The Learning Hidden in Small Group Chaos

While watching the students in my class break up into small groups to peer edit their essays I had to take a deep breath. At first it was chaos. Half the class moved into a clump, started personal conversations, got loud, a little crazy, and definitely was not on task. While waiting to see what my guiding teacher, who was running the class, would do I noticed something that made me smile and just love my job. Two boys in the front corner having a loud and animated discussion…about their essays. They were passionate and engaged and focused on talking about the strengths and weaknesses of each other’s papers and it was a beautiful thing to watch. Moments like that are why I continue to want to teach through the chaos.