Lessons in Geography

Dear Sabrina Banana,

Two Sundays ago we had this conversation. 

Sabrina: Mommy have you seen a kangaroo before?

Liv: Yup, gramma and I went to Australia when I was a little girl.

Sabrina: What country did you go to?

Liv: Australia

Sabrina: That's not a country! That's a continent!

Liv: No it's both a country and a continent.

It took a few more minutes of discussion to convince you of this fact but eventually, you conceded. I loved how you argued with me. I think that's precious. I also love that you remembered what your teacher told you in class. 

I found out during a conference with your teacher that you have discussed these countries: China, Philippnes, Japan, Italy and France. She said she's surprised because you're the only one in class who remembers all the details discussed. I proved that when I started asking you about the countries! I realized this was something you're interested in so I decided to capitalize on it. 

Last Sunday, you started asking me about the United States and I promised you that I'll make a presentation for you so that we can learn about it. Why did I do this? For so many reasons:

1. I want to teach you about geography and culture
2. I want to see how much of what I teach you will be retained
3. Because after I present to you, I am going to ask you to "teach" daddy 
4. Because I know this will whet your curiosity and you'll want to learn about other countries after this (and yes, this has already happened) 
5. I will eventually teach you how to make your own presentation and how to find things yourself. 

The result of this presentation was so funny. I posted most of what happened in FB and I'll just copy-paste them here:

So I just finished my presentation for Andrea. She generally liked it but commented that I forgot to put pictures of Disneyworld on the slide which focuses on things we can see in the US (like the statue of liberty and Niagara falls). 
She particularly liked the slide where I posted the photo of the continent of North America. She said "Oh wow, it's near Canada and Mexico". She then exclaimed that she's so happy her grandmother lives near Mexico because Dora lives in Mexico. 2 hours after:

Andrea: Mommy, mommy I just remembered. Justin Bieber lives in Canada?
Liv: Really? Who told you that?
Andrea: The teachers from Junior Nursery Seals (NOTE: This is not her section, not even her grade level. Why these teachers talk to her about Justin Bieber is beyond me)
Liv: Oh wow.
Andrea: Do you know him? He sang "Baby, baby oh"

Oh dear God. We're learning Geography based on pop artists and cartoon characters.
Andrea: Mommy, mommy I just remembered. Justin Bieber lives in Canada?Liv: Really? Who told you that?Andrea: The teachers from Junior Nursery Seals (NOTE: This is not her section, not even her grade level. Why these teachers talk to her about Justin Bieber is beyond me)Liv: Oh wow. Andrea: Do you know him? He sang "Baby, baby oh"
Oh dear God. We're learning Geography based on pop artists and cartoon characters.

And it continues: 

Andrea: What do the 13 stripes in the American flag mean?Liv: Before, the entire country was part of UK (translation: was under the British) and there were 13 groups (colonies) who worked together and told the British "No we don't want to be part of your country. We want to be our own country?"Andrea: But why? United Kingdom is sooo nice.

Hahaha. Euro-snob? Not really, you just really like the United Kingdom because they have a queen! So today, we're going to learn about the UK. Truth be told, I'm going to be learning with you as I don't know much about the UK..

Love, 

Momma