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

February 6, 2015 Class Update

Hey everyone-

Would you believe we only got through half of the info I wanted to discuss with you last class!

We are falling behind schedule. And to make matters trickier, Teacher Betty and I will not be in class next week! The first hour all the mentors and teachers are in training, and the second hour we are both gone on a field trip for choir.

SO....YOU WILL BE TEACHING THE CLASS! Don't worry...it will be totally easy. No sweat. I will send you each a document, and just like on the Declaration, the portion that you will read and prepare to present will be listed within the document. It will be close to one page of information. You will read/study it, then share it with the class. You will each have about 5 minutes to share/discuss what you have learned.

You can do this. You will be amazing! Maybe Diannalynn Claridge (she'll be sitting for Teacher Betty and me) will video you for us (with her phone) so we can watch later!

Sooo...look for an email from me in the next few days re: your assignment. :) Just in case anyone turns up ill, go ahead and read the whole document I send to you. That way you can help enlighten the class in more than one subject, if need be. :)

Class report from February 5th:

We discussed the establishment of the United States. We found how unique it was, as after the Revolution, the leaders took time to focus the fruits of their study of history and government to establish a more perfect union. They discussed the possible forms of government currently and previously in use in the world, analyzed their pros/cons, and analyzed many political philosophies and governmental structures, including that of Ancient Israel and the Anglo-Saxon people. 

They were well prepared and well-suited to solve the problem of establishing a more perfect government structure.

We talked about the spectrum of political power, with RULER's Law being on one end, and NO Law on the other. The founders of our nation studied and reasoned a way to find the balanced center of the continuum, putting the proper balance of power in federal, state, and local governments. They found the wisdom they needed in the examples of the Ancient Israel and Anglo-Saxon peoples.

We also discussed the dire situation in our nation immediately after the Revolution. It was critical that the founders find a way to that balanced center on the law spectrum. The nation was about to implode from unrest: unpaid soldiers, a possible coup of the congress, and others who were going to debtor's prison by the droves. The country had seemingly gone from one tyrant in King George III to another in the seemingly un-listening ears of the Continental Congress.

So....assignments:

Read and prepare to share info on your outlined assignment for next week's lecture
READ Fifty-five Fathers
Write an opinion paper on "What Powers Do You Have in Making New Laws?"
Complete Constitution Journal, Article 1, Sections 1-7
Complete any previous papers/constitution journal assignments, etc.

Also, which day works better for you for our next National Treasure Movie Night: Feb 27th or 28th? Please reply to me ASAP! I am looking forward to an awesome hangout session...and also cookies. :) Maybe some of Matthew's famous cinnamon rolls...and Teacher Betty's amazing homemade popcorn!

Have a great weekend and see you next week (for a few minutes, anyhow).  :)



 

January 29, 2015 Class Update

Hey everyone!

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

January 15, 2015 Class Update

You all were amazing!

Parent night was a great success. Teacher Betty and I were very impressed with how well you did at presenting your first oral recitation - in front of a room full of people, with a memorized statement. And the Declaration no less! You were wonderful, and inspiring.

In class this past week, we prepared for Parent Night, we learned the history behind tri-corner hats, and we got to create our very own! You all looked stunning, by the way. I was transported back in time watching you recite the Declaration!

We all chose presentations for the next semester. Please see below for your topics and dates! P.S. - Your presentation should include 2-4 pages of a written report. You can use the written report to present to the class, but visuals would be GREAT!

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 - Fort Ticonderoga - April 16

Hannah - Fashion in the Colonial Era - April 23



Next week, David, Kaleigh and Benjamin will accompany Mrs. Keener and me to visit the Capitol. PLEASE BRING your permission slips, money and lunches. Teacher Betty will hold down the Key of Liberty fort with a fun lesson. I encourage you all to bring your Freedom Factor book! You may need it in class next week (not for a book discussion yet).

Teacher Betty will have something fun planned, I am sure!

This week, please keep working on reading The Freedom Factor.

GREAT JOB again, you guys. You are amazing scholars! We'll see you next week.  :)

-Teacher Kelly

January 8, 2015 Class Update

HOW FUN!

We had such a blast in class today. We talked about some amazing patriots of the American Revolution: men who gave EVERYTHING for their country. Nathan Hale and Thomas Sumter were amazing examples of what it truly means to be courageous, and be a statesman above a partisan politician. It would be wonderful if Washington D.C. resembled these men if just a little bit!

We discussed "Being George Washington" and had a quiz on the book's content. You all did a great job! Thank you for being prepared, for putting your time and energy into studying the book. The more participation we have, the more amazing the discussion.

I owe you cookies. I know. I will deliver next class! Nice job on the quizzes!

Lastly, we discussed next week's Parent Night assignments. PLEASE study your Declaration assignment for our presentation. For those who would like to do so, I would love for you to recite the Declaration in its entirety as well. You would do this at the end of our class recitation.

PLEASE let me know if you want to do that!

Also, please finish your hero reports/posters to bring for display at Parent's Night.

I am getting excited for our Capitol Trip! Congratulations to David Keener, Kaleigh Newlun, and Benjamin Poyer for completing all of the first semester requirements by the deadline and qualifying for the excursion. It is going to be a blast!

If you are all done with the above assignments, and are thirsting for more history, please begin reading the next book, "The Freedom Factor" by Gerald Lund. We will be discussing it January 29th.  :)

Happy week, and see you Thursday!