And here we are, one of two districts I know of in session today, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  Yes, we do end out year earlier than most districts, but we also are contracted for five more days than most districts.  Five extra days of instructional time does nothing for the students whatsoever.  In fact, keeping the building open and running probably costs the towns more money than it is worth....

But oh well.  Here I am.  I cannot print the myriad of projects I need to print because we cannot connect to our Epson.  For nearly a f-ing week.  We have two art shows coming up.  I have a major assignment due from my Photo II class.  But no worries. Just a lot of stress

I must keep calm.  And I do, for the most part.  I read a classroom management blog post yesterday on gentle teaching and discipline.  It truly grates on me when kids and teachers bark "write 'em up!" for any infraction.  What has doing that proven over the long term?  How has that worked for you?  My opinion based on experience?  It only causes animosity and tension between you and the student.  Every single one of the points made in this post was a method I use in my room.  I don't scream, yell, write up the kids at the drop of a hat.  I might not even let the student know they earned a zero for the day.  Let them find that grade on the portal and reflect on why that happened.  If they ask me, I let them know calmly and firmly.  If they dispute it, I don't say that I am the teacher and that's why.  I calmly discuss my reasoning with them.  It works.  Why?  Because I am giving them the respect they deserve as people and explaining how their actions led to that consequence.  We can sit down, let the anger dissipate, and talk about how behaviours and actions affect others, not just the individual.