Armageddon happens! 

Today, I had my challenging class pretending to line up in front of my classroom door when the fire drill went off.  I didn’t have them in their seats yet, but then we’ve got to get out of the building in an orderly fashion.  A single file line is what I hear other teachers calling out, so I match suit.

It’s too early in the year to let them start mobbing.

It’s a fire drill so I go with it.  They’re melding in with the crowd.  In short, they’re mobbing.  I was not going to scream or rant or rave.  That just looks ridiculous.  We got outside and I spend most of the fire drill trying to get this crew of defiant children into something like a line.  I decide it will be a line.  They’ve got attitude and about ten or eleven out of the thirty are messing around not paying attention to me.

All clear. 

We got the go ahead to go back inside.  Before we move I remind them to walk quietly in the halls in a single file line.  It’s hot outside, probably 106 degrees.  They decide to disregard my previous instructions and about a third of the class is not in a line, but rather they are strolling leisurely and talking. 

This is not the example being set by other teachers; therefore, I will not have it in my classroom either.  Many of these kids will take a mile given an inch.  When we arrive back at my door I give the order to turn back around and quietly walk back outside in a single file line.  To their credit, they gripe and complain but they comply.

We’re back outside and I’m not yelling, but I’m giving them the riot act.  You’re wasting my time now.  Many of you have been walking in a single file line since kindergarten.  It’s not difficult, but since you’re wasting my time I’m going to waste your time.  If we can’t get back into the building quietly and in a single file line in two minutes then homework tonight is to write 150 times “I will follow directions the first time.” 

What is required to go back inside?  Line up in a single file line and face forward.  It took longer than two minutes to get that far, but we eventually got there because it was hot.  They were complaining something fierce and I told them I didn’t care. 

Line up quietly and we’ll go inside. 

After what seemed an eternity they lined up quietly.  It was a weak and pathetic line, but it was something like a line and they were quiet.  At this point I told them, if we can get to the room quietly in a single file line this time I would remove the sentences as homework.  The amazing thing is we made it to the room in a single file line.  These kids are a challenge but I will be measured in my response.

On the bright side, when I get them in my room tomorrow they will be in their seats before they know it.  That’s to my advantage because walking in the halls I don’t know them well enough to call them by name.  In my seating chart I take that advantage away from them.  I can pass out warnings quickly and efficiently in my classroom.

First thing when they walk into my room tomorrow, ten of them will be sitting in different seats.  Next, the first person to not follow my directions will receive a warning.  I’ve reworked my consequence system so the first warning is a verbal; the second warning is a written; and the third is lunch detention.  That should get their attention when a couple of them have to spend lunch with me a couple of times.  If not, the fourth warning is a 5 paragraph reflection paper for homework (due the next day.)  The fifth and final warning is a call home.

Tomorrow this class has demanded that I respond.  Tomorrow I will respond.  At the door, when I see them it will be a brand new day with all possibilities available.  As soon as someone steps out of line, the consequence system will begin.  I’m curious on how long these kids will hold out.  I had kids at my old school who were in detention everyday.  They were essentially good kids, but they were just off task and ready to take everyone else off task with them.

Tomorrow is a new day, but tomorrow will be militant for one group of kids.