3/26 Class Update

Hey everyone!

We had a great class today.

We had a thrilling presentation by Benjamin on the weaponry of the early years of our nation. I learned what a Howitzer is, finally! Thank you, Benjamin! We appreciated all of the energy and preparation you put into your presentation. It really showed and you were great!

We had a book discussion on "The Great Little Madison." He really was GREAT. We appreciated that even though he was chronically ill, weak-voiced and married far late into his life, he offered up himself to his nation. Time and time again he answered the call of his community and his country, to help safeguard the freedoms of our people. He lived great, and died great. To this day he remains a wonderful example of what we can each contribute to the cause of liberty.

We then had a simulation that helped to teach us the two ways in which our national Constitution can be amended.Because our clever class learns so quickly, you were all able to amend the constitution I had drafted, and you were all able to eat one of my delicious Funfetti pink lemonade-frosted cupcakes. :) NICELY DONE!

Please remember the below, and BE READY FOR NEXT WEEK'S QUIZZES!

Announcements:           

                                NEXT WEEK

-Practice Constitution BOWL! STUDY!

-Constitution Quiz...STUDY!

                                May 21 – Real Bowl

                                May 22 – KOL Capitol Tour

                               

                Assignments:

                                Study for Constitution Quiz and practice bowl

                                Constitution Journal: Through Article 7

                                Opinion Paper – If you were to make an amendment to the Constitution

                                                                What would it be?

                                Read The Law (Frederic Bastiat) - I emailed you the link

                                Work on upcoming PRESENTATIONS!   

Any questions, please call or email me. Thank you! 

-Teacher Kelly                 

3.19.15 KOL Class Update

Hi guys-

Great class today! Kenny presented to us on King George III. He did an excellent job describing his personality, his madness, his father's unfortunate lung injury (yikes!) and his long reign of the United Kingdom. And he served some pretty amazing cinnamon rolls too! Great job Kenny!

Next week - Benjamin will give a riveting presentation on weaponry of the American Revolutionary war. We are looking forward to that!

In class today, we had a great discussion about the differences between a democracy and a republic. We voted on which we would rather for our government. Would you believe a majority voted republic? Majority rules! So, through democratic vote, we upheld the republic. Great job everyone!

Here is another video found on YouTube re: Republics vs. Democracy

Democracy, we learned, is MOB rule. The rights of the minority are trampled. The end result of pure democracy is tyranny, and then implosion of the government, usually through revolt of the masses.

Our wise and well-educated founding fathers knew that this form of government would never last, nor provide us true freedom. They set up for us a republic, and secured, through our Constitution, the preservation of God-given rights: life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness (property rights).

They were men of God, led by Him, to create a free country where individuals could pursue their dreams and respective ways of living.

GO FOUNDERS!

Okay...enough lecture via blog.

We enjoyed two debates: Should the minority be able to win over the majority? Most of us felt, instinctively, that the minority's rights should be preserved, and not quashed by a majority rule. Maybe we are smart like the founders, or maybe we all consider ourselves minorities enough that we are sympathetic to preserving the rights of the minority.


We also debated the following: Should the supreme court be able to make laws re: moral issues? This debate was AWESOME because we discussed and debated moral issues like same-sex marriage, abortion, etc. One person commented "I don't agree that the court should be able to make such laws because THEY SHOULDN'T BE MAKING LAWS!" Amen to that!

Next week will be awesome again, I know. This week, to prepare, please do the following:

1) Complete your Constitution Journals up through Article V
2) Finish "The Great Little Madison"
3) Prepare your presentations - Benjamin is Next Week!

Thanks everyone. Have fun this Saturday at the Scholar Retreat (9-1).

-Teacher Kelly

3.12.15 Class Update

Hi all!

So...you were treated to the first hour of "A More Perfect Union" today. I hope you enjoyed it. I am more grateful for the work our Founders did to mold our Constitution when I realize just how difficult a task they took on, and the varied and differing perspectives the Founders held. TRULY miraculous that our Founding Document is as nearly perfect as it now stands.

After that entertaining piece of history, we were treated to a great speech by Matthew re: the Boston Tea Party. Matthew brought the event to life as he shared a narrative he constructed as if he had witnessed the courageous deed. We enjoyed his enthusiasm, and the great research and care he took to present to us. THANK YOU MATTHEW!

Kenny - we are really looking forward to your presentation on King George III next week!

We had a lecture/discussion on the Supreme Court, the judiciary branch of our government. We talked about the difference between "Constitutional Supremacy" and "Judicial Supremacy." What a precarious position we are in, when the Supreme Court decides what is and what is not Constitutional, without only considering the Constitution as their source of guidance!

