CLASSROOM PROCEDURES

SELF STARTPick up a GREEN disclosure document off the front table

Silently read the disclosure documentRULESWell-meaning but misinformed people think animals in the wild are happy because they are free. These people usually have a large handsome predator in mind, a lion or a cheetah. They imagine this wild animal roaming about the savannah on digestive walks after eating a prey that accepted its [death] or going for callisthenic runs to stay slim after overindulging. They imagine this animal overseeing its offspring proudly and tenderly, the whole family watching the setting of the sun from the limbs of trees with sighs of pleasure. The life of the wild animal is simple, noble and meaningful, they imagine. Then it is captured by wicked men and thrown into tiny jails. Its happiness is dashed. It yearns mightily for freedom and does all it can to escape. Being denied its freedom for too long, the animal becomes a shadow of itself, its spirit broken. So some people imagine.This is not the way it is. Animals in the wild lead lives of compulsion and necessity within an unforgiving social hierarchy in and environment where the supply of fear is high and the supply of food low and where territory must constantly be defended and parasites forever endured. Animals in the wild are, in practice, free neither in space nor in time

Animals are, [careful], one might even say reactionary. The smallest changes can upset them. They want things to be just so, day after day, month after month. Surprises are highly disagreeable to them

If you went to a home, kicked down the front door, chased the people who lived there out into the street and said, Go! You are free! Free as a bird! Go! Go! do you think they would shout and dance for joy? They wouldnt. Birds are not free. The people youve just evicted would sputter, With what right do you throw us out? This is our home. We own it. We have lived here for years. Were calling the police, you scoundrel.

Dont we say, Theres no place like home? Thats certainly what animals feel. Animals are territorial. That is the key to their minds. Only a familiar territory will allow them to fulfill the two imperatives of the wild: the avoidance of enemies and the getting of food and water. A sound zoo enclosure= whether cage, pit, moated island, corral, terrarium, aviary or aquarium- is just another territory In a zoo, we do for animals what we have done for ourselves with houses: we bring together in a small space what in the wild is spread out.

One might even argue that if an animal could choose with intelligence it would opt for living in a zoo, since the major difference between a zoo and the wild is the absence of parasites and enemies and dealing with a scarcity of food.

3Well-meaning but misinformed people think students without rules are happy because they are free. The life of the free student is simple, noble and meaningful, they imagine. Then it is captured by wicked men and thrown into tiny classrooms. Its happiness is dashed. It yearns mightily for freedom and does all it can to escape. Being denied its freedom for too long, the student becomes a shadow of itself, its spirit broken. So some people imagine.This is not the way it is. Students without rules lead lives of compulsion and necessity within an unforgiving social order in an environment where the supply of fear is high and the supply of food low and where territory must constantly be defended and parasites forever endured. Students without rules are, in practice, free neither in space nor in timeStudents are, [careful], one might even say reactionary. The smallest changes can upset them. They want things to be just so, day after day, month after month. Surprises are highly disagreeable to them

If you went to a home, kicked down the front door, chased the people who lived there out into the street and said, Go! You are free! Free as a bird! Go! Go! do you think they would shout and dance for joy? They wouldnt. Birds are not free. The people youve just evicted would sputter, With what right do you throw us out? This is our home. We own it. We have lived here for years. Were calling the police, you scoundrel.

Students are territorial. That is the key to their minds. Only a familiar territory will allow them to grow and learn. A sound classroom- whether science, history, English, math, foods, or music- is just another territory

One might even argue that if a students could choose with intelligence it would opt for being in school, since the major difference between a school and being without rules is the absence of parasites and enemies and dealing with a scarcity of food.

CLASSROOM PROCEDURESWITH MRS. RALPHDAILY ROUTINELETS BREAK IT DOWN WICKA WICKA

First, you walk through the door. I hope you know how to do this- if you dont- Im worried for you. 8Grab your assignments for the day, at the bookshelves/table near the doorEvery day we will have a Self Starter- a question, picture, or anything on the board. Come in quietly and begin the self starter every day.

Well also have time for class business (Business Time) right after the self start: I will remind you of upcoming quizzes, events, etc.

After, that, we start the lesson.

Woot woot.CLASS EXPECTATIONSNo sleeping, no phones, no smiling. Jk. Pencil sharpening, bathroom passes, etc.12Readings/Weekly QuizzesEvery week or every other week you will have a quiz.

The quiz will be based on your homework readings that I assign you. Unwelcome MaterialsFood (water and gum are totally fine)

Cell phones/Ipods/electronic devices of any kind.Hall PassesNext week you will each get two hall passes to use for 1st term.

Thats all you get- dont lose them.

Dont ask to go in the middle of me talking. Its awkward. For you and me. Dont abuse the hall passes16Class NormsPencil sharpener- dont get up and sharpen during lecture time. Just grab a new pencil if you can. (From the box on the bookshelf)

Sleeping- just dont do it.

Chatting. Go ahead and chat (dont be silent and awkward)- just dont chat while Im talking.

Whining. I super hate it. Lets be real.

Tell me if youre exhausted and we can work something out. I will bug you all class to make sure you stay awake.

17Try to listen to all instructions. I know I shouldnt have to tell you this

BUTWHAT TO DOWHEN YOU MESS UPABSENT?Check my website!!!!!http://ralphworld9th.wordpress.com

Or I will have an absent bin for you in the classroom. You can go to the absent bin for any assignments you might be missing. Assignment Policies30% any assignment that is LATE.

But its ok- because I have EXTRA CREDIT.

Retakes on quizzes- not tests. 20% off for a retake. I know this might seem harsh, that I dont give out cute little late passes or anything, but Im preparing you for high school. Some of my 9th graders came back to visit and said there are no retakes or no accepting of late assignments. 23HOW TO SUCCEED IN HEREDo your best to keep track of things. Use your class folder to help you organize things for my class.

Remind 101: Text @worldralph to 801-999-0985Remind 101: an appropriate use of cell phones right now. 25