Here is a funny story that could only happen when teaching cross-culturally. I told my class of second and third graders that the next book I would be reading aloud to them was a classic, How to Eat Fried Worms. Sure to fascinate kids in a funny and gross way. Josh (my only 100% Caucasian student who is half American, half Dutch, but has always lived in Thailand) and Tan (pure Thai) started chattering excitedly in Thai. Josh works as a translator in my classroom on a regular basis. This is the English conversation that ensued:
Josh: A whole book about eating fried worms? Great! They're so yummy!
Tan: Yeah, I love fried worms, they're one of my favorites!
Josh: Me too!
Cindy: So in Thailand, people enjoying eating fried worms?
Josh: Of course, they're really good! Haven't you had fried worms?
Cindy: No I haven't. In America, people don't eat worms.
Josh and Tan with completely puzzled faces: Why not? They're sooo good!
Cindy: I guess we don't have the right kind of worms!
I guess I'll pick a different book to read aloud next.
Josh's parents later told me where to get fried worms and bugs at the market. They said they like the worms better, some kind of bamboo worm. Megan is intrigued to try them, I'm not sure I'm brave enough. I'll let you know.
This link might take you to my Facebook where you can watch a video of my students singing as we work on creating a movie.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/video/video.php?v=1120652296160
And here is the movie we created!
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