For Now It's Candy

I'm a little bit scared to admit it, but...

I am pretty sure that this year, finally, I fully believe that I love being a teacher.

I love trying to figure out ways to reach each student. Today, for example, I had a breakthrough with a TALKATIVE 8th grader. He's the NICEST kid ever, but he CAN NOT STOP TALKING. He even talks to himself, I swear that he does. He also cannot stop moving. I imagine that he is a lot like Hubby would have been as an 8th grader. Absolutely adorable, but the kid who completely drives the teacher UP THE WALL.

Today, when he was TALKING... in a burst of frustration I said, "Victor.. what can I do to motivate you to BE QUIET?!" -- But before he was able to respond.. I had already decided on my answer.

This is a boy who lives and dies for candy. He knows I have a stash of it under my desk, and he begs for a piece of it every chance he gets.

So I said, "If you sit quietly from now until lunchtime.. and never speak unless you raise your hand and have been called on I will give you a piece of candy before you leave for lunch."

Lunch was one and a half hours away.

Do you think he opened his mouth once during that hour and a half?!

Nope. Not even once. Nothing.

He. Was. Silent.

It was amazing.

And, with a half hour to go until the end of the day (true to his form) he had struck a new deal with me. If he stayed quiet from the end of the day today all the way until lunch tomorrow, can he have another piece of candy? Why, yes, Victor, you can.

The best part? By the end of the day, I had two more talkative students who wanted to strike the same deal with me. All for the price of a simple piece of candy.

Somehow, I get the feeling that tomorrow will be a VERY quiet day for me.

As for the next day? Well, the next day I'll probably have to figure out another way to reach the Victors in 8th grade.

But, for now, it's candy.
:)