February Apprentice Readings and Inspirements

1. Read: The Freedom Factor ch. 11-20

2. Read: The following parts of the U.S. Constitution:

• Preamble
• Article I
• Article II
• Article III

3. Read: John 15:1-27 OR Matthew 5:1-48 (please choose only one)

4. Watch:

5. Project:

Continue working on your chosen project for this month. Remember, this project should be something that is personally meaningful and inspiring to you. This is the application part of apprentice (applying principles to ourselves). Are you being challenged? Are you blessing someone else? Don't forget: we will be giving presentations on our projects. Keep working on it. This week, write your feelings about what you are learning from your project. Send me an email about your feelings or bring me a little paragraph to class.

For History Class, you have each been assigned to ONE branch of government (look for an email; I didn't want to post it on a public blog). Please do the following for the branch of government that you have been assigned:

Legislative:

Study: Study and prepare a presentation on the roles and responsibility of your branch (you will be responsible to share your presentation with others who did not study about your branch of government so please make sure you do a thorough presentation).

Hero Study: Study about a person who has served in your branch, either today or during the period of history we are studying this year. Learn about how they handled their responsibilities as a member of that branch.

Watch:

(This video has quizzes at the end. You can continue watching and take them if you want, but it's not required).

Create: Create a visual presentation on the branch of government you are assigned. This can be art work, build something, write a paper, bake something, prezi, skit, etc.(If you choose to do a prezi or skit you will need to record it and send it out before class. We will not have enough time during class for prezis or skits).

Think About: Complete a word study on "Government."  Think about the following: How do checks and balances keep our lives in order? How do checks and balances between the different branches of Government keep our government in order? What has happened in history when balance is overridden? What happens in our own lives when we get out of balance? How do we fix our own lives?How can we fix our branches of government when they are out of balance?

Executive:

Study: Study and prepare a presentation on the roles and responsibility of your branch (you will be responsible to share your presentation with others who did not study about your branch of government, so please make sure you do a thorough presentation).

Hero Study: Study about a person who has served in your branch, either today or during the period of history we are studying this year. Learn about how they handled their responsibilities as a member of that branch.

Watch: 

(This video has quizzes at the end. You can continue watching and take them if you want, but it's not required).

Create: A visual presentation on the branch of government you are assigned. This can be art work, build something, write a paper, bake something, prezi, skit, etc.(If you choose to do a prezi or skit you will need to record it and send it out before class. We will not have enough time during class for prezis or skits).

Think About: Complete a word study on "Government." Think about the following: How do checks and balances keep our lives in order? How do checks and balances between the different branches of Government keep our government in order? What has happened in history when balance is overridden? What happens in our own lives when we get out of balance? How do we fix our own lives? How can we fix our branches of government when they are out of balance?

Judicial:

Study: Study and prepare a presentation on the roles and responsibility of your branch (you will be responsible to share your presentation with others who did not study about your branch of government so please make sure you do a thorough presentation).

Hero Study: Study about a person who has served in your branch, either today or during the period of history we are studying this year. Learn about how they handled their responsibilities as a member of that branch.

Watch: 

(This video has quizzes at the end. You can continue watching and take them if you want, but it's not required).

Create: Create a visual presentation on the branch of government you are assigned. This can be art work, build something, write a paper, bake something, prezi, skit, etc.(If you choose to do a prezi or skit you will need to record it and send it out before class. We will not have enough time during class for prezis or skits).

Think About: Complete a word study on "Government." Think about the following... How do checks and balances keep our lives in order? How do checks and balances between the different branches of Government keep our government in order? What has happened in history when balance is overridden? What happens in our own lives when we get out of balance? How do we fix our own lives? How can we fix our branches of government when they are out of balance?

February Journeyman Readings and Inspirements

In February, we are studying some of the things that were occurring in other parts of the world during the American Revolution. 

1. Read: These chapters from The Struggle for Sea Power:

• Marie Antoinette
• The Fall of the Bastile
• The Flight to Varennes
• A Reign of Terror

2. Memorize: The location of the following countries and be able to put them on a map:

• Norway
  
  
• Sweden
• Finland
• Denmark
• United Kingdom
• Ireland
• France 
• Spain
• Germany
• Italy
• Netherlands
• Switzerland
• Belgium
• Greece
• Morocco
• Algeria
• Libya
• Tunisia
• Egypt
• Turkey
• Syria
• Iraq
• Iran
• Lebanon
• Israel
• Jordan
• Afghanistan
• Pakistan
• India
• Nepal
• China

3. Email the Class Preparation Sheet to Sis. Bird and Sis. Shupe by the Tuesday before class. I would like them by noon, but I would allow them until 8 p.m. If I do not receive an email from you, then you will not be joining us for class.

