CLASS SYLLABUS 2019

LIBERTY LOVERS CLASS SYLLABUS 2019

Week 2 - June 11, 2019: Declaration of Independence

Please have the following prepared for class:

• Read the book, Rush Revere: Brave Pilgrims.  We will be having a book discussion in class.

• Write an opinion paper on the following and bring it to class: 

For more than a century, American colonists governed themselves according to conscience. Finally, in July 1776, fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence. Yet, they knew that freedom with self-government could cost their earthly fortunes and even their very lives. Write about a time when you were self-governed and followed your conscience, even though no one else told you the right thing to do.

• Work on memorizing the Declaration of Independence

• Optional: Watch the movie 1776

Week 3 - June 18, 2019: Revolutionary War

Please have the following prepared for class:

• Read the book, Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy.  We will be having a book discussion in class.

• Write an opinion paper on the following and bring it to class: 

On December 19, 1777, George Washington and his Continental Army arrived at their winter camp site in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The discouraged army now faced a hard winter filled with disease and hunger. Imagine you are a patriot soldier at Valley Forge, with no shoes or blanket to call your own. Write about three reasons you will stay with General Washington instead of deserting the army.

• Work on memorizing the Declaration of Independence

• Optional: Watch the movie Johnny Tremain (you can find it free online on youtube)

Week 4 - June 25, 2019: Articles of Confederation/Constitutional Conventions

Please have the following prepared for class:

• Begin reading the book, Fifty-Five Fathers 
• Write an opinion paper on the following and bring it to class: 

The bald eagle has long been an emblem of the United States of America. The eagle can remind us of Isaiah 40:31, which says: “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Do you believe that nations and people who fear God and His laws will have new strength? Why or why not?   

• Watch the movie A More Perfect Union (you can find it free on-line on you-tube)
• Work on memorizing the Declaration of Independence
• Optional: Watch the HBO documentary  John Adams parts 1 & 2 (parents may want to pre-watch this to see if you approve of it for your youth. There are a few things you may want to FF through or mute.)

Week 5 - July 2, 2019: Overview of the Constitution

Please have the following prepared for class:

• Finish reading the book, Fifty-Five Fathers.  We will be having a book discussion in class.
• Work to memorize the Preamble to the Constitution
• Write an opinion paper on the following and bring it to class: 

Who do you think deserves the most credit on the 4th of July for helping to make the country an independent nation? Why?  How do you honor these important people?  How could you honor them better?

• Work on memorizing the Declaration of Independence

Week 6 - July 9, 2019: Separation of Powers

Please have the following prepared for class:

• Start reading the book, The Making of George Washington or any good biography of George Washington over 200 pages
• Write an opinion paper on the following and bring it to class:

Define “patriot,” “patriotic,” or “patriotism.” You can look it up in a dictionary but then rewrite it in your own words to begin your paper.  Then think of someone who fits your definition and finish your paper about that person, showing how he or she exemplifies the word.

• Work on memorizing the Declaration of Independence

Week 7 - July 16, 2019: Three Branches of Government

Please have the following prepared for class:

• Finish reading the book, The Making of George Washington or any good biography of George Washington over 200 pages.  We will be having a book discussion in class.
• Write an opinion paper on the following and bring it to class: 

Why do you think Independence Day is important? Do you and your family do anything special to celebrate the holiday? Why or why not?  What do you think our founding fathers like George Washington would think about the modern-day Independence Day? What would they like about it and what would they dislike?

• Work on memorizing the Declaration of Independence

Week 8 - July 23, 2019: How Laws are Made

Please have the following prepared for class:

• Read the book, Bulletproof George Washington.  We will be having a book discussion in class.
• Write an opinion paper on the following and bring it to class: 

It’s 1837 and you live on a sprawling farm in the new state of Michigan. Write a letter to a friend and share your excitement over the new U.S. flag with a 26th star for Michigan. The flag will be official on July 4, 1837!

• Work on memorizing the Declaration of Independence
• Optional: Watch the movie Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (you can find it free online on youtube)

THERE WILL BE NO CLASS ON JULY 30.

Week 9 - August 6, 2019: Bill of Rights

Please have the following prepared for class:

• Read the book, Great Little Madison.  We will be having a book discussion in class.
• Write an opinion paper on the following and bring it to class: 

In 1787, the Framers of the Constitution of the United States instituted a wise system of government: Three branches of government–executive, legislative, and judicial–would ensure that powers remained divided, with a pattern of checks and balances. Compare and contrast a government of divided powers with a government of one absolute ruler.

• Work on memorizing the Declaration of Independence

Week 10 - August 13, 2019: Amendments

Please have the following prepared for class:

• Start reading the book, Freedom Factor
• Write an opinion paper on the following and bring it to class: 

In 1873, an Act of Congress required the Latin phrase “E Pluribus Unum“ (Out of Many, One) to appear on all U.S. coins. Only eight years had passed since a devastating Civil War had ended with our nation still united as one. Today, as then, Americans have many differences but much in common. Write about two of these differences, and two things we all share.

• Work on memorizing the Declaration of Independence

Week 11 - August 20, 2019: Electoral College

Please have the following prepared for class:

• Finish reading the book, Freedom Factor.  We will be having a book discussion in class.
• Write an opinion paper on the following and bring it to class: 

The Founding Fathers are considered geniuses for the government they created, especially considering how long it has lasted.  Which part of the Constitution (you may include the Bill of Rights) do you think was the most important and has the greatest impact on Americans today?  Give at least two supporting arguments.  

• Work on memorizing the Declaration of Independence

Week 12 - August 27, 2019: Proper Role of Government

Please have the following prepared for class:

• Read:  The Proper Role of Government.  You can find it here: https://www.properroleofgovernment.com  We will be having a discussion in class.
• Write an opinion paper on the following and bring it to class: 

Choose your favorite quote from “Proper Role of Government.”.  Why is it important to you.  What does it mean and  how can you live it better?

• Work on memorizing the Declaration of Independence