Week 5

This week we learned about the powers of Congress. I think we counted 27 separate express powers that are spelled out in Article 1 Section 8. The last power we listed is an implied power and it comprises the "necessary and proper clause" a.k.a. the "elastic clause," which basically gives Congress power to make any laws that they deem necessary to accomplish the provisions of the Constitution...sort of a "just in case we forgot anything, this should cover it" clause. Anyway, you'll want to get really familiar with these for the Constitution Bowl, which, by the way, we are working on in cooperation with FILAP to bring in the true spirit of competition! Oooh, I can't wait!

*(I know this is a little off-topic, but Sister Miller reminded me of this great video (posted below)about the Declaration of Independence. Some of you have already seen it, but if you haven't, enjoy!)

 

Assignments:

 

Opinion Paper - Does Congress have too much power or not enough?

 

Constitution Journal - Articles 3 and 4

 

Reading - Finish Fifty Five Fathers for our book discussion on Thursday, which will be led by Paige. Remember, there will be scrumptious treats for those who finish the book!

 

News - Be prepared to share what you've heard this week; take some notes if you need help remembering the details. "I heard about this guy that lost something, and he got arrested or something." Hmmm...doesn't sound very informative!

 

Hero Reports - I still need names of Heroes from Ethan and Paige. Remember your hero has to be someone who promoted the principles of freedom and liberty at any time or place in history.

 

Devotional - I think it's Lucy's turn this week...

 

Award Requirements - Don't forget to be working on your award requirements! Memorize those scripture references, and the preamble...a little at a time goes a long way! 

 

***Check back to Week 3 for important dates to remember***

 

Have a great weekend! -Mrs. Hellyer

Week 4

This week we discussed the legislative process, or how a bill becomes a law. I've attached the Crash Course Government video that we watched in class in case you would like to review it and refresh your memories. (The more simplified, Schoolhouse Rock video is below this one in a separate post, because I didn't know how to get both videos on the same post, sorry!) We also got to practice parliamentary procedure by making snack mix--a SUPER fun and yummy way to learn about something that is otherwise pretty boring!

 

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

 

Opinion Paper - What powers do YOU have in making new laws?

 

Constitution Journal - Article 2 (yes, the whole thing!)

 

Hero Report - You all need to decide THIS WEEK who you will be presenting and reporting on in April/May and report the name of that person to either me or Mrs. Brennan!

 

Reading - We will discuss Fifty Fathers on March 2nd, (instead of this week since you just got your books) with the discussion led by Paige.

 

Devotional - I would like Leila to provide the inspirational thought this week.

 

News - Don't forget to come to class ready to discuss a news story/current event that is relevant to liberty, the Constitution, or anything else we have learned about in class.

 

IMPORTANT DATES:

 

See the Week 3 post.

 

Enjoy the Presidents' Day holiday, everyone! -Mrs. Hellyer

Schoolhouse Rock: America - I'm Just a Bill Music Video

Week 3

Here's a recap of what we learned about last week:

Charles Montesquieu outlined 3 species of government: Virtue, Honor, and Fear. Our founders believed that building a government founded on virtue was paramount, so they created a government with 3 equally powerful branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) with different stewardships, which in turn created a system of checks and balances to prevent any branch from becoming more powerful than the other 2. Time has shown, however, that this carefully orchestrated system is heavily dependent on the virtue of the people and the representatives they elect. When the executive branch begins usurping power through executive orders, the judicial branch begins practicing judicial activism by legislating from the bench, and the Congress does nothing to stop either one, we see the system of checks and balances go by the wayside, and the people lose their liberties. Fortunately, the founders were wise, and took precautions for such times, but we the people are the only ones who can restore the order of the original Constitution by exercising our unalienable rights and being virtuous ourselves.

"If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls would be necessary." -James Madison, Federalist Papers, No. 51
                                                                                         

Assignments:

OPINION PAPER: 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? Please use facts and examples to support your opinion!

NEWS DESK: Please be prepared to share a recent news story relevant to what we've been studying in class.

DEVOTIONAL: Taylor, will you please do the honors this week?

CONSTITUTION JOURNAL: Article 1, Sections 6-10.

READING: Since you didn't receive your Fifty Five Fathers books, yet, we will give you an extra week to complete the reading. The new deadline and book discussion date will be March 2nd, and Paige will be leading our discussion. There will also be treats for those who have read the book!

HERO REPORTS & PRESENTATIONS: Y'all are running out of time to sign up for your hero reports/presentations. I've only heard from Lucy on this, so the other 6 of you need to choose someone ASAP! Last day to sign up is February 23rd.

Dates to Remember:

March 24th - Air-soft gun battle. 10am, my house. Bring an air-soft weapon, eye protection, boots (my property is very swampy), and a sack lunch. Siblings 12 and up, and parents (dads, especially) are welcome to join in the mayhem. We'll have snacks and more fun than you can probably handle!

