The rest of the class are waiting, and, having nothing good to do, the temptation is almost irresistible to do something bad.

One boy is drawing pictures on his slate to make his neighbors laugh, another is whispering, and two more are at play.

The disorder continues while the teacher goes round examining slate after slate, his whole attention being engrossed by each individual, as the pupils come to him successively, while the rest are left to themselves, interrupted only by an occasional harsh, or even angry, but utterly useless rebuke from him.
But, under another mode of managing classes and schools, a very different result would be produced.
A boy approaches the teacher to render an excuse; the teacher replies, addressing himself, however, to the whole class, "I shall give all an opportunity to offer their excuses presently.

No one must come till he is called." The class then regularly take their places in the recitation seats, the prepared and unprepared together.

The following commands are given and obeyed promptly.