Was the paint fight shown in this episode part of the original script, or was that ad-libbed? It doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of the episode....

Of course it was part of the script--Mrs.G got them together on purpose so that they would bond.

Of course it was part of the script--Mrs.G got them together on purpose so that they would bond.
Characters are rarely depicted laughing in sitcoms. Notice how different that was treated in the episode "Kids Can Be Cruel." Also, Jo, Blair, Natalie, and Tootie also deeply respected Mrs. G, so their sabotages the work effort is very out of character.

Really? I found the FOL girls laughing aallll the time! Not mistakes like Mindy made, but full-out laughter, just like girls giggle together naturally. And sure, the girls respected Mrs.G , but they were kids, they were supposed to make messes from time to time.

Hmmm...I would say that the paint fight was definitely in the script, but they just let the cast run with the idea. Spontaneous stuff makes the best comedy sometimes. And that scene was totally slapstick comedy, don't characters laugh while doing that? Like the Brady Bunch couldn't contain themselves when having a cream-pie fight