Our First Test!!!

     Well, you survived your first test! Hooray! It wasn't so bad, right? I know tests can be stressful and hard, but it truly is a good skill to master. Now with one test under your belt, you will know what to expect on the next tests. At the end of each semester, I will even drop your lowest test score from your overall grade, so don't panic.

 I am really proud of each of you! No one complained or whined about the test. You just came in and went to work. The bonus is that you got treats afterwards, right?

I think treats help any situation, don't you? It takes our mind off of hard things.

Especially if those treats include sugar!


     Has anyone else noticed how we always migrate towards current events in class? Lol! I like it though. We are bringing history into our current culture. Plus, there is so much to discuss! Feel free to research things going on right now to discuss in class. I think it is important to analyze things that are currently happening to what we are learning in history. You all have intelligent insights and it makes my heart smile to hear your thoughts. No matter what "crazy" things are going on around us, or have happened in the past, God is in control. We can't always see or understand his plan, but He has one, and we just need to trust and have faith. The writers of the Constitution had no idea if their new plan for government would work, they were hopeful but unsure, and yet they trusted and put it forward. They trusted in God to guide them. They dealt with oppositions throughout the journey, but here we are today still holding tight to our Constitution that governs us with effective but limited power.

Here is what you need to do this week:
-Read Unit 7
-Choose 1 Unit Project to complete
-American Voices: Thomas Jefferson's First Inaugural Address, "I love Thy Kingdom, Lord", Marbury V. Madison, excerpts from Letters between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, "Star Spangled Banner", "Thanatopsis", "To a Waterfowl", and Last Will and Testament of Springfield Presbytery.
-Bible verse Isaiah 55:1-3, questions from lesson 32, Matthew 21:12-13 and answer questions from lesson 33.
-Work on Timeline
-Extra Credit: Read Narrative of the Life of David Crockett. (optional)
Answer one of the following questions in a 1-2 paragraph paper:
1. Why was David Crockett the ideal frontiersman?
2. How did he contribute to American History?


Have a great week!

"We the People...."

     Several overall principles were evident in the Constitution that was submitted to the states in September of 1787 and eventually ratified. The document was a careful series of checks and balances that shared power amount three branches of the government; the Legislative, the Executive, and the Judicial branches. Our founders tried to create a government with limited powers, because they feared unlimited authority like they had suffered before the Revolution. They wanted a government that protected the people and their right's and abilities without running their lives. They wanted a government of laws, not of men. Today we examined a copy of the Constitution and discussed what it stands for. We also looked at copies of money used during the last 1700's and the Bill of Rights.

The Constitution & Bill of Rights

We spent a fair amount of time pouring over the writing style and penmanship of the document. Becky even found a few places where they had made an error and inserted a word that was left out! I can't believe they made mistakes back then!!!😂

The best part of today was discussing the changes in our culture today regarding the Constitution. We also discussed the role of Senators and the House of Representatives. Some former Senators turned Attorney General are clearly not abiding by the Constitution. (Ahem) It is important to know what the role is of these important jobs, so we can keep them accountable when necessary. We discussed a few distinguished individuals making headlines in the news right now for their conduct and perceived wrong doing. Talking about current events leads to all sorts of fun rabbit trails!

Next week is our first test!😁 I know tests are not something people look forward to, but it is a good way to know if you are understanding and remembering the material. Don't worry though, it won't be too hard. Plus, I will give you treats afterwards. I attached a link to a song to help you remember the Preamble (it will be on the test). 

Homework:

For this week, You need to read Unit 6 and complete the bible assignments and study!!!! There is no Unit Project due next week. You can also begin reading "The Narrative of the Life of Davey Crockett" for extra credit. Once you have read the narrative, write a 2 paragraph paper on either:

1. What contribution he made to our country  OR

2. Why he was the "ideal" frontiersman. 

*Remember this is no required. It is just for extra credit. 
The extra credit assignment is not due for 2 more weeks.

Have a great week friends!

How to Become President of the United States

Happy Friday! I hope you are finding history exciting as you read about the Constitution and the establishment of our government. Here is a video to help you understand how we elect our President. It is important to understand how our government works and why our founding fathers established it the way they did. I have spent numerous hours pouring over the Constitution, Bill of Rights, Amendments, and it truly is fascinating. Well, it is to me:) Don't forget to study and memorize the Preamble. It will be on your first test!



Have a great weekend!

We Declare Ourselves Free!

