Anger Management and Emotional Control | Monday | Period 1

[justonecondition]

Class was meeting in a normal classroom again today, with the small exception of the ancient-looking stereo that was sitting on Bruce's desk at the front of the room.

"Today I'd like to talk about how music can elicit emotional responses," he said. "Philosophers like Aristotle and Plato spoke about the cathartic value of music hundreds of years ago, and today you'll find some scholars performing analyses on the psychological effect of, uh, dubstep."

He pressed a button on the remote he was holding, and soft instrumental music began to play throughout the room. "Quiet, instrumental music that uses a lot of low tones and avoids provoking cognition with lyrics or predictable melodies is thought to be relaxing, so it's often all you'll hear in spas and massage parlors," he said. "Often, as you listen to this kind of music, your heart rate can start to fall to match the beat, calming you down."

After letting the song play for a few moments, Bruce clicked the remote again, and loud rock music switched on. "On the other hand," he said, loudly so as to be heard over the, well, yelling, "loud, rhythmic music has the opposite effect, which is why a lot of people choose to get their heart rates up during exercise with songs like this one."

He switched off the music and went back to the first song. "Obviously, there are many layers between the two," he said. "But I'm not a music theorist. I have an article I'd like you all to read, and then if you'd like, we can talk about it."

Teamwork, Monday, Period 3

[psychoticbiotic.livejournal.com]

The Danger Shop was set up today to look like a grassy field, with a diamond-shaped dirt path etched in it. Simulated people were positioned throughout the field to play infield and outfield.

Strangely, all the simulated people were wearing Halloween costumes. A mummy was pitching, Elvis Presley in Vegas played second base, and somebody trying hard to look like Miley Cyrus without actually being naked was the catcher.

"Today we're going to play kickball," Jack said. "You kick the ball. If nobody stops it, you run to base. The fake people try to catch the ball and stop you from running around the bases. After there are three outs, they're at bat and you're in the field. Try not to let a kickball hit you in the face, andork as a team to decide on your strategy." She tossed the ball to the mummy. "Go for it."