We watched a short video about Marbury v. Madison, and how that court case forever changed the way and extent to which the Supreme Court would use "Judicial Review." For practical reasons, Chief Justice Marshall didn't outright state that the Supreme Court was the only interpreter of the Constitution (although he believed it should be), or explain how the Court would enforce its decisions. But beginning with this landmark case, the Supreme Court was given much more power, and began its ascent to a branch equal in power to the legislative and executive branches. In the ensuing years, if the Court needed to affirm its importance and validity, it has cited Marshall's opinion in Marbury v. Madison.

Assignments for NEXT WEEK:

** KENNY - your presentation is due next week! 2-4 page paper...and oral report - You'll be awesome!
** Opinion papers: "Have the Supreme Court Rulings helped or hindered our nation?" - be as specific as possible - you may have to research a little on this as we really only went over Marbury v. Madison today. ALSO, turn in any you haven't finished yet...check the blog to see which ones you may have missed since January.
** Continue reading "The Great Little Madison" - we will discuss 3.26
** Complete Constitution Journal up through Article IV (this  means, complete Article IV too!)
** Prepare for Debate next week: "Should the Supreme Court have power to make laws on moral issues?" and "Should the minority be allowed to win over the majority?"

Teacher Betty and I LOVE you all and are so glad you are working so hard to understand our Constitution. The more you put into reading it, analyzing it,and  learning the history behind how it came to be, the more you will love it too.

Have a great week!

-Teacher Kelly

3.5.15 Class Update

Hey Key of Liberty Fan Club - or Constitution Illuminati, as we may be known to some....

Great class discussion today. You have some amazing insights into the way our current government is functioning, and how it SHOULD function.

You never cease to amaze Teacher Betty and me. You are really and truly independent thinkers. I love to hear that Archie discusses politics with his dad for hours at a time. How COOL is that? You know that the only way you will be able to preserve your freedoms is to understand how our democratic republican government functions...and how it is SUPPOSED to work.

Today we had a rousing oral presentation on The Stamp Act by our own Kaleigh Newlun. She did fabulously! She spoke with a nice strong voice, enthusiasm, and conviction about what she learned regarding this tax act. My favorite information nugget of her awesome presentation was that the Stamp Act Congress helped to give the colonists a model for the future Continental Congress.

We had a great lecture/discussion on the Executive Branch of our government. We discovered a lot of what the President is expected to do, outlined in his responsibilities set forth in the Constitution, Article 2. We didn't even have time to get to the array of powers Congress has delegated to him, WITHOUT an amendment to the CONSTITUTION! Ah...the shenanigans we find ourselves in when we don't follow the SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND! Is it that hard, Senators? Really....a kindergartner could do it....

But I digress. :)

Assignments:

Read The Great Little Madison (Book discussion coming March 26!)
Write an Opinion Paper on who should have the power to declare war, the Executive branch or the Legislative
Complete Constitution Journal through all of Article 4
Matthew - get your presentation ready for next week!

I think that's it. You guys are doing WONDERFULLY! You will be great this week. Give me all your intensely patriotic and constitutional passion in your opinion paper please. Your spirit, determination and self-education in this area will make an ENORMOUS difference in what you contribute to our society, as well as how long we remain free!

Have a great week!

-Teacher Kelly

Feb 12 Class Update

So....since you all taught the class, shouldn't you be doing this blog post?

Kidding! I heard you all did great last week! Thank you for stepping up to the plate, reading beforehand, coming prepared, and imparting this important information to one another.

You all learned about the importance of virtue in a leader, especially a leader of our nation. You discussed how democracies function successfully by the virtue their leaders possess. You discussed that successful monarchies govern by the honor inherent in their supposed nobility and rank. You also learned that despotic governments can only function and last as long as they hold fear over the subjects of the nation.

Next you talked about how legislation is created at the federal level. You learned what administrative law means, and you learned that more laws are created this way now, than are created through CONGRESS!

You discussed the process by which a bill is proposed and passed. Were you surprised to hear that most bills die in committee before they are even thoroughly reviewed and put to a vote? My favorite part of this process was learning that if the president objects to a bill that both the House of Representatives and the Senate have approved, the House and Senate can review his objections, but vote to pass the bill anyway. They only need a 2/3 vote in each house of Congress to pass the bill without the President's blessing. I appreciate that the President cannot prevent the will of the people from going forth. Ultimately, it is our representatives cowardice or lack of virtue that will keep our voices from being heeded.

