ungroup

This is a rather stupid question
How do I configure the program so it doesn't automatically group drawing objects such as lines and shapes when I draw them?

there is no such a stupid questions mate ..
Most of us been there and done that

Any how ...

When you draw shapes on the same layer ,they'll be grouped by default , When u draw a shape over another it will add it to the first so out of 2 shapes you will get 1 ...
to fix this you gotta convert each shape to a symbol of 3 choices .
1- MovieClip 2- Button 3- Graphic .

to do that , select your shape , then press f8 or goto Modify > Converty to symbol

Another solution is to use layers ... put each shape in each layer ..

http://www.wildform.com/support/tutorials/flashbasic/