Chapter 6: Almost Friends and How to Use Chopsticks

In this chapter, readers hear a little bit about how strict Jimmy thinks his mother is.

Talking Points

1. Stereotypes about parenting abound. You can use this chapter to talk about what is thought about parents from different ethnic groups. For example, Chinese parents are thought to be very demanding: they require that their children be studious in school and serious about music out of school. You might also use this to discuss the similarities between parents of different ethnic groups.

2. It has been said that using chopsticks opens up different neural pathways in the brain and enhances spatial abilities in ways that forks and knives do not. Confucius also advocated chopsticks because he felt that a “superior man” would not bring a knife to the table, knives being associated with slaughter.

Activities

1. Ask each student to draw a Venn diagram to show the similarities and differences between their parents and Jimmy’s parents.

2. If possible, get chopsticks for each student and practice using them. A good way to practice is to give each student a paper cup and some mini marshmallows. Ask the students to transfer the pile of marshmallows from their desk to the cup.