In my classroom there are 31 students.  We have seven groups of tables, four groups of four and three groups of five. 

At various times of the day, I call certain tables to come to turn in papers, come to the rug, line up, or whatever else we happen to be doing at the time.  I do this to stagger them out, so there is not a large herd of third graders moving from place to place all at once.

As we were packing up for the day, I called the even tables to check their mailboxes, pack up, and come to the rug for our end of the day jokes and sharing.  After a minute or two, I then called the odd tables.  One little boy, who sits at table four, came up to me. 

“Mrs. M.” he asked “have you called the evil tables yet?” 

As soon as it was out of his mouth, he realized his mistake and began to laugh.  Upon seeing this, I joined it, steepled my fingertips together, evil villain style, and in my most Dracula sounding voice proclaimed , “And now, the eeeevilllll tables may pack up!” 

A student who was passing by and who had not heard the start of the conversation stopped and stared at me.  He paused and then cautiously asked if I had said it was alright for the good tables to pack up.

I told him yes, and with much relief, he went on his way.