My classroom is separated from the classroom next to me by a temporary wall. This wall could be rolled back if bookcases, desks, and other classroom accouterments weren't in the way. In any case, it won't be anytime soon. The class next to me is LOUD. Not productive, engaging loud, but off-task do-what-you-want LOUD. I let the other teacher "control" her class, but on this particular day my students were engaged in the subject matter of the story we read and the task at hand. We were doing a whole group lesson, and I was modeling different fix-up strategies using students' suggestions. The class next door was again "popping off." Two of my male students- Dion* (a dead-on Kevin Hart look-alike) and Wally* (a student from a bullet-riddled neighborhood in Detroit) were distracted by the noise and the teacher-led chorus of "Gin and Juice." I wish I was kidding. Wally tapped Dion on the chest, and motioned his head toward the door. The pair half-marched, half-sauntered out of my classroom and walked to the classroom next door. They knocked loudly on the door 3 times. Once the teacher opened the door, Dion loudly proclaimed "Keep it down! N*ggas tryin' to learn!"
This was my proudest teaching moment to date.
*Names changed
