I had such a great time in class today! And it wasn't just the candy. :)
I love getting to spend the first part of the day with you amazing scholars. Your insights into what we are studying, into the necessity to preserve our freedom, into your own abilities to help accomplish this, INSPIRE ME! It is so fun for Teacher Betty and me to be in class with you, and a privilege to help mentor you through this crucial and life-changing course.
In class today, we discussed the Preamble of the Constitution, analyzed it, defined unfamiliar words, and put it into our words. Remember, this is the pattern to follow as we study the rest of the Constitution.
We talked about the Articles of Confederation, under which the colonies operated for the first 10 years of rebellion and freedom. We discussed the weaknesses of the articles (remember?)
1 - No executive power to
speak or act in time of emergency (i.e. the President sending troops to war)
2 - No federal judiciary
w/ general jurisdiction to handle federal cases other than those re: boundary
disputes, piracies and crimes at sea
3 - No means of enforcing
the decrees of Congress (except to declare war on offending states)
4 - No means to regulate
interstate commerce (caused problems after Revolutionary war)
5 - No power to regulate
foreign commerce except through treaties
6 - No power to tax –
armies dependent on states’ generosity
We talked of the Enlightenment philosopher, Charles de Secondat, the Baron of Montesquieu and his views on various forms of government, specifically monarchy, despotism, and a republic. We learned a unique characteristic of each type of government and what sets it apart from others. Who votes we change to a monarchical or despotic government? :) Not I!
Today in class, we talked about upcoming presentations. Please see the revised list below:
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
Remember, as you prepare, plan on using about 10-20 minutes. We LOVE quizzes and games concerning your topic. YOU ARE such ENTERTAINING presenters! I look forward to what you will share with us in just over a month (Kaleigh). Studying now is a great idea!
Speaking of studying, this week you do have a few assignments:
1- Write a paper (shoot for one page!) on "Why America is Different" - what about our government's structure and conditions of our establishment make us unique? Here is a paragraph to get you started...it is only a jumping-off point, so a little more reading/research wouldn't hurt. A book that will be especially helpful, if your parents have it (they probably do) is Cleon Skousen's "A Five Thousand Year Leap." Here is the paragraph I promised you:
The establishment of the
United States of America was a special event, because after the Revolution, the
leaders of the nation took time to discuss the possible forms of government
currently in use in the world, analyze their pros/cons, and analyze many
political philosophies and governmental structures, including that of Ancient
Israel and the Anglo-Saxon people (1500 years after Moses’ Exodus – about 1500
to 1300 BC).
2 - Write a paper (try to make your thoughts supported enough to fill a page!) on "Men of faith and character versus Men of knowledge" - which would you rather lead our country and why?
3 - Use your constitution journal to analyze and deconstruct Article 1, sections 1, 2 and 3. We will discuss next week!
4 - Prepare for FREEDOM FACTOR discussion next week. Finish up. Gather your thoughts/ideas about the book. Take notes about what impacted you and what new insights you have into the blessed and free state we enjoy in our nation today.
5 - Take a deep breath, look in the mirror and say, "I CAN DO HARD THINGS!"
I know this is a lot of work for one week. But let yourself be inspired by Mahatma Ghandi, who said:
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow.
Learn as if you were to live forever."
I can't wait to see how much you've learned next Thursday!
-Teacher Kelly
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