Mayflower Compact

 We will be reading and discussing the Mayflower Compact next week.  Check out this video to help see why it was so important.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYr8LbFNB00

Week 13: 5/10/18

Last blog post! I know most of you are super busy with the play this week, so I'll keep it short and sweet...

This is your LAST WEEK to pass off award requirements! Please get as many completed as possible! (Refer to the list in your book--complete Constitution quizzes, read George Washington's Farewell Address & define vocabulary, memorize the Preamble, complete the Constitution journal, catch up on opinion papers, memorize scriptures, watch movies.) We will check things off during class on Thursday.

PRESENTATIONS: This week we will be pleased to hear from Athen on Harriet Tubman and Lilli on Paul Revere. Remember: No reading your paper to the class! Just tell us, in your own words, what makes the person you researched a hero.

OPINION PAPER #12: What would life be like without the Constitution? You should have plenty to say on this topic, and I expect FULL page papers from you, not half pages with huge titles! Your title should be no larger than size 14 font. This is also the 12th paper, so if you've already written ten, you're off the hook!

DEVOTIONAL: Lilli

Have a wonderful week!

-Mrs. Hellyer

Week 12: 5/3/18

Sorry this is later than usual...I've been sick all weekend. :( I wanted to quickly say that you all have done really well on your debates, especially for first timers! I know how difficult it can be to argue a side you don't agree with, but setting your personal biases aside and debating the facts helps you to try to understand and really listen to people's opinions and the logic behind them. Use these skills anytime you have to share your opinion about something important: you will be much more persuasive and credible!

 

Since we learned about the 18th Amendment last week, here's a short video about prohibition that you might find helpful for writing your paper. Enjoy!

 

 

HOMEWORK:

 

Devotional: Gwen

 

Presentations: We will have the pleasure of hearing from Elsa on Abraham Lincoln and from Sariah on her dad. Reminder: please give a brief overview of why this person is a hero. Also, visual aids are highly encouraged!

 

Opinion Paper #11: Is it an unalienable right to intoxicate oneself? Does the government have the power to take away our unalienable rights? Explain. Be sure to answer BOTH questions in your paper!

 

Award Requirements: Work on George Washington's Farewell Address. For this requirement, you need to read the entire address, and write the definitions for all the words marked with an asterisk (there are 46 total). If you've already done that, finish your Constitution Journal, complete your Constitution quizzes, or memorize some scriptures and references.

 

That's all, folks! See you Thursday! -Mrs. Hellyer

Week 11: 4/26/18

Last week we discussed Amendments 6, 7 and 8, which touch on the rights of the accused and due process. Fortunately, the founders had the good sense to write these amendments with the idea that a citizen accused of a crime should be innocent until proven guilty, not the other way around. Here's a quick review:

• Amendment 6:
• Right to a speedy and public trial
• Right to be tried by an impartial jury
• Right to have an explanation of the nature of the crime
• Right to be confront by your accusers and to cross-examine witnesses
• Right to obtain witnesses on your behalf
• Right to the protection of an attorney
• Amendment 7:
• Right to a jury when the amount in question is over $20
• Jury has the right to have its facts as found remain unchanged during appeal
• Amendment 8:
• No excessive fines or bail
• No cruel and unusual punishments

Here are a couple of interesting (but short) videos about these amendments:

 

 

HOMEWORK THIS WEEK:

 

DEVOTIONAL: Elsa

 

HERO REPORTS: Elliot on Benjamin Franklin & Sariah on her Dad

 

OPINION PAPER #10: Should a murderer be sentenced to die by the same means as his victim? TIP: You might want to think about the different classifications of "murder" as you form your opinion. Also, Mrs. Maxwell will send out an email with the opinion paper tracking sheet so you can see if you have your 10 papers completed for the semester.

 

DEBATE: Should the death penalty be deemed a "cruel and unusual punishment?" Remember to bring printed notes with facts, not feelings, to the debate! Is there suffering involved in this? Does the punishment fit the crime? What methods are used to execute prisoners? What crimes are capital crimes? Who should have to perform the executions? These are all questions you should be able to answer during debate. I might try to get a guest judge to come in to determine a winner...

 

AGAINST (NO) TEAM:

Corban, Gwen, Elliot, Elsa

 

FOR (YES) TEAM:

Athen, Lilli, Madeline, Sariah

 

 

READING: Book Discussion on The Proper Role of Government by Ezra Taft Benson will be on May 10th. EVERYONE needs to prepare something to discuss!!!

