Becoming: Paul Revere's Ride and Best Friends

At Abby's school, the 4th graders have to memorize the poem Paul Revere's Ride, and they often win a Jamba Juice when they finish it. Abby popped up on my g-chat and was woebegone because she hasn't won her Jamba yet and she wanted to practice on me. Sweetest conversation ensued:

Abby: Paul Revere's Ride

by henry watworth longfello

listen my children and you shall hear

of the midnight

me: of the midnight ride of paul revere

Abby: ride

of paul revere

on the 18 of April in 75 harley a man is know alive

you remembers that famous day and year?

He said to his friend of the british march

me: Who, not you

Abby: ?

what?

me: Who remembers that famous day and year?

Abby: no one

thats why it has it like this =

Who remembers that famous day and year?

it a qeustion

me: I know..you said "you" and not "who"

Abby: oops

i didnt mean to

me: making sure you were learning it right

k keep going

Abby: be land or sea from the town to night

soory BY

land

hang a lantern aloft of the bell free light

sorry hight

of the north church tower ona signal light

me: arch, not hight

Abby: oh

opps

you know it better than i do???

haha

me: I may or may not have it up on the screen to watch your progress...

Abby: haha

i know the poem from top to bottom

but

its

just

hard without the clas

i mean class

i need to work on my typing

me: it will help if you stand and recite it to yourself in the mirror

Abby: i do that when im brushing my teeth

me: how do you recite the poem with a toothbrush in your mouth?

Abby:

i dont know

i just do it

me: well. Do it without the toothbrush

and make eye contact with yourself

Abby: ok

me: and do it over and over and over until you can't make a mistake even if you tried

then you'll earn a jamba

Abby: haha really

me: yep. I used to do that with violin music

Abby: but i already know it ALL!!!!!!!!

me: well. Now you just need to polish it

Abby: its just hard to type a Poem into the chat

here one sec

i wrote this awesome poem a while ago

Abby: i gotta find it

are you there miss. bethany??

me: yes miss abby

Abby: oh ok

here is another poem
Friends
By: Abigail Coleman
Friends are wonderful things to have
you laugh and giggle and play
and do homework all together,Do you have
lots of friends well I have tons and you be a friend to anyone
even if your mad or sad you could be a friend or a friend could
be a friend to YOU and then you would both be happy.

Do you have a best friend well i DONT because what if you
said to a friend that there your best friend a diffrent fried might here you
and fell sad that there not good enough so have everyone your best friend
and then you will be as happy as me

..................

me: I have lots of best friends

Abby: ya

EVERY one is my best friend

me: different best friends are there for different things

some best friends you can trust with ANYTHING, some best friends would do anything for you, some best friends are just there to help you cheer up and laugh

Abby: you friends from school outside friends from school friends from church

me: some best friends are in your family

Abby: ya

me: Mama is my very, very best friend

her and Jesus

Abby: my whole family is my very very very best friend

me: family are good best friends to have

Abby: ya

me: I have to go do my homework, best friend

Abby: guess so

me: love you best friend

Abby: ok love you best friend