Student responses to the prompt “In a ____, with a ____, while a ____…”:

In a night club, with a candle, while a man was starting a fire…
This was by far the best story, involving a cult of naked drunk people, Robin Hood, and llamas.

In a theme park, with a tiger, while Tony Parker was eating Frosties…
This was probably my second favorite, finishing with the tiger and Tony Parker sharing a bowl.

In an elevator, with an elephant, while Zizou was playing football…
You may notice a certain similarity between the last two. Also of note: my students all knew the words to the song about Zizou headbutting Materazzi, and they were very amused by the English word “headbutt.” (song: coup de boule)

In a tropical island, with a top model, while she was swimming…
There was a lot of snickering. The model ended up dying of blood loss from a shark attack.

In an igloo, with a penguin, while an Eskimo was smoking crack…
I didn’t teach my students the words for smoking crack–they knew all on their own.

In Besançon, with Austin Powers, while Mini-me and Dr. Evil were trying to take over the world…
This story didn’t stay in Besançon for very long, needless to say. It took me a ridiculously long time to understand when my students wanted to write “Little me” and “Dr. Hell” into the story. “Ohhh,” I realized eventually, feeling stupid. “Dr. Evil.” I refrained from asking them about the scene where everyone describes the spaceship, even though I secretly wanted to. Comment dit-on johnson?

Posted in English, France, funny, teaching by rachel