Week 7: 3/22/18

We learned about Article 3 this week, which is all about the Judicial Branch. Thomas Jefferson wanted a an inconspicuous Supreme Court whose decisions could be argued or reversed if the states disagreed, but John Marshall--Secretary of State under John Adams and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court under Thomas Jefferson (and Jefferson's cousin, coincidentally)--believed the court should have the final say on all things constitutional. Marshall eventually won in with his decision on Marbury v. Madison (1800), setting the precedent of Judicial Review--that the actions of the Legislative and Executive branches are subject to the scrutiny of the Judicial branch, and that the Supreme Court has the last word on what the law is.

Below is a link to other landmark cases decided by the Supreme Court that I would like you to read before you write your opinion paper. Choose 4 or 5 to read to give you some supporting material for your paper:

https://www.thirteen.org/wnet/supremecourt/antebellum/landmark.html

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

 

OPINION PAPER: Have the Supreme Court rulings (decisions) helped or hindered our nation? Explain.

 

CONSTITUTION JOURAL: Amendments 11-17

 

HERO REPORT: Your papers are due April 12th. This should be a 2-4 page research paper on a hero who has promoted the causes of liberty and freedom. Include a bibliography or works cited page. Your presentations on your hero reports will begin on April 26th. I still need to hear from Athen and Madeline regarding who you have chosen to research!

 

READING: I'm moving the book discussion on The Great Little Madison to April 19th so we can have more time to practice for the Constitution Bowl.

 

DEVOTIONAL: Sariah

 

 

 

THE BIG BATTLE IS THIS SATURDAY!

***

BE THERE OR BE SQUARE!



 



 

 

 

 

Week 6: 3/15/18

Yesterday, we had an awesome lesson on the Executive Branch--courtesy of Mrs. Maxwell--and we learned a TON about the different government agencies and departments that fall under executive jurisdiction (authority). I posted a couple of videos below that may help you remember some of what you learned in class, and also there's some information in the videos that will help you with your opinion paper.

 

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

 

DEVOTIONAL - Madeline

 

OPINION PAPER - According to the Constitution, Congress has the power to declare war but for the last 60 years the President has declared war. In your opinion, which branch, legislative or executive, should have this power?

 

DEBATE - Should minor (under 18 years old) students have the right to walk out of class for a political purpose?

• Prepare several reasons that you are either for (yes) or against (no) the topic based on your assigned side, not your personal opinion.
• You should use online resources (articles, opinion editorials, data and statistics, and current events) to prepare your arguments.
• Read the following Informal Debate Instructions:
1. Each team appoints a spokesperson.
2. "For (F)" team has 5 minutes for an opening statement.
3. "Against (A)" team has 3 minutes to cross-examine.
4. "A" team has 5 minutes for an opening statement.
5. "F" team has 3 minutes to cross-examine.
6. "F" team has 4 minutes to rebut the "A" points.
7. "A" team has 4 minutes to rebut the "F" points.
8. "F" team has 2 minutes to summarize.
9. "A" team has 2 minutes to summarize.

CONSTITUTION JOURNAL - Amendments 1-10, a.k.a. the Bill of Rights

 

READING - Keep working on The Great Little Madison, which we will be discussing on March 29th.

 

**Study for the Constitution Bowl--most of the questions will be taken from the study guide!

 

Have a great week!

-Mrs. Hellyer

Week 5: 3/8/18

SURPRISE!

I didn't want to miss another week of class and be unable to help you all with your Constitution Journals, so I made a video of my lecture for you all to enjoy! Watch it, take some notes, and email me if you have any questions. Your homework is displayed at the end of the video, and it's also posted below the video.

 

 

**Remember, we'll still be having our book discussion on Fifty-Five Fathers during our next class, and Madeline will be leading.

 

HOMEWORK:

 

OPINION PAPER: Does Congress have too much power or not enough? Think about the Amendment process, checks and balances, and elected terms of service to help you get some ideas.

 

CONSTITUTION JOURNAL: Articles 5-7

 

 

**Study your Constitution Bowl Study Guide--We're ONE MONTH away from the competition!

 

**I hope to see you all on March 24th at the big Key vs. Sword Battle (we'll miss you, Lilli)!!!!

Week 4: 3/1/18

This week we learned the basics of how a bill becomes a law. It can get a little more complicated, with committees and types of bills, etc., but you get the idea. Mrs. Maxwell also planned a fun activity to help us understand the bill-passing process (which we soon learned is not so easy--which is exactly what the founders intended!). We also learned about how parliamentary procedure functions by working together to make a snack--who knew learning could be so yummy?!

 

Now would be a great time to watch Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, since the movie addresses all the things we've been learning about. Below is a good video about how bills become laws to enhance our lesson (BONUS: Anyone who can email me the definitions (in your own words) of "bicamaral" and "filibuster" will get 2 pieces of candy next week!): 

 

  

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

 

OPINION PAPER: What powers do you have in making new laws?

 

CONSTITUTION JOURNAL: Articles 3 and 4

 

READING: Madeline is assigned to lead our discussion on Fifty-Five Fathers, but she won't be in class next week. Would Athen or Lilli be willing to lead the discussion in her place? Please email me to let me know...Also, you should be reading The Great Little Madison next.

 

DEVOTIONAL: Lilli has it next week.

 

Don't Forget: the KEY vs. SWORD BATTLE EXTRAVAGANZA is happening in a few weeks! Here's the low-down:

• When: Saturday, March 24th, 10:00am-1:00pm
• Where: The home of the Hellyer family: 27325 122nd Ave. E. Graham, 98338
• Open to all current and former Key of Liberty and Sword of Freedom scholars and parents who would like to participate. (Please no non-participating children, as there will be no supervision available for them.)
• Each participant will need to bring the following items:
• Air-soft gun (NO bb, or battery- or CO2-powered guns allowed)
• Eye-protection
• Waterproof boots
• Warm clothing
• Sack lunch
• Ammo and snacks will be provided

Enjoy your weekend! -Mrs. Hellyer