classroom management and the hagakure

"A clear stream is avoided by fish. If there are weeds in the stream the fish can thrive behind them.
If one overlooks certain matters or takes no notice of trivial things, the [students] can live in contentment. This wisdom is also necessary for [the teacher's] well being." (Yamamoto Tsunetomo 山本常朝, Hagakure 葉隠聞書)

This is why I have tended towards not worrying about a lot of the quirky things students like to do to express themselves in classrooms. A little bit of randomness and individuality is okay with me. Although you don't want chaos to reign, but a climate of authoritarianism stifles creativity and engagement with subject matter and interferes with learning. Edge should not be too clear, just a little bit of ambiguity is ideal. Self-determination thrives when things are not too orderly.