April 13th -

• Thomas Jefferson's birthday! Leadership class is planning some special celebratory activities in honor of our great mentor, one of which is a Declaration of Independence reciting contest! Brush up on your memory of this document for the big day for a chance to win a prize!
• Constitution Bowl! We will be combining with FILAP for our big competition! More details about the time and place are to come...
• Hero Reports are due. A 2-4 page typed paper with bibliography attached. Any questions, please see me or Mrs. Brennan.

See you all tomorrow! -Mrs. H.

Week 2

Sorry to be so late with this post, but my internet connection has been crawling with all the snow. (Yes, I have limited internet where I live--sort of like dial-up, which none of you are old enough to remember.) I am going to brag, however, that we got an epic 13 inches of snow at my house, so I won't complain too much about the internet. Anyway, here's a brief rundown of assignments due Thursday:

• Reading: Fifty Five Fathers if you have a copy. If you ordered yours at the beginning of the semester, you should be receiving it on Thursday.

• Opinion Paper: Write a debrief of the simulation we did in class: 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 facts and examples to support your opinions!

• Constitution Journal: Article 1 Sections 6-10. This is actually this Thursday's assignment that I accidentally gave you a week early, so if you need time to catch up, Cha-ching! you got an extra week!

• Be thinking about who you want to research for your Hero report. You can sign-up anytime between now and February 23rd.

**I'll be handing out a study guide to each of you for the Constitution Bowl this week. Many questions will be taken directly from this guide, so use it wisely!

**The annual Key of Liberty vs. Sword of Freedom/Hero Project air-soft battle is now officially scheduled for Friday, March 24th at 10am at my house! Woo-hoo! Put it on your calendars, and start gathering your gear, including an air-soft gun and eye protection. Ammo and snacks will be provided.

'Til Thursday, Mrs. Hellyer

Semester 2 Week 1

First of all, AWESOME job to all of you on your presentation! I may be a little partial, but it was definitely the BEST of all the parent night presentations!

Now...our deep dive into the Constitution has begun! Get ready for some serious scholarliness!

Each week you will have a Constitution journal assignment in addition to your opinion paper. Completing the journal will be a huge help in preparing for the Constitution Bowl. If you complete your journal, a special, and yes, FUN, field trip awaits. I really want to take everybody on this excursion, so please get it done!

Here are this week's assignments:

• CONSTITUTION JOURNAL: Preamble and Article 1 Sections 1-5 (*Bring a dictionary to class if you have one.)

• OPINION PAPER: Why is America different? How is the American government different from nations now and in the past, and why have we lasted so long?

• READING: Work on Fifty-Five Fathers by Selma R. Williams. If you don't have a copy, DO NOT wait until the last minute to get one! I would like Paige to lead the discussion on this book, which will be on February 23rd. Please read "Steps in Leading a Colloquium" in your binder to prepare. 

• Be thinking about who you want to do your Hero Report on. We want everyone to sign up by February 23rd.

I apologize to any of you who did not get to pass off award requirements last week. We will definitely make time to do that this week, so please bring your stuff.

See you all Thursday! -Mrs. H.

Week 15

We had a fun field trip to the capitol last week, and I hope you all learned a little something you didn't know before. I wish we could have stayed longer and done the 3-hour tour (when I was a kid, the school tour included getting to climb the narrow staircase into the rotunda!) but since we couldn't, I encourage you all to go back with your families, do the full tour, and maybe even attend a legislative session so you can see governance at work. You'll appreciate the legislative process more after we study the Constitution this semester!

Okay, let's talk parent night! It's crunch time, so please be sure you are COMPLETELY prepared for Thursday night. That means speaking parts (practice at home to make sure it's about 1-minute long), your costume, and any props you are using. At the end of our "Heroes of the Revolution" presentation, I would like all of us to recite in unison the following excerpt from the Declaration of Independence:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness...And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge our Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred Honor.

We will be rehearsing this during class this week, so please get this memorized for Thursday...it should be SUPER easy after all the memorization you've already done!

Other Items of Note:

• We'll be discussing Freedom Factor on Thursday, so make sure you have it completed! I'm excited to hear what you all think of this book! Taylor has been assigned to lead our discussion, but everyone needs to come prepared with one or two questions and/or comments to share. (Our next book will be Fifty-Five Fathers by Selma R. Williams which we will discuss on February 23rd.)

• If you've completed your Heritage Award requirements, please bring your completed project to discuss with me or Mrs. Brennan on Thursday.

• If you have a dictionary at home, please bring it to class, as we will be beginning our Constitution study this semester. Also, make sure you bring a notebook and a writing implement every week! Exclusively for scholars who complete their Constitution journals, there will be a special reward field trip at the end of the semester!

• Last but definitely not least: we will be having an air-soft gun battle against the Sword of Freedom class in the spring. You'll want to acquire an air-soft (not bb) gun and eye protection to use for this super-fun, annual event. There will be more details to come, so stay posted! 

That's all folks!  -Mrs. H.