To get students to think about the differences between cultures prior to reading the book, students should start a conversation about some of the differences between the cultures of the partner group (German/American). A good starting point is to make students talk about their families. Both groups of students should write an email to their partner(s) about their family. Have them include:

• size of the family

• roles each family member fulfils

• whether boys and girls are treated the same way or differently

• at what time they have meals?

• whether they eat together or alone, at home or away from home

• what are typical meals for the family? (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

After the students have read the email from their partner class, the students should be split into small groups (3-4 pupils in each group) to share the information each person gathered in the email exchange. Each group will then be responsible for writing the main points of their discussion on the board. Looking at what the students have written on the board, the teacher tries to start a discussion about the similarities and differences between the two cultures.

The students should be asked to reflect individually on the similarities and differences between German and American cultures by writing a short response email to their partner about what they learned or what they thought was interesting about the partner culture.