Teens Say the Darndest Things!

What are some of the moments in your day that keep you in the classroom? Or make you smile? Or help you remember that as wise as they may seem, they are simply kids who still say the darndest things?

 

 

Some of you remember Art Linkletter’s TV show “House Party” in the 50s and 60s.  One of the funniest parts of those episodes (and subsequent book: see http://tinyurl.com/mgvdoqm) included Linkletter’s live interviews titled “Kids Say the Darndest Things.”

Walking the halls recently, I mentally recorded various teenage conversations. I was suddenly in the middle of an episode of “House Party”.  These particular ones stand out as part of that fun day:

21^st century Problem:

Girl 1:  (drops her cell phone in the hall)

Girl 2: Your life is over!

Students and Teachers:

Student 1: Ms C says I can’t start my paper with a rhetorical question so I just changed the question mark to a period.

Student 2: That should work.

Students and Parents:

Girl 1 to Girl 2:  I can’t believe your mom would believe you!

Girl 2 to Girl 1: Believe it!

Student 1: Hey, Ms G!

Student 2: Hey, Ms G!

Ms G:  Good morning, guys!

Student 1: Guess what? Both of our daddies live in Florida, and we just found out they are neighbors.

Ms G: Really? That’s amazing!

Student 2: Yep.  They’re both in the same prison.

Schoolyard Romance:

Freshman Girl 1:  She likes him!

Freshman Girl 2: Like like or like like like?

Shakespearean Syntax:

Boy 1: Are you “kidding” me? (that isn’t really the word he used…)

Boy 2: I “kid” you not! (that isn’t really the word he used either..)

On Fashion:

Ms G: Hat off, please ma’am.

Girl 1: It’s not a hat.  It’s a beret.  (Really?)

College and Career Ready:

Girl enters my room before the bell, seeking some help.

Girl: Hey, Ms G.  I’m filling out this application, and I’m confused.

Ms G: What’s the problem?

Girl:  Well, it asks for my ethnicity right here, and I don’t see a choice that fits me.

Ms G: (looks at the form) You’re Caucasian.

Girl: I’m not Asian.

Tardies and Truancy:

Danny, who has been absent over 10 days, suddenly shows up for class so I take him into the hall for a serious discussion about attendance, graduation, and his future.

Ms G: (after lots of concerned comments) So, it’s super important for you to be here everyday and not to get behind in your work.

Danny: Well, really, Ms G, I don’t need this class and I don’t need to graduate.  You see, I am going to be the next Magic Mike. (says with utter conviction and belief)

Ms G: (managing to keep her cool) I imagine there are some courses you will need to help you with your career.

You really can’t make this stuff up.

What are some of the moments in your day that keep you in the classroom? Or make you smile? Or help you remember that as wise as they may seem, they are simply kids who still say the darndest things?