 

Let me know if you need help or have questions, and I'll see everyone on Thursday! -Mrs. Hellyer

 

Week 10: 4/19/18

Yesterday, we had a fun and very thought provoking activity/discussion on what the limitations on privacy rights should be. It was interesting to hear how many different ideas there were on privacy versus safety. Elliot and Corban mentioned this quote as food for thought:

 

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." -Benjamin Franklin

 

Below are three videos (about 35 minutes total) to give you a little more info on the Bill of Rights, and help you with your debate:



 

 

 

FOR NEXT WEEK:

 

• Devotional: Elliot

 

• Presentations: We will be pleased to hear from Madeline on Thomas S. Monson, and from Corban on Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

• Debate: Please prepare some notes to help your team debate! Don't forget to ask your parents for some guidance, and/or their opinions..maybe even practice your arguments on them!? The topic is:

 

Should a business owner have the right to refuse service to a customer based on that business owner's religious beliefs?

 

For (Yes) Team:

Gwen, Elliot, Lilli, Sariah

 

Against (No) Team:

Athen, Corban, Elsa, Madeline

 

• Opinion Paper #9: If a person is suspected of doing evil, should the government be allowed to search his house without his knowledge?

 

• Reading: Our next book discussion will be on The Proper Role of Government by Ezra Taft Benson on May 10th. Everyone needs to be making notes on things to discuss about this document for the book discussion. The link for the article is below, and if it's okay with your parents, I would like you to print it out and highlight/make notes on it.  

https://www.latterdayconservative.com/ezra-taft-benson/the-proper-role-of-government/

• Award Requirements: Look through your award requirements page in your binder and see what you could complete this week and pass off on Thursday.

Have a great weekend!

-Mrs. Hellyer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 9: 4/12/18

Great job to everyone who participated in the Constitution Bowl! We had  lot of fun, and you guys kept me on the edge of my seat! I hope that you realize how much you have learned this year about our nation's founding documents--I'd bet money that most 7th/8th graders don't have a clue about the powers of Congress or the Bill of Rights! You guys are awesome!

We went over a lot of material last week rather quickly, mostly in preparation for the Bowl, but here's a quick recap:

• Article 5 describes two ways the Constitution can be amended: 1) by Congress or 2) by a convention of states. This second method has never been used, although it has come close to being used, but Congress has always caved at the threat of convention, and passed the desired amendment. There is a current effort to organize a convention of states right now, so we may get to see history be made in our lifetime! Exciting!
• Article 6 Section 2 makes the Constitution and the laws passed and treaties made by Congress the "supreme law of the land." This supremecy clause is meant to prevent the states from usurping power that rightfully belongs to the federal government, and the federal government from doing the same to the states.
• Amendment 1 spells out five essential rights of the people for true freedom to exist: freedom of religion, of speech, of the press, to peaceably assemble and to petition the government for redress. These rights are not unlimited; they come with the responsibility to use them wisely and to never infringe on the rights of another citizen in the process of exercising them.

Below is a short video about the Battle for Athens, TN that happened in 1946. Think about which rights were being infringed and exercised by the people on both sides of the battle. How might a judge rule in this case?

 

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

 

DEVOTIONAL: Corban

 

READING: Athen will lead our book discussion on The Great Little Madison. The rest of you come prepared with questions or comments to share. Donuts for those who read the book! 

 

HERO REPORT: The big day has finally arrived! Your hero report is due this Thursday, and must be 2-4 pages on the hero you selected, and must include a bibliography/works cited page. PLEASE use the following link to find out how to write a bibliography (scroll down a little and you will see examples):

 

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/science-fair/writing-a-bibliography-mla-format

 

Also, you MAY NOT use Wikipedia as a source, and be sure not to plagiarize (copy the author's words) or your paper will NOT be accepted. I look forward to reading what you all learned about these fascinating people! 

 

OPINION PAPER: You had a choice this week:

1. Write a letter of petition to a government officer on an issue of your choice, OR
2. If you were to make an amendment to the Constitution, what would it be?

As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns! -Mrs. Hellyer

 

 

Week 7: 3/22/18

We learned about Article 3 this week, which is all about the Judicial Branch. Thomas Jefferson wanted a an inconspicuous Supreme Court whose decisions could be argued or reversed if the states disagreed, but John Marshall--Secretary of State under John Adams and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court under Thomas Jefferson (and Jefferson's cousin, coincidentally)--believed the court should have the final say on all things constitutional. Marshall eventually won in with his decision on Marbury v. Madison (1800), setting the precedent of Judicial Review--that the actions of the Legislative and Executive branches are subject to the scrutiny of the Judicial branch, and that the Supreme Court has the last word on what the law is.

