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(Read the title thinking "The Muppet Show!")

I have some preliminary observations and experiences with twins in separate classes at school, albeit classes that see each other sometimes, including recess.

• Sis is completely jealous that Bud got homework the second week! And even though she got homework (or "home fun," a non-required packet of activities, usually on the letter of the week) by the third week . . . .
• She is now upset that he's one letter ahead! "He's going to know more things than me!"
• Competition: they have the same teachers for "specials" on the same day, but it's not always the same. This week, the art teacher showed Harold and the Purple Crayon videos (don't get me started) to the class before having them draw what Harold draws (sigh). And what did the kids have to say? One saw 3 videos, one only 2.
• And he got to do the computers first!
• And be line leader!
• But her class has a "pet" monkey and a frog to dress up depending on the weather.
• And she got to be "helper" with the morning meeting.
• And you should see them doing that homework together--looking at the other's worksheets, giving the answers uninvited, wanting to switch assignments.
• But they do like it when they find out they read the same book or played the same game. And trip over each other to talk about it.
• Or find out that one teacher uses bells and the other has hand signs.
• Not so great when one class did something the other didn't, like recess.
• Because recess presents a whole other problem--they simultaneously do and don't want to play together. "She's playing the 'monster' game. She won't swing. And I won't play monster." "He only swings! He should play monster. Because I'm not going to swing."
• But they love waving to each other as they pass in the hall on the way to and from specials.
• And get this: one wants me to come shop during the book fair, the other wants to do it all alone. Guess who!

So, what it boils down to is that twins at school are just like twins at home, jealous and competitive if they aren't the same and different simultaneously. It is challenging enough to accomplish "separate but equal" at home; it's impossible at school.

But there is a good part: listening to them discuss and compare their days, especially when they delight, instead of disagree, in the retelling.