When you're a kid, the rules for classroom groups can change everything.
There's nothing more complicated than the teacher saying, "Groups of four," when there are only three of you.
A new member might just be someone to help get the assignment done—or they could turn into your next best friend.
In kindergarten, it's so easy to break the ice with a simple, "Hi, what's your name?"
Let's bring that one in.
IN THE CLASSROOM
TEACHER: Alright, children, today we're going to do something new: everyone will form groups for an activity. Today's activity will be a game of Tutti Frutti. I'll give you a letter of the alphabet, and you will write down different items starting with that letter; for example, with the letter R: a name, last name, animal, object, and fruit. To do this, you'll form five groups of four; you'll work together in your teams to win, and the winning group will get a special prize.
ME (THINKING): Four people... There are only three of us... What are we going to do?
XIOMARA: What now?
CAIRO: What do we do?
ME: Alright, whoever is left without a team at the end, we'll take that person.
XIOMARA AND CAIRO: Sounds good.
DINA: Teacher, I don't understand...
ME (THINKING): But it's super simple... Man, this girl.
(After three explanations from the teacher, Dina and a few others finally understood. I got it on the first try; either they were dumb, or they just weren't paying attention).
Minutes passed, and we watched everyone form their groups. Even the kids who didn't know each other were building their own teams.
ME (THINKING): We just need one more person... How hard can it be to get just one person?
I guess they preferred to go off and make their own group rather than join us, probably because of our reputation. Though Cairo was completely calm and unbothered.
GRACIELA: Hi... Excuse me, Cairo. If you want, you can join our group, we're missing one.
CAIRO: Thanks... But as you can see, I already have my team here.
GRACIELA: Oh, I see... I understand.
ME (THINKING): You're the best, Cairo, not like the others.
ME: Glad you stayed.
XIOMARA: Yeah, Cairo, thanks a lot. There are only a few minutes left before time runs out, so whoever is left can join us.
ME: Yeah, exactly. (I look in Xiomara's direction).
ME (THINKING): Looks like Dina is arguing with Sayuri, Fernando, Dairon, and that other kid... Ugh, I hate that kid. They probably want to kick someone out and decided on Dina. Well, that's a shame... A little betrayal against her.
ME (THINKING): Oh, we locked eyes... Come on, don't look at her. Oh no, she's still looking at me, what happened to her?
DINA: Fine, I'm leaving!
ME (THINKING): I think she said she's leaving her group... Why is she walking over here? Don't tell me...
DINA: Ángel, I want to be in your group.
ME: I'm sorry, but...
XIOMARA: It's a pleasure, come join us!
DINA: Thanks, I'll help with whatever I know.
ME (THINKING): Why did she even come over? Aren't we supposed to be mad at each other and hate each other?
(At this age, kids have no shame, no pride, no desire for revenge... Well, most of them. I'm the exception, along with that annoying kid).
ME: So what happened with your other group?
DINA: They kicked me out.
ME: HAHAHA!
DINA: Don't laugh!
ME: It's just that the tone of your voice was hilarious.
(Dina grabs me by my collar and pulls me close to her).
DINA (whispering): Ángelo... I'd like to talk to you alone later. I have something really important to tell you.
ME: Okay... Uh, how about at recess?
DINA: Works for me.
TEACHER: Alright, children, we now have our 5 groups of 4. Everyone take a piece of paper; you're going to draw several boxes. In the first box at the top, write "Letters"; in the second, "Name"; in the third, "Last Name"; in the fourth, "Object"; and in the fifth, "Fruit or Vegetable".
(Two minutes later).
TEACHER: Is everyone ready?
EVERYONE: Yes, Ms. Milagros!
TEACHER: Alright, kids. You'll have 10 seconds to fill in the first column, then another 10 seconds for the next one, and so on for all of them.
DINA: Teacher, I don't understand...
TEACHER: Come here, let me explain it to you.
ME (THINKING): Man, this girl never changes. And to think she's the best at puzzles and chess...
TEACHER: I'll give each team a number: you guys will be Group 1, over there is 2, 3, 4... And you guys will be Group 5.
ME: Yes, teacher.
TEACHER: The first letter is B. Counting down three, two, one... go!
ME: Let's see... A name with B.
DINA: Benjamin!
ME: Good. Next, last name... I think Benitez.
ME: Object...
CAIRO: Uh, a ball!
ME: Good. Now, animal...
XIOMARA: Whale!
ME: Good... Time's almost up. The last one is a fruit or vegetable...
XIOMARA: I know! Banana.
US: Teacher, we finished!
TEACHER: Time's up, students! Let's see the scores:
Group 1: 200 points.
Group 2: 250 points.
Group 3: 250 points (a tie between both).
Group 4 (my enemies): 100 points.
Group 5 (us): 500 points.
TEACHER: Very good! We'll do this two more times because it's almost recess. I'll get a prize for the winning group.
ME: Come on, we have to win!
TEACHER: With the letter A... Three, two, one... go!
ME: Name: Angel.
XIOMARA: Last Name: Andrews.
CAIRO: Object: bow.
DINA: Animal: bee.
ME: Fruit or vegetable: blueberries.
ME: Teacher, we finished!
TEACHER: Stop, time's up! Let's see:
Group 1: 400 points (good).
Group 2: 500 points (excellent).
Group 3: 300 points.
Group 4: 450 points.
Group 5: 450 points.
TEACHER: Very good. This is the last round, with the letter E. Three, two, one... go!
ME: Name: Elias.
CAIRO: Last Name: Hernandez.
XIOMARA: Animal: elephant.
DINA: Object: funnel.
ME: Fruit... I don't know.
EVERYONE: That's fine, leave it as is! Teacher, we finished!
TEACHER: Let's see... But Hernandez starts with an H.
CAIRO: But the H is silent, teacher!
TEACHER: Alright, time's up. Let's see the final scores for this round:
Group 1: 100 points.
Group 2: 150 points.
Group 3: 200 points.
Group 4: 200 points.
Group 5: 500 points.
TEACHER: Group 5 wins! At the end of the day, during dismissal, I'll buy you all candy.
US: Thank you, teacher!
TEACHER: Everyone head out to recess, nobody stays in the classroom.
(At that moment, Dina pulled me by the arm).
ME: What happened, Dina? Tell me.
DINA: I don't believe you did that... You know what I mean.
ME: Well...
DINA: Don't go. Besides, during those days you missed class, I heard a few things.
ME: Like what?
DINA: Let's go further away, to that bench over there.
ME: Alright.
ME (THINKING): What could it be? What could she mean?