"But....when a long series of abuses and stealing of freedoms has occurred by the Government, which are all meant to achieve the goal of putting the People under their rule of violent tyrants, it becomes the right of the People-even more it becomes the duty of the People- to defeat and cast away that Government and create a new Government and new safeguards to protect their freedom."

     This is exactly what happened to the thirteen colonies under British rule. They patiently waited and suffered under British rule and reached a point where they had no choice but to alter their current system. Their freedoms and been abused, and they were fed up! Discussing the Declaration of Independence led to thought provoking "rabbit trails", and I am pretty sure we solved all of the world's problems for them:) Our biggest rabbit trails came from discussing the 7th point made in the Declaration about the King trying to prevent people from coming to live in the U.S. The King refused to let foreigners migrate here, which was a contention of the colonist, but we have the opposite problem here now.  Where do we draw the line? It is an interesting question. I love how insightful you all are. You each had valid points and concerns about the future of our nation.

     During this time of war, The Revolutionary War, we were fighting so desperately for our freedom and trying to establish our own government. It is not an easy thing to do as will will discover in the next weeks. They often faced harsh conditions while fighting in the wilderness and survived on meager food rations. We sampled the most common food during the bitter war, Hasty Pudding. Why is it called pudding? It is nothing like smooth, creamy chocolate pudding. However, it can be quite delicious and easy to make.  It was often served with salt sprinkled on top or honey. We all decided that honey is the best topping for Hasty Pudding.

     Today was a special day in our class. Brooke celebrated her 15th birthday! I am so honored that she chose to come to class and spend time with us on her special day! In honor of her birthday, we had brownies with cookies baked on top. And to be clear, I will bake for each one of you on or around your birthday. I love the fellowship that comes with eating desserts for someone's birthday. Thank you for spending a part of your day with us Brooke.

     In this upcoming week, you have some reading to do and thinking through what it meant to set up our own system of government. The Constitution is a remarkable document that has served our nation for over 200 years. We need to understand the provisions of the Constitution so that we can understand our Federal system. Here is what you need to do this week:

1. Write down Philippians 2:14-15
2. American Voices- "The Federalist Number 10" ( we will discuss the Federalist Papers in class)
3. Bible- Read Psalm 119 and answer questions. You will turn these in.
4. No Unit Project this week!!! 
5. Take notes for your Timeline

Thank you for another wonderful, stimulating, discussion-filled class. I love spending time with you discussing history and current events. We missed Rodney today and look forward to having him back in class soon.

Yankee Doodle

     As you have probably read by now, "Yankee Doodle" was a song that was sung when Cornwallis surrendered to Washington at Yorktown. Have you ever wondered where that song originated or what it means? Here is a little back story on the song:

     The earliest words came form a a Middle Dutch harvest song possibly dating back as far as the 15th century. It contained mostly non-sensical words in English and in Dutch.
     The term Doodle first appeared during the 17th century and was derived from German meaning "playing music badly".  The Macaroni wig was in high fashion during the 17th century, and Dandies were men who took great pride in their appearance. A Dandy was usually a  British middle class  man who impersonated an aristocratic lifestyle.  They wore silk clothing, stuck feathers in their hats, and wore two pocket watches attached to their vest with a chain. It was the era of "dandyism" in London.
     In British conversation, a "Yankee Doodle Dandy" implied an unsophisticated misappropriation of high fashion, as though placing a feather in one's hat could make them noble.
     Tradition believes the song to be pre-Revolutionary War, sung by British military to poke fun at the "Yankees" who served during the French and Indian War. They mocked the Yankees attempt to appear to be higher class then they were by sticking a feather in their hat, as if it elevated their social status. By 1781, Yankee Doodle went from being an insult to being a song of national pride.
     There have been many versions of the song since it was first introduced. Different words have been put to the tune of Yankee Doodle and different meanings understood from it. It has been sung in schools around the nation and held with great fondness. Here is the entire Yankee Doodle song:

Yankee Doodle went to town

A-riding on a pony,

Stuck a feather in his cap

And called it macaroni.

[Chorus]

Yankee Doodle keep it up,

Yankee Doodle dandy,

Mind the music and the step,

And with the girls be handy.

Father and I went down to camp,

Along with Captain Gooding,

And there we saw the men and boys

As thick as hasty pudding.

[Chorus]

And there we saw a thousand men

As rich as Squire David,

And what they wasted every day,

I wish it could be savèd.

[Chorus]

The 'lasses they eat every day,

Would keep a house a winter;

They have so much, that I'll be bound,

They eat it when they've a mind to.

