Week 3

This week we had a great discussion about Montesquieu's 3 principles--virtue, honor and fear--that are required for the success of the 3 forms of government--Republican, Monarchial and Despotic. We also learned that when men cease to be virtuous in our own government we see the usurpation of legislative power by the branches (executive and judicial) that were never intended to have it.

Upcoming assignments:

• This week's opinion paper is: Is it better to have a man of faith in office with a minimal education, or a man of knowledge with minimal faith and questionable character?

• Your Constitution journal assignment this week is: Article 1, Sections 6-10 (**Remember that this optional assignment comes with a special field trip reward!)

• Our next book discussion will be February 25th, on Fifty-Five Fathers by Selma R. Williams.

Don't forget to work on your Award requirements...we know you have a lot to do, but we really want to see you all earn your ribbons! Just think of how much more informed you'll be about the history of our nation's founding than most kids your age by the time this class is finished! In fact, you'll know more than most Americans! Yes, that's sad, but true; but you all are the ones who will be able to preserve and protect this nation for the next generation!

Here's a link to the Article 5 Project that we talked about in class--the "safety net" for the states, built into the Constitution for when the federal government gets carried away:

http://www.conventionofstates.com/

Please read through the website and watch the videos...they're very interesting and informative (and they give you a little hope that we really CAN restore the Constitution to what our founders intended it to be).

Keep up the good work studying that CB study guide, because we'll have a quiz or practice each week. There may even be candy involved!

Carry on, scholars!

-Mrs. Hellyer