Week 5

We had a lengthy discussion this week on the tipping point of the revolution. We learned that the colonists were more angry at being taxed without representation than they were about paying the taxes themselves. What really sent them over the edge, though, was the Massachusetts Government Act which took away MA colonists' right to govern themselves (which they had been doing for the previous 83 years). I also forgot to mention the Administration of Justice Act which replaced all locally elected magistrates with judges appointed by the king. The colonists wouldn't hear of it! They showed up by the thousands at courthouses all over Massachusetts and blocked the entrances, and non-violently demanded the king's judges to disavow the king and leave their posts, or else the judges would be chased out of their homes. The judges were greatly outnumbered, as were Governor Gage's troops, and so did as they were told. No royal courts were ever held under the Administration of Justice Act, and thus the colonists successfully overthrew the British government in Massachusetts, eight months before "the shot heard 'round the world" began the war!

“So how do the people resist unjust authority, which, we all agree, they must and should do and have done in the past? The best solution anyone has come up with is to say that violent revolutions can be avoided (and therefore, violent mobs legitimately suppressed) if 'the people' are understood to have the right to challenge the laws through nonviolent civil disobedience.”  -David Graeber

Assignments This Week:

• Pay attention to the news! We would like to hear from everyone this week, something in the news that is relevant to our rights or liberty.
• Opinion Paper: When is it right to defend your liberty with guns?
• No presentations this week, but awesome job to Ethan this week on teaching us about the Boston Massacre and the Sons of Liberty! Our next presentations will be on November 3rd given by Paige on Life as a soldier, and by Taylor on hospitals and doctors.
• Reading: John Adams: Reluctant Patriot of the Revolution. Please have this book completed before class on November 3rd. One of you lucky scholars will be leading the book discussion that week!
• Award Requirements: Work on memorizing the Declaration of Independence through the Statement of "Train;" we will recite it together in class, and treats will abound for those who can meet the challenge! Also, keep plugging away at that Heritage Award and the others!

Carry on, scholars!

-Mrs. Hellyer

Week 4

This week we discussed unalienable rights, which are entitlements that come from God alone and cannot be taken away by any man. The Declaration of Independence names life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as among these rights, and implies that we have more rights that are not specifically named.

"The state of Nature has a law of Nature to govern it, which...teaches all mankind who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions; for men being all the workmanship of one omnipotent and infinitely wise maker; all the servants of one sovereign master, sent into the world by His order and about His business; they are His property..."  -John Locke

We also discussed the Landing of the Pilgrims, and the important influence their sacrifices and courage have had on all the generations of Americans who have come after them. Thanks, everyone, for sharing your thoughts!

Assignments this week:

• Opinion Paper: What are your God-given rights? *If you need some ideas, try reading the Bill of Rights (the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution).
• Presentations: Ethan will be presenting his research on the Boston Tea Party and the Sons of Liberty. Nice work, Leila, on your presentation on the Boston Massacre!
• Memorization: Try to have through the "Statement of Prudence" memorized by next Thursday (more is better!) if you want a treat!
• Reading: Work on John Adams: Reluctant Patriot of the Revolution, which we will discuss in class on October 26th. Please have the book FINISHED before class on that day!

As always, don't neglect your other award requirements. We know you all have a lot to do each week, so use your time wisely! By the end of the year, you will look back and be very proud of all you will have accomplished and learned!

Keep up the good work, young patriots!

-Mrs. Hellyer

Week 3 Update

This week we learned the importance of morality in government. People cannot practice republicanism or "self-governance" without first practicing virtue. We also learned a surprising insight by Thomas Paine, that most Americans were more virtuous because they were free-holders of property, and this led to an increased involvement by the colonists in public affairs. A spirit of reformation swept through the colonies in the 2 years prior to the revolution, which inspired the colonists to want to maintain their improved quality of life by becoming independent from Britain, which they viewed as wallowing in "elegance, luxury, and effeminacy."

