Chapter 11: What It Takes To Win

In a middle school classroom, just about anything can happen. At times, we are treated to a “more-than-the-sum-of-its-parts” phenomenon that I like to call middle school magic. However, let us be honest; there are some days … weeks even … when every last drop of a teacher’s deep-down strength is entirely drained.

Bryce was a sixth grader with power struggle superpowers. I juggled potential responses to his disruptions while the unmet needs of 28 other students tugged at my conscience. How was it possible to teach under these circumstances?

“Okay,” I announced brightly, “this next activity is called Inside/Outside Circle, and it’s a great way to share ideas …”