Below is a link to other landmark cases decided by the Supreme Court that I would like you to read before you write your opinion paper. Choose 4 or 5 to read to give you some supporting material for your paper:

https://www.thirteen.org/wnet/supremecourt/antebellum/landmark.html

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

 

OPINION PAPER: Have the Supreme Court rulings (decisions) helped or hindered our nation? Explain.

 

CONSTITUTION JOURAL: Amendments 11-17

 

HERO REPORT: Your papers are due April 12th. This should be a 2-4 page research paper on a hero who has promoted the causes of liberty and freedom. Include a bibliography or works cited page. Your presentations on your hero reports will begin on April 26th. I still need to hear from Athen and Madeline regarding who you have chosen to research!

 

READING: I'm moving the book discussion on The Great Little Madison to April 19th so we can have more time to practice for the Constitution Bowl.

 

DEVOTIONAL: Sariah

 

 

 

THE BIG BATTLE IS THIS SATURDAY!

***

BE THERE OR BE SQUARE!



 



 

 

 

 

Week 6: 3/15/18

Yesterday, we had an awesome lesson on the Executive Branch--courtesy of Mrs. Maxwell--and we learned a TON about the different government agencies and departments that fall under executive jurisdiction (authority). I posted a couple of videos below that may help you remember some of what you learned in class, and also there's some information in the videos that will help you with your opinion paper.

 

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

 

DEVOTIONAL - Madeline

 

OPINION PAPER - According to the Constitution, Congress has the power to declare war but for the last 60 years the President has declared war. In your opinion, which branch, legislative or executive, should have this power?

 

DEBATE - Should minor (under 18 years old) students have the right to walk out of class for a political purpose?

• Prepare several reasons that you are either for (yes) or against (no) the topic based on your assigned side, not your personal opinion.
• You should use online resources (articles, opinion editorials, data and statistics, and current events) to prepare your arguments.
• Read the following Informal Debate Instructions:
1. Each team appoints a spokesperson.
2. "For (F)" team has 5 minutes for an opening statement.
3. "Against (A)" team has 3 minutes to cross-examine.
4. "A" team has 5 minutes for an opening statement.
5. "F" team has 3 minutes to cross-examine.
6. "F" team has 4 minutes to rebut the "A" points.
7. "A" team has 4 minutes to rebut the "F" points.
8. "F" team has 2 minutes to summarize.
9. "A" team has 2 minutes to summarize.

CONSTITUTION JOURNAL - Amendments 1-10, a.k.a. the Bill of Rights

 

READING - Keep working on The Great Little Madison, which we will be discussing on March 29th.

 

**Study for the Constitution Bowl--most of the questions will be taken from the study guide!

 

Have a great week!

-Mrs. Hellyer

Week 5: 3/8/18

SURPRISE!

I didn't want to miss another week of class and be unable to help you all with your Constitution Journals, so I made a video of my lecture for you all to enjoy! Watch it, take some notes, and email me if you have any questions. Your homework is displayed at the end of the video, and it's also posted below the video.

 

 

**Remember, we'll still be having our book discussion on Fifty-Five Fathers during our next class, and Madeline will be leading.

 

HOMEWORK:

 

OPINION PAPER: Does Congress have too much power or not enough? Think about the Amendment process, checks and balances, and elected terms of service to help you get some ideas.

 

CONSTITUTION JOURNAL: Articles 5-7

 

 

**Study your Constitution Bowl Study Guide--We're ONE MONTH away from the competition!

 

**I hope to see you all on March 24th at the big Key vs. Sword Battle (we'll miss you, Lilli)!!!!

Week 4: 3/1/18

This week we learned the basics of how a bill becomes a law. It can get a little more complicated, with committees and types of bills, etc., but you get the idea. Mrs. Maxwell also planned a fun activity to help us understand the bill-passing process (which we soon learned is not so easy--which is exactly what the founders intended!). We also learned about how parliamentary procedure functions by working together to make a snack--who knew learning could be so yummy?!

