We spend many minutes throughout the day just waiting for the bell to ring. Somedays the kids are busy right up until the end, other days they are standing by the door as much as 10 minutes prior to the end of class. I don't mind it as much as I used to. I've learned to use the time to connect with the kids. It is the perfect time to stand with them and talk small talk about their lives or their day. I'd love to let them all leave early but I can't. Some sneak away and depending on my mood, I may or may not go running after them-- usually not. I would venture to guess that if you totalled up all the time a student spends waiting by the door to leave it would add up to hours in school year, maybe days if you added all four years of high school. Of course the worse class is the last class. Kids always have so many places to go and they need to leave early. I heard so many excuses and I just nod my head usually and let them go. Other teachers are not as accommodating, I know. I've been told I'm too accommodating. I remember all too well my own high school experience and my own eagerness to leave. Today I took attendance at the end of the class at the end of the day. I promised all my kids present, which were most, some candy tomorrow. It's my favorite way to punish kids who leave early.
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