12.11 Class Update

Hey all!

We had a great class today. We discussed the siege and consequent surrender of the British at Yorktown. We discovered how General Washington's character and example to his army averted a war between the Continental Army and Congress, soon after the revolutionary war was accomplished.

We also discussed the Treaty of Paris of 1783, and the uncomfortable relationship the United States would soon experience with Great Britain (think the scene of John Adams and King George). Soon we will get to the meat of the Constitution, the inspired document that gives our governmental structure greater strength and efficacy. EXCITING!

And we are getting close to the end of first semester! We talked about what requirements we've already accomplished, and we know where we are lacking.

Assignments for next class (Jan 8th)

Read Being George Washington                                                               

Continue Declaration Study – FINISH!!!

Memorize the entire declaration, and especially your assigned portion for Parent's Night (see 

     upcoming email from me)

Work on (finish if possible) your American Revolution Hero Report/Poster  (for parent's night)

Write paper “What are you willing to do to Pay the price of freedom?”

AND you have ALL CHRISTMAS break to work on those first semester requirements that are not quite finished!

PLEASE WORK HARD!  I want all of you to come on the trip to the capitol with us January 22nd.

And more importantly, as you complete the requirements you will be living up to the great legacy that our founding fathers have left to us. YOU WILL BECOME a GREATER STATESMAN: a lover of your country, a selfless individual that knows our origin, and will fight to defend our freedoms. The hours you spend studying will be a small sacrifice for the value-led individual you will become.

Your deadline for work completed is January 8th.  :)  You can do it!

For memorizing the declaration, please look on YouTube for songs that can help you do so. MAKE sure you choose a song that has the exact wording though!

And please look for an email from me in the next few days with your assigned portion of the Declaration for the Parent's Night (January 15th).

As always, call or email with any questions you have.

Your mentor in liberty-

Teacher Kelly

12.4 Class Recap

It was so great to see everyone back today!

We had a bit of an exhausting class...lots of battles to get through. Lots of history, dates, people, places, gunpowder. Pretty tough stuff.

Adam did an awesome job on his presentation! We loved to learn all about the agriculture, flag, and some history of the colony of Maryland. Great job Adam!

We ended class a tad bit early, and I forgot to remind you of your assignments!

So:

1) Finish "Being George Washington." We will discuss the book next week!

2) Write a paper on the following: "Was it worth it? When the war was over and thousands had died, was it worth it?"

3) Keep working on your requirements...they are all due January 8th (one week before Scholar's Parent's Night).

If you have any questions, as always, please email or call.

And don't forget, Movie Night tomorrow night, 7 pm, my place!  :)

11/20 Class Update

Hey guys-


We had an AWESOME class today.

Kenny gave an engaging and informative presentation on Georgia. He gave a challenging quiz, and awarded our efforts with delicious sugary sweets. :)

We also had a great crash course on important battles of 1777. So much sacrifice of the patriots occurred during these battles, and the sacrifice intensified even at Valley Forge. Learning more about the battles really helps us to know what kind of hardships these brave men and women endured to secure our country's freedom.

You all did VERY well during lecture, and AMAZING during the quiz! Congrats to team MARY who overcame and won the cherry nibs.

And, last but certainly not least, Matthew shared his amazing cinnamon rolls. Did I mention they were amazing? Really very good. My birthday is April 28th (hint hint). ;)


SO, we won't meet again for two weeks, but don't let that put you at ease.  You have a lot to do! Below are your assignments:

**Continue and FINISH "Being George Washington".
**Write a paper home, as though you are a patriot fighting in the Revolutionary war.
**Write your paper (if you didn't turn it in yet) on "For though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine the coal can never expire." Is this a true statement? What does this statement mean to you?
**FINISH analyzing and taking notes on the Declaration of Independence.
**FINISH your outstanding requirements for the first semester of KEY. Call me if you are unsure about what these are, though they are listed in your binder.

Devotional Assignments for class on 12/4 are:

Opening Prayer –  Archie

Pledge of Allegiance – Adam

Inspirational Thought –Benjamin

News desk –Matthew

And we will have a presentation from ADAM on Maryland. SO looking forward to it!

