We’ve been enjoying these lovely, spontaneous lulls of silence recently.  The quiet hush tends to develop later in the morning, once everyone’s settled and intensely focused.  However, this morning around 8:30 am, the room grew quiet.  It’s an amazing phenomenon.  One that’s certainly not directed by adults.

Certainly the Guides in the classroom have set the tone.  We use quiet voices and remind students about talking in ways that won’t disturb others work.  But these spontaneous bouts of silence happen on their own.  

A few times the quiet has been so intense that students look up.  We often exchange a knowing smile and look, as if it’s this funny secret we have shared.  I love these moments.