A Republic, if you can keep it...

    At the close of the Constitutional Convention of 1787,  Franklin was asked by a Mrs. Powell  “Well Doctor what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?"  Franklin replied, 

“A Republic , if you can keep it."

 

What are the advantages of a Republic?

"Refine and enlarge the public views by passing them through the medium of a chosen body of citizens, whose wisdom may best discern the true interest of their country and whose patriotism and love of justice will be least likely to sacrifice it to temporary or partial considerations." James Madison

Test your knowledge of the U.S Constitution by playing the online U.S IQ game!

Constitution Studies

• We started class by playing  "Take a Liberty" card game. 
•  Each group did a great job presenting their assigned type of government.  We discussed Monarchy, Despotic, Aristocracy and Republic. 
• The boys and girls team were able to match the Constitution topics with the correct Article in under 5 seconds! The final scores:  girls 4.3 seconds, boys 4.7 seconds.  Next week we will add the sections to Article 1: 

Article 1       Legislative Branch

                         Section 1:   Lawmaking powers in Congress

                         Section 2:   House of Representatives

                         Section 3:   Senate

                         Section 4:   Elections and meetings

                         Section 5:   Organization of Congress

                         Section 6:   Compensation and Privileges

                         Section 7:   Legislative Process

                         Section 8:   Powers granted to Congress

                         Section 9:    Powers forbidden to Congress

                         Section 10:   Powers forbidden to States

  

Homework:   

1. 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?
2. Memorize Preamble. Learning it in sign language helps.
3. Prepare for our matching competition: Boys against girls!
4. Finish reading Freedom Factor, by Gerald Lund by 1/31

Presentation:

Jeremy 

Devotional:

Lilly

Presentation Topics and Schedule:

1/24 Jeremy -    James Wilson

1/31 Gigi-         Governor Morris

2/7   Lilly-         Roger Sherman

2/14 Tyler-       Alexander Hamilton

2/21 Brayden-   John Dickenson

2/28 Kaylee-     Edmund Randolph

3/7  George-     William Patterson

Writing Assignments- Due on the date listed below

1/24  Is it better to have a man of faith in office with a minimal education or a man of knowledge with a minimal faith and questionable character?

1/31  What powers do you have in making new laws?

2/7   Does Congress have too much power or not enough?

2/21 According to the Constitution, Congress has the power to declare war but for the last 60 years the President has declared war.  Which branch in your opinion should have the power-Legislative or Executive?

2/28  Have the Supreme Court rulings helped or hindered our nation

3/14  If you were to make an amendment to The Constitution, what would it be?

3/21 What would life be like without the Constitution?

3/28 According to the 1st Amendment does a person have the right to go to a public park and swear around children?

4/4 If a person is suspected of doing evil, should the government be allowed to search his house with out him knowing it?

4/11 Should a criminal die the way he killed a person?

4/18  Is it an unalienable right to intoxicate oneself?  Does the government have the power to take away our unalienable rights? Explain.

4/25 Now that you know and understand our Constitution, what do you plan to do in your life to see that it is not trampled down by power-seeking men?