A few days ago I walked in to find a new student. The first words I received were, "Just let him be. He won't speak to anyone. He likes to be alone. He just won't try speaking to anyone." The lights started flashing inside my mind as a billion ideas danced inside of me. Why? Well, I just won't take a comment like that as an ultimate option. I believe as teachers we always have to look for ways to get our students to become active participants in the learning process, even if it means being silly to get their attention. My student was engaged in a center on his own and had been there some time...