Stereotypes

So today when I get into the classroom, one of my third grade girls who calls me her best friend says, "Ms. Halstead, is that shirt from Kansas? Because it definitely looks like a Kansas shirt."  All I could do is laugh because it was a navy, short-sleeved, plaid button-up shirt that my mom had bought for me in Texas a few years ago.  It definitely could be a "Kansas" shirt if you think of farms and the type of clothing that people associate with it.  I'm glad to know that my students now have a sense of what Kansas is and looks like.  She said it with the sweetest intentions because she has an understanding of how much I like Kansas but that is not the first time I have been stereotyped as a Kansas girl from them.  They are so aware!
School went as normal today.  I reviewed with both classes and read out loud to them again.  This time I read a book from the Sir Cumference series about place value which we did last chapter.  I wish I had seen it when we were in that chapter but many of them were making connections to what we did so that was good.  One of my students almost/did stab me in the back with a pen today.  That's the first time I have had that occur.  She was literally right behind me with her pen open when I moved backward slightly and it jammed into my back.  It caused a little bit of pain but the fact that she was so close to me was what shocked me more!
It was Wednesday so the school had early dismissal.  Our staff meeting today was all about how we can adapt our teaching to meet our students' knowledge of technology.  The more we talk about Common Core Standards and different aspects of technology that can be used in the classroom, the more I am grateful to my ESU professors and mentor teachers for helping introduce it to me while still in school.  I guess it did not click in my head when they were teaching it but I am definitely applying and using everything they taught us.  All those class days of reading and learning about the Common Core Standards are now coming in handy so thanks professors! As we watched the videos online and talked about technology, I realized that the teachers I am surrounded by are having a hard time adjusting to the changes in the world around them.  Incorporating technology into their lessons is hard for them because many of them do not know how to use it.  The school has 6 cheap versions of a SMART board and I will be interested to see which teachers ask to have them in their classrooms because some them have no idea how to operate them.  I miss the access to technology but Sr. Stephanie said if we want any piece of technology for the students, we could ask her and possibly get it.  I started brainstorming a few pieces that the whole school could use for the future, after I'm gone.
Once we stopped talking about technology, the topic of their big Christmas show came up.  This Christmas program is a big deal apparently.  One of the preschool teachers is already counting down to how many days they have to practice! Each grade does their own song and/or dance.  The show is on the 15th, the day before I fly home.  Therefore, I cannot procrastinate on my packing! Patricia and I were also informed, and we cannot decide if this is a joke yet or not, that we must perform a duet of some sort at the program.  The two of us are a little apprehensive about this but we will play it by ear and see if they are really serious.  If so, we welcome any ideas!
After school, it was such a beautiful day here that I went on a run.  I am definitely not in shape but it's a step in the right direction again! Consistency is what I need to work on.  I hope the weather continues like this except I believe we have the aftermath of a hurricane headed our way which means rain.  I cannot complain because I have a friend in Colorado who is freezing his bottom off because it snowed so much!
On a few technical notes about my page:
1. I found out during my retreat that I had the wrong Gospel cited at the top! The verse is definitely from Mark and not Matthew.  Ooops.
2. I changed the design of the page to a more Fall-like theme.  I figured since it does not feel like Fall here, that I needed some reminder that it's Fall.
3. I discovered while playing with the design that I can see how many people look at my blog each day.  I was looking at the different trends because I can see which posts were looked at the most.
4. Finally and maybe most important for some, I changed the setting so that EVERYONE can comment! I know a few of you had asked about this so I finally fixed it! Yay!! Comment away now!

October is quickly coming to a close! No baseball game tonight due to a rainout but I expect minimal sleeping tomorrow night.  Have a great Fall day!