What is this Sorcery?

Tonight in my class, we did rough draft peer revisions. The weather was horrible. Given those two conditions, I was expecting many students to be absent. But they were there, with rough drafts in hand, ready to start. We had a discussion first based on a reading assignment. They had all read the material and had some good insights. When the end of class rolled around, I had to tell them class was over. They weren't watching the clock; they were focused on reviewing each other's essays. Maybe none of this seems surprising to you. If that's the case, I would assume you hadn't been in a classroom lately -- or ever. This is not how it usually works! These students just blow me away, and I tell them that in almost every class. Tonight I said, "Look how you are! I have to kick you out." And it was only then that they looked at the clock and realized class had ended ten minutes earlier. One said, just before leaving, "The other students in my peer group and I complement each other. They have different strengths from mine." Exactly! I told her I had planned it that way, there's a method to my madness. She said, "So you're not just mad?" I said, "No, I have a method too."

At first I thought these kids were kind of Stepford-esque. But they aren't. They are funny and clever in addition to being courteous and studious. I don't know how or why they are so awesome, but I like it. I'm not going to wonder too much.