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Those Darn Confusing Directions Again

Here's a discussion I had today with some seventh-going-into-eighth graders getting ready to make strawberry shortcake.

"When you get into your groups, assign a new role. You cannot be the same thing you were the last time. That means everyone needs a different job."

"Miss, I was the reader last time, and they are making me be the reader again."

"Well, you can't be the reader again. Mary, what is your job right now?"

"I'm the mixer."

"Okay, well Sarah was the reader last time. She cannot be the reader again."

"But I'm the mixer."

"Fine, but Sarah cannot be the reader again."

"But I'm the mixer and Donna's the supply person. I was the supply person last time, and Donna was the mixer last time."

"Okay, but Sarah was the reader last time, and she cannot be the reader again today."

"I'm confused."

"I don't care if you're confused or not. Go back and change jobs again so that Sarah is NOT the reader."

"But..."

"Go!"
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