Lately I’ve been thinking about teaching my 6th graders a song, preferably a song that they were already familiar with so that they would be more interested in learning the lyrics.  In order to kickstart this idea, I asked all of my classes to think of any English songs that they knew or had heard on the radio and try to write down the name of the song or the artist.  After one of these announcements, one girl named Cherry came up to me to suggest a very popular female singer: Brani.  Conversation as follows:

me:  ”Hmm….do you mean Brandy?”

Cherry: “No, Brani.  She sings ‘Baby Baby”

(and not knowing Brandy’s musical repertoire and thinking it still might be a translation issue…)

Me: “Is she black?”

Cherry: “No”

Fancina (trying to assist): “Oh, Isn’t she from England?”

Me (Just throwing out suggestions at this point): “The Spice Girls?”

Cherry: “No.  I think America.  She is kind of crazy”

Me: “Lindsay Lohan?!”

Cherry: “No.  She cut off all her hair.  She a bad mom.  She is crazy.”

Me (Lightbulbs flashing and bells ringing): “Oooohhhhh! BRITNEY.  BRITNEY SPEARS!”

Gotta love these moments.