When we leave or enter the room, I let them in the room a few at a time, to minimize the craziness when they come in or rush out.  When giving this instruction the first time, I tell the students about the Who concert in 1979.  I am not having a Who concert death in my classroom.

Today, when we came in from lunch, I was still outside when two students started fighting inside the classroom.  As I walked in, I saw them, locked in a fist fight.  They were behind their desks, up against the wall, so it took me a few minutes to make my way to them.  These two ten-year old boys, were fighting like prize fighters, throwing punches and trying to break out of a headlock.  

This is my first fight.  I am not sure how this happened.  It was like watching a car wreck.  I was watching and the whole time thinking "how is this happening in MY room?" as if this just wasn't possible.   

 It had been building since yesterday.  One student, Chuck, accused another, Anthony, of stealing his 'tech deck'  (http://www.techdeck.com/ ).  Chuck was insistent that Anthony took it.  I defused the situation and also reminded Chuck that these are toys, toys are not allowed in school, and he should take them home where they were to stay.  Tech Decks are not allowed at school. 

Chuck receives special education services for learning disabilities.  He is functioning much lower than his ability, due to processing disorders.  He has a hard time with class activities.  He also gets pulled out of class for part of the day for support.  He (along with a couple of others) was pulled this morning for their regular resource time.   It was when Chuck returned to class, after resource, that he started complaining that Anthony stole his Tech Decks.   Apparently, he had four in his desk, and now he only had two.    We, though, were about to start a math test, and I was giving the instructions when Chuck realized the decks were missing.  He promptly refused to do the math test.  He shoved it away, "I am not doing this", and tried to argue with Anthony off and on while everyone else (including Anthony) took the test. 

I talked to each student involved privately.  I had determined that Anthony had stolen the tech decks, but would be dealing when the math test was over.  My plan was to talk to Anthony outside the classroom after lunch and then write him a referral and call home, as well as get the Tech Decks back to Chuck.  My opportunity never came. 

As I made my way to the fighting boys, I sent a student to the office to get someone to help.  I got them separated and tried to get them to talk about what lead up to the fighting.  Chuck was too heated up.  He kept charging at Anthony, and eventually left, saying he was going to the office.  I could see the office from where I was, so I kept Anthony to get his side of the story.  As Anthony was talking, the principal arrived, I gave her a run down and she said Chuck was already in the office.  

I went back into the classroom, to the 28 other students who were staring at me, shocked that this happened.  It was so unreal.  We all felt it.   For all of us, our adrenalin was pumping.   I came in, and shut the door, and then had to get school work done, when all anyone could do was process what just happened.  I told them that the principal would take care of it, and they were reassured.

The rest of the day was useless.  We had a couple of hours left, but we hardly got anything accomplished.  At one point, I said, "Lets just listen to Harry Potter" and we did.  It was great to excape to Hogwarts and flying and quiddich for a while. 

I have a PTA meeting tonight.  Too bad we can't listen to Harry Potter through that too.