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