Cruel

A song from Tori Amos, by the way.

You spend an awful lot of time explaining to your students why they will be assigned to working groups rather than being allowed to choose and form their own groups. Then you email them the list. This is the record of the first 10 minutes afterwards.

Email: "Can I switch to Team 2 because all my friends are there? "
No, you can't.

Email: "Can I move to Team 6, because it would be so much better to have the class on Monday, not on Friday?"
Well, I have to be there on Friday, so tell my why I should spare you?

Email: "My flatmate is in Team 6, can I join him? It would make work so much easier!"
You know... no.

Email: "You've moved XXX to Team 5, why can't I move to Team 4?"
Easy. I had assigned student XXX to Teams 3 and 5, which is a bit taxing for him. Unless you provide proof of a split personality, you're staying put.

I love to turn down requests.