Today was a fun day. I went to school but I had a sub. That’s because my principal got my team subs so that we could administer running records without interrupting the flow and rhythm of curriculum.
That’s what happened last week during District Assessments. The flow and rhythm of curriculum, fidelity to the core, and first best instruction flew right out the window as I pulled kids in small groups and one at a time to torture myself with.
I love that my principal does this for us. Two years ago, when our class sizes went up, and this time of the year rolled around, she found us in a heap in her office with mostly bald heads and bad acne from all the stress. Ever since then, she gets us each a sub for one day. And a wig, if necessary.
I love it. LOVE it.
There’s just nothing like pulling every single one of your kids out of the classroom for a little one on one. It is fabulous.
Yesterday was good, too. I gave my kids the end of the trimester writing benchmark that I showed you last year. Here it is again in case you didn’t get it then.
(click the pic to grab it)
Before we started writing, I read the story of the Three Little Pigs. Except there was an itty bitty problem. I didn’t have the story. So I went next door to borrow it from my partner. And she said, “I’ve got to warn you – this version is a little . . . different.”
So, anyhow, to be on the safe side, I told my kids that the wolf wasn’t very nice in this version. And that’s all I said.
They said they knew. He’s the big bad wolf, after all.
Deep breath. Here we go. We’re off.
I began reading this version:
And, sure enough, the wolf blew the first little pig’s straw house down. The illustration was so sad. Look at that poor little pig’s face.
I might have said that to my kids. “Oh, look at that sadpoorlittle pig’s face. Awwww.”
And then I read, “And the wolf ate the first little pig all up.”
My kids GASPED. Loudly.
I was shocked. Plain shocked. He ate that sadpoorlittle pig?
The looks on my firstie’s faces . . . well, I’ll describe it as horrified.
I started to wonder if they were going to tell on me to their parents that I read this book. Or were they going to tell on me to my principal? I mean, what kind of world do we live in that wolves eat pigs? Huh? Huh? What kind of teacher am I that I would read a story in which a wolf blows a house down after the pig won’t let him in by the hair of his chinny chin chin, and then the wolf eats the pig? Huh?
I continued reading and, sure enough, the wolf blew the house of sticks down.
And there was another sadpoorlittle pig sorrounded by sticks.
And I read, “And the wolf ate the second little pig all up.”
GASP! Louder this time. The horrified looks were more horrified this time.
And then I was inappropriate.
Because I giggled.
Shook my head. Stop, I said to myself.
Giggled again.
Shook my head harder. Stop! I said to myself.
Began to read . . . and started laughing.
My kids gasped. “It’s not funny!” they cried.
I said, “I know!” while I laughed.
I don’t know why I laughed, but I’m laughing now.
Why is this funny to me?
Half my kids joined in the laughter and the other half asked for a transfer out of my class.
This version has the last little pig eat his soup alone. The kids told me the first and second little pig were supposed to run out their back doors and find safety in the brick house. Then they all have soup together.
How is it that I don’t know this? And what the heck version did I read last year?
I told the hubs this story. He said, “That’s funny.” He failed to guffaw which is what I like him to do when I tell him a funny story. I’ve told him this countless times, but he has not internalized it, apparently.
Then he said, “The whole thing’s funny. I mean, when’s the last time you saw a pig build a house?”
And then I rolled.
I laughed and laughed.
I have no idea why this is so funny.
Giggle snort.
I absolutely love reading your posts. Because here I am sitting by myself on the couch, cracking up b/c I can soo picture this and oh my it's just funny. I now have the giggles…thanks! 🙂
mrsthigpenskindergarten.blogspot.com
I love your blog! Your posts are the best!
Alexa
http://bilingualscrapbook.blogspot.com/
This is so funny. I also unexpectedly read this version to my kids this year. I mean, I thought it was safe if I checked it out of the school library! They all thought that the first two little pigs were going to show up at the third little pigs house and it would all just be a joke. :/
Casey
Second Grade Math Maniac
Second Grade Freebies
And just when these kids thought they knew what "bad" was…bahaha!! This made my night a little bit!
