I questioned her facts. Michelle said it must be true because it was on a television show on Fox. He was attacked by four snakes, but they didn't eat his leg. He said it in a very superior tone, as if to imply that Michelle was either stupid or crazy to spread such a story. I used this incident as a teachable moment.
Stories become more and more outrageous as they are passed from person to person.
I asked Michelle if she saw how she was creating folklore. She nodded, but I doubt she saw it at all. Perhaps the students are not intellectually mature enough to make the leap from our collection to everyday life. I also wanted to find out if the students could analyze the stories. I asked Kelsey why parents wouldn't want their loved ones to use public pay phones.