Day 142, Monday, May 5

During a 2-minute “break” in one of my classes today, I sat back and observed the students lounging at the back of my room. It was truly a scene of repose and cordiality. The kids seemed loose and carefree as they loafed around the photos on the bulletin board – like they were at a friend’s house instead of in their English classroom. It was good to see. The kids were being kids instead of students, happy-go-lucky children instead of serious and solemn scholars. The break only lasted two minutes (after which they quickly became serious and solemn again) but it was enough to give them a chance to breathe life deeply, and me a chance to observe my young students at their spontaneous and uninhibited best.