Algebra 2 Boom

My 7th hour Algebra 2 class has generally been either a royal pain in my butt or a joy to end my day with. I had 6 students (two girls and four boys) and we all got along fairly well; they would come in like a wild pack of dogs and sometimes they would settle down and we would all have a great time learning math. Other times, the wild pack of dogs would remain rowdy and uncontrollable, but I like to remember the good times.

Today, my little/crazy class of 6 students was increased to 11 students: one new boy and four boys from the other section. Now for those of you math majors out there, that is an 83.3% increase in my class size in one day. Also, I was adding five boys which is just way more testosterone in the room.

Needless to say, I was a little...ok, a LOT nervous to see how it would change the class dynamics. I was envisioning the noise level reaching decibels that could damage the hearing and countless blunt and sharp objects flying across the room. But to my shock and awe, the class ran very smoothly today. Obviously this is only the first day and the new additions to my seventh hour have plenty of time to turn into their own wild pack of dogs, but I think this is a very good sign.

Not only were the new boys quiet (for the most part), respectful, and willing to do the work I asked, but my old students all stepped up into leadership roles in the class. It was really great to see how some of them voluntarily helped the new boys understand both the math and what crazy Ms. Pint was telling them. Keep your fingers crossed that this trend continues!