Jan 30. (Mon.)

I got the main group started, while my assistant got the novice students started. The main group got in their circle, they had their list and pencil, and I distributed the fables. They all understood what to do before we began. I started the first 2 minute timer and my assistant and I switched roles, hoping that all she would have to do is reset the timer every two minutes.

As soon as I sat down with the novice students the main group lost control. Several students started talking (about totally unrelated issues), several stood up and left the group (I’m not sure why), and even after I left the novice students and got everyone settled again, as soon as I turned my back, CHAOS. –The novice students did a great job, they displayed clear understanding and seemed to enjoy working through the fables.

How could I fix this problem without removing the option of choosing the fable on their own? I know the easy fix is to just assign them a fable, which I have done in the past, but their projects are 100 times better when they pick the fable.

This was a very frustrating class that left me very depressed and ready to chuck it all. I hate that they can make me that angry, but their behavior is SO bad and SO disrespectful that I don’t know how to handle them anymore.