitting outside, especially if a student continues after I've asked him/her to stop. But thankfully, in a (brief) moment of wisdom, I told him, "Listen, I know you want to go outside and so that's why you are making noise. But I am NOT sending you outside." Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect. I know he has cussed teachers out before and he's a big kid and so I waited, unsure of what would follow. Shockingly, he let out a sigh and then--

QUIETED down.

I moved on, walking over to the enormous contraption that holds all our paper and started asking the students what colors they wanted for their poster board. And then, like Santas little helpers, they all went to work.

What a sight--to see them so quietly and intently, working on this project, our final project.

My heart was so full.
And so happy.

WHAT a victory!