❤ -Stephanie
Falling Into First
Pretty funny, Kristin! 🙂
Hysterical! You AND the story! Thanks, I needed a really good laugh tonight!
You're so funny 🙂
I haven't read this version! All the versions I read the little pigs make it to the brick house and cook the wolf in the soup!
Journey of a Substitute Teacher
and
Endless Pinabilities!
Wow! Your Principal ROCKS! I am loving the idea of being able to DRA with no distractions. P.S. Thanks for the fun story!
You are hysterical. I have the giggles now!
Tell your hubby that wolves can't really talk, either. Hehehe! So funny!
I love that he hasn't internalized it yet!
Great story!!
You are so lucky! I would have LOVED to do this when I was testing my kinders for the last 2 weeks. :-/
I just had to share this with you because you have given me so many good laughs I wanted to return the favor. I also teach first grade in So. Cal. As a challenge assignment for homework last week, I asked the kids to write me a letter. Aaron wrote this (and honest to God this is true and I have the letter to prove it!) Dear Mrs. Phillips, I know you are older than dirt and maybe as old as God but you are still beautiful to me and a young chickadee. Love, Aaron. Well if that doesn't build my ego i don't know what will!
hahahha why didn't you tell me this story earlier?! probably because I wouldn't let you talk…
Okay, and here's my thought after laughing…:-) WHEN was this story written? Chances are it was at a grittier time in our country…hard to believe that was kiddy lit back in the day! (But it made SUCH an awesome story for us grownups! Thank you!)
Jealous of a day to assess… we have an incredible principal…may have to pass your blog post on to her with a copy of the Three Little Pigs…:-)
Patty So
Sosimplefirstgrade
The EXACT same thing happened to me and my class at the beginning of our school year. My kids were MORTIFIED! I felt so bad! 🙂
Shanyn
Coffee, Kids and Compulsive Lists
So funny! You are like me- I seem to laugh at inappropriate times too. I cracked up reading your blog!
I am so jealous that you get to have a sub while you do assessments! The teachers in my school have asked for that, but been denied on all fronts. I just finished pulling all 20 of my students to read with me one-on-one for the DRA. It was crazy. No matter what I plan for the other students to do, they always end up being very chatty and management and procedures go out the window. You are very lucky to have a sub.
Also, that Three Little Pigs story sounds very interesting. My kids probably would have had mixed reactions too. I know for sure some would have laughed and others would have been sad.
Hilarious!
Jennifer
First Grade Blue SKies
THIS HAPPENED TO ME! Oh my word… Practically the same exact thing last year. I just kept reading too… My kids were in shock, so was I. 🙂
aaaaaa! I can't stop laughing now!!!
First, I love that your principal gets subs for assessments. How awesome!
Second, thanks for spreading the laughter. I read the same version to my Firsties last year. I was worried that they would freak, but after the initial gasp, one of the little rascals says, "Don't you guys know that wolves eat pigs? It's called the food chain!" The class then proceeded to agree that it was pretty natural for a wolf to eat a pig, haha.
Alicia @ Today's Objective
Lucky ducky getting a sub for a day so you can get testing done. We added ANOTHER assessment this year. I finished last week. Six weeks of testing. Many bottles of wine consumed after school. I can only say, "Please read this out loud. When you are finished reading I may ask you questions about what you just read." BLEH!
Rowdy in First Grade
We too are very lucky. Our principal gives the K, 1st, and 2nd grade teachers 3 days for testing. In 1st we assess with RESULTS and need to listen to the children read. Of course, we still need to do the sight words and sounds before we Can read with them. It really is fun to get that one-on-one time with the kiddos.
I guffawed. Out loud. Several times.
ahhh… so funny.
Thanks for the assessment. Its perfect.
I loved this post! I had this happen as well….I think it is stinkin' funny that you lost it! Ha ha!
Hugs,
Rebecca
Teaching First
Been there! I accidentally read the version where the wolf climbs down the chimney and boils to death in the soup. Haha… Totally traumatized some little ones. Thanks for the laughs!