So our lovely metriculating class of 2008 had a horrible sixth, a rough seventh and are now somehow, not anywhere near perfect, on a path of decency. Which is saying something. I have some of the same kids from last year and some kids I know were more than a bit squirrely and it is great how much more school oriented they are! We've been waiting for the honeymoon phase to end, but man are those guys doing well! I am loving it! Today I let my seventh period 8th graders pick where to sit. This could have been a complete disaster, but basing my expectations on what has happened over the course of the last couple of weeks, they did well! Even the boys who moved as far away from me as physically possible (I have a double classroom) got the notes and completed the assignment. What is really impressing me the most so far this year is how little they need in outer motivation so far. Letting them know they are doing well seems to be enough for most of them. No gimmicks here. Sigh. There is hope.