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.