I had a conversation with my first and second graders the other day about adults. They were inquiring as to why it's acceptable for adults to talk in the hallway, but not students. I had to break the news to them that many teachers are "do as I say, not as I do" people. I told them that teachers frequently remind students not to talk when someone else is talking, but as soon as they step foot in a meeting or workshop, they stop following those rules. Their mouths dropped open and the incredulous looks on their faces reminded me that everything I do is being watched by their curious, observant eyes. I told them that I try really hard not to do anything that they're not allowed to do. If I ever do, I need them to tell me so we can discuss it. After all, it's their classroom too. We decided on the first day of school when we wrote out our class rules that it's not my classroom, it's OUR classroom.