I think the most objectionable think I learned was the pocket veto practice. Remember this? 1)      This happens when Congress passes a number of bills and then adjourns before the ten day  waiting period is up (happens around Christmas time often). Because they have adjourned before the 10 day waiting period is over, the President does not have to worry about the 10 day limit rule. None of the bills will become law without his signature…he puts them in his pocket (so to speak) where they are forgotten. And the Congress - your senators and representatives, can complain that they passed the important bill that you care so much about, but the President's actions actually prevented it from becoming law. This is called PASSING THE BUCK! Don't fall for it. Your representatives show their lack of virtue when this occurs.

I am sad to have missed class, because I am sure you all were great! Teacher Betty and I are really looking forward to seeing you this Thursday in class.



Before you come, please work on and bring the following:

-Constitution Journal: Preamble through ARTICLE 2

-Opinion Papers: So far, you should have the following done: "Why America is Different", "Men of faith and character or men of knowledge", What powers do you have in making new laws?", "Does Congress have too much power or not enough?"

-Fifty-five Fathers: keep reading - we are having the book discussion Feb 26th! I extended it just one week because I love you. :)

-Presentations: Keep working on these! The first one to present is Kaleigh. See the list below for your assigned dates. :)

Kaleigh - The Stamp Act - March 5th

Matthew - The Boston Tea Party - March 12th

Kenny - King George III - March 19th

Benjamin - Weaponry - March 26

Adam - Minutemen and Militia - April 9

David - Sons of LIberty - April 16

Hannah - Fashion in the Colonial Era - April 23

Archie - The Currency Act - April 30


See you all on Thursday! 

-Teacher Kelly

Feb 26 Class Update

Hola everybody-

Great class today! You all make a delicious trail mix, let me just say...

Today we had our book discussion on "Fifty-five Fathers" by Selma R. Williams. You all had very insightful comments on the dedication of our founding fathers. These were the men who compromised to draft a document that would best preserve the individual rights of citizens of our great United States.

I REALLY appreciate your readiness for the discussion, and your willingness to consider the lessons and details we talked about today. These amazing historical accounts are REALLY WORTH EVERY EFFORT to read and consider. You are Great Scholars!

We then learned some basic parliamentary procedures. We had to utilize these rules of order (moving, seconding, awaiting recognition from the chair, discussion, and voting) to make the most delicious, weird, mostly-cereal-laden trail mix ever. My favorite item was the box of baby swiss cheez-its. How about you? Red hots?

We then finished "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." For those of you who didn't see the first part (because just maybe you were on an awesome field trip to Olympia's capitol building), YOU MUST do so to receive credit.  :)   SUCH a great movie, an inspiration that really honest politicians might actually be out there! They might exist in this nation! Please, say it is so...

This week, there is no writing assignment, per se. But please remember to:

1) Read "The Great Little Madison"
2) Finish your Constitution journals up through Article 2
3) Work on your presentations

As an homage to our Fifty-Five Fathers discussion, and for a chance to get your Constitutional Convention juices flowing, watch the below YouTube video....

See y'all next week!

February 19 Class Update

Happy Friday greetings Everyone!

This is going to be a quick recap on yesterday's class, because I have A LOT to get done today, and I am already tired and thinking of going to bed, and it is only 3 PM!

Yesterday in class, we got a lot accomplished. Check out my bullet list for proof:

1) Set up new set of class rules
2) Established incentive jar  -  WORK HARD for your PARTY!
3) Simulated how the U.S. Legislature presents and passes a bill (nice outfit MATTHEW!) &
4) Had a lecture on the powers of Congress.

I REALLY hope you took good notes on that lecture. Next week's quiz on the lecture you just heard is going to be awesome. Or scary. Well, anyway, there will be candy involved. And I want to be able to reward you all for your increased intelligence. :)

Oh....National Treasure 2 is next Friday, the 27th, 7-10 at my house. Hope you all will come!

Assignments:

1 - Finish reading Fifty-Five Fathers - book discussion next week, no matter what!
2 - Finish Constitution Journal up through Article 2
3 - Finish any outstanding papers. So far this semester, you've been assigned papers on the following topics: "Why is America Different", "Men of Faith and Character or Men of Knowledge", "What Powers Do You Have in Making New Laws", "Does Congress Have Too Much Power or Not Enough?"
4 - WORK ON your upcoming presentations...they can sneak up on you. And you don't want to disappoint your mentors....  :)

Love y'all....WORK HARD! And then you can play.  :)

Peace! - as long as we can keep our liberty too...

-Teacher Kelly