Library [2/17]

[nothornlessrose.livejournal.com]

All was calm in the library today.

Cassidy had made sure that the books were properly shelved -- and even corrected some of the books who had tried to shelve themselves.

Once more she was at the desk with a small piles of books next to her. They were indeed a mixture -- some Tai Chi, some Yoga, some sword fighting and then there was the book she was reading about chemical elements and explosions.

One of these things was not like the other.

Primatology; Thursday, Fourth Period [ 02/17 ].

[bootlessjane.livejournal.com]

"Good afternoon, class!" Jane smiled at the students once they were all settled in and ready to go. "I hear it was quite an interesting weekend for a good many of the people around the island! There's a good chance the coming weekend might be interesting, too, but, for now, it's class time and let's get on with today's lesson, which is about primate cognition and communication."

"You see, primates, like us, have advanced cognitive abilities. For example, some make tools and use them to acquire food and for social displays. Some have sophisticated hunting strategies requiring cooperation, influence and rank. They are status conscious, manipulative and capable of deception. They can recognise kin and conspecifics. And they can learn to use symbols and understand aspects of human language including some relational syntax and concepts of number and numerical sequence. Primatologists explore the ways primates go about with problem solving, memory, social interaction, a theory of mind, and numerical, spatial, and abstract concepts."

And, of course, Jane was going to go into details, exploring the many nuances of primate cognition, with a particular emphasis on chimpanzee theory of mind and great ape languages.

"Now, examples of primate cognition is the holy grail for primatologists, especially for primates of this day and age who, unlike the ones where Miss Thropp is from, have not quite developed to the point of speech to tell us what their cognitive thoughts may be. So let's discuss, shall we? What sorts of behaviours are exhibited in animals, particular primates, to show that they have theory of mind, that they can develop thoughts and beliefs and opinions on things that sway their actions? Or, conversely, perhaps you see evidence of the opposite, instead, that they act mostly on instinct and without a sort of conscious morality as humans act. In which ways does language come into play here? Mr. Charles Darwin claimed that one could learn more of metaphysics by observing baboons than by observing John Locke. Do you suppose he was correct? What might we learn about ourselves through studying apes?

"And once we've got that out of the way," she concluded, "I have brought in a great many jungle artifacts that are known to be used as tools by primates. I'm not going to tell you how they're used; I'd like to see how much we can get in touch with our inner primates and figure it out for ourselves! But first let's try to get into the minds of monkeys, and then see how we do. Who shall like to start us out?"


[[ OCD is up! ]]

Glee Club, Music Room, Thursday Afternoon [ 02/17 ].

[shes-got-legs.livejournal.com]

"Hey, everyone!" Ariel greeted the glee club after they'd had a chance to just mingle around a little and enjoy the snacks. "I hope everyone's been having a good week. And, well, I don't know how everyone else's weekends were, but mine was...interesting. And, really, it got me thinking that maybe something interesting we could do today was to go back a little, to maybe a song you remember from your childhood. If there is something. If not, I mean, you can sing whatever you want, but I know I have certain songs that really take me back to being a kid, so it'd be nice to hear if anyone else has one, too."

"Also, still open for suggestions for a performance. I think I heard wind of a parents' weekend, again, so that could be really fun to perform for people back home, but if that's the case, we better get cracking! So the floors open to ideas! Let's get started!"

[[ and ocd is up! ]]

Ethics [Thursday, February 17, 1st period]

[sith_happened]

When the students arrived in the Danger Shop, they found themselves standing in front of an enormous fountain before a giant building.

"Welcome to the Bellagio in Las Vegas," Anakin said with a tiny smile. "Today's lesson is about the sin of gluttony, or overindulge." His hand waved to encompass the sight before them. "In other words, it's pretty much what Las Vegas exists for. Go inside and explore--there is a buffet of more kinds of food than should be legally allowed, and places that promise riches for very little effort. You get a half hour, then return here and we will discuss why this sort of place is so appealing."

Nation Building and the Origin of Government, Period 5, Class 7, Thursday, 2-17

[glasses-justice.livejournal.com]

"It's just before spring break," Alex said, "and I'm going to make you sit and talk about contracts. If any of you out there actually find that to be an enjoyable prospect, then I fear for your sanity, and you would do well in the legal profession."

The two went together well.

( Contracts )

Myths and Legends of the Deep {Thursday, Period 2}

[takesaftermom.livejournal.com]

Today's lesson was back in the classroom.

Summer had the projector set up, with an image depicted on the front boards. As soon as the students settled in, Summer began the lecture.

( Leviathan )

[OCD is a go!]

Adventures, Capers and Escapes - Danger Shop, Thursday, Period 3

[worsethanaunts.livejournal.com]

Oh look, the Danger Shop was set up to look and feel like they were on a moving train circa 1930s in an empty passenger car. The Doctor was there to greet them. "We're on a train! You might remember that the class is called Adventures, Capers and Escapes. This is the capers part. Your objective is simple. Take over the train. There's a catch. There's always a catch. There's a coal carriage between the forward-most passenger car and the engine and its driver. The door to the coal carriage is irreversibly locked." He pocketed his sonic screwdriver. "Wonder who did that. Additionally, the next three cars ahead of us are full of passengers, including about fifteen police officers who will do everything they can to stop you. Baggage car is behind us. Caboose after that. I love the caboose. I don't love the caboose. I love saying caboose. That's close enough. Go on." He checked his watch. "You have fifty five minutes to plan the heist of the year between yourselves and execute it. Oh, and no killing anyone. Doctor's orders."