Throughout the Harry Potter series, Harry, Hermione, and Ron developed from innocent, childish, unaware students, to learning about a growing evil in the wizarding world and not being believed, to finally proven right that Voldemort had returned and everyone was in danger. During that course, they often got distracted, early on still learning of the growing trouble, and later letting personal interests interfere with their overall goals, even spending a fair amount of Deathly Hallows part 1 arguing among themselves. In Deathly Hallows part 2, however, they were focused on their mission of defeating Voldemort. Of course they were… it’s the last film of the Harry Potter series.
But then, that’s like our classrooms now. It’s the 4th quarter, heading into the final scenes of the 2020-2021 school year. Like Harry and friends, we need to remain focused. It’s easy to get unfocused in the last nine weeks. We can suffer from what I call the 4th Quarter Forgetaboutits. There are two versions of the 4th Quarter Forgetaboutits, or 4QFs, 4QF-A and 4QF-B. 4QF-A is the most common. It’s when you are tired of addressing the same students about the same behaviors. “Oh, Theo is throwing paper trying to shoot his trash in the trash can despite continued warnings and lunch detentions for the behavior. Why do I still have to tell him not to do that? Oh, well… just a few more weeks.” 4QF-B is caused by the same repetition of minor rules violations, but produces a different symptom, exasperation. “Theo! I’ve been telling you all year not to throw trash in my classroom! Go to the office! I’m done telling you! Just get out!”
Both types of 4th Quarter Forgetaboutits are understandable, and I’m sure every teacher can empathize. However, we also should be aware these 4QFs take our attention off of the goal we set out to achieve at the beginning of the year: enhancing quality learning in a safe and accepting environment. Remember that your classroom management, including sweating the small stuff, is essential to an environment that promotes learning and growth, and sweating the small stuff leads to being able to maintain the big stuff… no, not completion of lesson units… but maintaining positive relationships with students, helping them develop a positive attitude about education, and leading them to become successful learners.
Remember what Maya Angelou said, “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it." Today, Theo might not decide to stop throwing the trash halfway across the classroom for it to bounce off the rim and roll next to Hugh’s foot, who annoyingly picks it up and throws it back at Theo, who ducks, allowing the paper ball to bounce off Sierra’s perfectly coiffed hair, causing her to stand up, saying in a low, menacing growl, “Oh, I know you didn’t,” followed by a loud, profanity laced explanation of how much work it takes for her hair to turn out the way it does, and if her hair’s messed up… well, the proposed fate of both Theo and Hugh chills the spine of everyone listening and becomes the story of legend. But… maybe tomorrow will be the day Theo follows the rules. And that day will be all the sooner if we maintain positive relationships, while preserving our management of the class.
And, for the record, pretty much everything involving Hogwarts can be used to show how not to teach, administer, and manage the education of students. So stick with Stand and Deliver, Lean on Me, and Freedom Writers for your inspiring teacher movies. Heck, there are good teacher takeaways in Summer School, Teachers, Bad Teacher, and School of Rock. But no, not any Harry Potter movies.
Thank you for all that you do, thank you for being the best, and thank you for focusing on our students’ needs through the trying 4th quarter.
