Monday, April 27, 2009

out of the mouths of babes...

the school where I'm teaching

I've been teaching after school art classes the last couple of weeks and have had the opportunity to eavesdrop on a few interesting conversations. The kids are in 1st through 8th grades, and some of the stuff they say to each other is pretty amazing:

"Did you know that 3 million people a year die from choking?"

"My mom had a secret wedding. If they don't let you get married you do it anyway and keep it a secret."

Girl #1: "My mom was old when they got me. I got adopted because my real mom was only 19 when she had me. She was still in college. But I wasn't in the orphanage or anything. They got me from the hospital."
Girl #2, with an air of superiority: "They don't have orphanages in America. They abolished them."

"I know a boy who had a cell phone in kindergarten. But he was only supposed to use it in an emergency. Or if he really really wanted to talk."

"I just don't get why my mom gave birth to my brother...he's such a pain."

Girl #1: "My parents met each other at a wine and beer tasting. My mom was the bartender, but then they got engaged in Belgium."
Girl #2: "Belgium, Germany?"
Girl #1: "Yeah. Belgium, Germany."

"My sister's really evil. She wants to take over the world someday. But for now, she just took over the fridge."

And in case you were wondering if they're all girls...they're not. It's just that the boys don't seem to have a lot to say, but I'm sure they're listening in, too.

5 comments:

The Dreamer said...

Funny. I get similar eves-dropping opportunities while working at a after-school program.

mo.stoneskin said...

I've always believed that Belgium is in Germany, it just makes sense.

Hilarious dialogue.

Who did you say was their teacher again?

;)

Glennis said...

hilarious! You've got the voices down just right.

San Diego Momma said...

Eavesdropping on kids is the best writing fodder I've found.

Of course, some of it is disturbing, but all in the name of art, I say!

foolery said...

These are great, Miss Petunia! My favorite thing to do is capture what my daughters say verbatim, but it's not easy to do. You either have a great memory or keep a notepad handy. Either way, my hat is off to you.