“Mr. Larson said he believed in the open classroom. At parents’ night every September, Mr. Larson explained that children learn best when they learn things on their own.

This was not a new idea. This idea about learning was being used successfully by practically every teacher in America.

But Mr. Larson used it in his own special way. Almost every day, he would get the class started on a story or a worksheet or a word list or some reading and then go to his desk, pour some coffee from his big red thermos, open up his newspaper, and sit.”

These lines introduce the reader to Mr. Larson’s teaching style at the beginning of the book. They show the care with which Mr. Larson hides his lack of motivation behind a version of good practice. Since the open classroom is an established idea, he can refer to it when it suits him and keep parents from asking too many questions. Given there is a stack of letters in Mr. Larson’s file from parents asking for their children not to be put in his class, this misdirection doesn’t work, and Mr. Larson’s commitment to being uninvolved in his classroom shows he’s not concerned about the file or any threats Dr. Barnes issues because of it. Room 145’s jumbled state also represents the lack of care Mr. Larson shows in his work, and the physical classroom is a personification of his apathy.

“‘That is my open classroom at work! Here’s living proof. I have not been involved one bit, and that quiet new girl—Laura…or Tara? Or…well…that little Landry girl—she has gone right ahead and made her own newspaper! And look! Just look! All the other kids are getting involved in the learning!’ Mr. Larson kept talking to himself, now imagining that he was defending himself in front of the whole school board. ‘Go right ahead. You’re the principal, Dr. Barnes. You can put all the letters you want into my file, Dr. Barnes. But here’s proof, right here! I do know what I’m doing, and I’m the teacher in my classroom, not you!’”

These lines are part of Mr. Larson’s inner monologue, and they are a justification for his continued lack of involvement in the classroom. Mr. Larson has noticed Cara put up her first issue of The Landry News and marvels at the other children taking an interest in the newspaper.