Sunday, October 18, 2009

Fun with Culture

I have a 5 year old on my caseload who has to learn things like colors, grouping similar objects and understanding opposites. We use file folder games, among other things, so that he thinks we're playing when he's actually learning. The other day we were sorting breakfast foods and lunch/dinner foods. The foods were typical American fare: hamburgers, eggs, bacon, toast, etc. However, this student lives with his 75 year old grandfather who can't cook. Apparently they eat frozen food warmed up in the microwave for most of their meals. Needless to say, sorting breakfast foods from lunch/dinner foods was not trivial for this student.
Another day this week the same student chose to do a game in which he had to sort winter items from summer items. However, there's no time of year in which he would wear a swimsuit because it's never warm enough to swim. Additionally, he sorted the heavy boots into the summer category because, I think, it's very muddy here all summer so you need to wear waterproof shoes. Finally, the baseball glove and bat were put in the winter category because you might use them in the school gym during the winter but there's absolutely no place to play "our national pastime" in The Village. I think I have to hide the culturally insensitive games.

1 comment:

  1. looks like the "teacher" is the one who is learning in this scenario and the student is teaching.
    Wish you were here to share the downfall of the Red Sox with us and the rise of the----- I don't even think I can say the words. It's just plain depressing.

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