Inspirements:

Pick one of the following to turn in (REMEMBER: PREZIS AND SKITS ARE OKAY FOR APPRENTICE BUT NOT, I REPEAT NOT, ALLOWED FOR JOURNEYMAN OR MASTER):

• Read one of these chapters from The Struggle For Sea Power: James Bruce and the Nile, The Trial of Warren Hastings, or Napoleon Bonaparte. Also, do additional research to share with the class. You can write a paper, write a story, or do an in-person presentation in class (no prezis) to teach us about what you've learned. I would love to see you be creative and show us more about the culture of India or the geography of James Bruce's trip up the Nile, or whatever you find interesting in those chapters.
• Research more about one of the people you learned about and present what you learned to the class. Your presentation should also include something written to turn in. Some examples of people would be: Marie Antoinette, Lafayette, Robespierre, Mirabeau, or King Louis.
• Research the form of government that France was under before and after their Revolution. Go into detail about how each worked or didn't work for each class of the French people.
• Find more about the French Revolution and find a way to share what you've learned: a paper, chart, presentation (in person), etc.
• Research the Women's March on Versailles. Share what you found out with us.
• Research the guillotine. Share with us. I would expect some sort of visual with this one. Anyone who builds a model gets a treat!

February Master Readings and Inspirements

1. Finish: A Tale of Two Cities

Inspirements

Pick your choice of the following (you can write an essay or other type of paper, make a video, write a blog post, or come up with something on your own-no prezis or skits-if you clear it with Sister Shupe or Sister Bird).

• A Tale of Two Cities is full of contrasts-"it was the best of times, it was the worst of times" is one of the best known beginnings to a novel. Choose 2 or 3 things or people to compare and contrast. Some examples would be: compare the reasons and results of the American and French Revolution, or contrast the characters of Carton and Darnay or the women of the French Revolution and Lucie. Make sure to consider the principles which influenced the people or events.
• A Tale of Two Cities highlights transformation-of France; of people. Share your thoughts about a transformation you found in the book and how or why it affected you. Did reading this book transform you in any way? Share that with us.
• Dickens used a theme of resurrection and redemption in A Tale of Two Cities. What examples did you find of this theme? Do you agree that this was the theme? If not, what do you think it was? Show examples.
• Write a story of your own using one or more characters from the book. Don't forget to include historical facts and/or stories and make sure your character(s) illustrate a principle that you found in the book.
• Some of the characters faced imprisonment, either physically, as a result of addictions, from circumstances in their lives, etc. Share your thoughts and examples with the class. Consider whether you also are bound in some way as a result of habits or thoughts or something else. How can you work on changing them? Make a plan and follow through.

25 Cultural Literacy Terms

Here are the 25 cultural literacy terms this week for the game night at the end of the month. You don't have to memorize them word-for-word, and you can choose whether you want to memorize them for the game night at the end of the month. This is optional.

All of the following terms can be found in the section "American Geography"

1. Baltimore
2. Beacon Hill
3. Berkshires
4. Boston
5. Brooklyn
6. Cambridge
7. Connecticut
8. Delaware
9. District of Columbia
10. Georgia
11. Hudson River
12. Long Island
13. Manhattan
14. Maryland
15. Massachusetts
16. Mid-Atlantic States
17. Mount Vernon
18. New Hampshire
19. New Jersey
20. New York
21. North Carolina
22. Pennsylvania
23. Philadelphia
24. Rhode Island
25. Virginia

January Apprentice Readings and Inspirements

This week you have two choices. The following are inspirements for everyone. Then you can make a choice between two options.

1. Watch: Be the Change

What does this video teach you about initiative? Write down your thoughts about the video and what you can do today to "Be the Change" and show initiative. How does initiative change people's hearts?

2. Think About:

Do a word study on initiative, industry, or idleness. How do we show initiative? How does the Lord feel about idleness? In what ways are you showing initiative in your life right now? How is initiative different than idleness? Think of some of your heroes from history--how have they shown initiative?

3. Read: The first two paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence and the following article: 

http://billboards.values.com/backstory-pdf/Leadership.pdf

4. Read: The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

5. Read:

Girls: Understood Betsy from Betsy Goes to School to If You Don't Like a Conversation In This Book Skip This Chapter

Boys: Johnny Tremain chapters 4-6

6. Project:

Continue working on your chosen project for this month. Remember, this project should be something that is personally meaningful and inspiring to you. This is the application part of apprentice (applying principles to ourselves). Are you being challenged? Are you blessing someone else? Don't forget: we will be giving presentations on our projects. Keep working on it. This week, write your feelings about what you are learning from your project. Send me an email about your feelings or bring me a little paragraph to class.

Here comes your choice.

Read and study this:

Read the rest of the Declaration of Independence. Write down as many principles as you can find. Write down any "rights of man" or "unalienable rights" that are outlined in the declaration. Choose one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence (see the list here). Please sign up for the one you are choosing. Read more about the signer that you picked (who they were, what their life was like before and after the war, family life, values, contribution to our country, etc.)

Create:

Prepare to come to class for a debate on "the rights of man" or our "unalienable rights". Come prepared to argue as if you were the signer you have chosen. Here are some inspirements you might choose:

• Write a paper as if you were your signer
• Create a picture or collage of what your signer looked like
• Create a Prezi about your signer
• Make a list of things that your signer did or was passionate about
• (See Teaching Ideas for further ideas)

OR

Read and study this:

Read about one of the heroes of our country during the Revolutionary War. Here is a website that lists a short biography of some of the heroes during this time period (I have not read them all, so please use cautious judgement when choosing your hero). As you study this person, please come prepared to show how your hero showed initiative. 

