ANN ARBOR—”Ojos aquí,” calls teacher Patricia Valdivieso, a command that translates to “eyes on me.” At this, 19 second graders in a Michigan elementary school slowly quiet down.

“Does anyone know in what country people celebrate Three Kings’ Day?” she asks, still in Spanish as hands shoot up as the anxious answers come.

Venezuela? Argentina? Come the answers, also in Spanish

The teacher shakes her head: “No, it’s in Spain and Mexico, when children get to open their presents in January.”