For many of the children in my class, English is their second language. Though they have no accent to reveal this, it can be seen at times in certain words or phrases they use, or try to use.
One boy in particular tends to be a reoccurring star in this.
Once again this arose at prayer time. Over the past few weeks we'd been praying for the victims of various plane, train, and helicopter crashes the kids had heard about. One of my little grade ones -I'll call him Arnie- raised his hand suggesting we pray for the "vrixdoms of the crashes."
It took a moment to realize he was trying to say 'victims'. He had no idea that he was saying it wrong, he was just trying to imitate what he heard the other children say. In his mind, he was saying it the exact same way.
On Friday, Arnie successfully got me, along with my 2 TAs bulled over laughing. It was one of my TAs last day on Friday because she is going to Africa on a 2 month mission trip. As a class we had made her a class book, each writing something we will remember about her. When I was presenting the book to her, I asked the kids where it was that she was going. Many kids raised their hands: I called on Arnie. He announced loudly to the class, "she is passing away."
Well we couldn't hide our laughter this time.
Before I had a chance to correct Arnie, one of the kids yelled out to Arnie, "that means she's going to die!"
At least he's a good sport about it, and his mistakes don't cause him embarrassment which lead to shyness or an unwillingness to share with the class.
It is his innocence that brings joy, not his desire to be comical, that's the most refreshing part.
~tell me a story~
One boy in particular tends to be a reoccurring star in this.
Once again this arose at prayer time. Over the past few weeks we'd been praying for the victims of various plane, train, and helicopter crashes the kids had heard about. One of my little grade ones -I'll call him Arnie- raised his hand suggesting we pray for the "vrixdoms of the crashes."
It took a moment to realize he was trying to say 'victims'. He had no idea that he was saying it wrong, he was just trying to imitate what he heard the other children say. In his mind, he was saying it the exact same way.
On Friday, Arnie successfully got me, along with my 2 TAs bulled over laughing. It was one of my TAs last day on Friday because she is going to Africa on a 2 month mission trip. As a class we had made her a class book, each writing something we will remember about her. When I was presenting the book to her, I asked the kids where it was that she was going. Many kids raised their hands: I called on Arnie. He announced loudly to the class, "she is passing away."
Well we couldn't hide our laughter this time.
Before I had a chance to correct Arnie, one of the kids yelled out to Arnie, "that means she's going to die!"
At least he's a good sport about it, and his mistakes don't cause him embarrassment which lead to shyness or an unwillingness to share with the class.
It is his innocence that brings joy, not his desire to be comical, that's the most refreshing part.
~tell me a story~
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