The Art of Haiku; Monday, Second Period [07/18].

[sake_shinigami]

Since it appeared as though the weather would hold out for the morning, it was yet another day to meet under the tree by the duck pond in the park to talk about poetry, and this time, Shunsui had brought along a nice, light green tea to enjoy along with it, as well.

"Ohayōgozaimasu, ducklings ♥," he greeted them with his usual lazy smile, speaking as he poured the tea and distributed the cups to any who would wish to partake. "Today, we're going to be using our time to speak of and learn of a poet whose name has already surfaced in our discussions already. Hardly surprisingly, considering he is one of Japan's greatest haiku-ists ♥ This would, of course, be none other than Bashō.

"Matsuo Bashō was the foremost poet of the Edo era, and arguably one of the foremost poets of history. He didn't come to be known as the Master of the Haiku for nothing ♥. He was introduced to poetry at a young age, infusing himself in the intellectual culture of Tokyo during his time and teaching for a bit," a small smile and a nod of his head as if to acknowledge that, clearly, some of the truly best poets were also teachers, "before deciding to travel often and wander the wilderness in search for inspiration. Clearly," here, Shunsui chuckled faintly, "it worked ♥.

"So let's have a look at four of Bashō's poems, discuss what we like or perhaps don't like about them, and then we'll use the rest of class to work on our own poems, to share with the class before we depart until next week if you feel so inclined ♥."

With that, Shunsui reached for the first scroll.

British History, Monday

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

Jon waved at everybody and ran a hand through his hair, which was getting a bit shaggy now he thought about it. He shook himself.

"Right. Boudicca, who lived in the first century, was queen of the Iceni tribe of Celts in modern-day East Anglia. Her husband, Prasutagus, was an independent ally of Rome, and divided his estate between his daughters and the Roman emperor Nero, who was known for neither his generosity nor his fairness. When Prasutagus died, the Romans took all of his lands and revoked the Iceni's status as allies.

( cw, mention of rape )

2Paint2Ball, Monday - 4th Period

[imafuturist]

Today your teachers were in their paintball suits already. With rollerblades.

Because reasons. "Hello again!" Steve said, waving.

"We've added to the challenge," Tony said, definitely enjoying his time on the rollerblades. Because he was a nerd like that. "In addition to the anti-grav spots, you'll be moving around using the rollerblades we've provided."

It'll be great.

Steve looked slightly less enthusiastic. "It's definitely a challenge!"

Tony grinned and nudged him in the side with his elbow. "You'll all do great. It's good practice for roller derby if you're into that."

"Tony's into that," Steve told everyone.

"Steve missed out on the 80s," Tony added brightly. "Now, let's begin! Oh, and remember, like always, no powers."

Coping with the Non-Modern World, Monday Period 5

[tellmehowstuffworks]

"Today we're going to talk about plants," Yennefer said. "I know: so boring. But without plants we would not have things such as coffee, or chocolate." Sweet, sweet chocolate. "And you cannot merely create particular plants out of whatever raw materials you happen to have available. And yes, you can stockpile these things, but if you're suddenly yanked home without access to your belongings, you're shit out of luck, or you might simply have not stockpiled enough and run out. So now it's time to think agriculture. Do you have a place in your world that has a climate suitable to grow the plant you want to transplant? Do you have access to it? Do you have a plan for if, say, the potato turns out to be, in your world, one of those nasty invasive species that's suddenly taking over the entire landscape and covering whole houses? If the answer to all of these questions is 'yes,' then congratulations, start your coffee farm today. You're going to be rich, and you can thank me later. If not, consider what steps you need to research--again, I know, so boring--in order to make it possible...and consider, if you're trapped here, whether you really want to carry around a pouch of chocolate...seeds..." Chocolate did have seeds, right? "...in your pocket at all times. On the one hand: weird. On the other hand: eventual chocolate empire." She was just saying.

"Now. All of this is, as I said, very boring, so instead of getting into the gritty details of agriculture, let's talk about what plants you like best and whether or not your home world or time period has something at least similar."

Treasure! [Monday, Period One]

[good_for_six]

The workshop was meeting in an ordinary classroom this week, which possibly was kind of a let-down after the last two. On the other hand, how likely was it that they had something untoward planned when they weren't even in the Danger Shop?

"So, finding treasure," Isabela started. "Which I know you did last week, but that was finding treasure where you knew there was treasure to be found, instead you'll be finding where you need to look for the treasure. So think of it as working backwards."

"Now, the best way to find where the treasure is hidden is a map," Aphra added. "Problem is, people who have treasure worth hiding tend to be paranoid and also cryptic, but not the clever kind of either, so they tend to leave puzzles and deathtraps that on more than one occasion are so bad they get themselves killed. Luckily we're actually as clever as we think we are."

That was debatable.

"In any case, we have here a collection of fiendishly tricky maps and clues that will lead each of you to a wonderful treasure." That was probably friendship, because they didn't have to spend any of their class budget on friendship.