Straight Lines

I went to visit a friend today. She happens to work at an elementary school, which is great since I happen to love being around kids (hence why I want to teach!). We were talking in her room, which just happens to be at an intersection of hallways by the main office. As we were talking a first grade class walks by, and the kids are doing a pretty good job of walking in a line, staying quiet, and getting where they need to go. That would be my opinion, but apparently I am not far enough along in my teaching career to know any better.

I say that because I saw the class walk by three times. Not once, not twice, but THREE times! Each time the loudest person I heard was the teacher that kept repeating a mantra about their hands and mouths. I'll admit, and have on this blog before, that I am a little too loose with lines and noise. I feel like we make too much out of those items when the main instructional focus should be on... well, instruction! I wasn't entirely shocked, as I had seen it before (in more than just this school). But I was boiling inside as I watched the kids walking down the hall, stoic, and being told they weren't doing a good enough job.

Let's get to where we need to go because we don't have the time to waste. I'll ask this question: In what profession are you asked to walk in a silent line that is straight? Hmm, the military perhaps, but I can't think of many others. Can't we focus on the instruction that will make our kids lifelong learners?! I get wanting quiet lines, as noise can disrupt other classrooms. Then again so can parading your kids through the hallway three times.