 

Now would be a great time to watch Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, since the movie addresses all the things we've been learning about. Below is a good video about how bills become laws to enhance our lesson (BONUS: Anyone who can email me the definitions (in your own words) of "bicamaral" and "filibuster" will get 2 pieces of candy next week!): 

 

  

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

 

OPINION PAPER: What powers do you have in making new laws?

 

CONSTITUTION JOURNAL: Articles 3 and 4

 

READING: Madeline is assigned to lead our discussion on Fifty-Five Fathers, but she won't be in class next week. Would Athen or Lilli be willing to lead the discussion in her place? Please email me to let me know...Also, you should be reading The Great Little Madison next.

 

DEVOTIONAL: Lilli has it next week.

 

Don't Forget: the KEY vs. SWORD BATTLE EXTRAVAGANZA is happening in a few weeks! Here's the low-down:

• When: Saturday, March 24th, 10:00am-1:00pm
• Where: The home of the Hellyer family: 27325 122nd Ave. E. Graham, 98338
• Open to all current and former Key of Liberty and Sword of Freedom scholars and parents who would like to participate. (Please no non-participating children, as there will be no supervision available for them.)
• Each participant will need to bring the following items:
• Air-soft gun (NO bb, or battery- or CO2-powered guns allowed)
• Eye-protection
• Waterproof boots
• Warm clothing
• Sack lunch
• Ammo and snacks will be provided

Enjoy your weekend! -Mrs. Hellyer

Week 3: 2/15/18

I threw a whole lot of information your way this week, but I was pleased to see so many of you taking notes! Note-taking is a very useful tool--even if you never look at your notes again, the act of hearing a piece of information, then writing it down, actually helps you to commit the information to memory much better than if you only hear it.

 

Here's a recap of what we talked about in class:

• Baron Montesquieu, a French statesman and political scientist, named three main types of government: Monarchy, Despotism, and Republicanism--which has 2 sub-types, aristocracy and democracy. The founders chose to form our nation with a republican government, called a representative democracy, because it was a perfect compromise between 100% government (tyranny), and 0% government (anarchy).
• The founders also knew that in order for this 50% government (people's rule) to work, the representatives of the people would have to be virtuous, and set a standard for the next generation of leaders, as well as for the entire nation.
• Just in case the government were ever to get off track (and we know it has because of federal regulations and agencies, executive orders, and judicial activism), the founders added into the Constitution a few ways the people could repair the damage: 1) a common law jury, and 2) a convention of states.

Watch the following videos to learn more about the Article V provision for a convention of states: 

 

 

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

 

DEVOTIONAL: Gwen - Choose a scripture that speaks about government, liberty, freedom, justice, or anything pertinent to what we've been learning in class. Then share it with the class and explain why you chose it.

 

OPINION PAPER: Ok, so I changed it a little bit again...

 

If you had only the following two candidates to choose from, which do you think would be a better government leader and why?

1. Candidate A: Very high moral standards but with little to no education
2. Candidate B: Very well educated but with few to no moral standards

***Tip: Think of actual people you may know of that could fit these descriptions, and remember to use examples to build a logical argument to support your opinion.

 

CONSTITUTION JOURNAL: Article 1, Sections 6-10

 

READING: Fifty-Five Fathers due March 1st

 

For details on upcoming events, see Week 1

 

Have an awesome week, everyone! -Mrs. Hellyer

 

 



Week 2: 2/8/17

See...I told you second semester was the most fun! Thanks to Mrs. Maxwell for some great activities to teach us about working together to make laws, and prepare us for the Constitution Bowl. Keep up on your Constitution journal at home and you'll knock 'em dead at the Bowl!

Here are your assignments this week:

• OPINION PAPER: What did you learn about yourself? How are you going to change because of the simulation? (Optional: How do you think this simulation relates to the founders and the Constitution-making process?) Because this is a paper all about your personal experience, feel free to refer to yourself in the first person in this one ("I think," "I learned," etc.)!

• CONSTITUTION JOURNAL: Finish the Preamble and Article 1 Sections 1-5. If you've already finished, start on next week's assignment: Article 1 Sections 6-10. This journal should be done just like the Declaration journal--translate the language into your own words, define words you don't know, and write any principles you discover. The reward for the journal will be a field trip, destination TBD, but sure to be fun!

• READING: Start reading Fifty Five Fathers by Selma Williams, which we will discuss on March 1st. As you read, make sure to note any interesting quotes or parts, and any questions that come to mind so that you will be prepared for the discussion.