Create:

Prepare an inspirement that will teach us what you learned from your readings and your thoughts about diligence. In can be visual, written, an activity, something you make or build, an object lesson, etc. See Teaching Ideas if you need further ideas.

January Journeyman Readings and Inspirements

Consider:

This month we are learning about how, and why, our great country was established. In 1620, a group of Puritans, led by William Bradford and William Brewster, went through great hardships to reach a land where they could worship God according to their beliefs. But, before they even set foot on dry land, they drew up the now famous Mayflower Compact, America's first great constitutional document. Its purpose was to create, in God's presence, a covenant among themselves and "frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices... as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony." 150 years later, the American colonists were again ready to go through great hardships for their beliefs and again put down their thoughts on paper- this time as the Declaration of Independence.

1. Read: The Struggle For Sea Power HERE (Scroll down to see the chapters)

This book is written from the British point of view (interesting, right?) 

7 Chapters:

• The Struggle for North America
• George Washington--Soldier and Patriot
• How Pitt Saved England
• The Fall of Quebec
• The Great Lord Hawke
• The Boston Tea Ships
• The Declaration of Independence

2. Read: How to Write an I-research paper HERE

3. Learn and Memorize: The location of the original 13 colonies

• Virginia
• New Hampshire
• Delaware
• New York
• Massachusetts
• Pennsylvania
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Georgia
• Maryland
• Connecticut
• New Jersey
• Rhode Island

4. Email: Class Preparation Sheet by Tuesday at noon

Choose one of the following to research (use more than just Wikipedia), be prepared to share what you learned (including the principle[s] you found) in the form of an essay, paper, story, speech, etc.

Note: For History/Geography, skits can be done in Apprentice, but not Journeyman/Master.

• The early and mid 1700's were good years for the kingdom of Great Britain. Research more about what was happening to increase the size and power of their nation. How and why do you think that such a small island country was able to be such a force at this time in world history?
• Learn more about the British Acts which so angered the colonists. What were they? The king of England thought it only right that the American colonists should help pay back what had been used to protect them from the French. Why did the colonists refuse to obey them? Hint: Remember to look for the principles that were being disregarded.
• Read, understand and memorize the Declaration of Independence. When Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, the concept of everyday people being able to govern themselves was almost unheard of. In the countries these colonists came from, government was something only available to the top level(s) of society and the peasants/lower class weren't considered capable of understanding, let alone governing. And yet, when Jefferson wrote our Declaration, he was proclaiming that not only is the average person capable of, but has the God-given right/responsibility to alter, abolish and institute government which protects their life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. There was a time in our history when every educated person knew the Declaration by heart and what better way to protect our freedoms, than by understanding what our forefathers were willing to die to defend (you can decide for yourself if you want to include the grievances to the King).
• George Washington is considered to be the “father of our country”. I'm sure you already know quite a bit about him, but I'd like you to study his life and consider/answer one or more of these: How did Washington's life prepare him for the role he eventually played for our nation? Even though Washington lost many of his military battles during the Revolution, he eventually won the war. Tell me what you learned about him as a military leader- how did he plan his battles? Why did men follow him? As the first President of our country, George Washington set many precedents which are still followed today- what are they? Why did the things he did then affect us now? Washington was called “bullet-proof” - why? Research some of the miraculous things that happened to him, especially during his battles, and tell me about them and if/why you think he was protected and helped.
• There were many other great men and women who did their part to ensure that this new country would be free. Learn more about one of them and tell us about them, including what they did and why. Don't forget to look for principles in their lives and relate them to your own. Here is a very small list of people to consider, feel free to use someone else you feel drawn to learn about: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Abigail Adams, Molly Pitcher, Patrick Henry, James Madison, Betsy Ross or Thomas Paine.

January Master Readings and Inspirements

Read: 1776 by David McCullough

This is the same book that Leadership used :^)

(You may also want to start on next month's master book for History/Geography-A Tale of Two Cities)

Inspirement

For your inspirement, I am simply asking you to take your apprentice or journeyman inspirement further. Dig deeper into the reasons for the revolution, or the people who were involved or the events that took place. I would like to see you use your talents and research to create something that could influence someone else to see the magnitude of what happened in this time. Remember, this is Master Class! I will not accept a Prezi, a 2-minute skit, or anything equivalent to that. Use your brain!

Here are some ideas that you can use, or you can come up with your own:

• Create a blog or webpage, or add to your current one--put up some thoughtful posts about what you have learned and why those things are important.
• Write a short story (or a long one--your choice) that incorporates what you learned and that can teach someone else about its importance.
• Write an essay about a person or event and how it shaped the revolution.
• Create a graphic novel that could teach someone what you learned about this time period and why it is important.
• Create a video explaining your research or telling the story of the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence, etc.