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
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:
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!
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.
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
Last week we learned a bit about the principles and characteristics of our great and revered leader, George Washington. We learn from his public life that he had many honorable qualities, but did you know he worked hard--even as a boy--to attain those qualities? George Washington knew from a young age that he wanted to be someone special and important, so he set to work early to reach that goal. One of the ways he did this was by practicing good etiquette (something we could all improve on these days). Here is a link to the actual guidebook that George Washington used, called Washington's Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation:
Read through these and we'll talk about which ones were your favorites (or the funniest) in class.
Here's a funny video about the rules of civility that you might enjoy, too...
Assignments:
Devotional: I believe it's Madeline's turn again!
Opinion Paper: I'm missing a few opinion papers from last week, so if you did not turn yours in, please email it to me this week. I really don't want to have a backlog of papers to read at the end of the semester! The topic this week is What made George Washington a great man? How can you become more like him? Please be specific with your examples!
Parent Night: Please brainstorm 2-3 solid ideas for our class parent night presentation and be ready to discuss and vote on them when we meet again, November 30th.
Reading: Keep working on Being George Washington, due December 14th
Award Requirements:
I hope you all used the break to work on these! A few tips: practice the Declaration for a few minutes several times a day and you'll have it down in no time! Also, something that helps me to memorize things quickly is to write it down/copy it 2 or 3 times--give it a try...
Keep working on your Declaration of Independence journal...I really want to be able to take everyone on the field trip to the capitol (and out to lunch afterward!).
I hope you all had a wonderful break and a Happy Thanksgiving! -Mrs. Hellyer
Last week we watched one of my favorite videos about George Washington and his troops crossing the Delaware River. It was such a trying time for our little "ragtag"army, and a seemingly impossible task for our newly appointed General Washington to lead them to victory. The strength and perseverance of these men is so inspiring to me, and I hope you all will draw the same inspiration from them, and know that you, too--with faith and determination--can endure and overcome difficult trials.
Also, check out this website for Civil War Trust that has a TON of great videos about the American Revolution (and they're only 4 minutes each!):
Opinion Paper:"For though the flame of liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal can never expire," Is this a true statement? What does it mean to you? PLEASE re-read The American Crisis No. 1 by Thomas Paine, and study the context of this quote. Also, discuss this with your parents and ask them what they think--they're pretty good resources!
Presentations: Thank you to Gwen and Corban for your informative presentations! We will be pleased to hear from Corban again this week on weaponry and battle tactics, as well as Madeline on Betsy Ross (feel free to change your presentation a bit, Madeline, if you feel Mr. O'Neal gave us sufficient information).
Award Requirements: We have only 6 classes left before the end of the semester, and some of the most time consuming award requirements are left unfinished (ie. the Declaration of Independence). I know you guys can get all the ribbons if you work hard, so let's get some things passed off! We also will be discussing our presentation for parent night this week, which usually includes reciting the Declaration from memory. Let's make our parents proud!
Reading: Keep working on Being George Washington by Glenn Beck, which we will be discussing on December 14th. If you finish that, you can start reading Freedom Factor by Gerald Lund (one of my faves!)
One last thing: I received only 6 thank you cards for Mr. O'Neal, so if you forgot to turn yours in last week, PLEASE bring it this week so I can mail them to him on Friday. Thank you!
I hope everyone enjoyed the presentation by Mr. Bob O'Neil. I learned a lot (and took a lot of notes), how about you guys? This week, there is no opinion paper, but your writing assignment is to write a thank you card to Mr. O'Neil for doing the presentation, and make you sure you include something you learned from him. Please use your best handwriting, and be very polite and gracious!
Also:
We will be pleased to hear presentations from Gwen and Corban this Thursday
I would like to assign Elsa the devotional this week
PLEASE take time to work on your award requirements, since you don't have to write a paper--I will have candy for anyone who can pass off a section or more of the Declaration of Independence!
Have a great week, and I'll see everyone Thursday! -Mrs. Hellyer
