I worried no one would walk out.
I figure a lot of 8th graders, and many 7th graders, would. But 6th graders are on that funny cusp. It is one of the things I love about teaching 6th graders.
The Walkout was schedule for 10:00 a.m. My first class began at 9:50. To my relief, kids came in talking about it. I acted all stern, insisting they sit quietly and read, which is our custom, but inside I was doing a happy dance.
At 9:58, I caught the eye of a girl looking at the clock and gave her a “two-minute” signal.
I got weepy at 10:00 when the majority of my class got up and left.
And then I laughed when, at 10:01, the announcement buzz sounded, not in a call to arms, but in a call for band and choir students to go to their field trip. Two more left.
I was left with 5 kids in class and a heart full of hope for the future.
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