• HERO REPORTS: Keep thinking about who you would like to report on. Here are a few suggestions: Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Adams, Malala Yousafzai, Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gahndi, William Wilberforce, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Corrie Ten Boom, Martin Luther King, Jr., Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman...there are many others, but those are just off the top of my head. You'll need to sign up for a presentation date and your papers will be due April 12th, but don't wait until the last minute to write them!

Have a wonderful week! -Mrs. Hellyer

Semester 2 Week 1: 2/1/18

Welcome to second semester everyone! We went over the awards requirements for this semester in class, and I know it may have seemed a little overwhelming at first, but--if you think back to the beginning of first semester--you were a bit intimidated then, too. You all were able to get through the first semester, and it wasn't as hard as you feared. I know that if you work hard, and manage your time well, you can earn all the awards, learn lots, and have fun doing it!

 

 

In class, we learned that one day after the committee to write the Declaration of Independence was appointed, a second committee was appointed by the Continental Congress to write the Articles of Confederation. They were drafted by John Dickinson of DE, and approved by the Congress in March 1781. They were also a huge disaster! The main problems with the Articles were that there was no provision for a single executive (president), and Congress had no power to tax the states or enforce the law except by declaring war on the states! It is said that "hindsight is 20/20," but it's surprising that these brilliant men in the Congress passed the Articles of Confederation with all their flaws.

We also briefly talked about Shay's Rebellion, but here's a little video that gives more detail:

 

 

 

 

ASSIGNMENTS THIS WEEK:

 

OPINION PAPER: What makes America different? Think this through: different can mean special, unique, distinguishable, unusual, etc.. Think about how we were founded, who our people are and what they believe, what rights do we have and where do those rights come from? This is a very broad topic, so writing a full page should be easy-peasy! 

 

CONSTITUTION JOURNAL: Preamble, Article 1, Sections 1-5

 

HERO REPORT: Think about who you would like to write about for your Hero Report. It can be anyone, past or present, from anywhere in the world, who has promoted/fought for the virtues of freedom and liberty.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

 

Saturday, March 24th, 10:00am-1:00pm -  The Annual Key of Liberty vs. Sword of Freedom air soft battle. This event will be held at my home in Graham, and is for Key and Sword scholars and their older siblings (dads are welcome, too!). You will need to bring an air soft gun (no bb, battery- or CO2-powered guns allowed), eye protection, water-proof boots, and a sack lunch. Snacks and ammo will be provided. We always have a great time, and we hope to see you all there, rain or shine!

 

Friday, April 13th, 6:00pm-8:00pm - The Annual Constitution Bowl. This is a culminating event for second semester in which the Key scholars from FILA and LIBER-T go head to head in an epic Constitution trivia showdown! LIBER-T will be hosting us at a peninsula location TBA, but we will open up early (around 4:00pm) for families to gather before the event for a potluck dinner. Stay tuned for further details!

 

Have a fabulous week, and, as always, please contact me or Mrs. Maxwell with any questions or comments.  -Mrs. Hellyer

Week 14: 01/11/18

You finally made it to the end of first semester! Great job, everybody! That was good practice for second semester--which is going to be a little more intense as we study the Constitution, but I know you guys can handle it!

The only assignments you have this week are:

• Prepare your skit for Parent Night! Here's the list of props we need, and who's bringing what:
• Large cardboard box/tote and table cloth - Mrs. Hellyer
• Roasting Stick - Elsa
• Large Marshmallows - Athen
• Scary Spider or Rat - Madeline
• Paper Plate - Mrs. Hellyer
• Shaving Cream or Whipped Cream or Silly String - Mrs. Hellyer
• Slime - Mrs. Hellyer

If I'm missing anything, let me know ASAP, and DON'T FORGET to bring your props! We'll try to sneak in a practice run right after co-op, so please make sure you come straight to the stage after school and don't dilly-dally in your fourth hour classes!

• Finish your Declaration of Independence journal in order to go on the field trip to the Capitol! We are leaving at 10:00am sharp, so if you're late, you'll have to stay at co-op and watch a movie with anyone who didn't finish their journal. We will eat lunch at Dairy Queen on the way back, and return to co-op by 1:00. Let me know as soon as you've finished so I know how many kids will be coming. So far, I have only Elliot and Madeline on the list to go...

• Finish any lingering award requirements, like opinion papers, so you can proudly display all your ribbons on Parent Night!

• Keep reading Freedom Factor and have it finished by February 2nd.

I hope to take you all on the field trip this Thursday! See you soon!
-Mrs. Hellyer