Full Moon

Do you ever wonder if there is a bit of truth in the theory that children and people react to a full moon? Well, I am sure you don't if you are a teacher! Because if you teach children you know that the only thing that makes sense sometimes when a perfectly wonderful class can turn into an outrageous cry for mental health intervention is a full moon which in turn can cause the scariest effect known to man (or teacher)...

I like to think of it as the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde effect...

Here is an example that I am sure I am not the only one to witness:

A once calm and well behaved group of children slowly begin to show signs of the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde effect. Tattling is at an all time high. Small things such as "He stole my pencil" or "Her paper is touching my desk" or "She said my shoe is untied".

These first signs don't seem so serious, but that is how it begins... You know it feels off. You know that you have systems in place for tattling. Maybe you have a tattle mailbox  or a three before me policy. Or maybe you even have a No Tattletale Zone.

Either way the changes have started...

Next thing you know you have moved on from tattling to actual physical issues. Students claim that they have had an involuntary arm movement into another student's stomach. Or that the twitch in their leg resulted in an unintentional kick to the shin of another. Or arms, hands, and fingers are unable to work at all, and have formed a type of atrophy to using a pencil; however they appear to be in good working condition on the iPad.

It may be time for a 911 medical intervention. Because can we really continue to work under these types of serious health conditions?

Once the threat of shots and full body exams are presented, most students miraculously recover. It is quite the miracle.

But much like Mr. Hyde, the process continues on. Now the explanations for these once believed medical conditions are more creative. Such as I may have punched because I was excited. I might have let my foot slip onto his shin. I maybe forgot to put my pencil to the paper.

I had no idea that people can punch out of excitement, or that kicking can be accidental, or worse that memory loss can cause apathy. I am amazed by these creative excuses.

So as I look around my once calm, well behaved group of children I begin to wonder if the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde effect has taken over and if in deed the full moon is the reason for the split in personalities.

Has this ever happened to you? One can only wonder...

Thankfully the full moon doesn't last that long. Thankfully the moon will change. Thankfully, harmony will prevail.