Friday, October 27, 2006

A scene in a third grade classroom

Picture this: I am standing before a group of twenty three third graders. They are reasonably silent because they are munching on various snacks-- apples, doritos, yogurt...the usual. I am holding several new books that just came in from our new book order, eager to share them with my students. Here's how the conversation went:

Me: "So, boys and girls, this author also wrote Frindle, The School Story and Janitor's Boy...." I trail off as a hand shoots in the air. Thinking I am going to hear about one of the books I just mentioned (you may not know them but they are great books, and third graders love them!) I call on the student. "Yes, S?"
S: "Mrs. S, I think something's wrong with your neck, it's all red."
Me: "Hmmm, well, I don't know what's wrong, I'm sure it's fine. Back to this book, it says it's a mystery or two, which is making me wonder why the author...." I trail off again, as another hand shoots in the air. Thinking that this student might notice that I just used one of our more recent reading comprehension words and have something to add, I call on him.
M: "Mrs. S, I think you have a rash, your neck is splotchy."
Me: "Yes, S just said that, I don't know what it is, but I'm fine....so, anyways, as I was saying, if you enjoy mysteries, or this author, then you'll probably enjoy this new book. The next books are a series, do you know the Black Lagoon Series?" Several hands shoot in the air, as soon as I say that. I choose one.
K: "Mrs. S, your neck is red, are you OK?"
Me: AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!! (That was in my head.) What I said was: "OK, boys and girls, I understand that my neck is red, I feel just fine, I don't know why it's red, but I'm sure it will go away."

Third graders.....

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I understand your frustration, but I am fixated on this: So why was your neck red? Did it go away?

Anonymous said...

Me too. Whats up with your neck, Li?
brudda

Lisa said...

Honestly....I have no idea why it was red. But the best part was that I went down to the library and the library teacher said, "Lisa, do you know your neck is all red? It looks like an allergic reaction!" Whatever it was, by the end of library time it was gone....weird.