The+Fighting+106th

Below are some peculiarities about classroom dynamics. In other words, clues about how to cultivate a **culture of learning** and a strong **professional** tone in the classroom. In other other words, stuff you may need to know to be **happy** in Room 106.
 * Legio Pugnans CVI **

If I do not challenge you on some infraction, it does NOT mean I don't care. It generally means I'm already swamped with the work at hand. In all matters of deportment (how you carry yourself), know that I take a **FORMATIONAL** view. ---Conduct is NOT about compelling students to comply. ---Conduct is about GROWING TOWARDS your real, life-long, virtuous self; learning to **act** as the person you want to become.
 * My sleeping sword of justice wakes of a sudden.**

=** Rules already in effect throughout BSHS: **= (1) YOU are responsible for punctuality, uniform order, gum-free living, ID wearing, etc. The entire handbook is in effect at all times. Do not come to class on time and then ask to go somewhere else. Class time is class time, not errand time. (2) Having a water bottle pass does not mean you may sip water all through class. It means if you need to hydrate, you may drink your water at the start or the end of the class. Please see the school nurse for any clarification. (3) There is **no such thing** as a "food" pass or a pass for some liquid other than water. See a chemist for clarification. (4) I require unfailing cooperation with the school rule regarding **cell phones (OFF and in your LOCKER)**. I understand that such a rule makes little sense to the average teenager. You may feel you are being punished or controlled. Actually, it has to do with matters such as your safety and mine. My hope is that you will recognize that I genuinely care about your well being, and that the cell phone thing is important to me. For many students, that's reason enough.

=** Rules for the good of the Legion: **=
 * (1) Assignments ** are posted on this Wiki: some in advance, others **//ad hoc//**. As the calendar is in constant flux, I advise students not to do assignments in advance. There is ONE assignment which could be done in advance, the **MTH Chp3 project** on Law and family life. By design, this is the only outside-of-class assignment in this course. **I expect students to review their notes and practice their definitions habitually.**

---I expect students to make up missed work at the earliest **//reasonable//** date. What is reasonable? Darned if I know. Don’t put it off unnecessarily. ---Here’s my preferred method of make-ups: **DON’T ASK ME, TELL ME.** Instead of taking class time to discuss making up a missed test, just show up a day or two later and say “I’m ready to take **_** right now.” I will either hand over a make-up to do, or I will respond that the school or class calendar prevents make-ups that day, and to try again the next day. **I reserve the right to administer a make-up test in a different format.** ---If this method is impractical for some reason, by all means, **//ask me for help//**. We are reasonable people: I am flexible with those who are conscientious and responsible.
 * (2)** **Absences and Make-ups.** Whenever a student is absent from class, the student should check the **Wiki** and ask his or her **peers** what was missed **//before//** asking me to provide the information.

**(3) Devices.** All students have a tablet or a net book, and are expected to use it. ---**WHEN A STUDENT ASKS ME A QUESTION WHICH IS ANSWERED ON THE WIKI ALREADY, I do not answer the question.** I encourage students to practice ** subsidiarity **.

---**Peter Jackson** movies. I encourage references to the **writings** of J.R.R. Tolkien, of which the Peter Jackson movies are a parody, in my opinion. ---**Harry Potter** in any form whatever. ---Anything of Star Wars dated after the **1983** theater release of **Return of the Jedi**. ---Anything related to **Disney**. Yes, I mean it. My objections are philosophical, cultural and aesthetic. Your thoughtfulness is much appreciated.
 * (4) A sincere request for a special sort of courtesy.** Please do not refer to any of the following:


 * (5) TODAY's Theology class stuff ONLY at your desk.** I don't have a name for it yet, but there is a wipe board in the front of class. Look at this every day. It will tell you what physical objects to bring to your desk. Anything not on the wipe board stays **on the counter** or on the floor **under the counter** or on the floor **along the back wall**. Related to this, you must have a **1 inch 3 ring binder** (and college ruled paper) which is for **THEOLOGY ONLY**. The first and every time you bring contraband to your desk, you have chosen demerits. I ain't emotionally involved. It's just business.

