I spend a good portion of my day observing several students in a first grade classroom. In this room are five windows along the far wall. The teacher has hung up large pieces of butcher paper to act as makeshift curtains which partially block the bright, early morning sun.

There is a strange phenomenon surrounding the middle window. More specifically, it has to do with the paper curtain hanging in front of that window. It moves. Back and forth. It’s very steady, as if keeping time. It’s almost hypnotic if you watch it for a while.

I know what you’re thinking: it’s got to be the wind, right? Well, none of the windows are open. Despite our lack of snow this winter, it’s still quite cold outside. The classroom has ceiling fans, but they aren’t spinning. There’s also no perceptible breeze coming from the open door leading to the hallway.

Can anyone out there explain this to me? I might have an easier time with the movement of the paper if all of the makeshift curtains were moving as well, but it’s just the one in the confusing middle (see what I did there?). Do I just need to chalk it up to that classroom being haunted? I’ve already explained that I don’t believe in ghosts, but I’m open to other explanations.