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