The Virtues
In Mr. Read's classroom, the virtues (as set forth in Part 3 Article 7 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church) are regularly stressed in connection with academic material. As the teaching of virtue has nearly always been intertwined with the learning of Literature and of Religion, students frequently make connections with their learning to virtuous living; for anyone can learn, but the truly good man or woman will be the one who uses what they have learned in service of the Greater Good.
Students make many connections to popular literary characters and epics. Mr. Read first had the impression of the virtuous made upon him by heroic tales, which was followed by the example his parents lived for him. In the classroom, students are visually encouraged to make connections between these popular stories, the virtues, and their personal lives.
In encouraging virtues among students, an individual is recognized on a weekly basis for a virtue Mr. Read has observed them exemplifying (as set forth in the Catechism). Basic directions in decorum were brainstormed by the 7th grade students in the beginning of the school year, and it is these that are used in measuring a student's behavior and character for purposes of classroom management and student growth.
Ultimately, each of us has a great exam to pass---when we meet our Maker, Lord and Savior face to face. One of the best ways to prepare ourselves for that meeting is to encourage one another. In the classroom, at home, on a team, at our jobs---every place and moment are our time to do our best with what we have been given.
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: "Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
-Mark 12:28-34
One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: "Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."
"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.
-Mark 12:28-34