Kids and Michael Jackson

(And yes, these conversations really did happen in my room over the last 2 weeks)

Miss "X" (we shall refer to me as) 

Teacher: "Okay does everyone know what kind of sleeping face they are going to draw?" (my students are doing a lesson on Gustav Klimt, and just saw the painting titled "Baby". 






Student raises hand.


Teacher: "*Johnny what's your question?"

Student: " Can I give my person an afro?'


Teacher: "An afro?"


Student: "Yeah like Michael Jackson."


Another student pipes in:" Michael Jackson didn't have an afro ya ding dog!"


Student 1: "Yeah he did!"


Both look at me for the answer.


"Michael Jackson did have an afro, but only when he was much younger."


Student 1: "Yeah, and when he was black."


Me hit myself in forehead. WOW.




Student 2: "Michael Jackson was black? But his skin was white!"




Teacher: "Michael Jackson was an African American yes, but he had a skin disorder where his skin turned very white."


Students all reply "Ohhhhhhhh."

END CONVO

First week into school.


Teacher: "I often play music while you guys work on your artwork."


Student: "What kind of music?"


Teacher: "I usually play oldies."


Student: "Yes!!!! I love Michael Jackson!"


Teacher: (Me thinking to myself before replying Say What???"


Teacher: "Michael Jackson isn't Oldies!"


Student: "He's not?"


Teacher: "No he's like 80s and 90s music. I meant oldies like Bill Haley and the Comets, James Brown, The Temptations."


Student: "Who are they?"


Teacher: "They are artists of the area known as OLDIES from the 50s and 60s."


Students: "Ohhhh."