[Chorus]

And there I see a swamping gun

Large as a log of maple,

Upon a deuced little cart,

A load for father's cattle.

[Chorus]

And every time they shoot it off,

It takes a horn of powder,

And makes a noise like father's gun,

Only a nation louder.

[Chorus]

I went as nigh to one myself

As 'Siah's underpinning;

And father went as nigh again,

I thought the deuce was in him.

[Chorus]

Cousin Simon grew so bold,

I thought he would have cocked it;

It scared me so I shrinked it off

And hung by father's pocket.

[Chorus]

And Cap'n Davis had a gun,

He kind of clapt his hand on't

And stuck a crooked stabbing iron

Upon the little end on't

[Chorus]

And there I see a pumpkin shell

As big as mother's basin,

And every time they touched it off

They scampered like the nation.

[Chorus]

I see a little barrel too,

The heads were made of leather;

They knocked on it with little clubs

And called the folks together.

[Chorus]

And there was Cap'n Washington,

And gentle folks about him;

They say he's grown so 'tarnal proud

He will not ride without 'em.

[Chorus]

He got him on his meeting clothes,

Upon a slapping stallion;

He sat the world along in rows,

In hundreds and in millions.

[Chorus]

The flaming ribbons in his hat,

They looked so tearing fine, ah,

I wanted dreadfully to get

To give to my Jemima.

[Chorus]

I see another snarl of men

A-digging graves, they told me,

So 'tarnal long, so 'tarnal deep,

They 'tended they should hold me.

[Chorus]

It scared me so, I hooked it off,

Nor stopped, as I remember,

Nor turned about till I got home,

Locked up in mother's chamber.

[Chorus]

Cajun Food Anyone?

     You have completed week 2 and are well on your way to becoming history buffs! Discussing the Enlightenment period, the establishment of self-government, The French and Indian War, our growing conflicts with British control, and The Great Awakening help us to learn from the past. Many of the the events that took place during the 1700's remind us of events occurring in our society today. Taxes are still around, our cultures reliance on man rather then God, people's increasing wealth resulting in declining interest in God, and a need for another Great Awakening remind us that we face similar issues that the colonist faced many years ago. We have begun to see how the expansion of America is taking place, and The French and Indian War gave us a huge lead in acquiring land and moving forward in our desire for expansion. We can also see that God's hand was there the whole time. It was in his providence that we became the nation we are today.
     Although the book spent very little time discussing the Acadians from Canada and their sad tale, we sampled a few food items from their typical meal. These men and women became known as the Cajuns in Louisiana. They were forced into emigration and found their way to New Orleans, the closest French-speaking haven. It was after the British won The French and Indian War that they were forced to leave their homes in Nova Scotia, Canada. Their meals consisted of things they could fish, grow, or catch. We sampled shrimp, sausage, and corn bread. Most of their food was thrown into a large pot and made into gumbo. Things like shrimp, crayfish, okra, corn, tomato, catfish, onion, garlic, etc.... were main staples in their diets. They occasionally added meat too.

     This week you will be reading Unit 4. We are about to learn about The Declaration of Independence and The Revolutionary War. Please take lots of notes! These are important events in our country's history. Your homework for this week should include:
1.  Unit Project- write 300-500 words on:
- Reasons Americans desired independence
- What the Christian's relationship to the government should be in the United States today and what it should be for a Christian living in Communist China today.
OR
-Make a portfolio of at least 10 weapons that were used by the British and Americans during the War for American Independence. Include a drawing and description.
-Make an audio or video recording of yourself singing or playing at least 5 songs that were popular during the War for American Independence.
2. Read the following from American Voices: "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death", "Paul Revere's Ride", "Concord Hymn", Common Sense, Declaration of Independence, poems by Phillis Wheatley, "The Crisis", and the Articles of Confederation.
3. Bible assignments: Read Romans 13:1-7 and Acts 5:29. Answer questions assigned in text book. -- -Write Leviticus 25:10.
4. Continue adding events to your Timeline.

     I am excited to review the homework you turned in today! Thank you for your hard work! I love that some of you are thinking outside the box. I was impressed by a video done today as one of the Unit projects. The creativity inspires me! Feel free to be creative with these projects.
     A few of you have let me know that you will be absent for some classes. It's no problem. Just make sure you stay on top of your homework and turn in assignments when you get back. As I mentioned in class, I will except assignments up until the week before Thanksgiving for the first semester, so if you have to miss a class, you can still get your work in for credit. You can also email me homework too. I am pretty flexible:)
   
     Have a great week!