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. 

Might I suggest, at that fabulous turkey dinner, you share some of our Revolutionary War history events and/or figures for which you are grateful? You will impress your dinner guests, and more importantly enlarge your soul by sharing sincere gratitude for your forefathers' sacrifice.

Happy Thanksgiving-

Teacher Kelly

"It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly implore His protection and favor."

 - President George Washington in the Thanksgiving Proclamation (1789)

11/13 Class Update

Ok...really I am late. I know. Sorry!

I know I promised you a link to a short movie about the Crossing of the Delaware, and Washington's success at Trenton, then Princeton. See below for the link to this cool look inside of the historical feat:

If any of you happen to read this before coming to co-op tomorrow, a few reminders:

                Opening Prayer –  David

                Pledge of Allegiance – Ben

                Inspirational Thought –David

                News desk –Kaleigh

                Presentation: Kenny on Georgia

Also, you are turning in (I hope) your papers on the following:

"For though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine the coal can never expire." Is that true, and what does that statement mean to you?

Also...NATIONAL TREASURE movie night will be at my house:

Friday, December 5th from 7-9 PM

3415 Pacific Avenue

Tacoma, WA 98418

Bring a snack to share. We will have an awesome time, and we're so looking forward to it!

Have a great night and see you tomorrow!

-Teacher Kelly

Nov 6 KOL Class Update

Hey everyone!

Great class on Thursday.

Mary and Archie gave EXCELLENT presentations on their chosen colonies. Who knew that Connecticut had such a cool state flag? LOVED the Latin motto.

We digested quite a bit. We told stories about George Washington's life, events that helped to define his amazing character. We talked about qualities he had that we would want to emulate.

Benjamin presented an impromptu history lesson circa 1900-1940 for the class . He was GREAT! Anytime anyone wants to help teach, I am ALL for it.   :)

We discussed the Noble Train of Artillery, engineered and accomplished by Henry Knox and his hard-working team of soldiers. We talked about how crucial teamwork is to great endeavors, shown true in the daring expedition.

You all have GREAT ideas. You can present very well-thought out conclusions. I LOVE when you really listen, to lecture, to presentations, to EACH OTHER, and learn and grow from the conversations we share.

For next week, make sure you are working on digesting, writing about the Declaration. Work all the way up through page 14 - FINISH! I will too. It will help our understanding of this important document so much.

Keep reading about George - the greatest general our nation ever had.

And MATTHEW - you are presenting on Rhode Island! We are so looking forward to that!

We'll see you next week!

10/30 Class Update

Well, here we are again. Two days until class with an update email. SORRY!

For class this week, you are working on turning in any papers you haven't finished. You are also reading "Being George Washington" and LOVING it! And you were working on the next few pages of the Declaration - reading, digesting, processing, analyzing.

I hope you have been busy!

Last week was amazing! Our presenter, Bob O'Neal,from the Sons of the American Revolution, was such an outstanding resource! He shared some great insights with us regarding how the teenagers of the American Revolution contributed to the awesome, world-changing fight. He was so engaging, and you all did a fantastic job at focusing and soaking up the information he shared. 

You were a GREAT AUDIENCE! Nice job!

This week, we will be pleased to listen to presentations from Mary and Archie. Good luck you two! We are really looking forward to listening to all you have to share with us.

We will also be working on the Declaration Document Study. PLEASE make sure to bring your binders with you, including the pages you inserted at the end (we use these to study the declaration, etc).

See you all on Thursday!

-Teacher Kelly

10/23 Class Update

Yesterday was so fun! 

Each week you all share more of your own unique genius, and we LOVE to see it!

In class, we discussed John Adams: The Reluctant Patriot. There were so many important lessons of character, courage, fortitude, perseverance....the list could go on forever. It is a great book, and he was a great example of a true patriot.

We also had a verbal quiz about much of the history we learned about in the book. You all did VERY WELL! I am really impressed at how much you are getting out of your reading.

We discussed I-594, and the ominous implications if such an initiative is approved.

We discussed how to study the Declaration of Independence, a paragraph at a time, to better understand each principle found therein, and their meanings.

We also passed out ribbons for those that have achieved more of their requirements for first semester. 

TO GO ON THE FIELD TRIP IN JANUARY, ALL THE REQUIREMENTS SHOULD BE COMPLETED!

Just a reminder, especially for those parents who may not have perused the binder to see what the requirements** are, they are listed below:

1)    Read The Mayflower Compact
2)    Watch one of these videos:  John Paul Jones, Johnny Tremain, 1776, or April Morning
3)    Read Red Scarf Girl, The Landing of the Pilgrims, John Adams: The Reluctant Patriot, and                Being George Washington
4)    Memorize and recite the Declaration of Independence (excluding the 27 injuries)
5)    Give a class presentation on a colony
6)    Fulfill the requirements for the U.S. Heritage Award (see binder)
7)    Complete 6 of the writing assignments (opinion papers)
8)    Memorize the 10 Commandments
9)    Memorize and be able to place the 13 colonies on a map

**A few of these requirements we have done in class (if you were there on the particular day).

Remember, the requirements can be passed off with your parents, as well as teachers.


NOW - on to assignments for this week.  :)   Get excited!

1)    Start or continue reading Being George Washington by Glenn Beck
2)    Write and bring your opinion paper on the topic, "What made Washington a great man? How can         you become more like him?"
3)    For the first 4 paragraphs of the Declaration: analyze, state in your own words, define unknown          words, and identify principles discussed - use the document study templates in your binders
4)    Try to MEMORIZE those first 4 paragraphs of the Declaration.  You can pass them off next                week in class!
5)    PRESENTATION next week:  MARY on Connecticut. You'll be awesome Mary!

Also, next week we have a special appearance from Bob O'Neal. He is with the Sons of the American Revolution, and has an awesome  presentation to share with us about the Revolutionary War period. So, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be on time!

All right. Get to it. You have a lot to do this week, but remember, your wisdom and freedom are worth every effort.

Have a great week!

-Teacher Kelly

10/16 Class Report

Hey everyone!

I am sorry you are getting this so late this week!

Hannah gave us an amazing presentation last week on New Hampshire. She had SO MUCH to share. We loved her preparation and enthusiasm!

We discussed the Intolerable Acts of King George the III, and a few of you came prepared to share what you had learned. In a word, you were STELLAR! Thank you for that preparation and study from which we ALL benefited!

We simulated the continental congresses, at which Independence was debated, and ultimately decided upon. Hallelujah, right? We are so blessed that the fathers of our nation had such wisdom and courage.

This week, please come to class with the following:

1)  John Adams READ completely! We will discuss this book this Thursday.

2)  Your completed opinion paper with your AMAZING, inspiring ideas! The topic is "What is more important (or to whom/what is your allegiance): your family or your country?"

3)  Aspen - Your presentation on Massachusetts, ready to go. We are so excited to see you give it!

Call with any questions, anytime.

Thanks guys!

-Teacher Kelly and Teacher Betty

10/9 Class Report

Hi all-

Last week, Kaleigh gave an AWESOME presentation on both the New York and New Jersey colonies of the American Revolutionary period. She was great! We loved the info she shared, as well as the candy.  (wink wink).

We read through The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere as a class, then reenacted the exciting, eventful night.

We had a lecture on the events that led up to the Revolutionary War, and as always, ran out of time to discuss more of the amazing stories contained in the awesome history of the Revolution.

Assignments for next class (10/16)

**Learn about and be prepared to discuss the "Intolerable Acts" of King George and his parliament.

**Complete and turn in paper on the following topic: "Define stubborn. Is it good to be stubborn?"

**FINISH John Adams book. We will discuss it!

**Work on other requirements for first semester ribbons...check your binders for what you haven't completed yet. Ask for help from your teachers or your parents if you need it!

You all are doing awesome. You have lots to share with all of us. We are so excited to be learning with you! Keep up the amazing work...you and your education are worth all the hours and sacrifices you make to achieve in this class.

See you Thursday-

Teacher Kelly and Teacher Betty

10/2 Class Report

Wow! Another busy, rousing day of class, rife with discussion, heated debate, awesome presentations, and amazing insights into the history of our country. THANK YOU everyone who participated! It was really a great class!

We listened to amazing presentations from Benjamin and David. STUNNING work you guys! Thanks so much.

We discussed The Landing of the Pilgrims, and agreed the sacrifices they undertook for religious freedom were awe-inspiring.

We talked about the Ten Commandments;  we should all be working on memorizing them now, as that is one of the first semester requirements. Teacher Betty  made an awesome poster we can review to help us with that task. Thanks Betty!

We read and discussed the Mayflower Compact and its impact in modern-day America. What insight the pilgrims had to contract with one another to preserve the integrity and foster the growth of this nation.

We had a short lecture on our unalienable rights, as well as Parliament's and King George III's abuse of the governmental powers they held. This disregard for the colonists inherent rights incited the prelude to the American Revolution.

We had a simulation, demonstrating how terribly oppressive the Stamp Act and later Townshend Acts became. Hannah was our tax collector, which role she played so well! There was much conspiracy, both on the side of the "law" and on the side of the colonists. The rebellious colonists conspired and seized the day, winning the bag of chocolate doughnuts. I still cannot believe they didn't share them with the whole class. Ah well....

We also (YAY!) received ribbons for some of the requirements we have passed off over the last few weeks.  MOST of the requirements will be earned on your own, at home, during study time. Please review with your parents what requirements you still have left to work on, and get going! You can do it, and you can EARN THE TRIP TO OLYMPIA with us in JANUARY!

OKAY - enough with the debrief. On to the assignments for this week.   :)


1 - Finish The Red Scarf Girl and The Landing of the Pilgrims (if you haven't already).
2 - Write and turn in all old unfinished opinion papers.
3 - Start reading John Adams: Reluctant Patriot of the American Revolution
4 - Write your opinion paper on the following topic, and bring to class on 10.9:
                         "When is it right to defend your liberty with guns?"

Thank you so much for all of your hard work. You are truly amazing, and you are preparing to be the leaders, statesmen, and examples for the rest of our nation.

KEEP UP the GREAT WORK!

9/25 Class Update

You guys were amazing today.

Our class was awesome, and it was so great to be back!

Before I jump into the recap, just wanted to remind you of assignments for the week:

- Write your opinion paper on "What are your God-given rights?"
- Finish Landing of the Pilgrims (book discussion next week!)
- Start John Adams: Reluctant Patriot of the American Revolution
-BENJAMIN and DAVID: finish your presentations on your assigned colony: Virginia (Ben) and North Carolina (David), as you are presenting to us NEXT WEEK! Remember to prepare for about 10-15 minutes.

So...back to our class on 9/25:

David and Mary gave GREAT inspirational thoughts to start us off.

We had a rousing lecture on how America is our birthright, our land. We also discussed why a moral people is necessary for good government. We heard some awesome insights from you all! Teacher Betty modeled how to take notes, and hopefully you all started taking notes yourself. This will really help you in the future, preparing to write your papers and more deeply understand the topics we are exploring.

We had a simulation of a free enterprise economy (modern-day America) versus a planned economy (think communist government shown in "The Red Scarf Girl" and socialist, communal structure of Pilgrims when first in Plymouth). Your car designs were inspirational! Your ingenuity and performance grew and astounded Teacher Betty and I as you were given incentives (candy) to produce what we liked. Then we saw your efforts fade as you realized (planned economy) every car design producer would be paid the same amount regardless of results. We had a blast going over this concept.

We celebrated the summer and September birthdays in our class (Mary, Kaleigh, David, Kenny and Benjamin) by sharing a hot cocoa cake together.

Teacher Betty gave an amazing presentation on South Carolina that we all loved. She used great visual aids (3 panel poster board) with lots of color, valuable information about the colony, and she even gave us a quiz, and let us earn candy when we answered correctly! It was a great presentation.

I just finished reading over your papers from last week and you are all doing some deep, critical thinking, coming up with sound ideas, true principles and sharing them beautifully. THANK YOU so much for taking the time to really ponder these opinion topics, and for sharing your insights. I love reading them! If you haven't turned in all of your papers yet (by next class I should have 3 from each of you) you can still do so!

WE ARE LOVING THIS CLASS with you ALL! Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. Have a GREAT WEEK!

9/18 Class Update

Class! I missed you!

I heard you had a great time watching "Johnny Tremain." Much thanks to Teacher Betty for facilitating that while I was under the weather.

This week, please work on your papers on the following subject: "Why is a moral people required for good government?" Please bring them completed to class on Thursday, along with your papers from last week (on your responsibility to American and to Freedom). I want to keep these and read over your genius!

Also, please finish The Landing of the Pilgrims. It is an excellent book, and helps give details into the sacrifices and dangers the founders of our nation endured. BRAVE people, AMAZING examples. WE WILL BE DISCUSSING THIS BOOK on THURSDAY! Be ready!  :)

This week at Co-op, Teacher Betty will give us a presentation on her colony. It will be fabulous! And then we'll follow the presentation schedule as it appears on the blog. The only exception is that Benjamin Poyer will present on 10/2. 

We are going to have an amazing class. READ the book, and WRITE your paper. We want you prepared to share your thoughts on the freedoms we MUST pay attention to today, in order that we DO NOT LOSE THEM.

BENJAMIN - please talk to the other classmates you are planning our battle with, so we can put a date on our class calendar.

You guys rock. Keep up the awesome work!

See you Thursday!

-Teacher Kelly

Books for Sale?

Teacher Genevieve left a few books with us that have not been picked up by the students who purchased them. They are books that would have been ordered through LEMI. If you still need to collect a book, check with your parents to see if one of these may be yours. Then please let me or Teacher Betty know and we will try to get it to you at our next class.

First Week - Recap and Assignments

Hey Everyone!

We had an amazing first day. We had a great discussion about the book we finished reading. For those that are still working on it, please finish. You will not be disappointed. It gives awesome insight into the freedoms we take for granted everyday in our nation.

You all are so intelligent, excited, eager, and great contributors to our class. What a treat to teach and learn together! Teacher Betty and I feel so lucky to get to have class with you every week. FYI...


Assignments for this week:

1 - Start reading "The Landing of the Pilgrims"

2 - Write an opinion paper on the following:  "What is your Responsibility to America and to Freedom?" Please bring a copy to give to me next class. Typed or written is great. If double-spaced even better so I can comment on your great ideas! Length doesn't matter. Your original musings do.

3 - Start researching the colony on which you chose to present. The list of colonies assigned is as follows:

     9/18 -   Teacher Betty - South Carolina     
     9/25 -   Benjamin - Virginia
     10/2 -   David - North Carolina
     10/9 -   Kaleigh - New York and New Jersey
     10/16 - Hannah - New Hampshire
     10/23 - Aspen - Massachusetts
     10/30 - Mary - Connecticut
     11/6 -   Archie - Delaware and Pennsylvania
     11/13 - Matthew - Rhode Island
     11/20 - Kenny - Georgia
     12/4 -   Adam - Maryland
     

Kaleigh and Archie both have two colonies assigned. If any colony assignments look wrong, please email me asap at walkjkh@hotmail.com, or you can feel free to call me as well. Teacher Betty will present first next class and give an example of how to prepare and what you might include. Remember, about 10-15 minutes is a great time frame for which to shoot. Also, don't be afraid to include food in your presentation. Because we love it.   ;)

Keep up the amazing studying, thinking, and writing. Call or email with any questions. Have a great week!

8.17.14 - The Red Scarf Girl

I just finished reading and taking notes on this book. SO GOOD! 

I highly recommend that you take notes about which parts of the book intrigue you. Record quotes that made you think. Write your feelings down, questions too. 

This will make our first day of class so much more awesome!

Check out the YouTube video below for a teaser.