ANSWER: “Being late is bad enough. Taking up everyone’s time to discuss it is not an improvement. Yes, get a late pass.” ANSWER: “No. If we are taking notes, do it the old fashioned way, with paper and pen. If there are points at stake, lose the points. Never raise your hand simply to inform me that you are not ready for class.”
 * QUESTION: “Should I get a late pass?”**
 * QUESTION: “I forgot my stuff. May I go to my locker and get it?”**

ANSWER: "Huzzah! Yes, that's why I exist! But we'll need to make an appointment. When do you have lunch?"
 * QUESTION: “Is it OK to ask you for Reconciliation?"**

ANSWER: “No. Do not, for any reason, approach my desk.”
 * QUESTION: “May I use the stapler/pencil sharpener on //your// desk?”**

ANSWER: “During a test, questions require extra care. Raise your hand. I might not notice, so you may have to say 'Fr. McCabe?' I will then come to your desk. Ask me your question. If the question is unnecessary, I will tell you that everything you need is on the test. If there is a typo or problem on the test, I will repeat the question to the class and answer it. This safeguards fairness.”
 * QUESTION: “What if I have a question during a test?"**

ANSWER: “Ask the school nurse or your own physician.” ANSWER: “Bathrooms have bathtubs.” ANSWER: “Yes. Sign out and take the pass.” ANSWER: “I want to help you to notice and to command your spoken word. You may be amazed at what you say, when you do.”
 * QUESTION: “Can I go to the bathroom?”**
 * QUESTION: “May I go to the bathroom?”**
 * QUESTION: “May I go to the restroom, water closet, WC, jakes, privy, head, loo, powder room...?”**
 * QUESTION: “What’s the point of having precise expectations about ordinary verbal expressions?”**

ANSWER: “There are billions of people on this planet. Many of them are chewing gum right now. I don't care about that. Here is what I do care about: (1) We all need to develop the relationship between our free choices and the BHG of Authenticity. We CAN, in fact, cooperate in small matters and yet **be ourselves**. We would many choices **better** if we had no concern for fitting in or for social wins and losses. (2) How much alien saliva do you need inside your personal space? Go to a classroom where gum is unchallenged. //**Feel **// under the desks. (3) You are in training for much greater works of cooperation. Yes, you could save working on this virtue until later; but that's one of the traps laid for you by a clever, evil enemy. I am just passing through your life, and in the long run I don't matter personally. **But it is CRUCIAL that you start learning now how to say 'Yes, dear' later."**
 * QUESTION: “What’s the deal with gum?"**

ANSWER: “The men's uniform issues have to do with poor time management, informality and, in some cases, the lingering traces of sophomoric thinking. The women consistently say that their uniform issues have to do with trying to be comfortable. The gentlemen are not part of their thought process. My thoughts on the matter are: (1) Of course, try to be comfortable, but there are things about you which **the community has a right not to know**. (2) Choose the relationship you want to project. In a professional setting, present yourself as a professional. It's not so much the poorly worn uniform which repulses me. It's the **projected absence of professionalism**. (3) Young people are generally oblivious to **non-verbal communication**. It is good to learn to communicate well, non-verbally. (4) It is a public health issue. In my opinion, we should separate the **BIOMASS** of Shanahan from the **FURNITURE** of Shanahan with at least one layer of cloth."
 * QUESTION: “What’s the deal with uniforms? Is it about modesty?"**

ANSWER: “Study your notes, case studies and definitions. Use the support tools on Quizlet and this Wiki. Pay attention and participate. Will good for others. Remember that this is your first adult level course in Catholic theology and philosophy, and try to keep an open mind.”
 * QUESTION: “What do I have to do to succeed in this class?”**

ANSWER: “Each person journeys with the truth. I would never grade a student on what the student **//believes//**, only on what the student **//knows//**. For example, if a student does not accept an argument for the personhood of the child in the womb, that will not prevent the student from knowing and articulating the argument.” Shanahan is a **safe place** to voice your doubt or disagreement. If you believe your hamsters are joined in the bond of sacramental marriage and that your favorite potted plant is a reincarnated person, I encourage you to be comfortable saying so. But I also encourage you to be comfortable with the fact that not everyone may join you in thinking so.
 * QUESTION: “What if I don’t believe or accept an idea we are studying?”**

ANSWER: “My first rule as a teacher is this: ** NEVER TALK DOWN TO STUDENTS **. I speak to you as real people, as adults. Most of the time, we all experience this as a positive thing. But there is a side effect. When we talk to kids, we are careful to say everything in the most encouraging and affirming way possible. When adults exchange ideas, they mutually give permission to dispense with the kid-glove treatment, so they can get right to the ideas. At first, you may feel like you are trading punches with me. **With experience, you will relax into the knowledge that we are not trading punches. We are trading ideas.**" (For the record, most of us feel this way when we first step into professional academia. It took me years to stop taking my professors' rough edges personally.)
 * QUESTION: “You keep telling us to speak our minds, but when I speak up I feel like you just shoot down all my ideas. What the purgatory is that about?"**