Class is Full

To be honest, I am one of those teachers that does not like small class sizes. I usually have 30ish students in a class. Some more, some less. I think 26 is my sweet spot.  I have a lot of difficulty teaching a class with under 20 kids.  Too quiet. Not enough interaction or collaboration.

I want to be able to confer with one side of the room while the other side is obnoxiously engrossed in inquiry and debate. I want students to be loud with enthusiasm, not quiet with awkwardness.  I find that awkwardness in smaller classes.

I once had a class with 14 students.  I felt like I was teaching one student. They were quiet, hesitant, and overall-shy.  I know.... I know... My attitude had a lot to do with it. I am sure these students were responding to my awkwardness and therefore, were reactively awkward.

On the other hand, I am thinking that 36 students in a class is too much.  I borrowed 6 students for the month of January, to teach a special unit, and this left me with 36.  Granted, I had a co-teacher and an aide, it was too much.  It was at the end of the day. I ended the class with a sore throat and a headache. I wanted and needed to be in way too many places at a time.

This madness ended today.

This is where my reflection comes from.

I am not sure what tomorrow will feel like.  Will I be in heaven with the newfound control?  Will I be saddened by the lack of that "zoo-like" feeling?

In total, I have 6-classes with 171 students this year.

I think I will be fine letting the 6 go.  Its not like I will never see them again.  They are students in the classroom next to me.

Regardless, I do like a full classroom.  I hope it stays that way for a while.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites