Week 13: 12/14/17

I hope you all are enjoying your Christmas break, but don't get too comfortable! As Master Yoda would say, "A [scholar] must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind...Much to learn you still have..."

 

Last week we discussed the surrender of the British army under General Cornwallis at Yorktown, VA. (I'm sure George Washington took some secret pleasure in being able to finally end the war in his home state--Go, Home Team, Woot-woot!--but was too much of a gentleman to gloat about it!) Even though the major fighting had ended with Yorktown, it took a full 2 years to make it official at the Treaty of Paris in 1783. You might be able to imagine why it took so long; hashing out all the details of national borders, timelines for British occupation, trade agreements and debt reconciliation. I'm glad I didn't have to be part of that--ugh!--but I'm grateful for those who were (Ben Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams)!

 

Check out this link to see some of the original document and/or read the full text of the treaty:

 

https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=6

 

Watch the videos below for a quick review of the Battle at Yorktown and the Treaty of Paris 1783:

 

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

 

• Award Requirements: January 11th (the day we come back from break) is your *LAST DAY to pass off award requirements!!!!

 

• Opinion Paper: For those of you who have not already turned in 11 papers this semester, here is your topic: What are you willing to do to pay the price of freedom? Also, check the opinion paper tracking sheet in the email to see if you are missing any papers, and contact me with any questions or concerns.

 

 

• Parent Night: Please make sure you have your part of the skit planned out and written down so we can rehearse during our next class meeting, January 11th. This may involve emailing your classmates, so please contact me if you need help finding an email or putting your part together.

 

• Declaration of Independence Journal: This must be COMPLETED by January 18th so you can join us on the field trip to the capitol followed by going out to lunch!

 

• Reading: Begin reading Freedom Factor by Gerald Lund so that you will have it completed by February 1st, the first day of second semester.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, and I look forward to seeing you'ns again next year!

-Mrs. Hellyer

 

 

 

Week 12: 12/07/17

This week Mrs. Maxwell taught us about the Battle of Monmouth, where, despite the traitorous General Lee's efforts to destroy the revolutionary effort, Washington was able to rally his men (thanks to Baron Von Steuben's excellent training) and restore order to a chaotic situation. Though Lee's treachery prevents the Americans from a decisive victory at Monmouth, Washington gets his retribution when Lee is finally court-martialed and dismissed from military service. 

 

We also learned about another great American hero, the Marquis de La Fayette, or (if you want to impress your friends and family), Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de La Fayette. He became one of George Washington's closest friends and confidants, and never wavered from his devotion to the American cause of liberty. He is still honored all over the United States with cities and streets that bear his name, as well as with monuments.

 

    

 

We didn't get a chance to talk about the war campaign in the southern colonies, but there was a lot going on there, too, especially in Charleston, SC. Here is a great video from the History Channel to give you some background...

 

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

Opinion Paper: You thought you were getting off easy this week--ha! Not so! Your topic is, When the war was over and thousands had died, was it worth it?

Devotional: Athen, you got this!

Presentations: Thanks to Elsa and Gwen for their very informative presentations on spies and women in the war! Sariah and Corban will be enlightening our minds next week by sharing their extensive research.

Reading: Our book discussion on Being George Washington by Glenn Beck next week will be led (per request) by Elsa. Make sure you have completed the book before next Thursday! Treats will be provided for those who have completed the assignment!

Award Requirements: You have only 2 class days left to pass off first semester requirements! That's everything except the Heritage Award, which you still have until April 12th to complete. If you have any missing papers, get those turned in, work on your Declaration of Independence memorization and journaling (for the field trip reward), memorize your 10 commandments and 13 colonies, and watch your movies over Christmas break.

Have a wonderful weekend! -Mrs. Hellyer

Week 11: 11/30/17

 

Last week we talked about all the hardships faced by George Washington and the Continental Army during the winter of 1777-'78 at Valley Forge. I think the simulation also helped us to gain a better understanding of the challenges the Continental Congress faced as well, as they tried to meet the needs of the army and manage the war. Here is a great video about the winter encampment at valley forge that tells the story much better than I did...

 

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

 

Opinion Paper - Write a letter home as if you were someone who lived in the colonial period. Remember to be creative with this one! You can be anyone (a soldier, a slave, John Adams, a wife working in an army hospital, a delegate in the Congress, a prisoner of war, a spy--there are so many choices!) and I can't wait to read what you've come up with!

 

Parent Night Presentation - Please come up with some ideas to share for your skit. We'll take some time in class to work on this, so come prepared!

 

Presentations - We will be pleased to hear from Elsa and Gwen this week.

 

Reading - One week left to finish Being George Washington! Please be ready to discuss it next week, December 14th. I would like Sariah to lead the discussion, but everyone should come prepared with questions or comments or quotes to share. Our next book is Freedom Factor, which we will discuss on the first day of second semester.

 

Award Requirements - Some of you tried to pass off some of the Declaration of Independence last week--and came so close! Keep working hard on your memorization, and don't forget to do your Declaration journal so you can go on the field trip at the end of the semester!

 

Have a lovely remainder of the week! And remember to send me a reply email when you've read the blog! -Mrs. Hellyer