Pop Rocks

This evening, I was supposed to be teaching Alban (5) and Jacques (7) English. They don't particularly like these lessons, although I try to make them light... Tonight, Alban - who is particularly strong-willed by nature - was having NONE of it. Very uncooperative. I mentioned though that if he would be good, he could have some "bonbons." He straightened right up and actually became nearly enthusiastic about the English lesson. Let's just say he actually showed interest and initiative... and really surprised me with how much he remembered from his previous (lethargic) lesson. He has quite a memory!

...So I had him read some in a beginner book, double-checking to make sure he was comprehending the meaning of the English words and quizzing him on some of the vocab. As a reward, I gave him some Pop Rocks. He had never seen anything like them at first and seemed a little loathe to try them at first. But try them, he did. The look on his face was priceless! He actually displayed wonder. (If you knew this stubborn, ornery-as-heck little kid as well as I do, you would marvel too!) I gave him a little more and he ran downstairs to show his mom and brother. :)

Whaddya know?? Jacques was suddenly eager to get started on his own lesson. :D I had him read several pages of a different book, worked on some spelling, and then quizzed him on vocab from today's book as well as from last week and a few weeks before. Colors, food, various things... when he had satisfactorily accomplished a fair amount, I dished out Pop Rocks to him too. His reaction matched Alban's. There was a "What's going on in there anyway??" look on his face, and he ran downstairs also to share the tidings of this wonder candy with his mom.

Ahh, a little bribery now and then never hurt anybody... LOL! Thank you VERY much to Linds for sending the novelty "bonbons"!! They came in very handy and the boys are now a little more on their way to speaking English. :) Baby steps, baby steps...