Week 2

This week we experienced our first Key of Liberty simulation. Each scholar played the role of a delegate in the Continental Congress as we reenacted the process of voting to sign the Declaration of Independence. Some kids found it difficult to argue points that they disagreed with on a personal level, but overall, it was a good learning experience. For an even better understanding of the signing process, I recommend watching the musical 1776. It's a little silly in some parts, but it does have its merits!

Your opinion paper assignment this week is a debrief on the simulation. Answer the following questions in one paper:

What did you learn about the founders? What did you learn about yourself? How are you going to change because of the simulation?

Remember to use your free write as notes or a rough draft of the final copy of your paper.

Below is the schedule for presentations for the entire semester (I will update the schedule with Paige's information as soon as possible):

October 6th - Leila, Dean
October 13th - Leila
October 20th - Ethan
November 3rd - Taylor
November 10th - Dean, Lucy
November 17th - Reina
December 1st - Ethan
December 15th - Lucy, Reina
January 5th - Taylor

Continue working on your Award Requirements; beginning next week you'll have time at the end of class to start passing things off. And, good news! By participating in the simulation and writing this week's paper, you will have all earned your key (to be awarded next week)! Well done!

If you have finished reading The Landing of the Pilgrims, you will want to start reading John Adams: Reluctant Patriot of the Revolution by Leonard Falkner, which we will be discussing on November 3rd. If you need a copy, please let me know ASAP.

As always, please contact me or Mrs. Brennan if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.

Keep up the good work, young patriots!   

-Mrs. Hellyer

2016-17 Week 1

Welcome to Key of Liberty! Mrs. Brennan and I were so pleased to see familiar faces and to meet the new scholars last Thursday. I hope you all are as excited to go on this journey of discovery about the founding of our great nation as we are!

Our first lesson was all about how this land is YOUR land. America is your precious inheritance to preserve, protect and improve for generations to come. We also had a great discussion on Red Scarf Girl and the similarities between the oppressions experienced by the Chinese people during the Cultural Revolution and the oppressions experienced by the American colonists at the hands of  British rule.

Your assignment this week is to write an opinion paper answering this question:

• What is your responsibility to America and freedom?

Remember to use any notes you may have taken, as well as your free-write paper you wrote in class. Don't be afraid to be honest! This is your opinion and it matters!

 

We will be pleased to hear our first 2 presentations of the semester on October 6th given by:

• Leila on life as a Puritan and the Salem Witch Trials and
• Dean on the French and Indian War

Thanks, Leila and Dean, for being brave enough to go first!

 

We will be discussing The Landing of the Pilgrims by James Daugherty on October 13th, so please be sure to have the book completed before class on that day. 

 

Keep working on your first semester award requirements, especially memorizing your Declaration of Independence. A good tip for that is to practice it for about 10 minutes, 3 times a day. It's not as hard as you think; you'll have it memorized in no time if you work at it every day!

 

If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact me or Mrs. Brennan via email, phone call or text.

• Carrie Hellyer - chellyer78@gmail.com or 253-254-9064
• Isabelle Brennan - isabellebrennan86@gmail.com or 253-359-0657

Happy studying!