Before I left that day, I took a picture of our respect poster with intention of putting it on my blog, and I noticed that one of my students did not sign the poster. I called him up to sign it, but he did not. I was curious. In class today, I asked him why he did not sign the poster. He replied "I don't know". I talked to my CT about this and she, as well as I, was curious as to why he did not sign the poster when he had the opportunity to do so. We asked him what he thought it meant that he did not sign the poster, and he knew very well that it meant that he was agreeing not to follow the rules. After a little time to think, he eventually signed the poster, and I hung it up on the wall.
I was surprised by his choice. Even though he did not sign the poster, he showed some degree of independence, not following the crowd, doing what he thought he wanted to do, or not making a promise he couldn't keep. Even though he eventually signed the paper, I have to admit that I was a little impressed with his independence, although I do not agree with his choice of not signing the paper. I am eager to channel his independence in other, more helpful ways, throughout the year.