The other day I handed out a sheet which asked students to write up something about holidays in their lives. I had several categories like dress, food, displays, family activities, music, etc. We had been studying el Dia de los Muertos and looking at Christmas celebrations in Hispanic countries.
I wasn’t so interested in getting their observations as I was in seeing them turn to each other and ernestly discuss the holidays in their families. The interaction was warm and sincere and full of interest. It is an example of how an assignment may have an ulterior motive.