"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." -Ben Franklin

"The sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy the gift of Heaven, let us become a virtuous people; then shall we both deserve and enjoy it." -Samuel Adams

Here is the video I tried to show in class:



Your opinion paper topic this week is: Why is a moral people required for good government?

Kudos to Dean and Leila for their well-done presentations! Next week, we will hear from Leila again on The Boston Massacre. I'm excited to see what creative visual aid you come up for this one, Leila!

Make sure to complete The Landing of the Pilgrims by Thursday for book discussion, and please come prepared with some questions and/or comments to share.

Please keep working on your award requirements. Remember, I will bring a special treat next week for the scholar who can recite from memory the most of the Declaration of Independence!

-Mrs. Hellyer

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!

Week 14

This week we discussed the 18th and 21st Amendments, which authorized, then repealed, the prohibition of the manufacture, sale, transportation and use of alcohol for the use of beverages. You may still be wondering, "Why did the American government ratify the prohibition Amendment in the first place?" In that case, I highly recommend watching the Ken Burns documentary, Prohibition, (which you can borrow from the library) if you're curious about learning more about this period of American history. If you've ever wondered what caused Americans to make certain decisions or pass certain laws that seem outrageous or irrational, learning the history (economics, politics, moral and social influences, customs and traditions) is essential to gaining that understanding. So, as always, I encourage you to never stop studying and learning about whatever inspires you--but especially history--for many reasons; most importantly, because it will help you make better decisions when you are in charge of protecting and preserving this great nation.

Assignments:

Opinion Paper: Now that you have studied and understand our Constitution, what do you plan to do in your life to see that it is not trampled down by power seeking men? Please be prepared to read this paper aloud in class. 

Award Requirements: PLEASE complete as many of these as you can before Thursday! Just think of how proud you'll be to display your key, decorated with all those ribbons that symbolize all your hard work over the past 9 months! You scholars now know way more about the Constitution and our nation's founding than most college graduates--which is...AWESOME!!

Extra Credit Paper: Where should the line be drawn between personal freedom and public safety? Remember that Mrs. Brennan will have a treat for those scholars who want to write this paper.

We'll be watching A More Perfect Union in class next week, so you can cross that off your list of award requirements. See you all Thursday!

-Mrs. Hellyer

Week 13

Last week we finished up the Bill of Rights, and learned what our rights are should we get accused/convicted of crime...not that any of you will EVER be accused of a crime, but good to know, nonetheless. Also, we had a fun time on the Constitution Journal reward field trip (even though the museum was closed--so frustrating!) eating ice cream and hanging out. I'll put together another outing to the museum this summer and let you all know, so we can try it again.
 
An important reminder: May 12th will be the LAST day to pass off award requirements for the semester. Hurry and get that Heritage Project done, late opinion papers written, George Washington's farewell address read and vocabulary done, scriptures and the Preamble to the Constitution memorized, and/or movies watched so you can all earn your ribbons.
 
Also, my records indicate that I am still missing one or more opinion papers from Tillie, Hannah, Eliana and Micah. My records could be wrong, so please email me if you want to know which papers I am missing, so we can get it straightened out. You will earn your opinion paper ribbon only if ALL the papers have been completed.
 

This Week's Assignments:

 

 

• Book Discussion: We will be discussing The Proper Role of Government by Ezra Taft Benson in class this week. Here is the link,

http://www.properroleofgovernment.com/





 
and the cool thing is that you can read it or listen to it. You may want to print it (about 16 pages) and bring it to class with you, so you can reference it during discussion. Please come prepared with questions/comments for discussion.
 

• Opinion Paper: Should a criminal convicted of killing someone have to die in the same way that he killed the person?

 

• Presentations: We will be pleased to hear presentations from Micah and Zachary this week. Thank you Eliana and Hannah for teaching us a bit more about Patrick Henry and Henry Knox! Great job, and very nice visual aids!

*You must complete your written Hero Report AND give a presentation to earn this ribbon.

That's it from me. Study hard, and get those award requirements done! Don't let the warm, sunny weather this week distract you!

-Mrs. Hellyer