I teach 'Country of the Month' to my New York class, a group of very intelligent 7 year olds. At the start of a each month, we always begin with the basics: where is this country? What are the people like? Can you find it on the world map? Let's brainstorm! You get the point.
After the first class each month I usually get the kids to write a few basic sentences about what they've learned so far. Afterward they have a chance to add a picture to their writing. It could be anything they want, as long as it's a picture related to the country of discussion. Thankfully, the Korean teachers at the school always prepare picture collages showcasing each country, so the kids have an idea of what to draw. In this month's case, the Russian-themed collage included things like: classical ballet, matryoshka dolls, and...vodka? A little odd, but then again this is Korea. Drinking culture here isn't exactly backroom, bottom shelf material. I could let it slide...if the story ended there.
Collecting the kids' work at the end of class, one of the girls handed me this:
In case you're unclear, the picture reads: Absolut Viagra.
My eyes popped out of my head. "Jenny! Where did you learn this?!!" Confused, she pointed to one of the Russian picture collages strewn across her desk. I snatched up the paper, skanning desperately for the vodka image.
Yup. There it was, in plain old black & white: Absolut Viagra. Turns out, one of the Korean teachers had unwillingly included a bogus internet image that someone had posted online as a joke. Unfamiliar with Viagra, the teacher assumed it was the vodka brand name.
Yup, I thought, this one's definitely not goin home to Mum and Dad.
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