All Purpose Page (Book of Consequences)

First, write:
1) I broke by .
2) What caused the problem (why did you do it)?
3) List 3 ways to avoid breaking this rule again. Circle the best one.
Then, copy the following:

I have broken a rule. It is not right that I break rules in class, for rules are the ways that society works. Without rules, society would be a jungle, a realm (as Hobbes once wrote) of man against man, and life would be nasty, brutish, unpleasant, and short. Certainly no learning would be accomplished, for instead of being able to spend time in contemplation or in study of the world around us and its ways, we would have to focus on pure survival, on the mere necessities of food, clothing, and shelter to stay alive, for we would live in constant fear that another man might come and take these from us by force. This is why we need rules and laws to govern our society—that I may know trust in other men. Even animals have laws: dogs and monkeys allow other dogs and monkeys to groom them, and there are rules that govern the wrestling fights that they have (for most do not grow to full-fledged battle). No, indeed, laws and rules are natural, and rather than taking away our freedom, they give us the freedom to not live in fear.

I do not wish to contribute to a place ruled by fear. Thus, I will not stand in the way of the learning of others. Of my own free will I rise in the morning and come to school. I could flee from my family or guardians if I wished, I perhaps could drop out of school. But instead I chose to stay, and as I am staying, I might as well learn. Merlin the magician said, “The best thing to do when you’re sad is to learn something.” Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle once wrote that the most pleasurable activity available to man is learning. I should not impair the learning of those around me. Rules exist to help things run more smoothly. If I have suggestions about better rules, I should put them in the suggestion box. Otherwise, I should play by the rules, until I can think of better ones, and communicate them to Mr. Goldsmith. No more broken rules for me.

I remain,